The classic 1971 Michael Caine gangster drama gets an upgrade from the Warner Archive Collection
British crime classic Get Carter is new on 4K Blu-ray and also recently re-released on Blu-ray, both from the Warner Archive Collection as part of their MGM catalogue library.
These days Michael Caine is a beloved elder statesman of cinema, more recognizable to modern audiences for his arguably even better “second career” in latterday roles in The Cider House Rules, Children of Men, Austin Powers in Goldmember, and several Christopher Nolan films, most notably as Alfred in the Dark Knight trilogy. I can distinctly remember first hearing his name in 1992, as there was some considerable buzz around his playing Ebenezer Scrooge in A Muppet Christmas Carol, a role which redefined his screen persona.
But Caine had been a mainstay of British cinema for decades, and indisputably a 60s icon, with an expansive filmography action, drama, and thrillers. And 1971’s pitch black Get Carter is one of his most celebrated.
It’s notably the feature debut of the great Mike Hodges, who would go on to reteam with Caine for Pulp, then direct a number of favorites like The Terminal Man, Flash Gordon and Black Rainbow, culminating his long career with launching Clive Owen’s path to stardom with Croupier and I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead.
Get Carter is a gloomy gangster drama featuring Caine as Jack Carter, a London gangster who goes back home to Newcastle to investigate the death of his brother. The official explanation, a drunk driving accident, seems suspect, contrary to the man’s habits. Carter suspects foul play – someone had him killed. But who, and why?
What follows is a one-man assault, as Jack systematically shakes down the crime establish, starting at the bottom and working his way up, and collecting new enemies along the way. While Jack is on a justified mission of revenge which the audience can get behind, and he’s no hero. Aside from his love for his brother which is never seen but presumed, and which extends to his niece, Carter is a rather cold and indifferent criminal, dealing death with unflinchingly casual resolve.
Most distressing is the film’s treatment of women. Carter’s violence is not limited to men, and he’s just as willing to kill women as sleep with them (and in a short time manages to do a fair bit of both). Several female characters in the film are killed in his warpath, both in direct retribution and as collateral damage.
Despite some heavy themes and an amoral protagonist, the film cooks. Carter’s warpath of vengeance is fun to watch, set in a dangerous and rough-hewn world, backed by a memorably melodic and jazzy score by composer Roy Budd.
And for all Carter’s faults, his motives are justifiable, and that goes a long way to audience acceptance – especially once the ugly truth is revealed.
The film’s primarily English cast is a little beyond my sphere of familiarity – I recognized only Britt Ekland and a shockingly young Alun Armstrong in supporting roles. But the film’s extensive troupe of players also includes Ian Hendry, John Osborn, George Sewell, Rosemarie Dunham, Tony Beckley, Geraldine Moffat, Glynn Edwards, Brian Mosley, Bernard Hepton, and Terence Rigby, all of whom had notable careers in British film and television.
The turn-of-the-70s Newcastle setting is also quite striking, a seaside industrial setting with a lot of character: narrow inclined streets, shipyards, rows of old homes with green wallpaper and outhouses. Even at the time of the film’s release, it was meant to draw a contrast to Carter’s posh London. I’m not sure how the setting played then, but it’s definitely a fascinating time capsule now.
Get Carter has been remade twice, first with an Americanized twist in the blaxploitation thriller Hit Man with Bernie Casey and Pam Grier, which immediately followed in 1972 (with is also available from Warner Archive), then again in 2000 as a poorly-received Sylvester Stallone vehicle.
The Package
Get Carter is now available on 4K UHD disc from the Warner Archive Collection. The 4K edition also includes a standard Blu-ray, and sports different artwork than the DVD and Blu-ray edition’s blue photo cover. My copy also came with a slipcover featuring the same artwork.
Additionally, the Blu-ray edition was recently re-pressed to disc and is now also available for purchase.
Special Features & Extras
- Vintage Audio Commentary featuring Michael Caine, Mike Hodges, and cinematographer Wolfgang Suschinsky
- 1971 Introduction by Michael Caine (0:46) – apparently an introduction created for the premiere in Newcastle, where the film is set. An apologetic Caine regrets he’s unable to attend, and thanks the city for their cooperation in hosting the film’s production.
- 2022 Introduction by Michael Caine (2:30) – Caine provides a brief remembrance of the film’s legacy, accompanied with a few behind the scenes images
- Mike Hodges in Conversation (60:00) – Journalist Samira Ahmed sits down with Mike Hodges to host an hourlong conversation. This 2022 BFI presentation notably took place near his end of life (he passed away in December of that year).
- The Sound of Roy Budd (2022): Music collector and soundtrack expert Johnny Trunk discusses the career of composer Roy Budd, an innovator in the world of groovy and listenable “pop jazz”.
- Don’t Trust Boys (21:53) – actress Petra Markham, who plays Carter’s niece Doreen in the film, remarks on what she considers an unlikely acting carer that she sort of fell into.
- Klinger on Klinger (24:09) – Producer Michael Klinger is the subject of this remembrance shared by his son, Tony Klinger.
- Trailers
- 1971 Theatrical Trailer (2:41)
- 2022 BFI Re-release Trailer (1:30)
A/V Out
Get it at Amazon: Get Carter – [4K UHD] | [Blu-ray]
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