This special limited edition slipcover (designed by Sam Smith) is limited to 3,000 units and is only available on our website and at select indie retailers. Absolutely no major retailers will be stocking them.
Welcome Vinegar Syndrome Labs (VSL) to the VS Sub-Label family! As with each of our sub-labels we are hoping to expand and defy expectations with the diversity of films we restore and release. As the name implies, VSL will serve as a kind of testing area for releasing genres and eras of film that one might not immediately expect to come from VS. The ultimate objective of VSL will be to see if these types of films will find an audience, and if so, pursue and release more of them…and even if not, still serve as a means of restoring more of the weird, rare, and unusual movies you might not expect from Vinegar Syndrome.
"There's nothing more despicable than a bent policeman." In a less-than-swinging area of London, the grizzled Detective Sgt. Pierce is obsessed with taking down a local kingpin, Quince, who is an expert at evading arrest, as he was once a policeman himself. Meanwhile, PC Strange is a new beat cop, fresh and idealistic about serving the public good, who meets a hippie girl named Frederika while quieting a street scuffle. Frederika takes an interest in Strange, who is quickly learning the harder realities of police life. When Strange gets trapped in a budding scandal, it's Pierce who convinces Strange he can save him, but only if Strange helps bend the law to entrap Quince.
An early feature from prolific telefilm director David Greene (I Start Counting; Rich Man, Poor Man), THE STRANGE AFFAIR combines the grit of US police drama with English working-class culture, delivering a strong update to the form with its multiple storylines and cynical eye on both pop culture and bureaucracy. Featuring powerful performances from Michael York (Austin Powers, Murder on the Orient Express), Susan George (Straw Dogs, Tintorera), and Jeremy Kemp (Top Secret!, Dr. Terror's House of Horrors), it also boasts a stunning soundtrack by experimental composer Basil Kirchin (The Abominable Dr. Phibes) and photography from Alex Thomson (The Keep). Vinegar Syndrome Labs is proud to offer the disc debut of this police thriller, newly restored in 4K from its original Techniscope negative.
directed by: David Greene
starring: Michael York, Susan George, Jeremy Kemp, George A. Cooper, George Selway
1968 / 105 min / 2.35:1 / English Mono
Additional info:
Overall rating: 4.64 / 5 from 75 reviews.
The Strange Affair, a newly restored 4K film from Vinegar Syndrome Labs, has received praise for its captivating storyline and excellent release. Customers appreciate the stunning transfer quality and engaging movie experience, making it a must-have for fans of police dramas and classic cinema.
Review topics: [looks, sound, quality, picture, buy, film, release, movie, transfer, drama, york, restoration, george, gem, thriller, cast, story, slipcover, flick, watch, audience, locations, title, sort, extras, discovery, affair, artwork, performances, cop].
"Huge thanks to Vinegar Syndrome for disinterring this rare British gem from the Paramount vaults. It's a valuable time-capsule of it's era, and a fantastic discovery. The picture restoration is - as always - top-notch. I especially love the artwork on this edition, too! A highly recommended release!"
"Really glad to have checked this one out. The Strange Affair has a cool, moody feel and a slow-building tension that worked very well for me. It is the kind of film that sneaks up on you, with a strong sense of place and a style that keeps it engaging throughout. Not one of the biggest titles out there, but definitely a rewarding watch."
"This was a blind buy for me, the cover art was just too interesting to not buy. It’s an entertaining and unique crime drama that had me hooked from start to finish."
"‘The Strange Affair’ is a gritty and compelling cop show that captures the zeitgeist of late 1960s swinging London and its criminal underbelly. The film’s narrative takes some pretty unexpected twists and turns as idealism and corruption collide with a dangerously obsessive approach to law enforcement."
"Technicolor! Techniscope! The Zoom-ins! The Zoom-outs! Very Bri'ish Kitchen Sink patchwork-Crime Drama, easy-going & odd."
"A hidden classic with a great restoration image."
"Excellent transfer of an excellent movie. It’s overall a police procedural, but with enough quirky turns from its era to keep it much more interesting than that sounds. Michael York and Jeremy Kemp are most engaging, as is Susan George bringing depth to a written to be flaky character. The 60s London settings are a lot of fun, too, London definitely doesn’t look like this anymore! The extras are, as is custom with VinSyn, wonderful - the featurette with Michael York and the “making of” documentary held my interest. Reversible artwork insert includes original poster art."
"Pretty good watch. Had never heard of this before."
"What an interesting drama that takes you in directions you don't expect. A super young Susan George looks like a portrait of Mona Lisa in her film debut. Nice seeing a super young Michael York too. Love Vinegar Syndrome for putting out a release like this. Classy cinema with a bit of trash"
"Excellent release of a classic British film."
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