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This special limited edition spot gloss slipcover (designed by Sam Smith) is limited to 5,000 units and is only available on our website and at select indie retailers. Absolutely no major retailers will be stocking them.
Young con man Martin Taylor is out grifting on the streets of London when he happens across Tom Bates, a middle-class family man who, Martin quickly learns, has a disabled daughter at home who’s been left brain-damaged by a hit-and-run accident. Pretending to be an old love interest of the girl, Pattie, Martin soon tricks his way into the family’s countryside home, where he promptly charms mother Norma and convinces her to let him stay for a few days to be close to and care for Pattie - much to the wariness of Tom, who questions Martin’s intentions. As the young man ingratiates himself more and more into their family life, it soon becomes clear that he harbors a much more sinister purpose.
Originally written for British television by legendary dramatist Dennis Potter, the resulting 1976 BBC TV play was deemed so controversial that it was pulled prior to airing and not broadcast until 1987. The 1982 film version of BRIMSTONE & TREACLE, adapted for the big screen by Potter and with director Richard Loncraine (The Haunting of Julia, Richard III) at the helm, is a haunting and deeply disturbing slice of modern British gothic with an electrifying central performance by Sting in the role of Martin Taylor, alongside celebrated actors Denholm Elliott and Joan Plowright. Accompanied by a pulsing score from The Police, BRIMSTONE & TREACLE, at last, arrives on UHD with a brand new 4K restoration from the original negative supervised by Richard Loncraine and cinematographer Peter Hannan, together with a host of revelatory new bonus features.
directed by: Richard Loncraine starring: Sting, Denholm Elliott, Joan Plowright, Suzanna Hamilton, Benjamin Whitrow, Dudley Sutton, Mary MacLeod 1982 / 87 min / 1.85:1 / English Stereo
Additional info:
2-disc Set: 4K Ultra HD / Region Free Blu-ray
4K UHD presented in Dolby Vision High-Dynamic-Range
Newly scanned & restored in 4K from its 35mm original camera negative
Newly recorded select-scene audio commentary with lead actor Sting and director Richard Loncraine (41 min)
"Trouble Brewing" (26 min) - an interview with director Richard Loncraine
"A House for the Devil" (16 min) - an interview with production designer Milly Burns
"Big Visions and Small Screens: Dennis Potter on Film" (23 min) - film historians Jon Dear and John Williams on the big screen adaptations of Dennis Potter
Original trailer
Reversible sleeve artwork
English SDH subtitles
Overall rating: 4.536232 / 5 from 69 reviews.
AI Generated Review Summary
This limited edition spot gloss slipcover for the 1982 film 'Brimstone & Treacle' is a unique collectible, featuring a haunting story by Dennis Potter. The UHD release includes a 4K restoration and new bonus features, though opinions on the film itself are mixed.
"An underrated movie with a great cast and brooding, tense atmosphere." — Ben S.
"All who love film should appreciate that as well as despise any modern anachronistic modern palate revisions." — Rick S.
"The film looks incredible, the extras are great, and the art is perhaps my favourite on any VS release, just fantastic." — Kyle S.
Reviews
Great
"Great film and a beautiful edition"
— Gary J. (5/5)
Worthy release for the cult classic!
"A truly impressive release. Instead of over-processing the image, the restoration team allowed the film’s natural beauty to shine through. The result is a presentation that feels both authentic and remarkably fresh. Love the black and white slipcover artwork too."
— Patrick F. (3/5)
Hidden British gem
"I’d never even heard of this nasty little British thriller, but I had an absolute blast with it. It’s one of those films that rewards going in cold, so I’d recommend avoiding any plot details beforehand. The whole thing looks gorgeous, the writing is razor‑sharp, and the performances are top‑tier. A young Sting is surprisingly impressive and at times he’s the spitting image of a young Malcolm McDowell."
— Peter B. (4/5)
Definitely not what I expected
"Brimstone & Treacle was originally a pickup for me because of Sting, but wow this movie really made me see him in a completely different light. The whole film has this uncomfortable, unsettling atmosphere that keeps building the longer it goes on, and Sting’s performance is honestly a huge reason why it works so well. I liked how strange and darkly satirical everything felt without fully spelling itself out. It’s one of those movies that leaves you sitting there afterward like “what did I just watch,” but in a way that makes it memorable."
— Kenia C. (4/5)
Super cool, disturbing movie with
"Super cool, disturbing movie with a great restoration."
— Edward l. (4/5)
Outstanding movie with near perfect presentation.
"I've waited a long time to see this one, and this package does not disappoint. The film itself is awesome. Don't expect much in the way of traditional horror as this is more about miserable people doing miserable things, though Sting seems to have powers of a sort. The 4k transfer looks outstanding. Sound mixing is clean and clear. The selection of extras feels a little skimpy, but that's to be expected from a film like this. Absolutely one of my favorites from the vinsyn catalog. Do yourself a favor and add it to uour stash."
— Justin P. (5/5)
Psychological Drama
"Brimstone and Treacle (1982) is a dark, unsettling psychological drama that blends domestic tension with allegorical horror. Adapted from Dennis Potter’s once‑banned 1976 BBC play, the film follows a middle‑class London couple whose lives have been shattered by a hit‑and‑run accident that left their daughter severely disabled. Their fragile routine is disrupted when a mysterious young man, Martin (played by Sting), insinuates himself into their home under the guise of being the daughter’s former boyfriend."
— Tarek E. (3/5)
Beautiful Release of a Dark Character Study
"A gripping and unsettling drama that holds up remarkably well. The 4K presentation looks excellent, with strong detail and natural grain that preserve the film’s moody atmosphere. Colors and contrast feel well-balanced and filmic. The packaging artwork is especially striking and fits the tone perfectly. A thoughtfully produced release that treats the film with care."
— Thomas L. (4/5)
BRIMSTONE & TREACLE
"Fairly stilted, but Sting plays a wonderful creepizoid."
— Richard M. (3/5)
Not for me
"I knew this was based on a play and maybe it would be better as a play but I found it rather boring. Good transfer though and the colours looked great. Just the tone of the film wasn't really for me."
— Jace P. (2/5)
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