Hugely controversial on its initial release, Nighthawks, a film by Ron Peck and Paul Hallam, defies easy categorisation. Set to a haunting electronic score, its compelling cyclical structure portrays the daily work of a schoolteacher with his documentation of changing urban spaces and nights spent cruising bars and clubs in search of Mr Right.

Leading actor Ken Robertson, who excels in a brave performance, was the only professional member of the cast, and the film confounded critics at the time, but the recent restoration by the BFI reveals Nighthawks to be one of the great undervalued films of the 1970s.

On Friday 27th March at 20.30, a special LLGFF screening of Nighthawks will take place at BFI Southbank in the presence of members of the cast and crew, followed by a discussion which will be led by comedian Matt Lucas. The film will also be shown on 28 March in the Studio at BFI Southbank, prior to an extended run there from 9th – 23rd April and will be included in the LLGFF on Tour programme which visits more than 40 venues across the UK between April and September.

Strip Jack Naked, made thirteen years after Nighthawks, puts the earlier film into a historical and personal context, with Ron Peck drawing on his own journey from closeted suburban teen to politically radicalised filmmaker. Its unusual honesty marks Nighthawks II: Strip Jack Naked as not just a lucid account of the responsibilities of a gay filmmaker, but as one of the most honest and abrasive British biographies ever made.

On 30th March 2009, the BFI will release newly re-mastered DVD and Blu-ray editions of Nighthawks in 2-disc sets along with Nighthawks II: Strip Jack Naked (Ron Peck, 1991) (details on p.2). Both sets feature numerous extra features, some in high definition on the Blu-ray release.

Special features on the DVD edition:

• Its Ugly Head (1974), Ron Peck's student film;
• On Allotments (1976), documentary by Four Corner Films;
• Edward Hopper (1981), Ron Peck's documentary on the artist;
• Nighthawks pilot(1977), 16mm film made to interest potential investors and others in the project;
• What Can I Do with the Male Nude? (1985), Ron Peck's video essay on censorship;
• The Last Biscuit (2005), a video essay by Paul Hallam and Andrea Luka Zimmerman;
• Illustrated booklet with essays, reviews and new pieces by Ron Peck and Paul Hallam.

Special features on Blu-ray edition, which includes the feature in high definition, newly transferred from the original negative:

High definition features (with PCM audio):

• Its Ugly Head (1974);
• On Allotments (1976);
• Edward Hopper (1981).

Standard definition features:

• Strip Jack Naked (1991), from original production video;
• Nighthawks pilot(1977);
• What Can I Do with the Male Nude? (1985);
• The Last Biscuit (2005).
• Illustrated booklet.

Nighthawks will be released b the BFI on 30th March 2009 at the RRP of £22.99 (2-disc DVD) and £24.99 (2-disc Blue-ray).