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Greenaway, Bergman, ghost stories and more in the BFI's fourth quarter

4 August 2022

The BFI has today announced a tempting slate of physical home entertainment presentations for release in October–December. Five new Blu-ray titles showcase the eclectic scope of British film and television, and the extensive celebration of Ingmar Bergman on Blu-ray is completed with the final box set volume.

The Ballad of Tam Lin Blu-ray cover art

10 October: BFI Flipside presents THE BALLAD OF TAM LIN Blu-ray

Out in time for Halloween, the 45th release in the BFI Flipside cult film series sees The Ballad of Tam Lin (1970) arrive on Blu-ray for the first time in the UK. Part folk horror, part Blowup-style Swinging Sixties critique, it was the first and only film directed by Hollywood actor Roddy McDowall (Planet of the Apes). Starring Ava Gardner, Ian McShane and Joanna Lumley, it features spectacular cinematography by Academy Award-winner Billy Williams and music by folk rock legends Pentangle.

Watership Down UHD pack shot

24 October: WATERSHIP DOWN 4K Ultra HD & Blu-ray Dual Format Edition

Richard Adams's timeless novel Watership Down was brought brilliantly to life in the celebrated 1978 film adaptation directed by Martin Rosen. A thrilling tale of adventure, courage and resilience that continues to enthral new and old audiences alike, this landmark British animation has been newly restored in 4K by the BFI and Silver Salt Restoration and is presented in Ultra High Definition for the first time. Watership Down will be released as a limited edition, dual format set (includes both UHD and Blu-ray discs), along with a double-sided poster, postcards and an 80-page book.


21 November: THE DRAUGHTSMAN'S CONTRACT Blu-ray & INGMAR BERGMAN: VOLUME 4 Blu-ray Box Set

The Draughtman's Contract Blu-ray cover art

Peter Greenaway became a director of international status with his witty, stylised and erotic country house murder mystery, The Draughtman's Contract (1982), starring Anthony Higgins and Janet Suzman. Newly remastered in 4K by the BFI National Archive to mark the film's 40th anniversary, this seminal arthouse classic arrives on BFI Blu-ray following a UK-wide theatrical re-release to coincide with a BFI retrospective of Greenaway's work. The two-disc limited edition Blu-ray will also feature the early Greenaway short H is for House and Saskia Boddeke's intimate portrait of the director, The Greenaway Alphabet.

Ingmar Bergman: Volume 4

Ingmar Bergman: Volume 4 is the final volume in the BFI collection of 32 films celebrating the great auteur. Featuring eight late-Bergman classics, including Autumn Sonata (1978) and both the TV and theatrical cuts of Fanny and Alexander (1982), this six-disc, limited edition box set will be accompanied by newly recorded special features, a 100-page perfect-bound book and new artwork by Andrew Bannister.


5 December: GHOST STORIES FOR CHRISTMAS: VOLUME 1 & NIL BY MOUTH Blu-ray

Ghost Stories for Christmas, Violume 1 Blu-ray cover art

our films from the BBC's iconic A Ghost Story for Christmas series arrive on Blu-ray for the first time. Including Whistle and I'll Come to You (1968), The Stalls of Barchester (1971), A Warning to the Curious (1972) and Lost Hearts (1973), these classic M.R. James adaptions have been newly remastered by the BFI for our much-anticipated Ghost Stories for Christmas: Volume 1 set which features stunning new artwork by Matt Needle.

Nil by Mouth Blu-ray cover art

December also sees Gary Oldman's triple BIFA and double BAFTA-winning Nil by Mouth (1997) receive its worldwide Blu-ray debut. Oldman revealed himself as a filmmaker of uncompromising talent with his first and so far only directorial feature. With career-best performances from Kathy Burke (winner of Best Actress at Cannes), Ray Winstone and Charlie Creed-Miles, this intensely powerful and emotional landmark of British cinema has been newly remastered in 4K by the BFI National Archive to mark its 25th anniversary. The film will be released as a limited edition two-disc set featuring newly created extras and a perfect-bound book.

All these titles are available for customers to pre-order online now from the BFI Shop and other retailers.

Each release will contain a selection of extra features and an illustrated book/booklet (first pressing only) to provide contextual information. Full details will be announced closer to release dates.