The Ladykillers (1955) RM4K 1080p BluRay x265 HEVC AAC-SARTRE

Music professor Alec Guinness rents a London flat from sweet old lady Katie Johnson. He tells her that, from time to time, several other musicians will visit in order to rehearse. In truth, Guinness can't play a note, nor can his visitors: he's a criminal mastermind, holding court over a gang of thieves, including the likes of punkish Peter Sellers, homicidal Herbert Lom and punchdrunk Danny Green. The gang uses Guinness' flat as headquarters as they conceive a daring 60,000 pound robbery. After pulling off the job, the gang stuffs the loot in a railway station locker. To avoid detection, Guinness convinces the ever-trusting Johnson to pick up the money. Through a series of comic complications, Johnson returns home with a police escort, with neither the woman nor the bobbies suspecting that she's carrying a fortune in her suitcase. Mistakenly believing that Johnson has ratted on them, the gang reluctantly plans to eliminate her. The Ladykillers won an Oscar nomination for William Rose's screenplay, and a BFA award for veteran character actress Johnson.

Extras

• Investigating The Ladykillers - This new program focuses on the lasting appeal and cinematic brilliance of The Ladykillers. Included in it are clips from interviews with broadcaster and author Stuart Maconie, film editor Catherine Shoard, actor and writer Reece Shearsmith, and author Ronald Harwood, amongst others.

• Color in The Ladykillers - In this new video interview, Keith Johnston, reader in film and television studies at University of East Anglia, discusses the visual style and color scheme of The Ladykillers.

• Lobby Cards Gallery - A collection of original lobby cards for The Ladykillers.

• Behind the Scenes Gallery - A collection of behind these scenes stills from the production The Ladykillers.

• Audio Commentary - In this audio commentary, author and critic Philip Kemp discusses the conception of The Ladykillers, its production history, the Ealing Studios and the evolution of the British comedy, Alexander Mackendrick's directing style and specifically his interpretation of the original story by William Rose, etc.

• Forever Ealing - This vintage documentary examines the history and incredible cinematic legacy of the Ealing Studios. Included in it are clips from many of its biggest hits as well as clips from interviews with Richard Attenborough, Stephen Frears, John Mills, John Landis, and Terry Gilliam, amongst others. The documentary was directed by Andrew Snell in 2002.

• Locations Featurette - In this archival featurette, broadcaster and oral historian Allan Dein visits some of the original locations that are seen in The Ladykillers.

• Audio Interview with Tom Pevsner - In this archival audio interview, assistant director Tom Pevsner discusses his background and career evolution as well as his contribution to The Ladykillers.

• Audio Interview with David Peers - In this archival interview, production manager David Peers discusses his background, time in the film industry, and involvement with The Ladykillers.

• BBC Omnibus: Made in Ealing Clip - Presented here is an excerpt from the BBC's Omnibus: Made in Ealing, which was first broadcast in 1986.

• Spoof Trailer - Presented here is a rare spoof trailer for The Ladykillers that was put together by Peter Sellers.

• Trailer - Vintage trailer for The Ladykillers.



Previous Studio Canal Blu-ray Extras

• Introduction by Terry Gilliam - This brief interview with the talented director demonstrates the level of appreciation he has for the classic production, yet barely scratches the surface behind his reasoning. Far too short, but still interesting. (FRE, GER, SPA, JAP subtitles)

• Interview with Allan Scott - Screenwriter/producer Allan Scott discusses several aspects of the film, including the acting, themes and production history. (FRE, GER, SPA, JAP subtitles)

• Interview with Ronald Harwood - As a friend of director Alexander Mackendrick, screenwriter Ronald Harwood discusses his experiences with the brilliant director, and the mentor/mentee relationship they shared. (FRE, GER, SPA, JAP subtitles)

• Interview with Terence Davies - Director Terence Davies touches on his experiences as a film student of Mackendrick, and how the classic films affected his developing style. (FRE, GER, SPA, JAP subtitles)