New BFI 4K UHD and Blu-rays announced for October to December 2022

We end 2022 with six releases that showcase the eclectic scope of British film and television, and complete our Blu-ray celebration of one of world cinema’s most iconic auteurs.

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, which 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 very first time. Out in October, it will be released as a limited edition, dual format set (with UHD and Blu-ray discs), including a double-sided poster, postcards and an 80-page book.

Out in time for Halloween, the 45th release in the BFI Flipside series sees The Ballad of Tam Lin arrive on Blu-ray for the first time in the UK. Part folk-horror, part Blowup-style swinging-60s critique, it’s the first and only film directed by the Hollywood actor Roddy McDowall (Planet of the Apes). Starring Ava Gardner, Ian McShane and Joanna Lumley, the film features spectacular cinematography by Academy Award-winner Billy Williams and music by folk-rock legends Pentangle.

Peter Greenaway became a director of international status with his witty, stylised and erotic country house murder mystery, The Draughtsman’s Contract. Newly remastered in 4K by the BFI National Archive to mark the film’s 40th anniversary, this arthouse classic arrives on BFI Blu-ray in November, following a UK-wide theatrical re-release to coincide with a BFI retrospective of Greenaway’s work. The two-disc limited edition Blu-ray release will also feature the early Greenaway short H is for House (1976) and Saskia Boddeke’s intimate portrait of the director, The Greenaway Alphabet (2017).

November also sees the release of Ingmar Bergman: Volume 4, the fourth and final volume of our 32-film collection celebrating the director. 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 designer Andrew Bannister.

In December four films from the BBC’s iconic A Ghost Story for Christmas series arrive on Blu-ray for the very 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 designer Matt Needle.

December also sees Gary Oldman’s double BAFTA-winning Nil by Mouth 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.