BFI Blu-rays announced for July, August and September 2023

On 17 July we’re releasing Andrew Kötting’s riveting and eccentric road movie Gallivant. First released in 1996, Gallivant follows Kötting’s 85-year-old grandmother Gladys and his eight-year-old daughter Eden on a zig-zagging 6,000-mile trip around Britain’s coastline. Newly remastered in 2K by the BFI, the Blu-ray includes a selection of short films chosen by the director.

Also out on 17 July is the Blu-ray of Nina Menkes’ documentary Brainwashed: Sex-Camera-Power. Using more than 175 film clips from canonical Hollywood favourites and cult classics as well as interviews with filmmakers and scholars, Brainwashed: Sex-Camera-Power reveals the framework of misogyny and paternalism that, from early cinema to the present day, infiltrates some of our favourite movies.

Two London-set films will be released on 7 August. A landmark for Black – and queer – British film, Isaac Julien’s beautifully crafted 1991 period piece Young Soul Rebels has been newly remastered by the BFI. Its release comes during the director’s major exhibition at Tate Britain.

Released on the same day is Dionne Edwards’ Pretty Red Dress. This new, south London-set drama was one of the audience hits of the 2022 BFI London Film Festival and will be released in cinemas across the UK in June. It features breakthrough performances from Natey Jones, Temilola Olatunbosun and the chart-topping singer Alexandra Burke in her first film role.

Out on 21 August is the BFI’s new 4K restoration of Bill Forsyth’s Gregory’s Girl (1980). This coming-of-age masterpiece is widely considered one of the greatest Scottish movies ever made. Starring John Gordon Sinclair, Dee Hepburn and Clare Grogan, Gregory’s Girl has been charming audiences around the world for over 40 years. Our stunning new restoration is made from the original camera negative and will be available in separate 4K UHD and Blu-ray editions.

Also released on 21 August is Brannigan, which finds John Wayne in London and teaming up with none other than Richard Attenborough. Featuring great panoramic views of the city shot by cinematographer Gerry Fisher (The Go-Between, Highlander) and with a supporting cast that includes Judy Geeson and Mel Ferrer, cult classic Brannigan makes its long-awaited UK debut on Blu-ray.

Out on 11 September is Jean Renoir’s Partie de campagne (aka A Day in the Country). Filmed in 1936 but not released until a decade later, this unfinished masterpiece remains one of Renoir’s most personal and best-loved films. The Blu-ray includes Un tournage à la campagne, an 89-minute 1994 compilation of outtakes from the film, and as with our recent release of La Règle du jeu has new artwork by Jennifer Dionisi.

The BFI has released much of Ken Russell’s TV and film work on DVD/Blu-ray in the UK and we are excited to add 1986’s Gothic to the catalogue on 11 September. Starring Gabriel Byrne, Julian Sands, Natasha Richardson and Timothy Spall, Gothic tells the story of the notorious night in Switzerland when Mary Shelley wrote the Frankenstein story. This is the first time the film has been available on Blu-ray in the UK.

From Frankenstein to Boris Karloff… this autumn we will also be releasing Peter Bogdanovich’s Targets. This cult, low-budget gem is acknowledged as one of the best debut features of the 1960s. As many BFI Blu-ray fans will know, our previously scheduled release of Targets was unfortunately cancelled, so we are especially delighted to confirm this Blu-ray release for 25 September. The release is sure to delight fans and is packed with new and archival extras.