Criterion Press Release: The Hit (Blu-ray) (1 Viewer)

[Ronald Epstein]

Terence Stamp is Willie, a gangster’s henchman turned “supergrass” (informer) trying to live in peaceful hiding in a remote Spanish village. Sun-dappled bliss turns to nerve-racking suspense, however, when two hit men—played by a soulless John Hurt and a youthful, loose-cannon Tim Roth—come calling to bring Willie back for execution. This stylish early gem from Stephen Frears boasts terrific hard-boiled performances from a roster of England’s best actors, music by Eric Clapton and virtuoso flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucía, and ravishing photography of its desolate Spanish locations—a splendid backdrop for a rather sordid story.
FILM INFO

• Stephen Frears
• United Kingdom
• 1984
• 98 minutes
• Color
• 1.78:1
• English
• Spine #469

DIRECTOR-APPROVED SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES

• High-definition digital restoration, approved by director of photography Mike Molloy, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack
• Audio commentary from 2009 featuring director Stephen Frears, actors John Hurt and Tim Roth, screenwriter Peter Prince, and editor Mick Audsley
• Interview from 1988 with actor Terence Stamp from the television show Parkinson One-to-One
• Trailer
• English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• PLUS: An essay by film critic Graham Fuller

New cover by Jason Hardy

October 20, 2020

 

[Ronald Epstein]

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[Winston T. Boogie]

An outstanding picture, I will certainly upgrade from my DVD.

 

[Robert Crawford]

I've never seen this movie, but will watch it on Criterion Channel before purchasing the disc.

 

[Walter Kittel]

It has been ages since I saw this (around the time of the DVD release in 2009) so my memories are a bit vague, but I do recall enjoying the performances quite a bit and thought it was an interesting film. Worth a revisit on Blu-Ray.

- Walter.

 

[Winston T. Boogie]

I've never seen this movie, but will watch it on Criterion Channel before purchasing the disc.

It's basically a color noir with a British accent and outstanding cast. Beautifully photographed as well.

 

[bujaki]

Frears, Stamp, Hurt, Roth...as if this combination could ever go wrong. I remember liking it very much.

 

[Ronald Epstein]