(Gerry O’Hara, 1977)
Release date: 19 August 2024
Standard Edition Blu-ray

In The Brute, Sarah Douglas (Superman II) gives a courageous performance as Diane, a glamorous fashion model trying to escape the brutal blows of her sadistic husband, fearsomely portrayed by Julian Glover (For Your Eyes Only).

After a particularly savage attack, Diane leaves to stay with photographer friend Mark (Bruce Robinson, writer and director of Withnail & I) and his girlfriend Carrie (Suzanne Stone). Finding solidarity with other victims at a nearby women’s refuge, she aims to forge a new life alone, but her violent ex-partner is determined to track her down.

Written and directed by Gerry O’Hara (The Pleasure Girls, The Bitch), The Brute is an uncompromising exploitation film which dares to tackle the taboo subject of domestic violence. 

INDICATOR STANDARD EDITION SPECIAL FEATURES

• New restoration from a 4K scan of the original negative by Powerhouse Films
• Two presentations of the film: the more explicit export cut (90 mins); and the uncensored UK version, under its pre-release title, The Brute Syndrome (89 mins)
• Original mono audio
• Audio commentary with actor Sarah Douglas and writer and critic Kim Newman (2022)
• Sticks and Stones (2022, 14 mins): director Gerry O’Hara recalls the film’s origins and incurring the wrath of the women’s liberation movement
• UK theatrical prologue (1977): a ‘psychiatrist’ contextualises the film’s themes
• The Sea Can Kill (1976, 27 mins): Royal Navy short, written and directed by Gerry O’Hara, about surviving a disaster at sea
• This Week in Britain: ‘Erin Pizzey’ (1978, 5 mins): interview with the inspirational founder of the world’s first refuge for women, produced by the Central Office of Information
• Original theatrical trailers
• Image gallery: promotional and publicity material
• New and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

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BBFC cert: 18
REGION FREE
EAN: 5060697924732