Sidney Lumet’s The Pawnbroker Getting A BFI Re-release
Oscar-nominated and a BAFTA winner for his performance, Rod Steiger firmly established his credentials as an actor of international standing in Sidney Lumetโs 1965 film The Pawnbroker. Set for release on Blu-ray/DVD (Dual Format Edition) by the BFI inย August.
Wonderfully supported by Geraldine Fitzgerald (Wuthering Heights) and Brock Peters (To Kill a Mockingbird), the film also boasts a score from the legendary Quincy Jones.
The film tells the story of a Jewish pawnbroker Sol (Steiger), who was a victim of Nazi persecution. He loses all faith in his fellow man until he realisation strikes when it’s too late the tragedy of his actions.
Sol Nazerman (Rod Steiger) is a survivor of the concentration camps, which took the lives of his wife and children. Managing a New York pawn shop, he is bereft of hope and takes refuge in condemnation of humanity while seemingly numb to the circumstances of the prostitutes, pimps and thieves that frequent his store. Yet there are those who strive to connect with him, even as their intrusion into his world threatens the protective cynicism within which he has wrapped himself for so long.
Special features
- Presented in High Definition and Standard Definition
- Newly recorded audio commentary by Maura Spiegel, author ofย Sidney Lumet: A Lifeย and Annette Insdorf, author ofย Indelible Shadows: Film and the Holocaust
- Now and Then: Quincy Jonesย (1968, 21 mins): the legendary producer, musician, songwriter and composer is interviewed by Bernard Braden for a never-broadcast television series
- The Guardian Interview: Rod Steigerย (1992, 113 mins, audio only):ย Rod Steiger discusses his career and talks candidly about his mental health issues in this interview with film critic Tom Hutchinson. Recorded at the BFI’s National Film Theatre following a screening ofย The Pawnbroker
- Ten Bob in Winterย (1963, 12 mins): Lloyd Reckordโs short film about the intriguing social dynamics that arise as a ten shilling note is passed around the Black community. Featuring a sparky jazz soundtrack provided by The Joe Harriott Quintet
- Original theatrical trailer
- Stills gallery
- ***First pressing only*** illustrated booklet with new essays by Jim Hemphill, Laura Spiegel and Nicolas Pillai, notes on the extras and full credits
USA / 1965 / black and white / 116 minutes / English language, with optional subtitles for the deaf and partial hearing / original aspect ratio 1.85:1 // BD50: 1080p, 24fps, LPCM 2.0 mono audio (48kHz/24-bit) / DVD9: PAL, 25fps, Dolby Digital 2.0 mono audio
The Pawnbroker will be released on Blu-ray/DVD (Dual Format Edition) by the BFI on 16th August.
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