London In The Raw [DVD] [1964]

Blu ray is having a weird effect on me - I will watch literally anything if the picture is pristine perfect. I recognised this worrying fact whilst viewing this BFI blu of London in the Raw. The picture is amazing - you have never seen the 60s looking like this - but what the hell am I watching? A sweaty guy balancing 5 glasses of wine on his head, an excruciating hair transplant operation, folk jiving, not one but 2 numbers from a provincial Jewish musical that I will never witness again outside of a nightmare, a cat eating chicken, beatniks eating cat food, some music hall (as bad as the hair op) and a meagre smattering of nudity. On and on it goes, my patience wavered many times but never quite broke - it looks so good, you see. Anyone recommend a good shrink?

I got this as a blind buy, based on reviews I read on-line. It indeed turned out to be a great little gem, I enjoyed it very much, and would be happy to recommend it to others!The Blu-Ray itself has a very strong picture quality, and the sound (with a lot of music in it) is also nicely restored.There are many added features, and a very informative booklet. All in all, it's a very good package.

Thought I would enjoy a look back at the "more lively" aspects of my teenage life. But I don't remember it being as grey or grim as this. Also why does film of this period always seem to present anything even slightly outside the cultural norm as being at best degrading and at worst dangerous to health, wealth, and good order? To be fair, I suppose this fact itself offers some insight into what it was to be British at that period.

Is this what all the wowsers were complaining about back in the Sixties? By today's standards the people in this film are Puritans and really very tame. A nostalgic look through a prurient lens: London à la Mondo Cane.

This documentary has none of the nostalgia of the 'Free Cinema' documentaries. In fact it could almost have been made yesterday as nothing on view would have been out of place today except for a few £.s.d. price tickets. Much too much time was spent in the gym and on the hair plugging and there was certainly nothing shocking.Thankfully also included on this Blu-ray were some other more interesting documentaries 'Strip' (1966) 26m. Pub (1962) 16m and Chelsea Bridge Boys (1965) 31m also an alternative cut of 'London In the Raw' which thankfully only lasted 47 minutes.'Strip' is a must see.

A n interesting look-back in time to the streets, scenes and activities of a London..Nothing more I can say

Less salacious than you might expect but an excellent record of the sixties

A great trip down memory lane; educational and perhaps a bit sad in the depiction of geriatric punters exchanging cash for company.