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A Dandy in Aspic (1968) is Mann's final film. He died during its production, and the film was completed by its star, Laurence Harvey.

The plot revolves around a Russian assassin named Krasnevin who pretends loyalty to British intelligence under the pseudonym Alexander Eberlin while periodically killing off its best operatives. However, Eberlin has been in the game too long and can feel his luck running out. He wants nothing more than to come in out of the English cold and return to Russia. Even as his Soviet bosses tell him nyet, his British superiors, aware of a Russian threat in their midst, order Eberlin to find and assassinate Krasnevin. He soon finds himself in Berlin, where he makes a pretense of searching for his alter ego while attempting unsuccessfully to cross into East Germany. Meanwhile, Eberlin is pursued romantically by a London photographer named Caroline (played by Mia Farrow), who may or may not be allied with his antagonists. And he’s accompanied by a British agent named Gatiss, who becomes increasingly suspicious of Eberlin’s loyalty to king and queen. The narrative takes many sudden twists and turns before arriving at the film’s jolting climactic revelation.

Directors: Anthony Mann, Laurence Harvey
Cast: Laurence Harvey, Tom Courtenay, Mia Farrow
Country: UK
Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller

BD50 | 1080p AVC | 01:47:15 | 40.3 Gb + 3% rec
Language: English
Subtitles: English

Extras:

• Commentary - in this new audio commentary, author and critic Samm Deighan discusses the visual style and tone of A Dandy in Aspic, the nature of the key conflicts in the film, its unique opening credits, the type of protagonists that populate Anthony Mann's films, etc.

• The BEHP Interview with Christopher Challis - presented here is an archival interview with cinematographer Christopher Challis in which he discusses the progression of his career and some of the major projects that he was a part of over the years. The interview was conducted by film historian Kevin Gough-Yates, as part of the British Entertainment History Project, on October 11, 1988. Audio only, plays over the film. (107 min).

• Isolated Music & Effects Track.

• Image Gallery - a collection of vintage promotional materials for the film.

• Berlin: The Swinging City - this short vintage featurette highlights some of the key locations in Berlin where A Dandy in Aspic was shot. In English, not subtitled. (5 min, 1080p).

• London to Berlin - this featurette highlights additional locations from Berlin and London that are seen in A Dandy in Aspic. With music and text descriptions. (6 min, 1080p).

• Inside Mann - in this new video program, critic and broadcaster Richard Combs discusses the evolution of Anthony Mann's style and the visual appearance and some of the key themes of A Dandy in Aspic. The program was produced for Indicator/Powerhouse Films in 2019. In English, not subtitled. (12 min, 1080p).

• Pulling Strings - in this new video program, titles designer Michael Graham Smith and puppeteer Ronnie Le Drew discuss the creation and unique appearance of the opening credits for A Dandy in Aspic. The program was produced for Indicator/Powerhouse Films in 2019. In English, not subtitled. (23 min, 1080p).

• A Time to Die - in this new video program, second assistant editor Richard Dobson, continuity manager Elaine Schreyeck, special effects artist Terry Schubert, camera assistant Nigel Cousins, and stuntman Colin Skeaping discuss the production of A Dandy in Aspic and their interactions with and/or impressions of Anthony Mann, Tom Courtenay, Mia Farrow, and Laurence Harvey. (There are some particualrly interesting observations about Laurence's personality). The program was produced for Indicator/Powerhouse Films in 2019. In English, not subtitled. (10 min, 1080p).

• Trailer - a vintage trailer for A Dandy in Aspic. In English, not subtitled. (1 min, 1080p).