Beautiful Thing (Blu-Ray)

During a long hot summer in south London Jamie is bunking off school more than usual, scurrying back to the TV and the flat in the Thamesmead estate where he lives with his mother Sandra. Whilst his neighbour Leigh, who’s been kicked out of school, spends her days listening to Mama Cass records.

In the same block is Jamie’s sporty classmate Ste, whose home life is punctuated by the regular beatings he receives from both his father and brother. One night, in a bid to escape the violence, Ste takes refuge in Sandra’s flat and sleeps head to toe with Jamie. As Sandra struggles with a job promotion and her relationship with her hippy boyfriend Tony, Jamie and Ste gradually discover their affection for each other.

Extras:
– Presented in High Definition
– Newly recorded audio commentary with director Hettie Macdonald, writer Jonathan Harvey and assistant director Susie Liggat
– Q&A with the cast and crew (2023, 32mins): a post-screening Q&A with Jonathan Harvey, Hettie Macdonald, Susie Liggat, Glen Berry and Dave Lynn
– Living at Thamesmead (1974, 25mins): A short film produced and directed by Charmian and Jack Saward showing the architecture and landscaping of Thamesmead and everyday lives of the residents
– Crashing Waves (2018, 4 mins): A short film in which two young men connect, set against the backdrop of a highrise housing estate
– Rainbow plaque (2023, 1 min): London LGBTQ+ Forums Network and Studio Voltaire rainbow plaque unveiling at ‘The Greenwich Tavern’
– Theatrical Trailer
– **FIRST PRESSING ONLY** Illustrated booklet featuring new writing on the film by Simon McCallum and David Robson, ‘In Praise of Beautiful Thing’ by Emily Maskell, writing on the film’s soundtrack by Vic Pratt and an original review