King and Country (1965) Blu-ray by Kino Lorber
A restored edition of Joseph Losey’s acclaimed World War I drama is arriving on Blu-ray this October courtesy of Kino Lorber. King and Country (1964) returns in a high-definition presentation sourced from a 4K scan, accompanied by new bonus features.
Synopsis
Directed by Joseph Losey (The Servant, Accident), King and Country stars Dirk Bogarde, Tom Courtenay, Leo McKern, Barry Foster, James Villiers, Peter Copley, Jeremy Spencer, and Barry Justice.
Adapted by Evan Jones from John Wilson’s play Hamp and James Lansdale Hodson’s novel, the film is based on an actual World War I court-martial case. It is a searing anti-war statement, examining injustice, military discipline, and class divisions in the British Army.
Set in 1917 during the Battle of Passchendaele, the story follows Private Arthur Hamp (Courtenay), the sole survivor of his company, who one day decides to “go for a walk” and is arrested for desertion. Captain Charles Hargreaves (Bogarde) is assigned to defend him, initially treating the case with detachment. As testimony unfolds, Hargreaves begins to sympathize with Hamp’s obvious trauma. Despite a court recommendation for mercy, higher command insists on execution to set an example for the troops. When the firing squad fails to kill Hamp instantly, Hargreaves is forced to deliver the coup de grâce.
Upon release, the film received critical acclaim. Tom Courtenay won Best Actor at the 1964 Venice Film Festival, and it was nominated for four BAFTA awards, including Best Film.
Technical Specs
- 2022 HD master from a 4K scan of the 35mm original camera negative
- Black-and-white presentation
- English language with optional English subtitles
- Runtime: 86 minutes
Special Features
- NEW audio commentary by film critic and author Simon Abrams
- Tom Courtenay on King & Country – interview
- 1964 interview with Dirk Bogarde
- Theatrical trailer
Release Details
The King and Country Blu-ray will be released on Oct. 21, 2025, and is currently available to pre-order from kinolorber.com.
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