Dead Man’s Shoes (2004) (Blu-ray Review)
DIRECTED BY: Shane Meadows
STARRING: Paddy Considine, Gary Stretch, Toby Kebbell
RATED: 18(UK)/Region: B/1:85/1080P/NUMBER OF DISCS 1
AVAILABLE FROM Second Sight Films
Some movies come along that remind you that revenge doesn’t necessarily need a giant budget, explosions, or a superhero in a leather jacket. Sometimes all you need is one very pissed-off man, a terrible group of people, and enough countryside to hide a whole lot of bad decisions.
That’s Dead Man’s Shoes.
Shane Meadows’ 2004 revenge thriller is a nasty, bleak, darkly funny little bastard of a movie that follows Richard, a man returning to his hometown with some unfinished business involving the local gang of assholes who tormented his mentally challenged brother. And let’s just say Richard isn’t coming home to organize a neighborhood barbecue.
He’s here to settle some fucking scores.
What makes the movie work so well is the way it balances its brutality with this strange, almost grimly humorous atmosphere. Richard is intimidating as hell, and Paddy Considine gives the character exactly the kind of quiet menace that makes you nervous whenever he appears on screen. He’s not constantly screaming and throwing things around like your typical revenge-movie lunatic. He can be downright calm, which somehow makes him considerably scarier.
The gang he’s after, meanwhile, are such spectacularly unlikeable dirtbags that watching Richard systematically ruin their lives can become strangely satisfying.
You know you’ve got a good revenge movie when you’re sitting there thinking, “I probably shouldn’t be enjoying this as much as I am.”
The movie also knows when to pull back and let the story breathe, which makes the more violent moments hit harder. It isn’t just a parade of revenge kills. There’s a genuine sadness underneath everything, and as the pieces of Richard’s plan start coming together, Dead Man’s Shoes becomes more than just a “guy gets revenge” story.
It’s basically a revenge movie wearing the clothes of a psychological drama and occasionally stopping to remind you that yes, this is still going to get really fucking nasty.
And now, years later, Second Sight Films has given the movie the kind of release that makes physical-media collectors start making very irresponsible financial decisions.
This is a fantastic package.
The release comes loaded with extras, including a graphic novel, new commentaries, and a massive 120-page book featuring new essays from Anna Cale, Tim Coleman, Matt Glasby, Joel Harley, Ella Kemp, and Hannah Strong.
A 120-page book.
For a movie that’s already been sitting in your collection.
Because apparently Second Sight looked at the concept of “collector’s edition” and decided, “No, we need to make these people carry the damn thing.”
And honestly, I respect it.
The graphic novel is another particularly cool addition, while the new commentaries give fans another reason to revisit a movie that already has plenty to unpack. This isn’t one of those releases where you get the film, a trailer, and somebody’s 1998 promotional interview and call it a day. There’s a legitimate amount of material here for people who actually want to dig deeper into the movie.
That’s what makes the Second Sight release so damn impressive. They’re treating Dead Man’s Shoes like the cult classic it has become rather than simply throwing the movie onto another disc and sending it out the door.
The film itself remains a brutal, unsettling, and surprisingly emotional revenge story. It’s bleak as hell, sometimes uncomfortable, occasionally darkly funny, and anchored by a terrific performance from Paddy Considine.
It’s also a perfect example of how you don’t need a massive production to make a revenge movie that sticks with you.
Sometimes all you need is a creepy guy walking toward you from across a field.
And a very long memory.
And absolutely no interest in forgiveness.
Dead Man’s Shoes is one hell of a movie, and Second Sight Films has delivered one hell of a package to go with it. The movie is great, the new material is substantial, and that giant book alone practically qualifies as a workout.
Just remember to stretch before you put it on the shelf.
Extras
- New audio commentary with Director Shane Meadows and Producer Mark Herbert
- New audio commentary by Andrew Graves and Jon Towlson
- Audio commentary with Shane Meadows, Actor Paddy Considine and Mark Herbert
- Quite a Journey: a new interview with Shane Meadows and Mark Herbert
- A Very Fine Line: a new interview with Actor Toby Kebbell
- The Right Horses: a new interview with Actor Gary Stretch
- Made an Impact an interview with Director of Photography Danny Cohen
- Deleted Scenes
- Extended Takes
- Alternative Ending
- In Shane’s Shoes
- Short Film: Northern Soul
- Danger Mouse and Jemini Music Video
Limited Edition Contents
- Rigid slipcase with new artwork by Krishna Shenoi
- 120-page book with new essays by Anna Cale, Tim Coleman, Matt Glasby, Joel Harley, Ella Kemp and Hannah Strong
- Dead Man’s Shoes Graphic Novel
- 6 collectors’ art cards
