Odd Job, The (Blu-ray Review)
- Review Date: Aug 26, 2025
- Format: Blu-ray Disc
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Director
Peter MedakRelease Date(s)
1978 (August 26, 2025)Studio(s)
Charisma Films/Taulorda (Severin Films)- Film/Program Grade: B-
- Video Grade: C+
- Audio Grade: B-
- Extras Grade: B+
Review
Graham Chapman, one-sixth of the world-famous comedy troupe Monty Python, was eager to seek projects on his own after the runaway success of Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Having befriended television and film screenwriter Bernard McKenna, he chose to adapt McKenna’s teleplay for The Odd Job, which had already been produced for BBC Television as part of the Six Dates with Barker series in 1971. A cast and crew were assembled, including director Peter Medak (The Changeling, Zorro, The Gay Blade, The Krays) who was essentially out of work after the disastrous circumstances surrounding the film Ghost in the Noonday Sun.
Arthur Harris (Graham Chapman) comes home on his wedding anniversary to find his wife Fiona (Diana Quick) leaving him after five years of marriage. Distraught without her, Harris begins drinking heavily, while Fiona confides in her and Arthur’s mutual friend Tony (Simon Williams). After a run-in with his next-door neighbor Angie (Carolyn Seymour) that nearly leads to a sexual tryst, Arthur decides to kill himself. Unsure of how to go through with it, the task is taken out of his hands when a man (David Jason) knocks on his door looking for “odd jobs.” Arthur hires the man to kill him, agreeing that it will take place the following day, even if Arthur begs him not to. Meanwhile, wrecked with guilt, Fiona comes home to Arthur and they reconcile, but the “Odd Job Man” won’t stop until he completes his compensated assignment. The cast also includes Edward Hardwicke, Bill Paterson, Michael Elphick, Stewart Harwood, Richard O’Brien, George Innes, and Dave Atkins.
Since its leading man was in one of the most successful comedy acts ever, it’s somewhat puzzling how obscure The Odd Job became. The film’s financing and lack of publicity are partly to blame, though it also had little to no life outside of its UK theatrical release. In the US, it was only given a single VHS release by Vestron Video in the 1980s, where it gained an extremely cult status, mostly due to Chapman’s presence. It’s not an altogether outstanding piece of comedy as pace is certainly an issue, and some of the jokes don’t necessarily land, but there’s a laid-back charm to it with several laugh-out-loud moments to be appreciated. After all, it would be difficult to put Graham Chapman and David Jason in anything together and wind up with something that’s just tedious, now wouldn’t it?
The Odd Job is also the type of comedy in which a simple conversation would clear up any misunderstandings between characters, which certainly isn’t exclusive to British comedy. American TV shows like Seinfeld made their bones on the exact same notion. For some, it can be challenging to suspend their disbelief in this regard, but for others, specifically those who are in it more for the performances and set pieces, it’s an odd little hidden gem, ripe for rediscovery.
The Odd Job was shot by cinematographer Ken Hodges on 35mm film using Arriflex cameras and lenses, finished photochemically, and presented in the aspect ratio of 1.85:1 (IMDB states that it was shown at 1.66:1, but this appears to be an error). Since all pre-print elements are currently missing in action, Severin Films has chosen to utilize a new 2K scan of director Peter Medak’s personal print of the film. It’s a very watchable presentation, with the obvious caveats. Some print damage and color fluctuations are readily apparent, especially in the opening credits, but the overall image is stable with a bitrate that usually sits somewhere between 30 and 40Mbps. There’s much less detail than a camera negative or an interpositive can provide, obviously, but it’s all clear enough that nothing ever appears overtly impaired or unpleasant.
Audio is included in English 2.0 mono DTS-HD Master Audio with optional subtitles in English SDH. A mild hiss is apparent, but the soundtrack actually offers good support for the various elements. Dialogue is intelligible while score and sound effects have some nice push to them.
The Severin Films Region-Free Blu-ray release of The Odd Job sits in a black Amaray case with an insert that features artwork from the theatrical UK quad poster. The following extras are included:
- Audio Interview with Peter Medak by David Gregory
- Introduction by Director Peter Medak (SD – 1:58)
- The Odd Job Men: Director Peter Medak & Star David Jason Reminisce About Working on The Odd Job (HD – 16:21)
- The Unusual Work: Bernard McKenna on Writing The Odd Job (HD – 20:00)
- Producer, an Odd Job (HD – 18:48)
- The Odd Batch (HD – 13:47)
- The Naughty Neighbor: Carolyn Seymour on Acting in The Odd Job (HD – 7:58)
- Most Peculiar Craft: Simon Williams on The Odd Job (HD – 14:03)
The audio interview with director Peter Medak conducted by David Gregory acts as the film’s pseudo-audio commentary. Medak is obviously much older but is still able to pull plenty of memories of the production and those involved with it. Unfortunately, it only lasts for 32 minutes and 41 seconds of the film’s running time. In the Introduction by Director Peter Medak, he gives a brief overview of his involvement with the film and where his career was at the time. The Odd Job Men features an extended Zoom reunion between David Jason and Peter Medak, which took place on November 13th, 2023, though film crews were at both locations to capture the conversation professionally.
In The Unusual Work, screenwriter Bernard McKenna talks about writing The Odd Job for television, being teamed up with Graham Chapman and working as a script editor, Chapman’s personal life, making a film version of The Odd Job, preparing the film for production, coming up with ideas for comedies, his memories of David Jason and Peter Medak, his regrets for the film version of the story, and becoming involved with Life of Brian. In Producer, an Odd Job, co-producer Mark Forstater discusses working with Monty Python, becoming friends with Graham Chapman, the film’s budget and its teleplay origins, his concern with not having enough material for the film version, David Jason’s work in the film, Cliff Owen almost directing the film, bringing on Peter Medak, an overview of the other actors and filming locations, the film’s financial problems, its marketing and release, Graham Chapman’s personal demons, and his thoughts on the film today.
In The Odd Batch, actor Richard O’Brien discusses being an outsider in the industry and the work he was doing leading up to The Odd Job, being intimidated by Graham Chapman and meeting Peter Medak, his familiarity with the material as previously adapted, enjoying his very minor role and his costume, playing up the camp on his own terms, his reading of the material, his reaction to Keith Moon’s possible casting, working with Mark Forstater, and his takeaways from the film. In The Naughty Neighbor, actress Carolyn Seymour discusses her role, knowing all of the cast and crew beforehand, connecting with Peter Medak, working with comedians, her costumes, her memories of filmmaking in those days, mental illness in relation to suicide, and being satisfied with her career in retrospect. In Most Peculiar Craft, actor Simon Williams discusses his earliest memories of his father as a West End actor, previously working with David Jason, being very fond of Carolyn Seymour and Peter Medak, his feelings on Graham Chapman, enjoying himself in spite of the quality of the film, offering an examination of the plot, shooting on location, and his hopes for the film’s afterlife.
The Odd Job is a charming comedy with some issues, but none of them keep it from having some entertainment value. Since it never made it past VHS, Severin Films’ Blu-ray release will likely be a revelation to fans of British comedy. It’s also a nice package overall.
- Tim Salmons
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