The Film
Back in my youth, there were a slew of big benefit concerts for Amnesty International. I remember flocking to major stadiums to get a glimpse at the likes of Peter Gabriel, U2, Sting, Bruce Springsteen, and countless others. However, there was also a more exclusive event to showcase the cause, as well as some of the top comedic talent in the world: The Secret Policeman's Ball.
The very first Secret Policeman's Ball was 1976's "A Poke in the Eye (With a Sharp Stick)." Over three nights, people flocked to London's Her Majesty's Theatre to watch top British comedians, most notably the members of Monty Python.
Over the years, there have been a few similar events. The name has changed, as well as the format and the locale. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Amnesty International, The Secret Policeman's Ball - USA gives us a peek at the show's debut in the United States.
The 2012 live show was a mixture of British and American talent doing stand-up and skits, with a few musical performances sprinkled in between. The lineup included John Stewart, Russell Brand, Ben Stiller, Eddie Izzard, Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, Chris O'Dowd, Jay Pharoah, Sarah Silverman, Paul Rudd, Liam Neeson, Bob Odenkirk, David Cross, Coldplay, Mumford & Sons, and countless others. Oh, and there's also a few special guest stars, which I will leave as a surprise. (Don't forget to stay through the end credits as well!)
Overall, it's a pretty packed show. Still, The Secret Policeman's Ball - USA isn't the best concert film ever put out on Blu-ray, but it's probably one of the funnier ones.
The Picture
The Secret Policeman's Ball - USA doesn't have crazy special effects. In fact, it's doesn't even have the full 1080p treatment. The 1080i/1.78:1 image is pretty impressive, though. Besides the actual performers, there isn't a ton to look at, but clothing is textured, close-ups show facial details, and the blue curtain on the stage offers some nice pop.
The Sound
Eagle Rock has given this release a lone LPCM Stereo track. The lack of surround sound isn't bad, since most of the disc is filled with dialogue. After all, do you really need to hear sounds from the crowd interrupting the performances? The only times it will seem flat is when a musical act is on-screen, but that's pretty fleeting. Otherwise, all of the performers sound clear throughout the show.
The Extras
Final Thoughts
Considering that this is the first Secret Policeman's Ball for the United States, I expected it to be peppered with more American acts. The British invasion certainly isn't a bad thing, though. The show is funny. The extras could be more plentiful and the AV isn't impressive enough for demo night. However, The Secret Policeman's Ball - USA is a fun way to spend 2 hours, as well as get a refresher course on a great cause.
Product Details
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