A black market pig is the centre of attention in this gentle British comedy, and a topic of conversation on the DVD.

TECHNICAL FEATURES

Picture A touch grainy to start with, the picture transfer settles down into a decent image for a low budget 80s British film.

Sound Extraordinarily, we're offered the choice of either a new Dolby 5.1 or DTS ES mixes. But the original mono turns out to be the best choice.

The other two mixes are a touch too ambitious, with too many effects turning up in the rear speakers that shouldn't be there. Turning them down does help, but the surround mixes will not be to all tastes. The mono does just fine.

SPECIAL FEATURES

Audio Commentary Michael Palin, director Malcolm Mowbray, writer Alan Bennett, and producer Mark Shivas are moderated by Mark Kermode for a genial and enjoyable commentary track.

Alan Bennett kicks off proceedings by revealing that for a long time he had been keen to write something about a chiropodist. He thought the comic potential was strong, and when he heard that Mowbray wanted to make a film about a pig, an unusual marriage of ideas fused into the script for "A Private Function".

Casting a pig proved a problem, and the project couldn't be greenlit until they could find out if a pig could be persuaded to do what was needed. One was finally found but seemed keener on going to sleep than performing. But at least it provided a job for one boy keen to get into filmmaking: he got to hold a bucket underneath it to catch any emissions.

Additional Extra Features Also on the DVD are cast and crew biographies, an animated stills gallery, and film notes.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Region: 2
Chapters: 18
Ratio: 1.85:1 (anamorphic)
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 (mono) plus DTS ES
Audio Tracks: English
Subtitles: None
Captions: None
Menus: Animated, with music
Special Features Subtitles: None of the special features come with subtitles.

This DVD was reviewed on a JVC XV-S57 DVD player.