A black comedy-drama that has become a modern classic; I wasn’t an immediate fan of this when it came out, but there was a vibe among my colleagues about it — some of the production was done in the building next to our studios and one of my good friends was an extra in one scene. I’ve come to appreciate it as the great film it is.
It’s a gritty, surreal and at times outrageously funny film — the memorable outdoor scene with Renton`s rant containing the line “Can’t even find a decent culture to be colonized BY” always gets a wry laugh from us.
This 2-disc set has a commentary, deleted scenes and cast & crew featurette on disc one (for some reason the English subtitles fail to load on my disc — I don’t know if this is a fault with this edition or just my copy).
The second disc has a selection of “then and now” interviews looking at aspects of the production. No subtitles are available.
A film that should be in any serious film buff’s collection.
One of the greatest soundtracks to a brilliant movie and yet no UK version has the sound in HD lossless. It makes no sense whatsoever. l myself will buy Blu-rays not for the better picture but for the HD sound. As what’s the point having a good home surround sound system and end up with compressed audio? Its like having expensive headphones then listen to mp3s. Channel 4 should be ashamed who have just released the movie again on Blu-ray which again basic 5.1 sound made worse that the soundtrack is a big part of the movie.
I was born in 1996 when they film came out, so obviously I haven’t got the fog of nostalgia playing with my mind. Great film, great story. great ambiguous ending which is where the Trainspotting story should’ve ended in my opinion (although T2 Trainspotting is a decent film generally).
Top film, finally got around to watching it and it was well worth the wait. stellar casting and performances by all the cast in particular the fantastic Robert Carlyle as begbie. Highly recommended. 4/5
It’s a classic movie and one you should see but it’s set in its day. Filmed for 2017 there would be less fun in their lives..less imagination.
The actors mostly went on to great things.
Watch this and TS2 back to back with a glass or 2 of scotch and some 80% plain choc.
Thoroughly enjoyed watching this film for a second time. The effects are not quite what they can do these days but for the time, they were excellent! If there was any film that could take the glamour out of heroin addiction – this would be it! And it would do so with good humour. Looking forward to seeing T2!
This film has sat on my DVD shelf for the best part of 20 years, but I’ve never watched it. It was my daughter’s purchase. As I’m moving soon I’ve begun packing and the DVD’s were the first things to get packed. Then they released T2 and my daughter wanted me to go see it with her. So rather than unpack my boxes to find the DVD I paid for this streaming copy from Amazon. In may be twenty years late to the party but it’s a bloody good film. So is T2 by the way. Begbie is absolutely terrifying.
I never watched this film when it was made 20 years ago, just never got round to it. With the new one being made and I intended to see it, I thought I had better see it for myself. The 4 guys are a bunch of complete morons, having said that….I laughed loads at the stupid things they did. I probably would have viewed it differently 20 years ago, now I have a “grown up” view of it. It is portrayed and directed superbly. Loved the way it ended Still not sure why it’s called Trainspotters???
Have heard about this movie for a long time but have only just gotten around to watching it now.
It is incredible! But, it is not for the faint-hearted ~ it is incredibly depressing at times whilst being uplifting from certain perspectives at others. The filming and casting is superb and it really makes the life of an addict seem to be conveyed expertly.
The only issue I had was that I rented the movie on Amazon Video (the quality was brilliant!) but there were no English subtitles.
I could understand the Scottish accents very easily – there were only 2 lines (Francis’ lines) which I struggled with throughout the entire film! But for people who have not grown up with regional accents I can imagine it would be pretty difficult for them to understand.
This is a must-see film! It brings awareness to the sadness/lack of control of addiction but also the joys in which escaping many of the ‘average’ stresses in life may seem, at first, to bring. It is also good for showing how different some people’s lives can be, making you appreciate just how much you may/may not have and highlighting the importance of empathizing with others rather than immediately judging.
I love this film, watched it many years ago when it first came out and bought the video of it – which Yes I still have but cannot play it as we’ve no longer got a video recorder anymore. Great story line, full of excellent actors and still riveting to watch. Good to see the old Edinburgh that I grew up in. Well worth a View…
I’ve been promising myself for years that this was on my list of films to view. Last night I did just that, and boy have I been missing out. Why on earth did I not get around to this years ago. The people who said at the time that this glorified drug use must have been mad. It portrays a dismal sad existence, acted out in such a believable way that it would certainly make me not even want to take a sleeping tablet!
A timeless classic that sadly depicts a situation happening all too often, not only back then, but in the here and now. I don’t think situations like this will ever die, and so then, neither will this amazing movie.
Years after release I finally get around to this movie because of tracing Jonny Lee Miller’s roots. I was so surprised that not only is it a great and entertaining film, but it is not depressing or downbeat despite the lifestyle depicted. Yes it’s about addiction and selfishness but mainly about taking control and what happens when you don’t. It’s no wonder that the lead actors and Danny Boyle went on to such outstanding careers. This is a masterpiece of acting and film making which stands the test of time.
Having seen this film quite a few times before I decided to purchase the 2 disc ‘definitive’ dvd as I feel that it’s one of those films that everyone should own (especially at 0.1p!).Bought the dvd(s) pre owned and was very impressed by the condition of the box/discs seeing as they are second hand,would definitely purchase from them again in future as it is a good bargain for quite a high quality film and certainly one that most peoples dvd cabinet should contain!
Having bought the original DVD away back in 1999 (in the old-style transparent plastic case and everything), I have to say I was aprehensive about paying the extra money for the extra scenes and interviews. However, it was well worth it.
To recap, Trainspotting follows the lives of three junkies (Renton, Sick Boy and Spud) and a psychopath (Begbie) in Edinburgh (although quite a lot of the film is actually shot in my home town of Glasgow). Having recieved a mixture of acclaim and controversy when it was released, those who make the effort to watch it will realise it is not about glamorising drugs. It is essentially about the break up of friendships between men who have been pals since school and whose lives decay in a furore of drink, violence, sex, and drugs. It also makes an important statement of how mundane junkies’ lives are.
The most disturbing aspect of this film is actually the amount of humour: from the bookmaker’s toilet to the psychopath Begbie, quite simply a nutter, to use a nice vernacular phrase. Also look out for Sick Boy’s great impressions of Sean Connery.
The extras on the DVD are great and a perfect length. Various missing scenes are included on the first disc. On the second disc, there is a mixture of interviews (including one with the author of the book, Irvine Welsh), and good behind-the-scenes material, including some nice multi-angle material.
Admirers of Trainspotting will have already appreciated its pulsating and eclectic soundtrack: from Lou Reed’s ‘Perfect Day’ to Sleeper’s cover of ‘Atomic’; from Iggy Pop’s ‘Lust For Life’ to ‘Habanera’ from Carmen. This DVD explains the choice of sound, as well as other aspects such as visuals and colour, and was interested to find out the music is designed to move the audience from the 1980s where the story begins to the 1990s. Indeed, Renton, the hero (?) of the film begins as a person with his mind stuck in the era of Iggy Pop, before eventually waking up to the 1990s with Pulp and Damon Albarn. Incidentally, also look out for the vox-pops of Albarn at the Cannes film festival on the second disc, as well as the likes of Oasis and Ewan McGregor himself.
This a film which deals with a controversial subject in a perfect manner with an excellent cast, great visuals, and a racing sountrack. ***** Five Stars! *****
Most people will have either seen this film already, or at least know of it before they buy this new DVD “definitive” release.
The film that shot Ewan McGregor and Robert Carlyle to fame starts with a fast pace and rarely lets up. The focus is on Mark Renton, wonderfully played by McGregor, and his fellow junkie mates (primarily Johnny Lee Miller’s Sick Boy and Ewan Bremner’s demented Spud)
Johnny Lee Miller does superbly well with the Scottish accent, so often botched up in films, and blends in well with the other actors who are all native Scots. Ewan Bremner had previously played the lead of Renton in the stage version but appears to have been born to play the dopey part of Spud in the film.
Robert Carlyle is truly worrying good at playing the resident psycho role of Francis Begbie. Always looking to cause or inflame violence, it is horribly true that some people are just like this character. He pulls it off superbly.
The film itself ends up focussing on the ever changing Renton and his battle to finally kick herion, after just one last hit of course.
Travelling to London to get away from it all, he starts afresh until his part catches up with him and the “mates” are not too far behind.
Worth buying on so many levels, the acting/writing/screenplay/soundtrack. Highly recommended!
Danny Boyle’s Irvine Welsh adaptation treads the line carefully between attacking the drug lifestyle and glamourising it, by doing what most filmmakers seem afraid of doing: saying that yes, it does feel like it has great benefits. “Why else would we do it?” says Ewan McGregor, who gives the film a fantastic narration. The Scottish isn’t as hard to decipher as it’s made out to be.
It shares with Clockwork Orange a clutch of harrowing, graphic scenes of violence or drug use, but also a sense of a story well told, and an innate watchability. Once you’ve seen it once or twice and gotten over the initial “Agh!” of a few scenes, it becomes quite likeable. The cast are all down to Earth and believable (McGregor and Jonny Lee Miller, aka the sly Bond-obsessed Sick Boy, are fantastic, with Ewen Bremner as the loopy but loveable Spud and Robert Carlysle in his breakthrough turn as psycho Begbie) and the easy-to-get-to-grips-with script sticks to Irvine Welsh (the first credit at the end of the movie is to him).
It’s can be equally gritty (the toilet scene and some of the film’s harsher realities) and surreal (the trips), which ensures it’s not boring for a second, and Danny Boyle’s direction makes sure it won’t displease the eye for a moment either. The pop soundtrack is brilliant, and enfuses the film with energy (as if it was lacking already, which it isn’t), allowing the proceedings to leap forward without anyone feeling too bothered. Choppy editing adopted by Lock Stock also slickens things, and the fact that none of these characters get any real depth or life story – even McGregor’s Renton tells nothing of his past or how he met these people – the ensemble performances and overall gradual story make up for it. You’ll more than likely be cheering for McGregor in the finale.
The DVD is fun but hardly “definitive,” boasting a solid commentary from Boyle, writer Hodges and McGregor; an interview with Welsh; some Cannes clips (with Damon Albarn, Martin Landau and Noel Gallagher, as if they had anything to do with it); trailers and a few all-too-brief retrospectives. Still, it’s all brilliantly presented. And after all, the film… perhaps not “the best British film of the decade,” but sure in the running… makes up for any problems and then some.
![Trainspotting [4K UHD + Blu-ray] Limited Edition Steelbook](https://k4s.uk/posts/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/61THVH301VL.jpg)
A black comedy-drama that has become a modern classic; I wasn’t an immediate fan of this when it came out, but there was a vibe among my colleagues about it — some of the production was done in the building next to our studios and one of my good friends was an extra in one scene. I’ve come to appreciate it as the great film it is.
It’s a gritty, surreal and at times outrageously funny film — the memorable outdoor scene with Renton`s rant containing the line “Can’t even find a decent culture to be colonized BY” always gets a wry laugh from us.
This 2-disc set has a commentary, deleted scenes and cast & crew featurette on disc one (for some reason the English subtitles fail to load on my disc — I don’t know if this is a fault with this edition or just my copy).
The second disc has a selection of “then and now” interviews looking at aspects of the production. No subtitles are available.
A film that should be in any serious film buff’s collection.
I was born in 1996 when they film came out, so obviously I haven’t got the fog of nostalgia playing with my mind. Great film, great story. great ambiguous ending which is where the Trainspotting story should’ve ended in my opinion (although T2 Trainspotting is a decent film generally).
Top film, finally got around to watching it and it was well worth the wait. stellar casting and performances by all the cast in particular the fantastic Robert Carlyle as begbie. Highly recommended. 4/5
It’s a classic movie and one you should see but it’s set in its day. Filmed for 2017 there would be less fun in their lives..less imagination.
The actors mostly went on to great things.
Watch this and TS2 back to back with a glass or 2 of scotch and some 80% plain choc.
Thoroughly enjoyed watching this film for a second time. The effects are not quite what they can do these days but for the time, they were excellent! If there was any film that could take the glamour out of heroin addiction – this would be it! And it would do so with good humour. Looking forward to seeing T2!
I never watched this film when it was made 20 years ago, just never got round to it. With the new one being made and I intended to see it, I thought I had better see it for myself. The 4 guys are a bunch of complete morons, having said that….I laughed loads at the stupid things they did. I probably would have viewed it differently 20 years ago, now I have a “grown up” view of it. It is portrayed and directed superbly. Loved the way it ended Still not sure why it’s called Trainspotters???
Have heard about this movie for a long time but have only just gotten around to watching it now.
It is incredible! But, it is not for the faint-hearted ~ it is incredibly depressing at times whilst being uplifting from certain perspectives at others. The filming and casting is superb and it really makes the life of an addict seem to be conveyed expertly.
The only issue I had was that I rented the movie on Amazon Video (the quality was brilliant!) but there were no English subtitles.
I could understand the Scottish accents very easily – there were only 2 lines (Francis’ lines) which I struggled with throughout the entire film! But for people who have not grown up with regional accents I can imagine it would be pretty difficult for them to understand.
This is a must-see film! It brings awareness to the sadness/lack of control of addiction but also the joys in which escaping many of the ‘average’ stresses in life may seem, at first, to bring. It is also good for showing how different some people’s lives can be, making you appreciate just how much you may/may not have and highlighting the importance of empathizing with others rather than immediately judging.
A timeless classic that sadly depicts a situation happening all too often, not only back then, but in the here and now. I don’t think situations like this will ever die, and so then, neither will this amazing movie.
Years after release I finally get around to this movie because of tracing Jonny Lee Miller’s roots. I was so surprised that not only is it a great and entertaining film, but it is not depressing or downbeat despite the lifestyle depicted. Yes it’s about addiction and selfishness but mainly about taking control and what happens when you don’t. It’s no wonder that the lead actors and Danny Boyle went on to such outstanding careers. This is a masterpiece of acting and film making which stands the test of time.
Having seen this film quite a few times before I decided to purchase the 2 disc ‘definitive’ dvd as I feel that it’s one of those films that everyone should own (especially at 0.1p!).Bought the dvd(s) pre owned and was very impressed by the condition of the box/discs seeing as they are second hand,would definitely purchase from them again in future as it is a good bargain for quite a high quality film and certainly one that most peoples dvd cabinet should contain!
To recap, Trainspotting follows the lives of three junkies (Renton, Sick Boy and Spud) and a psychopath (Begbie) in Edinburgh (although quite a lot of the film is actually shot in my home town of Glasgow). Having recieved a mixture of acclaim and controversy when it was released, those who make the effort to watch it will realise it is not about glamorising drugs. It is essentially about the break up of friendships between men who have been pals since school and whose lives decay in a furore of drink, violence, sex, and drugs. It also makes an important statement of how mundane junkies’ lives are.
The most disturbing aspect of this film is actually the amount of humour: from the bookmaker’s toilet to the psychopath Begbie, quite simply a nutter, to use a nice vernacular phrase. Also look out for Sick Boy’s great impressions of Sean Connery.
The extras on the DVD are great and a perfect length. Various missing scenes are included on the first disc. On the second disc, there is a mixture of interviews (including one with the author of the book, Irvine Welsh), and good behind-the-scenes material, including some nice multi-angle material.
Admirers of Trainspotting will have already appreciated its pulsating and eclectic soundtrack: from Lou Reed’s ‘Perfect Day’ to Sleeper’s cover of ‘Atomic’; from Iggy Pop’s ‘Lust For Life’ to ‘Habanera’ from Carmen. This DVD explains the choice of sound, as well as other aspects such as visuals and colour, and was interested to find out the music is designed to move the audience from the 1980s where the story begins to the 1990s. Indeed, Renton, the hero (?) of the film begins as a person with his mind stuck in the era of Iggy Pop, before eventually waking up to the 1990s with Pulp and Damon Albarn. Incidentally, also look out for the vox-pops of Albarn at the Cannes film festival on the second disc, as well as the likes of Oasis and Ewan McGregor himself.
This a film which deals with a controversial subject in a perfect manner with an excellent cast, great visuals, and a racing sountrack. ***** Five Stars! *****
Most people will have either seen this film already, or at least know of it before they buy this new DVD “definitive” release.
The film that shot Ewan McGregor and Robert Carlyle to fame starts with a fast pace and rarely lets up. The focus is on Mark Renton, wonderfully played by McGregor, and his fellow junkie mates (primarily Johnny Lee Miller’s Sick Boy and Ewan Bremner’s demented Spud)
Johnny Lee Miller does superbly well with the Scottish accent, so often botched up in films, and blends in well with the other actors who are all native Scots. Ewan Bremner had previously played the lead of Renton in the stage version but appears to have been born to play the dopey part of Spud in the film.
Robert Carlyle is truly worrying good at playing the resident psycho role of Francis Begbie. Always looking to cause or inflame violence, it is horribly true that some people are just like this character. He pulls it off superbly.
The film itself ends up focussing on the ever changing Renton and his battle to finally kick herion, after just one last hit of course.
Travelling to London to get away from it all, he starts afresh until his part catches up with him and the “mates” are not too far behind.
Worth buying on so many levels, the acting/writing/screenplay/soundtrack. Highly recommended!
It shares with Clockwork Orange a clutch of harrowing, graphic scenes of violence or drug use, but also a sense of a story well told, and an innate watchability. Once you’ve seen it once or twice and gotten over the initial “Agh!” of a few scenes, it becomes quite likeable. The cast are all down to Earth and believable (McGregor and Jonny Lee Miller, aka the sly Bond-obsessed Sick Boy, are fantastic, with Ewen Bremner as the loopy but loveable Spud and Robert Carlysle in his breakthrough turn as psycho Begbie) and the easy-to-get-to-grips-with script sticks to Irvine Welsh (the first credit at the end of the movie is to him).
It’s can be equally gritty (the toilet scene and some of the film’s harsher realities) and surreal (the trips), which ensures it’s not boring for a second, and Danny Boyle’s direction makes sure it won’t displease the eye for a moment either. The pop soundtrack is brilliant, and enfuses the film with energy (as if it was lacking already, which it isn’t), allowing the proceedings to leap forward without anyone feeling too bothered. Choppy editing adopted by Lock Stock also slickens things, and the fact that none of these characters get any real depth or life story – even McGregor’s Renton tells nothing of his past or how he met these people – the ensemble performances and overall gradual story make up for it. You’ll more than likely be cheering for McGregor in the finale.
The DVD is fun but hardly “definitive,” boasting a solid commentary from Boyle, writer Hodges and McGregor; an interview with Welsh; some Cannes clips (with Damon Albarn, Martin Landau and Noel Gallagher, as if they had anything to do with it); trailers and a few all-too-brief retrospectives. Still, it’s all brilliantly presented. And after all, the film… perhaps not “the best British film of the decade,” but sure in the running… makes up for any problems and then some.