Scheduled for release on 4K bluray from 101 Films is Abel Ferrara’s iconic neo-noir Bad Lieutenant (1992).

Written by Abel Ferrara and Zoë Lund (who also appears in the film) and produced independently with a modest budget, the film was shot guerrilla style on location in New York City, using real streets, buildings, and members of the public, often without a permit.

Driven by a career best performance by the legendary Harvey Keitel as the titular Lieutenant, the uncompromising and provocative depiction of crime in New York’s seedy underbelly was very well received at Cannes, but quickly ran into trouble with the MPAA. In true Abel Ferrara style, there was no chance he would compromise his vision and he refused to make the cuts to secure a NC-17 rating, meaning the film was released as a Rated-R feature, massively limiting its exposure. Despite this, Bad Lieutenant earned critical acclaim and developed strong word-of-mouth buzz, especially in art-house circuits leading to it becoming the iconic film it is today.

Bad Lieutenant will be Title 045 on the 101 Films Black Label, this release marks the first time Bad Lieutenant has been available on 4K UHD in the UK. The 101 Films release is packed with additional content, including new interviews with director Abel Ferrara, his frequent collaborator cinematographer Ken Kelsch and a new piece revisiting the shooting locations of Bad Lieutenant. Also included are archive extras from previous releases, including an excellent making of featurette and a commentary track with Abel Ferrara and Ken Kelsch.

This limited edition version comes packaged in a slipcase with new artwork, and is accompanied by a booklet with new writing on the film; ‘Body of Evidence: How Harvey Keitel’s Bad Lieutenant Topped a Career of Fearless, Frank Performances’ by James Mottram, and ‘Morality Crisis: The Vice and Virtues of Abel Ferrara’ by Rich Johnson

Brand new extras:

Shooting in New York – Interview with Abel Ferrara

Ken & Abel: Interview with Cinematographer Ken Kelsch

Bad Neighborhoods – The locations of Bad Lieutenant

Limited edition booklet includes Body of Evidence: How Harvey Keitel’s Bad Lieutenant Topped a Career of Fearless, Frank Performances by James Mottram, and Morality Crisis: The Vice and Virtues of Abel Ferrara by Rich Johnson