Pinter's Progress and The Homecoming review (DVD) ★★★

This double disc set comprises the 2009 tribute to the esteemed playwright as well as the 1973 American Film Theatre production of his best play, The Homecoming.

Pinter's Progress was instigated by director Saville, who helmed a couple of TV versions of Pinter's early work. He interviews a number of performers who all worked with the great man as well as including some archive footage of the writer himself. He addresses what it was like to be Jewish in 1950s London and his rep and acting work while the contributors give some good examples of his style and methodology. Michael Caine worked with him at the beginning of his career in a production of The Room and at the very end of his career with that unfortunate reimagining of Sleuth.

Henry Goodman talks about the craft and effect of his writing, Sheila Hancock and Susannah York discuss his acting, Douglas Hodge shares some funny anecdotes about his idiosyncracies, James Fox talks about his sometimes difficult temperament while Evening Standard film critic Derek Malcolm is articulate about his cricketing prowess. A bunch of young actors are also interviewed discussing his influence but they don't say anything enlightening. That can't be said for the piece as a whole though as it does indeed give a worthy and entertaining insight into the man and and his working methods.

The Homecoming is less effective on screen than it has proved to be on the boards. Directed by its original stage director Hall, the film obviously looks dated now but the black humour remains. What doesn't come across though is the malice and menace that can be conjured on stage. The peformers are all reliably adept however even if the delivery is too dry and clipped to fully persuade. Not bad, but the theatre is where Pinter's masterwork must really be savoured.