Town Bloody Hall: The Criterion Collection Blu-ray

Town Bloody Hall from The Criterion Collection captures a 1971 Town Hall debate between Norman Mailer and four prominent women thinkers and activists. This single-disc Blu-ray includes a 2K restoration and a set of archival and retrospective extras, making it suited to viewers interested in documentary filmmaking, feminist history, and the debate itself.

At a glance

Documents the April 1971 Town Hall exchange between Norman Mailer and Jacqueline Ceballos, Germaine Greer, Jill Johnston, and Diana Trilling.
A new 2K restoration supervised by director Chris Hegedus is included, alongside an uncompressed monaural soundtrack.
Extras include an interview, a 2004 audio commentary, archival interviews, and related event and television footage.
English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing are listed.

Price

$19.98Save 50%

Reference price: ~~$39.95~~

Price checked: Nov 12, 2026

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Pros and cons

Pros

Pairs the film with restoration and contextual extras, including interviews and commentary from participants and director Chris Hegedus.
The subject and historical setting are clearly defined for viewers seeking a record of 1970s debates around women's liberation.

Technical specifications

11 specifications

Identity and format
Brand	The Criterion Collection
Format	Blu-ray
Language	English
Number of discs	1
Model	BR3175
Release date	August 18, 2020

Edition features
Restoration	New 2K digital restoration, supervised by director Chris Hegedus
Audio	Uncompressed monaural soundtrack
Subtitles	English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
Additional features	New interview with Hegedus; Audio commentary from 2004 featuring Hegedus and author Germaine Greer; Footage from a 2004 celebration of the film; Appearance from 1971 on The Dick Cavett Show by author Norman Mailer; Archival interviews with Greer and Mailer; An essay by film critic Melissa Anderson

Dimensions and installation
Dimensions listed	0.7 x 7.5 x 5.4 inches; 3.53 ounces

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Viewers interested in documentary records of feminist history and public debate.
Criterion Collection Blu-ray collectors who value restoration and supplementary interviews, commentary, and archival material.

Less suited to

Buyers seeking a contemporary narrative feature rather than a documentary record of a 1971 debate.
Viewers who need a stated aspect ratio before choosing a disc.

Town Bloody Hall: The Criterion Collection Blu-ray · photo 2 — Additional product photo 2

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.6 / 5 · 18 ratings

5 stars64%64%
4 stars36%36%
3 stars0%0%
2 stars0%0%
1 star0%0%

The supplied aggregate ratings lean positive, with five- and four-star categories represented and no lower-star categories shown. That offers a modest favorable signal, but ratings alone do not explain what viewers liked or establish how the restoration, extras, or film itself performed for individual buyers.

Frequently asked questions

What is Town Bloody Hall about?

It documents a 1971 Town Hall debate between Norman Mailer and four women thinkers and activists: Jacqueline Ceballos, Germaine Greer, Jill Johnston, and Diana Trilling.

What restoration and extras are listed?

The edition lists a new 2K digital restoration supervised by Chris Hegedus, a new interview, 2004 audio commentary, event footage, a 1971 Dick Cavett Show appearance by Norman Mailer, archival interviews, and an essay.

Does this Blu-ray include English subtitles?

Yes. English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing are listed.