# Sight & Sound

> International film magazine with extensive archive of criticism and reviews. (iPhone/iPad app by The British Film Institute.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sight-and-sound/id548664090 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [The British Film Institute](https://appshunter.io/developer/699793649)
- Category: Entertainment, Magazines & Newspapers
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 1.70/5 from 15 App Store ratings · 80 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 12+
- Requires: iOS 15.0 · 121 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2012-08-08
- Data updated: 2026-09-10
- Monetization: subscription
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sight-and-sound/id548664090/reviews.md

## What is Sight & Sound?

Sight & Sound is the international film magazine that offers a unique perspective on the very best of film culture – past and present. Published for more than 80 years by the British Film Institute, Sight & Sound is the original magazine for the discerning film-fan. We carry news, interviews and analysis from the best writers on film as well as a comprehensive reviews section with a full synopsis, credits and production details for every film reviewed.

Subscription Options:

1-month subscription - £3.99
6-month subscription - £18.99
12-month subscription - £34.99

All subscriptions come with access to the complete archive of Sight & Sound since first published in 1932 - an unrivalled archive of film commentary and criticism.

Existing Print-Subscriber?

Print-subscribers can read the iPad edition at no extra cost. Simply install the free App, open and enter your registered email address and password.


For more information visit bfi.org.uk/sightandsound/subscribe

These subscriptions are auto-renewing subscriptions. Prices for the subscriptions are £3.99 for one month, £18.99 for 6 months and £34.99 for one year. Payment for this subscription will be charged to your iTunes account upon purchase. The subscription will auto-renew within 24 hours of the current subscription expiring. Auto-renewing subscriptions can be managed via Account Settings allowing them to be turned off. No cancellations of the current subscription are allowed during the active subscription period.

For any further information see http://subscriber.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/file/Website_Privacy_statement.doc

The British Film Institute is governed by Royal Charter and is a charity registered in England and Wales number 287780. The contents of this e-mail are confidential and may be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, kindly notify the sender that you have received this message in error and immediately delete it. Unless you are the intended recipient, you may not forward this e-mail to anybody, nor make any use of its contents.

## Key features

- Film culture analysis
- News and interviews
- Comprehensive reviews
- Complete archive access
- Production details

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Sight & Sound | $4.49 | per month |
| Sight & Sound | $22.49 | per 6 months |
| Sight & Sound | $39.99 | per year |


## What do users think of Sight & Sound?

Overall sentiment: negative

**Pros**

- 👍 Great magazine content
- ✨ Access to back-catalogue
- 💻 Downloadable for offline use

**Cons**

- 🐛 Frequent login issues
- 🐛 App crashes/freezes
- 🐛 Content not loading/downloading
- ❌ Non-existent customer support
- 🐌 Slow performance
- 🚫 No search functionality
- 🔄 Subscription/restore purchase issues
- 🪲 Outdated design/usability
- 💸 Subscription problems (auto-renewal, non-access)

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App refuses to open
- Unable to log in/invalid login details
- Content not downloading/loading
- App crashes frequently
- Restore purchase not working
- Issues disappear after update
- App not working with latest iOS versions
- Login details rejected
- Subscription auto-renews without consent
- App freezes on loading screen
- Downloaded issues disappearing
- Contact/support links not working

**Most requested features**

- Update app for better usability
- Add search functionality
- Allow hiding menu bars
- Improve subscription management
- PDF download option

## Recent user reviews (10 of 80)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sight-and-sound/id548664090/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Should be removed

*2026-08-28, version 3.2.0*

This app does not connect to your Sight and Sound account. I’m a new subscriber and have not been able to connect. When I contacted Sight and Sound they said they have no control over this application and I should contact the company that built this. This app is useless, broken and not claimed by Sight and Sound. Do not install. Strongly recommend this app be removed from the AppStore ad soon as possible.

### 1/5 — DOESN’T WORK!!!!

*2026-03-14, version 3.2.0*

Tried to download magazine but keeps asking me to log out.  Everything is fine on the web but not on the app.  Waste of time.  Also tried to contact customer services, surprise, surprise this also doesn’t work.

### 1/5 — Used to use this app to read S&S

*2026-02-11, version 3.2.0*

…since v3.0 came out, it does not download/allow me to see new issues. It just tells me my email address. 

I am paying a subscription fee to have an app tell me my email address.

### 1/5 — Update please!

*2025-07-29, version 3.1.1*

A refresh to make this app more usable is long overdue. Such a shame, does not match the quality of the content.

### 2/5 — When it works...

*2024-12-27, version 3.1.1*

the content is great..But every now and again the app refuses to get beyond the loading screen and I have to delete it from my ipad and reinstall it. What a nuisance.

### 4/5 — Convoluted, barebones bot working

*2024-11-02, version 3.1.1*

It took me a few weeks and multiple attempts to figure out how to log in but now it's working and I can read all issues all right. It's nothing more than a wrapper and I'd pay more to be able to download the magazine in pdf instead and read them elsewhere, but hey, at least I can read them.

### 1/5 — App is totally worthless. Avoid!!

*2024-10-11, version 3.1.0*

This app completely fails to access/load digital content. Technical support is essentially nonexistent.

### 1/5 — Totally frustrating

*2024-03-19, version 3.1.0*

Was ok for awhile the started to request login details each time I opened the App. Problem is I never had any login setup in the first place.
Tried the restore purchase route but advised me details don’t exist.
I have given up on this App for now until hopefully BFI steps up and fixes this very vexing issue.

### 1/5 — Immediate problems

*2024-02-21, version 3.1.0*

Paid for access to digital content and the archive and shortly after purchase was forcibly logged out and then unable to log back in again because of invalid login details. The details were correct as I had access to the website and I had paid for a subscription. The customer service team was incredibly unhelpful and didn’t attempt to solve the issue. Would not advise paying for a subscription.

### 1/5 — Don’t

*2023-05-24, version 3.1.0*

The magazine is great but the app is a nightmare. I have not been able to access my subscription since the magazine had a redesign which they will do occasionally. I have spent the last few months going back and forth with PageSuite, the App’s customer service department. Always a different person, always a new login and password to try, always the same result: it doesn’t work. Take my advice and DON’T purchase this magazine through the app.

## Frequently asked questions about Sight & Sound

### What is Sight & Sound?

Sight & Sound is an international film magazine that provides in-depth coverage of film culture, both current and historical. It features news, interviews, analysis from expert writers, and a comprehensive reviews section.

### What kind of content can I access?

You can access a wealth of film commentary and criticism, including news, interviews, in-depth analysis, and detailed reviews of films. Subscribers also gain access to the complete archive of the magazine dating back to 1932.

### How much does a subscription cost?

Subscription options include a 1-month subscription for £3.99, a 6-month subscription for £18.99, and a 12-month subscription for £34.99. These are auto-renewing subscriptions.

### Can print subscribers access the digital edition?

Yes, existing print subscribers can read the iPad edition at no extra cost. Simply install the free app and log in with your registered email address and password.

### How do I manage my subscription?

Subscriptions are auto-renewing and can be managed through your Account Settings within the app. You can turn off auto-renewal here. Cancellations are not permitted during the active subscription period.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.2.0 — 2026-01-14

Brand New App Design

### 3.1.1 — 2024-10-29

General Bug Fixes

### 3.1.0 — 2023-03-27

New updates and general bug fixes

### 3.0 — 2017-10-02

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

Updated for iOS11
Brand new interface and functionality.
Access to the complete archive since 1932.

### 2.9.6 — 2014-09-29

Minor bug fixes.
Graphics and Performance enhancements

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## More apps by The British Film Institute

- [BFI Player](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bfi-player/id720208055)
- [BFI Sci-Fi: Days of Fear and Wonder: The Sci-Fi 60](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bfi-sci-fi-days-of-fear-and-wonder-the-sci-fi-60/id937838994)
- [BFI Player (US)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bfi-player-us/id1564438447)
- [BFI LFF DVL](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bfi-lff-dvl/id1585907723)

All apps by The British Film Institute: https://appshunter.io/developer/699793649

## Related topics

[sight and sound tv](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/sight-and-sound-tv)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-10.*