A Night To Remember On Blu-Ray

[Eric Paddon]

I received the new Criterion Blu-Ray version of ANTR, and the result is an impressive upgrade over the previous release. The transfer is outstanding and this time the sequence snipped in the previous release of the "British" version (but which was included in the American version released on VHS) of Lightoller being handed a dead child at Collapsible B has been restored.

The old 1993 documentary with William MacQuitty has been retained, and new this time are a 1962 Swedish TV documentary (subtitled) from the 50th anniversary of the sinking which features interviews with Swedish survivors. Also there is a late 90s BBC documentary on how the iceberg was created and how icebergs in that region are formed which was less interesting from my standpoint.

 

[Bob Godfrey]

There's also a superb new Blu-Ray release from the Rank Organisation, which is Region 2 only. Not sure if this is the same print as the Criterion release, but it looks like it could not be bettered and again the previously deleted scene(s) are restored. No commentary, but the excellent 'making-of' feature (mentioned above) is included as with previous dvd releases. Plus a few other extras like trailer, costume notes and stills galleries, but no other docus.

While the picture quality on this Blu-Ray disc is stunningly good, the sound doesn't seem to be any better than on the dvd releases - but some reviewers claim to have detected a slight improvement. On my screen the image has a slight sepia tint which I'm not keen on, but this can be easily adjusted. And the great advantage of this release over the Criterion disc is that it's half the price! But please note it's not for Region 1 (USA).

Even if you already have ANTR on dvd, do consider buying one of these Blu-Ray releases. Short of watching the film on a cinema screen, this is as good as it gets and as good as it's ever likely to be.

 

[John Lynott]

There's also a superb new Blu-Ray release from the Rank Organisation, which is Region 2 only. Not sure if this is the same print as the Criterion release, but it looks like it could not be bettered and again the previously deleted scene(s) are restored. No commentary, but the excellent 'making-of' feature (mentioned above) is included as with previous dvd releases. Plus a few other extras like trailer, costume notes and stills galleries, but no other docus.

While the picture quality on this Blu-Ray disc is stunningly good, the sound doesn't seem to be any better than on the dvd releases - but some reviewers claim to have detected a slight improvement. On my screen the image has a slight sepia tint which I'm not keen on, but this can be easily adjusted. And the great advantage of this release over the Criterion disc is that it's half the price! But please note it's not for Region 1 (USA).

Even if you already have ANTR on dvd, do consider buying one of these Blu-Ray releases. Short of watching the film on a cinema screen, this is as good as it gets and as good as it's ever likely to be.

Been off the site for a few months but maybe Bob can help me from the UK side.

I first bought ANTR as a Betamax video in June 1983 for £49.99!!!!!!! (£250 at today's prices?) It was the Rank version, complete with dead child handed to Lightoller and 123 mins long - without the 'The lives lost was not in vain' coda which I have always found ham-fisted.

As I graduated to VHS and DVD I found I was viewing the Criterion version at 118 mins long with aforesaid coda. Is the UK Blu-Ray a version of the original Rank release? Hope so.

In the meantime - as 100 years ago tonight they took a stroll on deck and then retired for supper or tea or dinner...God rest Rosa Abbot's sons, the folk of Addergoole and everyone else who did not live their proper spans.

Ait enim mare.

 

[Bob Godfrey]

Hallo, John. The Rank Org's Blu-Ray is the full 123 minutes; ignore the fact that Amazon (and the dvd's own cover) give the running time incorrectly as 118 mins (somebody must have assumed it was the same as the dvd). Nothing omitted as far as I can see - certainly the dead baby scene and the coda are intact. Buy with confidence and, if you must, switch off before the coda appears!