NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were obtained directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Arrow Academy - Region 'B' Blu-ray - January 12': Arrow Academy's package contains the new restoration of both the theatrical version and the 21-minute longer Director's Cut approved by director Volker Schlöndorff (shown at Cannes 2010). These versions are NOT seamlessly-branched but separate transfers sharing the same dual-layered Blu-ray disc. This is a dual-format package that includes a DVD of the Theatrical version plus a supplement - Making The Tin Drum, Volker Schlöndorff remembers making the film and his collaborators (2001) - not on the Blu-ray.

With the 1080P disc not being seamlessly-branched - there are over 5 hours of 'feature' on the lone Blu-ray. So, the bitrate is smaller but the image quality is very impressive beside the SD-DVDs. The restored image is significantly sharper, tighter and colors are far more balanced. I don't see any strong difference between the visual quality of the two versions - both AVC at the same modest bitrate (between double and triple the SD version). There is noise but nothing overwhelming. Contrast is strong and it does have a bit of depth creeping in. The only negative I noticed was some contrast flickering that seemed more prevalent in the Director's Cut. It was brief, though. I don't see any cropping and it looks like the hi-def version shows a shade more in the frame. The last DVD release (Criterion) compared here was 7.5 years ago - so a fairly dramatic update was due and this is it.

The 5.1 DTS-HD Master audio at 1675 kbps is not dynamic with its separations but there are a few that rang through discreetly to rear speakers. There are only a few instances where the depth capability of the track is recognized but here too - it was rendering flawlessly. Legendary Maurice Jarre's score juxtaposes some of the scenes and adds a nice artistic touch to the ambience. It is certainly unique and sounds excellent here on the Blu-ray. There are optional English subtitles and my although my screener was Region FREE I have been told the commercially available ptroduct is actually 'Region 'B'' locked.

Supplement-wise we get the audio commentary with director/co-screenwriter Volker Schlöndorff, plus a brand new 25-minute interview with Volker Schlöndorff on the Blu-ray, plus the DVD (which has the Theatrical cut) has the 2001 Making The Tin Drum, Volker Schlöndorff remembers making the film and his collaborators. On the top that is a comprehensive booklet featuring brand new writing on the film by George Lellis and Hans-Bernhard Moeller, authors of Volker Schlondorff's Cinema: Adaptation, Politics and the Movie-appropriate, as well as extracts from Volker Schlöndorff s diary, writing by Jean Claude Carrière and Günter Grass, illustrated with archival stills. We should note that the Artwork presentation packaging featuring newly commissioned artwork and three original posters.

Being 5 hours worth of features (theatrical and DC) spread over the one Blu-ray makes this somewhat imperfect but the advancement on video is highly impressive, along with lossless audio, that we can easily recommend it. The director's fans will surely be keen to see the 21-minute longer cut and the new interview supplement with his opinion of it. Strongly recommended!

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ADDITION (Criterion - July -04) - We can throw out the Kino and the Dreamix editions as they are below par. The Kinowelt and the Criterion match up very closely in color. I notice the Region 2 having slightly redder skin tones - almost a brownish/sepia hue tint over the entire film. perhaps it was meant to look this way - I don't know. If anything I suspect Criterion's superior contrast gives it the impression of being sharper, but I know the differences are negligible. In regards to cropping I see Criterion has a little off the bottom and the Kinowelt even less off the left edge. The Kinowelt has no English subtitles so the decision becomes easier for most. Kinowelt has a 5.1 audio track (in German) and Criterion includes a 5. as an option with the original mono track. Criterions extras are the best of the lot. We say take Criterion to the bank! (or rather 'go to the bank first and then get Criterion' ;) ).

RE: The Kinowelt Documentary (From Frank Meyer... Thanks Frank): The documentary is the same as the Audio/Video Montage "Volker Schlöndorff remembers the Tin Drum" which is on the Criterion, but it is spoken in German by Schlöndorff. The commentary by Schlöndorff is not identical, because it is spoken also in German (especially produced for the German DVD by Jörg Bauer). There are no subtitles for the commentary.

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The anamorphic Kinowelt really blows away the other two when it comes to the image quality sharpness, color and contrast. The Dreamix may be sharper than the Kino and anamorphic but appears to have other issues. The 'Out of Print' Kino NTSC version has burned in yellow sub-titles which is a strong negative. The Dreamix shows some contrast boosting and edge enhancement (see beach scene below). The Kino has been slightly vertically cropped and appears to have been zoomed in to make up for it. All three have the Director Schlöndorff commentary. The Kinowelt has 5.1 audio which is nice, but no option for the original sound mix. It also has no English subs. As this film is not a favorite of mine, my suggestion would be to wait till a better edition comes out with English subtitles if you require them. the whole Dreamix "Tin Box" thing seems like a bit of scam now.     

- Gary W. Tooze