ADDITION: Universal - Region 1 Special Edition - August 06' - well, it appears as though Noir fans have waited a long time for someone to put this film out digitally with the respect it deserves. Image Entertainment opportunistically released it in 2000 where it quickly went out-of-print. There were no extras and the image quality was lacking - dirty, contrast boosted and grainy. Last year (2005) we got our hopes up for the Universal (European) PAL version which again went bare-bones (we were in disbelief) and was severely over-digitized - the image was cleaner but vast amounts of detail were lost. Finally Universal (NTSC) attached it to their 'Legacy Series' - a 2-disc Special Edition with two astute commentaries, a documentary feature, plus the television remake with Richard Crenna.

How it looks - we have gone through this as meticulously as we can and the results are positive - the new SE is superior than the two previous editions. Sharper with no discernable contrast boosting - I still have no explanation for the frame movement of the PAL edition, but composition looks appropriate in the new Special edition. There is still some dirt and flickering but not as visible as previously seen. I watched it on a plasma system and it was very acceptable.

How it sounds - I hear no intense improvement over the other editions although the Image Entertainment DVD had a few pops and an occasional light hiss. Universal have added an optional Spanish DUB to the new SE.

Supplements - It wouldn't be hard to beat out the previous two releases as they were devoid of any digital extras, and I am happy to report the 38 minute documentary 'Shadows of Suspense' is excellent viewing. There is essential input from Eddie Muller, James Ursini, Alain Silver, Drew Casper, William Friendkin and more. The Richard Schickel commentary is good , if a little dry - he brings up MacMurray's straight-laced persona and Stanwyck's inert sexuality and legendary Noir status. I enjoyed his input on the Chandler/Wilder screenplay/dialogue. There are a couple of gaps (where the characters take over) and his voice is a shade monotone, but overall he delivers the type of information Noir fans have been craving. BUT the 2nd commentary (Lem Dobbs and Nick Redman) is fantastic!! Very frank and modern interpretations involving sex and innuendo - details on Chandler/Wilder/Stanwyck... I'm sure fans of this film will be in nirvana with all the great supplements. As far as I am concerned they could throw out the second disc (it only contains the television version) - but the first disc is pure gold.

Summation -  This will easily get some votes for DVD of the Year. I'm happy with the film presentation but the extras features are really above and beyond. It supports a theory that I have that great DVDs support immensely deeper appreciation of film. This is a wonderful case in point. Although I always enjoyed Double Indemnity I had it on the outside circle of Top 10 Noirs - but that probably change. This Special Edition DVD is a must-own...

Gary Tooze     

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Universal (PAL) - Well honestly I went back to the menu a few times to see if I missed some extras. I didn't - there are none aside from an 8-page liner notes booklet with information about Wilder, some photos and an essay by Glenn Mitchell -"The Making of Double Indemnity". Not even any subtitles. Pretty bare bones considering what people were expecting.

We reviewed the original, now way out-of-print, DVD from Image Entertainment in Region 1 HERE and in direct comparison (see three captures below) this Universal DVD is definitely softer. Acceptable grayscale and black levels but overall disappointing. Cleaner, no edge enhancement. Less visible grain but it appears cropped on the left and bottom edges where the Image Entertainment DVD is cropped on the top and right edges. Sheesh! Like the NTSC disc no digital extras - If ever a film cries out for some discussion or featurettes, even a trailer would suffice, this is it. I submit to you that Universal does not know its market very well. I'll bet they sell a tonne of these discs and a few extra dollars spent in some valued extras would have been very appropriate. No subtitles is another sign of DVD production laziness.

NOTE: This is the first disc that I noticed the PAL speedup in the dialogue with MacMurray's voice being a semi-time higher... those very familiar with the film may also notice this.  

Gary W. Tooze