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

ADDITION: Universal Blu-ray - February 09': While the image is an improvement I would say it is one of the more consequential amongst other hi-def to SD-DVD comparisons that we have done. Detail, colors and depth are all superior but less dramatic than many may have hoped. Rodrigo Prieto's cinematography and the Alberta open skies/landscapes accentuate the colors and beauty helping to produce strong visuals that excel beyond the DVDs but the improvement might only be considered minor depending greatly on how deft your system is at identifying them. I could see them but they were never demonstrative. Everything is tighter with a shade more information in the frame.

Audio was more of a noticeable advancement with the DTS-Master HD track sounding quite pristine through Gustavo Santaolalla's score and gentle, but crisp, plucking guitar strings - though the Surround is only really tested in the 'fireworks' scene. The same English, French and Spanish subtitle options available on the DVDs is still in place in this Universal dual-layered Blu-ray. We don't have information about the region coding yet - so will assume it is region 'A' only at this point.

Extras repeat everything from the 2-disc CE (discussed below) with an inclusion of 'My Scenes' book-marking exclusive to the Blu-ray. Only lacking a commentary these are quite good if you are keen on many aspects of the Brokeback Mountain's production.

If you don't own the Collector's Edition DVD - this Blu-ray should be a consideration but otherwise it may depend more so on the ability of your system to pick-up the superiority (in both audio and visual) - which does exist - but doesn't produce as overwhelming a difference as many may have hoped.

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ON THE DVDs: ADDITION - Universal (2-disc Collector's Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC - January 07': I wasn't expecting a lot, if any, difference in image quality and the only thing I can really see is that the Collector's edition may be marginally brighter and therefore appear minutely sharper. Worth the upgrade based on video quality? - No I don't feel it is substantial enough.

In the audio department a DTS track has been added and a 2.0 channel Spanish DUB on top of the 5.1 tracks (English and French DUB) from the original. I listened to the DTS track and it sounded excellent, as did the old 5.1 - I detected little difference but audio is admittedly not my strong suit as a reviewer. Aside from the rodeo and fireworks sequences the state-of-the-art sound options were hardly tested. Upgrade based on audio? - No, the original DVD's options are not lagging behind, excepting those who require a Spanish DUB.

Additional supplements from the original DVD number only 3 that I can determine - "A Groundbreaking Success" featurette at 17:13, Impressions From the Film - Photo Montage at 2:33 and "Music From the Mountain" featurette at 11:18. The "Groundbreaking Success" featurette is fairly good, if short, with interview input from many including Matt Zoller Seitz, film critic B. Ruby Rich, executive producer Michael Costigan, writer/producer Diana Ossana, director Ang Lee, Variety editor Peter Bart, producer James Schamus, journalist Alonso Duralde, and actors Jake Gyllenhaal, and Heath Ledger. A lot is said but nothing overly tantalizing is revealed. In "Music From the Mountain" composer Gustavo Santaolalla and others discuss the evolution of the film's score. The montage is nice but something you will probably never watch twice. There are also some good quality photo postcards that will eventually find their way to the trash bin as they serve no purpose. Upgrade based on extra features? - No way - I think Universal have some cheek tacking a "Collector's Edition" label on this and I think you'd have to be totally infatuated/obsessed with this film to even consider double dipping.

Now if you don't own Brokeback Mountain on DVD? Well it's about $10 more for the so-called "Collector's Edition". My opinion is the original DVD gives a more-than-worthy presentation - stick with that and save some dough. This new 2-disc set smells of a money-grabbing ploy by Universal. I love the film but recommend No sale on this upgrade.

Gary W. Tooze