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

ADDITION: Ascot Elite (Germany) - Region FREE Blu-ray - December 2010': Finally.... this was a shot in the dark buying this Blu-ray but I just LOVE this film and was willing to roll the dice. Luckily, it turned out to be a fabulous investment. Unlike the Optimum this is well transferred. It is 1080P - in theatrical running time AND dual-layered. In fact it wins on every front over the UK travesty. It is brighter, tighter, less digital noise, a higher bitrate and even offers English subtitles. Colors are also better as the Optimum has very red skin tones. Visually it wins hands down and is the definitive release for image quality of this incredible film.

Audio offers lossless original English and German tracks. The former is strong and supports the film very well. Separations are limited to the rifle shot sequences but there is depth when called upon. Fabulous news all around is that this IS region FREE (extras untested on region 'A' player) and it has optional English subtitles and translates for the infrequent Spanish spoken in  the film. The font is vastly less intrusive than the awful Sony DVD.

There are a lot of extras - over 70-minutes of bonus material beyond the existing commentary including the Masterclass (some French/German subtitles), interviews, deleted and extended scenes and more. I think this is a masterfully written screenplay - as I thought of Guillermo Arriaga's The Burning Plain - in which he also directed. This is a perfect film for Lee Jones - it elevates truth, loyalty and repentance. The man gives a flawless performance. This is justifiably highly lauded - as Manohla Dargis of the NY Times states HERE: "The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada" is nevertheless the story of friendship that transcends borders created by policy, prejudice, wind, sun and sand. The vein of American pragmatism that runs through this journey is matched by a sense of the pastoral that finds beauty in every natural corner and a humanism that looks kindly on even the hardest face."

I am thrilled to have it on a solid Blu-ray - the best digital representation of the The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada available anywhere. I give it an extremely high recommendation.

***

ADDITION: Optimum Blu-ray - April 09': For shame! Well, this practice better stop right away. We've uncovered another interlaced (1080i) transfer from a 25-frames-per-second source (same as Entertainment in Video's region 'B' of Elegy). This sloppiness is not acceptable at all. This is a favorite film of mine and I could easily tell this was sped up hearing Tommy Lee Jones distinctive voice. The image is a marginal improvement but I dearly want to see this done properly in high-definition and hope Region 'A' gets on the ball with this title quickly.

DTS Master HD is also marginally improved at less than 2000 kpbs with a shade more depth. There are no optional subtitles (only the forced for Spanish dialogue) and my Momitsu tells me this is locked to region 'B'.

The only positive about this release are the expanded extras - we get the same commentary but added are a 26-minute Making of..., 13 minutes of an interview (French host) with Lee Jones and Arriaga, a 1/2 hour's worth of deleted/extended scenes and some trailers.

I'm very disappointed in this Blu-ray release and it's transfer ineptitude, but admit to enjoying the supplements - still, this is not enough to endorse as we do NOT want this practice to continue. Thumbs down!      

***

ON THE SONY DVD: Well, I understand fellow reviewers were quite appalled with the edge enhancement of this DVD transfer (see sample below). Well, it is not as bad as it has been represented in my opinion. In fact looking at the positive - both detail and colors on this DVD image are quite striking. I can't say what it looked like theatrically but I was suitably impressed watching on my 42" Plasma. Now, there has been some boosting, which I never understand why it is necessary, but I can only state that it didn't overly impinge on my personal viewing experience even with the occasional artifact. It tends to remove some of the film-like appearance that a 35mm can give, appearing closer to high end digital video look. You can see for yourself how fatal it may be to your viewing system with the images below - they are fairly random. It is beautifully shot and can be a strong visual experience. The 5.1 audio sounded good to me, but is largely untested save a few scenes with rifle shots - even dialogue is quite sparse in the film. The included commentary is very friendly and not as informative or well prepared as some might be. If you can appreciate the 'off the cuff' manner you may enjoy it.

This is a fabulous film in my opinion. It has an indirect focus on loyalty and respect. I thoroughly enjoyed it - I couldn't help reflect on Charles Laughton's only directorial work - 'Night of the Hunter' for some reason. Perhaps it was the animal motifs or the journey of expectant redemption. It has the same vengeful anger that it spouts forth like a fountain. All I can say is that it is a beautiful film with great performances and a subtle, gentle depth. What more can you ask from a film?

Gary W. Tooze