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

ADDITION: Kino Blu-ray (June 2024): Kino have transferred Leslie Fenton's Saigon to Blu-ray. It is cited as being from a "Brand New HD Master – From a 2K Scan of the 35mm Original Fine Grain". There are some less significant marks and speckles but overall the 1080P looks pleasing registering decent contrast. The image is consistently heavy throughout but the texture is very film-like. A solid single--layered transfer with a supportive bitrate. No complaints. 

NOTE: We have added 60 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Kino use a DTS-HD Master dual-mono track (24-bit) in the original English language. Saigon has plenty of plane engines and some gunfire. It is exported with some reasonable bass. The score was by Robert Emmett Dolan (The Great Gatsby, Sorrowful Jones, Monsieur Beaucaire Murder He Says, The Major and the Minor, Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid, The Bells of St. Mary's, My Son John, The Three Faces of Eve) that carries suspense, danger and a subtle feeling of intrigue. There is a bit of a song sung "I Could Make Dolores Mine All Mine" that I think is the song "Dolores". The audio is clean with consistent dialogue in the lossless transfer. Kino offer optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

The Kino Blu-ray offers a new commentary by Lee Gambin and costume historian Elissa Rose. Lee passed a short time ago of a heart attack at 45 - and we dedicate this review to him. I believe it may have been his last commentary. They discuss the opening credits, PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder,) the exotic-ness of the film's milieu and culture, including the villains and passive Asian females always willing to please the Yank men, male bonding, Lake's costumes (Edith Head), Ladd's hunky-ness, dark cinema touches and much more. We will miss you, greatly, Lee - RIP. There is also a trailer for Saigon and other trailers - all Ladd or Lake films; Lucky Jordan, China, Calcutta, Chicago Deadline, Thunder in the East, The Hour Before the Dawn, So Proudly We Hail, and Singapore.     

Leslie Fenton's Saigon was Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake's fourth and final film together. It is heavy on Ladd's loyal machismo - not encouraging a relationship with smitten Lake so his friend, who is both in love with her and, unknowingly, terminally ill from a brain injury can enjoy his final days. Lake, with her career in decline, changed back to her famous "peek-a-boo" hairstyle. During the war the government requested she abandon it since imitating female factory workers kept getting their hair caught in machinery. While admittedly the least effective of the Ladd-Lake pairings - our hero shines with pure nobility as he also takes on a disreputable war-profiteer (Lake's boss.) Saigon is not Noir but seeing the iconic duo sparring together onscreen will be worth it for many. The chemistry is undeniable. I am happy the Kino Blu-ray presentation, will re-watch the film, and appreciate Lee's last commentary. Sure - recommended. The Blu-ray is 50% OFF at the writing of this review. 

Gary Tooze