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

ADDITION: Kino Blu-ray (May 2019): Kino have transferred "Ring of Bright Water" on a single-layered Blu-ray. The 1.66:1 1080p image is given a modest bitrate. The film features some lovely Scottish landscapes, showing a decent range of greens, the city life is appropriately drab and somewhat colorless. Certain pinks and greens of clothing and decorations can look a little strange, though this could really be the style of the time. This seems to be a solid transfer of the film, showing a fair amount of grain. Contrast levels could be better, with some brief night shots looking like the inverse of a snowcastle in a snowstorm. As mentioned though, these moments are rare and for the most part, the film shows a fair amount of detail. Medium close-up shots, for example, reveal the creases and detailing of Travers' sweater, something that I'm sure would be difficult for a SD transfer. Overall, the transfer is nothing to write home about, but is far from a disaster.

The Kino Blu-ray of "Ring of Bright Water" features a 16-bit DTS-HD Master audio track for the film. Though a little flat, dialogue is clear and audible. The score is thanks to Frank Cordell (The Rebel, "God Told Me To", "Khartoum") as is the title song sung by Val Doonican (with lyrics by Betty Botley). There are optional English subtitles on this Region 'A' Blu-ray from Kino.

Author and film historian, Lee Gambin provides an audio commentary over the film. Gambin wisely points out that the story here is "really about the ideology of salvation", with the otter being the symbol/savior figure to Travers' everyman city dweller, not to mention his ticket out of town. This is a very lovely and well researched track, as they typically are with Gambin. The author is an aficionado of animal films, and his participation here is very beneficial. The only other bonus features are the film's theatrical trailer, as well as trailers for two other kino releases ("The Earthling" and "Spacecamp")

I'll be honest, "Ring of Bright Water" didn't sound too enticing to me, but I was wrong to scoff at it. This is actually an exceptional film, with a strong lead performance from Bill Travers. The film is an adaptation of the book by Gavin Maxwell (about his life in a remote house in coastal Scotland where he kept several wild otters as pets). Kino's choice to include Gambin for the audio commentary was a smart one, given his love of animals in film. Recommended to those looking for a family film that isn't overly sappy. 

Colin Zavitz