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S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

directed by David Lynch
France/USA 1997

Lost Highway is reviewed on 4K UHD HERE

 

The thrill of this kind of enigmatic rhyming structure, combined with Lynch's masterful and often powerful fusions of sound and image, is that it makes all sorts of splashy expressionistic effects possible--moments of "pure" filmmaking in which the ideological trappings of noir become subverted by the heady mixtures (such as the literal and figurative grafting of the Mystery Man onto the body of Arquette). The limitation is that, even if the thematic preoccupations at times appear to float and circulate independent of the inner tubes, their assumptions remain mired in the adolescent mind-set ("dirty" sex and corrupted male innocence) that informs virtually all of Lynch's features. (I'm less certain that this applies to Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me, which I'll have to see again, but it clearly forms the affective core of Eraserhead, The Elephant Man, Dune, Blue Velvet, and Wild at Heart.)

It can be argued--and will be in a book about Lynch by Martha Nochimson that will be published next fall--that the projection of male feelings of guilt, fear, disgust, and shame about sex onto female figures in Lynch's films is always defined as a traumatized-male construction, and that Lost Highway doesn't have any real women. This is a plausible hypothesis, but how consistently one can read the movie in this light depends on how well one can plow through the proliferating iconography of puritanical noir cliches, which invade so much of the available space they leave little room for decoding. (Are there any real men in this movie either?).

Excerpt from Jonathan Rosenbaum's review at the Chicago Reader located HERE

 

Posters

Theatrical Release: January 15th, 1997

Reviews                                                                 More Reviews                                                                     DVD Reviews

 

Comparison:

Universal - Region - 1 - NTSC vs. Cinema Club (2-disc SE) - Region 2- PAL vs. Shock Records (Australia) -  Region 0 - PAL vs. mk2 (2 disc Edition Limitee) - Region 2 - PAL vs. MK2 - Region 'B' - Blu-ray vs. Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

Big thanks to Gregg Ferencz for the French DVD screen caps

Box Covers

 

 

 

Coming to 4K UHD from Criterion in October 2022:

Bonus Captures:

Distribution

Universal Studios -  Region 1

NTSC

Cinema Club

Region 2 - PAL

Shock Records  Region 0

DVD - PAL

mk2

Region 2 - PAL

mk2

Region 'B'-locked - Blu-ray

Kino

Region 'A' - Blu-ray

 

Runtime 2:14:20 2:08:40 (4% PAL speedup) 2:08:48 (4% PAL speedup) 2:08:40 (4% PAL speedup) 2:14:08.041 2:14:46.078

Video

2.35:1 Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 5.63 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

2.35:1 Original Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 6.53 mb/s
PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s

2.35:1.00 Letterboxed WideScreen / 

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 6.23 mb/s
PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s

2.35:1 Original Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 6.96 mb/s
PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s

Disc Size: 34,564,598,752 bytes

Feature Size: 31,077,629,952 bytes

Average Bitrate: 24.99 Mbps

Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video / 1080P 24 fps

Disc Size: 38,391,415,068 bytes

Feature Size: 38,076,100,608 bytes

Average Bitrate: 31.95 Mbps

Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video / 1080P 23.976 fps

 

Bitrate: Universal
Bitrate: Cinema Club
Bitrate: Shock Records
Bitrate: MK2

Bitrate: MK2 Blu-ray

Bitrate: Kino Blu-ray

Audio English (Dolby Digital 5.1) English (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (DTS) English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo) English (DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1), French (Dolby Digital 5.1) DTS-HD Master Audio English 2077 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 2077 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit)
DUB: DTS-HD Master Audio French 1993 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1993 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit)
DTS-HD Master Audio English 1988 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1988 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit)
DTS-HD Master Audio English 1561 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1561 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit)
Subtitles English. Spanish, French, None None None French (removable), none French, none English. None
Features Release Information:
Studio:
Universal

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 2.35:1

Edition Details:
• none

DVD Release Date:
March 25th, 2008
Keep case

Chapters 18  

Release Information:
Studio:
Cinema Club

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 2.35:1

Edition Details:
• Two Interviews with David Lynch (1996 - 4:49 & 2005 - about 10:00)
• Interview with Bill Pullman (3:44)
• Interview with Patricia Arquette (4:17)
• Interview with Robert Loggia (2:47)
• Making of... Featurette (9:31)
• Promotional Featurette (6:59)
• Theatrical Trailer (1:50)
• Teaser Trailer (:35)

DVD Release Date: February 6th, 2006
Digipak inside clear plastic slipcase

Chapters 48

Release Information:
Studio: Shock records

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen letterbox - 2.35:1 anamorphic

Edition Details:
• Region 0 encoding -PAL
• 'Behind the Scenes' Featurettes:

  • The People Behind the Movie - 10:42 - 4:3

  • Production Design - 9:32 - 4:3

  • The "Bad Guys" - 4:50 - 4:3

  • The Idea - 2:55 - 4:3

  • Achieving "The Feel" 13:41 - 4:3

DVD Release Date:  July 25th, 2001
Transparent Click Case
Chapters: 27

Release Information:
Studio: mk2

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 2.35:1

Edition Details:
• Two Interviews with David Lynch (1996 - 4:49 & 2005 - about 10:00)
• Interview with Bill Pullman (3:44)
• Interview with Patricia Arquette (4:17)
• Interview with Robert Loggia (2:47)
• Making of... Featurette (9:31)
• Promotional Featurette (6:59)
• Theatrical Trailer (1:50)
• Teaser Trailer (:35)

• 78 page booklet (in French)

DVD Release Date: November 23, 2005
Snapcase in Holographic box

Chapters 48

Release Information:
Studio: mk2

 

Disc Size: 34,564,598,752 bytes

Feature Size: 31,077,629,952 bytes

Average Bitrate: 24.99 Mbps

Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video / 1080P 24 fps

 

Edition Details:
• Two Interviews with David Lynch (1996 - 4:57)
• Interview with Bill Pullman (3:46)
• Interview with Patricia Arquette (4:20)
• Interview with Robert Loggia (2:49)
• Making of... Featurette (9:34)
• Promotional Featurette (7:00)
• Theatrical Trailer (1:54)
• Teaser Trailer (:35)


Blu-ray Release Date: November 3rd, 2010
Standard Blu-ray case

Chapters 16

Release Information:
Studio:
Kino

 

Disc Size: 38,391,415,068 bytes

Feature Size: 38,076,100,608 bytes

Average Bitrate: 31.95 Mbps

Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video / 1080P 23.976 fps

 

Edition Details:
• 
none

Blu-ray Release Date: June 25th, 201
9
Standard Blu-ray case

Chapters 8

 

 

Comments:

Lost Highway is reviewed on 4K UHD HERE

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

ADDITION: Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - (June 2019) - I'm sure many have heard the controversy regarding this Blu-ray release from Kino. Director David Lynch has informed us that this is not from the original camera negative and appears to, essentially, disavowe this release. I would love to compare one day to a transfer - perhaps 4K UHD - taken from the original camera negative. As of the writing of this review, I personally, only own the versions here although I believe there is a UK release also available. So, as it is told; there was a miscommunication - Kino requested David's involvement as he has shown specificity in how he films are treated on digital (regarding chapter stops, no commentaries etc.). For whatever reason, the collaboration/ director input didn't transpire and Kino have released this Blu-ray edition - after a delay.

How does it look? Solid. Even if not from the original camera negative - this obviously looks superior to the 2010 mk2 Blu-ray out of France. I prefer the colors (warmer flesh tones, earthier hues), it is authentically darker, shows more in formation in the frame etc. It looks the best the film ever has on my system - to-date.

NOTE: We have added 28 more large resolution Kino Blu-ray captures for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE.

Kino give the audio options of lossless DTS-HD Master tracks in either 5.1 surround and 2.0 channel (both 16-bit) in the original English language. It sounds excellent although may be lacking some depth if it had a more robust (24-bit) rendering.  The score is by Angelo Badalamenti (David Lynch films including Blue Velvet, Twin Peaks- Fire Walk With MeWild at Heart Mulholland Drive, and The Straight Story among others. He's also done the score for Schrader's Auto-Focusand other films like 44 Inch ChestThe Edge of Love, The Comfort of Strangers etc.) the film is further punctuated with haunting music; David Bowie's I'm Deranged plus tunes from Smashing Pumpkins, Lou Reed, Rammstein plus the 'Driving Theme' and Richard Butler's White Lines. It all sounds marvelous adding to the film's eccentric Noir-ish atmosphere. Kino add optional English subtitles on their Region 'A"-locked Blu-ray disc.

There are no extras - most likely a concession to Lynch.

This is such a hauntingly magical film experience. It is equal parts mood and mystery - almost speaking a new language of cinema ala Antonioni where externalities orbit narrative constraints with abandon. It so brilliant and this Kino Blu-ray is the definitive edition. Your digital library is significantly more pedestrian without it. 

Gary W. Tooze

***

ADDITION: MK2 - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - (December 2010) - MK2 in France have put out an English-friendly (we are given the choice of English or French menus), region 'B'-locked Blu-ray of Lynch's Lost Highway. It's advancement over DVD is quite subtle... but does exist. Because of the smokey-style manner that the film was shot the improvement doesn't leap to the usual heights of 1080P. It is a competent dual-layered transfer that maintains the same greenish colors scheme of their previous 2-disc Limited Edition DVD. Detail is superior but there is not a lot of depth. Compression artifacts found on the DVDs are to a much lesser extent. I thought it was solid in-motion and I could appreciate some of the HD superiority - but for may this may seem less dramatic than many have hoped - this, of course, will depend on the system viewed. Aside from the Universal DVD this is the only edition without PAL speed-up.

The audio, a significant part of the Lost Highway film presentation, may have a more demonstrative improvement with a lossless DTS-HD 5.1 at 2077 kbps. There was always some aggressive depth to the track but this is more apparent now in the more crisply separated, dynamic, HD rendering. It is quite impressive aurally. There is also an untested lossless French DUB and only French optional subtitles on this Region 'B'-locked Blu-ray disc.

Extras duplicate the 2005 MK2 LE package but minus the 78-page French text booklet and the latter (2005) Lynch interview. Everything else exists (interviews, making of... etc.), in original English, 'as is' in SD but now in NTSC running time (not PAL sped-up).

Tough call for an upgrade - you may have to be quite discerning in your appreciation of the image quality bump but the audio superiority is readily apparent. Depending on your enjoyment of the film - I continue to run 'hot and cold' on - this is, obviously the best way to see it in your home theater. Lynch fans in region 'B' or who have adopted a region free player won't, and shouldn't, be deterred. MK2 have done a solid job with the transfer.

Gary W. Tooze

***

ADDITION - Universal - NTSC - March 2008: Well, it looks as though Universal have done a slap-dash job with bringing this title to DVD (finally). I suspect they are unfamiliar with this film's vast appeal (they could have first checked the number of hits on this webpage at the bottom). Aside from there being no extras the image has had some definite red/black boosting. It is darker than the PAL releases and correspondingly skin tones look less accurate. While richer - there is still noise but more apparent grain. Detail seems strong though. The 5.1 track sounded pretty strong but is eclipsed by both the UK and French editions that also offer DTS.

The only positives about this Universal DVD would be the optional subtitles, the original NTSC running time (no 4% PAL loss) and the reasonable price. Gee Universal, you could have really dolled this up - supplements (maybe a commentary), given us an un-manipulated image and charged a pretty penny (maybe making it a 2-disc'er) - I'll wager it would have sold well for you. I expect many will scoop this up solely because they are region-locked... and the decent price. For purists I suppose we'll continue to recommend the Cinema Club (or mk2) for superior image and extras.    

***

ADDITION - Cinema Club - PAL - March 2007: The Cinema Club two disc is exactly the same as the MK2 except in the following areas:

1) MK2 offers a French DUB and optional French subtitles.

2) The Cinema Club does not include the 78-page booklet (in French)

Other than that they appear to be the same - anamorphic image, menus, digital supplements etc. BUT the good news is that the Cinema Club is 60% OFF HERE at the time of this comparison.

***

Just to 'cut to the chase' - the old Shock edition is quite poor especially in the area of colors next to the MK2, which wins in all categories (even though it has anamorphic softening). For more on the MK2- see Gregg's comments below.

Gary W. Tooze

MK2 states that the transfer of this release comes from a new HD master. Perhaps so, only I don't see it. Don't get me wrong. The anamorphic image looks good enough. The best I have seen on video so far. But, there is a lot of grain and compression artifacts visible in the darker scenes - and there are many dark scenes. I get the impression that a high-definition master was sourced from a standard definition source. I am not entirely sure this was unintentional as I have not viewed Lost Highway on a movie screen since its release in 1997. Still, I have to admit I expected a better image.

Audio is superb, particularly the DTS track. Great use of the surround tracks.

The extras are all on the second disc and a good mix of entertainment and information. Lynch still manages to be vague about what he was trying to do but lets a bit more of the cat out of the bag in his comments. The nicely illustrated 80 page booklet has a lot of information about the film in French. out of   

 - Gregg Ferencz


Menus

 

Universal - Region 1- NTSC

 

 

NOTE Cinema Club and MK2 menus are exactly the same apart from the audio/sub options.

 

(Cinema Club (2 disc SE) - Region 2 - PAL LEFT vs. mk2 (2 disc Edition Limitee) - Region 2 - PAL RIGHT)

 



(Shock Records - Region 0 - PAL LEFT vs. mk2 (2 disc Edition Limitee) - Region 2 - PAL RIGHT)

 

 

 

DVD Menus - Disc 2 of UK and French

NOTE Cinema Club and MK2 menus are exactly the same (apart from the audio/sub options).

 

 

 

 

mk2  - Region 'B' - Blu-ray

 

 

 

 

 


CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

 

Subtitle Sample

 

1) Universal Studios - Region 1 - NTSC TOP

2) Kino  - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


Screen Captures

 

1) Universal Studios - Region 1 - NTSC TOP

2) Cinema Club (2-disc SE) - Region 2 - PAL SECOND

3) Shock Records - Region 0 - PAL THIRD

4) mk2 (2 disc Edition Limitee) - Region 2 - PAL FOURTH

5) mk2  - Region 'B' - Blu-ray FIFTH

6) Kino  - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM



 

1) Universal Studios - Region 1 - NTSC TOP

2) Cinema Club (2-disc SE) - Region 2 - PAL SECOND

3) Shock Records - Region 0 - PAL THIRD

4) mk2 (2 disc Edition Limitee) - Region 2 - PAL FOURTH

5) mk2  - Region 'B' - Blu-ray FIFTH

6) Kino  - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


 

1) Universal Studios - Region 1 - NTSC TOP

2) Cinema Club (2-disc SE) - Region 2 - PAL SECOND

3) Shock Records - Region 0 - PAL THIRD

4) mk2 (2 disc Edition Limitee) - Region 2 - PAL FOURTH

5) mk2  - Region 'B' - Blu-ray FIFTH

6) Kino  - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


 

1) Universal Studios - Region 1 - NTSC TOP

2) Cinema Club (2-disc SE) - Region 2 - PAL SECOND

3) Shock Records - Region 0 - PAL THIRD

4) mk2 (2 disc Edition Limitee) - Region 2 - PAL FOURTH

5) mk2  - Region 'B' - Blu-ray FIFTH

6) Kino  - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


1) Universal Studios - Region 1 - NTSC TOP

2) Cinema Club (2-disc SE) - Region 2 - PAL SECOND

3) Shock Records - Region 0 - PAL THIRD

4) mk2 (2 disc Edition Limitee) - Region 2 - PAL FOURTH

5) mk2  - Region 'B' - Blu-ray FIFTH

6) Kino  - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


1) Universal Studios - Region 1 - NTSC TOP

2) Cinema Club (2-disc SE) - Region 2 - PAL SECOND

3) Shock Records - Region 0 - PAL THIRD

4) mk2 (2 disc Edition Limitee) - Region 2 - PAL FOURTH

5) mk2  - Region 'B' - Blu-ray FIFTH

6) Kino  - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


More full resolution (1920 X 1080) Blu-ray Captures for DVDBeaver Patreon Supporters HERE

 


 

Report Card:

 

Image:

Kino Blu-ray

Sound:

Kino Blu-ray

Extras:

Cinema Club / MK2 but MK2 has French booklet / Blu-ray

 

 

Box Covers

 

 

 

Coming to 4K UHD from Criterion in October 2022:

Bonus Captures:

Distribution

Universal Studios -  Region 1

NTSC

Cinema Club

Region 2 - PAL

Shock Records  Region 0

DVD - PAL

mk2

Region 2 - PAL

mk2

Region 'B'-locked - Blu-ray

Kino

Region 'A' - Blu-ray

 

 



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Gary Tooze