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.

*****

The image is as pristine as you may have expected from a high-profile modern film. Rodrigo Prieto's cinematography and the Alberta open skies/landscapes accentuate the colors and beauty helping to produce a fairly strong anamorphic and progressive transfer to DVD. I only recall seeing any hint of artifacts once in a prominent 'sky' scene. The 5.1 audio - only really tested in the 'fireworks' scene - it is clean and consistent. The optional subtitles are excellent.

I wasn't overly impressed with the extras save the 'Making of...' featurette. They are standard filler but at least are highly relevant to the film - all a bit too short to go into any true detail. A commentary would have been key to this package but as it stands the price establishes it as a must-own for a wonderful and important piece of modern cinema.    

Gary W. Tooze