3) 4DVD - Region 'B'-locked - Blu-ray - THIRD

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

ADDITION: Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray (May 2012): Criterion offer a significantly more robust 1080P transfer than on the UK Blu-ray. It has more than 60% stronger bitrate on the dual-layered disc. This shows up in the riche colors - cooler, and more accurate, skin tones and thicker appearance. The 1.78:1 4DVD framing has opened-up the original 1.85:1 that Criterion have authentically stuck with. So, generally, there is a shade more information in the top and bottom on the bastardized UK disc (you can see even more, obviously, in the Open Matte print - see sample below). Reds and blues seem more affected by the stronger technicals. The Criterion is artifact-free with no prominent noise and looks quite fabulous in-motion. We trust this to be the most accurate image presentation in regards to a theatrical representation. 

Criterion go with a DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel at 2080 kbps. I couldn't differentiate much from the 4DVD and its linear PCM track excepting the Criterion may have better depth. The music from Leftfield's "Release the Dub" to Andy Williams' "Happy Heart" is crisp and clean on the US Blu-ray. There are optional English subtitles available on the region 'A'-locked Blu-ray.

Criterion stacks their Blu-ray release of Shallow Grave with two audio commentaries - the 2009 one as found on the UK Blu-ray by director Danny Boyle and the other, recorded for Criterion in Feb 2012, by screenwriter John Hodge and producer Andrew Macdonald. It highlights some interesting facets of the film production - I was especially keen on the story details. There is a new 1/2 hour interview piece featuring actors Christopher Eccleston, Kerry Fox, and Ewan McGregor. They share their experiences working with Danny Boyle and interacting together in the film. Digging Your Own Grave, is the same 1/2 hour 1993 documentary by Kevin Macdonald on the making of the film as found on the 4DVD edition. There is also Andrew Macdonald and Kevin Macdonald’s video diary from the 1992 Edinburgh Film Festival, where they shopped around the script for Shallow Grave. It runs 9-minutes. There is a trailer from Shallow Grave and a teaser for Trainspotting and inside the package are liner notes with an essay by critic Philip Kemp.

I am still enamored with this film - Shallow Grave runs like a well-oiled engine to its magnificent conclusion. I've seen this film almost a dozen times now and the Criterion is easily the best a/v presentation. The supplements surpass the UK counterpart as well and we give this Blu-ray a hearty thumbs-up. Enjoy!

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ADDITION: 4DVD - Region 'B'-locked Blu-ray - June 09': Finally, a worthy edition of this film. Fleshtones are dramatically improved from pasty-orange/yellow tinge moving to the warmer end of the spectrum. Detail greatly benefits from the move to 1080P  - the image is brighter and exhibits more depth. Even only being single-layered, this is a significant upgrade from the SD-DVDs and I'm thankful this is progressive - NOT an interlaced European BD/50.

Audio also jumps up a full notch and a half with a 2.0 channel linear PCM track at 2300 kpbs. As mentioned in the extras - music is a big part of this film experience and it sounds definitely tighter and crisper in HD. There are optional English subtitle but my Momitsu identifies this as being region 'B'-locked. For some, another of the building reasons to get a region free Blu-ray player.

Exclusive extras (as advertised on the box) are something to rave about with a relaxed Danny Boyle commentary explaining specifics about the production, a half hour BBC documentary directed by Kevin MacDonald entitled Digging Your Own Grave shot during the production of the film. We also get some snippets by Danny Boyle on Shallow Grave (2:01) and Ewan McGregor on Shallow Grave (7:29).

This is a great release of a wonderful film - although it took me 4 attempts to get a satisfying digital edition. The themes run 'deep' in Shallow Grave and 4DVD have done a solid job with the Blu-ray transfer, new extras including a commentary - I certainly recommend - don't miss this film!    

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ON THE DVDs (written in 2003): My stars and garters! - I haven't had a lot of luck with this title - a film I really treasure (great to show when you have friends over!). The first copy I bought was a Canadian DVD that was only Open Matte (see one sample capture below - the roommate interview). Next I bought the US version - non-anamorphic widescreen on one side and open matte on the other. Finally I bought the anamorphic UK release - it's the best, has optional English subtitles (occasionally required for the heavy accents) but I am on-the-fence about the colors. In the NTSC edition skin tones looks altered, but in the PAL everything has a kind of yellow tinge. The 16X9 enhanced PAL edition is far superior on a decent system - much sharper. As far as framing goes the UK shows a lot more on the bottom of the frame but a little less on the top.

Unfortunately, there are no extras on either - save the same theatrical trailer. Both offer a French DUB.

I see there is a German DVD, but even I don't know if I can justify a quad-dip as it probably is the same transfer as the region coded 2,4 UK which will also sell in Australia. If you know different I'd be keen to know, but to see this film (which I STRONGLY recommend) the UK seems to be top choice.   

 - Gary Tooze