ADDITION: Artificial Eye - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - October 12':  The variance in colors between the 3 digital editions is very interesting and despite a minor blue-bias by the UK 1080P it looks most correct to me. It also exports some pleasing grain and has none of the artifacts of the NY'er and runs in the proper theatrical running time. Detail doesn't abnormally rise but contrast is adequately layered and the overall image quality looks far more natural and film-like. The short clips of outdoor scenery are extremely impressive.

Audio is lossless in a linear PCM with the documentary offering nothing remarkable sound-wise. We presume this is the best that can be produced with the clearest dialogue. Artificial Eye offer optional English subtitles on the region ' B' Blu-ray.

We get the same 20-minute interview with director Nicolas Philibert as found on the NY'er DVD and a 1/2 hour Masterclass with Philibert from Edinburgh University. There is also a trailer.

To Be and To Have is such a marvelous documentary. I thoroughly enjoyed re-watching this with the film-like qualities of Blu-ray. Anyone, even remotely keen, should certainly indulge.

***

ON THE DVD: The New Yorker is admittedly this is a softer image, although anamorphic - most movement sequences have poor detail, but there are some surprisingly non-kinetic scenes of relative clarity. The time-codes indicate it was taken from a PAL source and hence has all the artifact deficiencies of such a transfer. The Absolut Medien colors are more vibrant, but some of their skin tones look awfully red. The German DVD is sharper and has better contrast. I didn't notice a dominant haze over the NY'er image but their English subtitles are very well done and I like their extras, although the German boasts to have even more in that department. The trouble with this German release is that it has no English subtitles. Hopefully we will soon add the French and Australian releases to this comparison and find a definitive release for English audiences.

Gary W. Tooze