Extras duplicate the 2007 2-disc CE (including the same commentary) but add even more with some homage to Newman, Gleason and writer Tevis via three separate pieces totaling over an hour - the latter is audio only. Plus all the video supplements from previous (about 1.5 hour's worth) remaining in 480i. This is housed in a handsome 26-page digi-book with photos and essays. It is quite impressive.   

The whole package 'essential' in my eyes. The film is unforgettable and I'll wager I recall more of the lines than I do for Casablanca. This is Paul Newman's perfect 'anti-hero' role and the noir elements can extend even beyond that. There will never be another film like The Hustler and I wouldn't pass up any chance to own it on the best possible transfer for repeated play on my home theater.

***

ADDITION: 2-disc Collector's Edition - June 07': Firstly, almost impossible to believe but, the encode of the new Collector's Edition was not flagged for progressive playback. It is interlaced. Regardless of your system this error is part of the DVD and projection users may notice the flaw more prevalently than tube viewers. I suggest that Fox enact a replacement program immediately.

Other than that the transferred image looks almost exactly the same as the previous Special Editions - perhaps slightly darker.

In the extras it has the same commentary (Stuart Galbraith with Paul Newman and others - discussed below and still not recognized on the box as being Galbraith!), trick shot analysis, featurette: The Hustler The Inside Story, How To Make The Shot, Behind The Scenes Stills Gallery and the Theatrical Trailer. What is new is a 12 minute featurette entitled Life in the Fast Lane: Eddie Felson and the Search For Greatness with Newman, and others, discussing the role and character of Eddie Felson. Another featurette called Milestones in Cinema History: The Hustler - it is quite good and runs almost 30 minutes. We have two more - Swimming With Sharks - The Art of The Hustle which is a 10 minute ditty on how to hustle - kinda cool and finally at about 45 minutes a documentary Paul Newman: Hollywood's Cool Hand with plenty of testimonials about the man, his various roles and his legendary contribution to Hollywood lore.

Although I did like the supplements and the sexy animated menus I think the interlaced faux-pas is too heavy to ignore on this new CE. It is a rare mistake by Fox - one I don't recall them ever making before. Trouble is that the price is quite tempting at about $15. Let's see if Fox does anything about the interlacing issue.

***

The SE NTSC vs the SE PAL:

Image differences are minute, but:

- The NTSC is tight to the frame edges but the PAL has a slim black border limiting the horizontal resolution to some minor degree.

- The PAL edition is minutely brighter.

- Artifacts on the PAL edition are slightly more apparent (NTSC is negligibly smoother).

- The NTSC shows more information in the frame (notably the left edge).

For this, and taking into account the PAL speedup, slightly noticeable on actor's voices, we lean towards the NTSC. Supplements are the same but other differences include:

- white subs on the PAL, yellow (but more accurate) on the NTSC.

- more subtitle and audio options on the PAL but the NTSC has English in original mono and two channel stereo.

- slight differences in menu naming and structure

- the NTSC case is standard black amaray and the PAL is transparent with some art pool images visible on the inside of the case.

The commentary (same on both editions) is entertaining but the dialogue relates very little to what is going on in the adjacent scenes. Otherwise it is filled with good information initiated by Stuart Galbraith's questions. They range from production details to Rossen's capitulation to the House on Un-American activities. Newman's tidbits usually relate past anecdotes of learning the game from Willie Mosconi or scouting out 'Ames' incognito prior to shooting. Carol Rossen and Dede Allen were valuable to hear as well. There is a 23 minute featurette expanding further in the 'pool' aspect of the film - abilities pof the actors, Willie Mosconi etc. There is a still gallery, trailers and 5 X 30 second or so examples on how to make some trick shots. There is also a seamlessly branched commentary available with picture-in-picture during certain sequences of the film.

The movie needs no more accolades from me but its narrative seems to resonate like the same jazz score used in the score. This runs at times like an arthouse film.

It appears as though the NTSC is out of print in some locations and its the one I recommend although purchasing the cheapest edition unless you are adamant about the minor variance in the image (or the subs). What I look forward to is an HD edition of this film which I hope will not be too far away. 

Gary W. Tooze