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

ADDITION: Criterion Collection - Region 'A' Blu-ray - February 12': Extremely impressive looking transfer from Criterion. Exceptional greyscale and black levels - bringing up detail another solid notch. We get more information in the side edges on the 1.85:1 aspect ratio (but, obviously, less on top and bottom from the 4:3 Open matte - TV version). The visuals show some consistent grain and overall there is a wonderful contrast balance on the pristine looking image. It supports a magnificent video presentation.

Criterion offer two audio options a linear PCM in original mono at a modest 1152 kbps. Also there is a more dynamic DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround track at a resounding 3560 kbps. There is some separation and depth is very apparent. The Duke Ellington score can be played alone - on a Sunday morning. Magnificent. Great to have the mono track for purists. This sounds fabulous. There are optional subtitles on the region 'A'-locked Blu-ray disc.       

Criterion have stacked the supplements - starting with a new (recorded 2011) 1/2-hour interview with Otto Preminger biographer Foster Hirsch (author of Otto Preminger: The Man Who Would Be King). Lots of good info. There is a 10-minute excerpt from a 1967 television episode of Firing Line, featuring Preminger in discussing censorship and the production code with host William F. Buckley Jr.  In a 2011, 20-minute, interview critic Gary Giddins explores Duke Ellington’s musical contributions to Anatomy of a Murder. Also recorded in 2011 is a video piece looking at the relationship between graphic designer Saul Bass and Preminger. It has Bass biographer Pat Kirkham (author of Saul Bass: A Life in Film and Design). There are 5-minuites of vintage newsreel footage from the set hyping the film. and a valuable 1/2-hour excerpt from the work in progress Anatomy of “Anatomy”. In 1997, Marquette County, Michigan resident Joan G. Hansen published her first account of the impact of Otto Preminger's film had in 1959 on the Upper Peninsula community were it was shot. For the past 10 years, filmmaker David C. Jones, Claire Wiley and John O'Grady have been working with Hansen on a documentary based on her experience. We get some cool 'Behind-the-scenes' photographs by Life magazine’s Gjon Mili, a lengthy trailer, featuring on-set footage and another liner notes booklet featuring an essay by critic Nick Pinkerton and a 1959 Life magazine article on real-life lawyer Joseph N. Welch, who plays Judge Weaver in the film.

A very easy recommendation - a Preminger masterpiece with an all-star cast - one of the best courtroom dramas ever made - now looking more film-like and impressive than ever before. The supplements offer important value and we have nothing to say but 'our strongest Blu-ray recommendation'. Bravo Criterion!

Gary W. Tooze