ADDITION: Koch - Region 'B' - Blu-ray (December 11'): I wouldn't expect the film to look much better than this. The Koch media transfer is single-layered with a modest bitrate but the production achieves a gritty, less-polished image that advances beyond the NTSC DVD via 1080P. The DVD was transferred in 1.78:1 and opened up a shade so there is a small amount of information not visible in the 1.85:1 Blu-ray. Flesh tones appear more natural and detail jumps up a peg. This certainly looks more film-like with the superior contrast and tighter colors.

The audio is a modest stereo uncompressed track with an optional German DUB. The only music I recall is when the paramedics show up at his door and he has the radio blaring. There are optional German subtitles on the region 'B'-locked disc. We lose the commentary from the DVD and the 12-minute documentary but stalwart fans of 'Buke' will probably indulge to advance their viewing ability to another level closer to theatrical. This Blu-ray definitely does that. I've always liked this film.

***

ON THE DVD: The picture quality is anamorphic and solid. There is a short featurette, "I Drink, I Gamble, I Write..." on Bukowski and the making of "Barfly", plus a wonderful commentary by director Barbet Schroeder. He details his difficulty in bringing this story to the screen with examples that Mickey Rourke would not return his phone calls for 2 years and required a chauffeur driven Rolls Royce to the set each day as well as the years of research it took to find the correct bar location. In the final stages of completing the negotiations for the film, Schroeder had to threaten to cut off his finger and perform a hunger strike in front of Cannon Films office. This is a strong DVD with true sound, beautiful contrast and a sharp image.

Gary W. Tooze