ADDITION: Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - (June 2019) - I'm sure many have heard the controversy regarding this Blu-ray release from Kino. Director David Lynch has informed us that this is not from the original camera negative and appears to, essentially, disavowe this release. I would love to compare one day to a transfer - perhaps 4K UHD - taken from the original camera negative. As of the writing of this review, I personally, only own the versions here although I believe there is a UK release also available. So, as it is told; there was a miscommunication - Kino requested David's involvement as he has shown specificity in how he films are treated on digital (regarding chapter stops, no commentaries etc.). For whatever reason, the collaboration/ director input didn't transpire and Kino have released this Blu-ray edition - after a delay.

How does it look? Solid. Even if not from the original camera negative - this obviously looks superior to the 2010 mk2 Blu-ray out of France. I prefer the colors (warmer flesh tones, earthier hues), it is authentically darker, shows more in formation in the frame etc. It looks the best the film ever has on my system - to-date.

NOTE: We have added 28 more large resolution Kino Blu-ray captures for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE.

Kino give the audio options of lossless DTS-HD Master tracks in either 5.1 surround and 2.0 channel (both 16-bit) in the original English language. It sounds excellent although may be lacking some depth if it had a more robust (24-bit) rendering.  The score is by Angelo Badalamenti (David Lynch films including Blue Velvet, Twin Peaks- Fire Walk With Me, Wild at Heart Mulholland Drive, and The Straight Story among others. He's also done the score for Schrader's Auto-Focus, and other films like 44 Inch Chest, The Edge of Love, The Comfort of Strangers etc.) the film is further punctuated with haunting music; David Bowie's I'm Deranged plus tunes from Smashing Pumpkins, Lou Reed, Rammstein plus the 'Driving Theme' and Richard Butler's White Lines. It all sounds marvelous adding to the film's eccentric Noir-ish atmosphere. Kino add optional English subtitles on their Region 'A"-locked Blu-ray disc.

There are no extras - most likely a concession to Lynch.

This is such a hauntingly magical film experience. It is equal parts mood and mystery - almost speaking a new language of cinema ala Antonioni where externalities orbit narrative constraints with abandon. It so brilliant and this Kino Blu-ray is the definitive edition. Your digital library is significantly more pedestrian without it. 

Gary W. Tooze

ADDITION: MK2 - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - (December 2010) - MK2 in France have put out an English-friendly (we are given the choice of English or French menus), region 'B'-locked Blu-ray of Lynch's Lost Highway. It's advancement over DVD is quite subtle... but does exist. Because of the smokey-style manner that the film was shot the improvement doesn't leap to the usual heights of 1080P. It is a competent dual-layered transfer that maintains the same greenish colors scheme of their previous 2-disc Limited Edition DVD. Detail is superior but there is not a lot of depth. Compression artifacts found on the DVDs are to a much lesser extent. I thought it was solid in-motion and I could appreciate some of the HD superiority - but for may this may seem less dramatic than many have hoped - this, of course, will depend on the system viewed. Aside from the Universal DVD this is the only edition without PAL speed-up.

The audio, a significant part of the Lost Highway film presentation, may have a more demonstrative improvement with a lossless DTS-HD 5.1 at 2077 kbps. There was always some aggressive depth to the track but this is more apparent now in the more crisply separated, dynamic, HD rendering. It is quite impressive aurally. There is also an untested lossless French DUB and only French optional subtitles on this Region 'B'-locked Blu-ray disc.

Extras duplicate the 2005 MK2 LE package but minus the 78-page French text booklet and the latter (2005) Lynch interview. Everything else exists (interviews, making of... etc.), in original English, 'as is' in SD but now in NTSC running time (not PAL sped-up).

Tough call for an upgrade - you may have to be quite discerning in your appreciation of the image quality bump but the audio superiority is readily apparent. Depending on your enjoyment of the film - I continue to run 'hot and cold' on - this is, obviously the best way to see it in your home theater. Lynch fans in region 'B' or who have adopted a region free player won't, and shouldn't, be deterred. MK2 have done a solid job with the transfer.

Gary W. Tooze

ADDITION - Universal - NTSC - March 2008: Well, it looks as though Universal have done a slap-dash job with bringing this title to DVD (finally). I suspect they are unfamiliar with this film's vast appeal (they could have first checked the number of hits on this webpage at the bottom). Aside from there being no extras the image has had some definite red/black boosting. It is darker than the PAL releases and correspondingly skin tones look less accurate. While richer - there is still noise but more apparent grain. Detail seems strong though. The 5.1 track sounded pretty strong but is eclipsed by both the UK and French editions that also offer DTS.

The only positives about this Universal DVD would be the optional subtitles, the original NTSC running time (no 4% PAL loss) and the reasonable price. Gee Universal, you could have really dolled this up - supplements (maybe a commentary), given us an un-manipulated image and charged a pretty penny (maybe making it a 2-disc'er) - I'll wager it would have sold well for you. I expect many will scoop this up solely because they are region-locked... and the decent price. For purists I suppose we'll continue to recommend the Cinema Club (or mk2) for superior image and extras.    

***

Just to 'cut to the chase' - the old Shock edition is quite poor especially in the area of colors next to the MK2, which wins in all categories (even though it has anamorphic softening). For more on the MK2- see Gregg's comments below.