Eureka use a linear PCM mono track (24-bit). Gunplay here also carries minor weight. The score is by David Buttolph (Wake Island, Western Union, Pete Kelly's Blues, Rope, Three Secrets, Kiss of Death, Blood and Sand and many more) and advances moods and atmosphere. There are optional English (SDH) subtitles on this Region 'B'-locked Blu-ray.

I really enjoyed the audio commentary by film scholar Adrian Martin who frequently discusses Graham Greene's novel - comparing it to the film, how Jean-Pierre Melville's le Samurai evokes and partially pay homage to This Gun for Hire, homosexuality, (the effeminate character of Willard Gates), war-time Noirs, how some reviewers found the character of Ellen is overloaded (magic act etc.), director Frank Tuttle naming names to the House Un-American Activities Committee and many details and keen analysis on the film. It is wonderful to indulge in. There are also two audio radio-play drama of "This Gun for Hire" with a hour-long episode of Lux Radio Theater with the voices of Alan Ladd and Joan Blondell and a second; 1/2 hour episode of The Screen Guild Theater with the voices of Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake for "This Gun for Hire". There is a theatrical trailer and still gallery. Plus the package has a collector's booklet featuring new writing by film writer and journalist Barry Forshaw, and film writer Craig Ian Mann.

Both Blu-rays have value - distinctly different for the commentaries but Eureka have the two radio plays and 24-page booklet with photos and essay. If forced to choose one - it would be this Eureka Blu-ray, although it seemed to take me forever to receive it here in Canada. This film, Ladd's break-out role, is a must-own for 'Dark Cinema' aficionados, and having it on Blu-ray is also strongly recommended to everyone. 

***

ADDITION: Shout! Factory Blu-ray (May 2019): Shout! Factory bills their Blu-ray transfer as a "NEW 4K Scan Of The Original Film Elements". As we have seen from almost all 4K-restorations of older films - it doesn't bring up sharpness as some anticipate, but rather the desirable film-like heaviness. So, compared to the DVDs, it looks lighter - almost smokier - and it suits the presentation on my system. This looks very strong in-motion - consistent, clean and accurately darker. We don't lose detail - it is just more subtle in the well-layered contrast. The texture on this film is... delicious.

Shout! Factory use a DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel mono track (24-bit). Even the gunshots are fairly modest in depth. The score by David Buttolph (Wake Island, Western Union, Pete Kelly's Blues, Rope, Three Secrets, Kiss of Death, Blood and Sand and many more) sounds excellent in heightening the mood and suspense of many scenes. There are optional English subtitles on this Region 'A'-locked Blu-ray.

Extras have a great new commentary by film historians Alan K. Rode and Steve Mitchell. Rode and Mitchell fill the film's running time with some great anecdotes and facts about the cast and crew and the most minute details on the stars histories. There is also discussion of some cut scenes of 'Raven' as an abused child (his bad wrist because of an evil aunt - as he relates in the film). I think this commentary is worth the price alone. There is also a theatrical trailer and a gallery with many HD photos and posters.

Probably my favorite (such a rich premise) of the Ladd/Lake Noir films - great acting from both of them. I will be re-watching this (and re-listening to the info-stacked commentary) multiple times.

***

One bugaboo is the UK case states a 2:1 anamorphic transfer (wrong!) The PAL is region 2 + 4 and both offer English subtitles. There are no extras which seems quite unjust. This is not only a staple of Noir but it may have the best opening characterization scene in all of the 'black style'. The electricity between Ladd and Lake is so thick you hardly even notice Preston (2nd billing) is in the film. Let's see this in an SE with Muller commentary!