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

ADDITION: Criterion Blu-ray (August 2021): Criterion have transferred Cary Joji Fukunaga's Beasts of No Nation to Blu-ray. It is cited as being from a "2K digital master, approved by director Cary Joji Fukunaga". It is another NetFlix produced feature to reach Criterion (The Irishman.) It was shot on digital and has the predictably crisp image with some haziness in-motion. Overall it looks fabulous - almost exclusively outdoor lighting and beautiful colors. Detail in close-ups is very impressive and the 1080P presentation is not as vibrant as 4K levels but looked very pleasing on my system. 

NOTE: We have added 38 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Criterion use a DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround track (24-bit) in the original English language (with some Akan.) Beasts of No Nation has aggressive sequences that come through with discrete separation and bass-responsive depth. The score is credited to Dan Romer, plus a dozen African pieces like Mwana, Owusuwaa, Analengo etc. It sounds as clean and crisp as the video transfer. Criterion offer optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region 'A'/'B' Blu-ray.

The Criterion Blu-ray offers a new commentary, recorded in 2021, featuring Cary Joji Fukunaga and first assistant director Jon Mallard. They cover a lot of production details and how they achieved their goals (locations etc.), in expressing the story, the novel on whihc it was based by Uzodinma Iweala, It's quite informative. Included is an hour-long documentary made for Criterion in 2021 featuring director Fukunaga; author Uzodinma Iweala; producers Amy Kaufman, Daniela Taplin Lundberg, and Riva Marker; and actors Abraham Attah and Idris Elba. We also get a new 21-minute conversation with director Fukunaga discussing Beasts of No Nation, his career, his artistry, and the challenges of representation in filmmaking with film and television producer with cultural critic Franklin Leonard, founder of the influential annual screenwriting survey the Black List. Lastly, we spend 20-minutes with costume designer Jenny Eagan won a 'Costume Designers Guild Award' for her work on Beasts of No Nation. In this interview she discusses her research and designs for the film. There is a liner notes booklet in the Blu-ray package with an essay by film critic Robert Daniels.

Cary Joji Fukunaga's Beasts of No Nation is so impacting - a powerful film of tragedy, lost youth, corruption, manipulation and much more. The performances are exceptionally realistic and it can feel like a documentary as the vérité is so adeptly expressed. I was blown away. The Criterion Blu-ray is up to their exacting standards - director-approved transfer, director commentary, interviews and the hour-long documentary. This unforgettable film should be seen. Our highest recommendation!

Gary Tooze