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

ADDITION: Indicator Blu-ray (January 2024): Indicator have also transferred Frank Borzage's Desire to Blu-ray. It is cited as being from a "2022 restoration from a 4K scan", so, we presume this is an updated restoration from the 2021 Kino Blu-ray. There are some differences in the image quality with the US counterpart. Firstly, it is 1.33:1 where the Kino was 1.37:1. It is single-layered where the Kino was dual layered with a higher bitrate. It seems to show less information in the frame but has a wonderful heavy appearance and pleasing contrast. I don't have any explanation for this but I'd say the overall image is strong just different from the Kino transfer. It's nice to have options. 

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On their Blu-ray, Indicator use a linear PCM mono track (24-bit) in the original English language (and some Spanish.) Desire has no aggressive moments but a very pleasingly light score by Friedrich Hollaender (The Man in Search of His Murderer, The Bride Wore Boots, Bluebeard's Eight Wife, Angel, The Great McGinty, Christmas in Connecticut, Caught, Berlin Express, Background to Danger, The Verdict, A Foreign Affair) diversifying to the film's many moods. It sounds consistent in the uncompressed. Indicator offer optional English subtitles (SDH) on their Region 'B' Blu-ray.

Indicator include the same David Del Valle and Nathaniel Bell commentary as on the 2021 Kino. From below: "They work very well together reflecting on past era stars, production, a lot of Borzage, Dietrich being the architect of her stardom. David always impresses me with his anecdotes and knowledge." Also included is a 40-minute audio piece recorded in 1958 entitled Frank Borzage Oral History. It's a rare archival audio recording of the filmmaker in conversation with George Pratt. Mr. Cooper Goes to Hollywood is new and spends a dozen minutes with film historian and curator Nathalie Morris who discusses the stardom and style of iconic Hollywood actor Gary Cooper. There is an, almost hour-long, Lux Radio Theatre program of ‘Desire’ from 1937 - a radio play adaptation of the film’s screenplay, starring Marlene Dietrich alongside Herbert Marshall in the Gary Cooper role. Lastly is an original theatrical trailer and Indicator's usual image gallery of promotional and publicity materials. The package has a limited edition exclusive 36-page booklet with a new essay by Christina Newland, archival interviews with Gary Cooper, Marlene Dietrich, and Frank Borzage, and film credits.

The Dietrich/Cooper film Desire is such a wonderful genre mix with a confidence-game, romance, comedy, crime - all expertly realized by director Borzage. It's been out of the conversation and far less-known than it rightfully deserves... plus it is produced by Ernst Lubitsch! It's full of wit, sophistication, Euro-fabricated locales, Dietrich's beautiful gowns, hats and gloves (Travis Banton) - Cooper's Americana persona and a fun storyline of a con-woman falling for one of her marks. As Dietrich stated "The only film I need not be ashamed of is Desire". There is a lot of joy here. The Indicator Blu-ray offers a lot of value, with new extras beyond the 2021 Kino, and we can certainly recommend!

***

ADDITION: Kino Blu-ray (August 2021): Kino have transferred Frank Borzage's Desire to Blu-ray. It is cited as being from a "Brand New 2K Master". The 1080P is extremely thick. I don't recall Desire being released on DVD to much fanfare ('Vault Series' in 2014.) The source may have lost some density but it isn't overwrought with damage - only minor speckles and marks. It can shows some inconsistency with the grain being of varying degrees of fineness and the overall image shows softness but I was okay with the 1.37:1 HD presentation - Dietrich still shines brightly. 

NOTE: We have added 54 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Kino use a DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel track (16-bit) in the original English language (and some Spanish.) Kino offer optional English subtitles (SDH) on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

The Kino Blu-ray offers two new commentaries. The first is by David Del Valle and Nathaniel Bell. They work very well together reflecting on past era stars, production, a lot of Borzage, Dietrich being the architect of her stardom. David always impresses me with his anecdotes and knowledge. The second commentary is by Samm Deighan. She discusses the perception of a larger Lubitsch influence on the film than Borzage. She discusses how this was a remake of the 1933 German film Happy Days in Aranjuez. Samm covers a lot on Borzage, Dietrich (a transition point for her career), Cooper, the supporting players and much more. I didn't find the two commentaries overlapped information much at all. There is also a trailer for Desire and trailers for other films of this Golden-age period.

Gary Tooze