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

ADDITION: Imprint Blu-ray (March 2022): Imprint have transferred William A. Fraker's A Reflection of Fear to Blu-ray. It is on a single-layered disc with a middling bitrate. The 1.78:1 image is poor, possibly a combination of the faded source and the less-robust 1080P transfer limitations. Dark scenes obscure detail and I even saw an example of macro-blocking (see below.) There is softness and no demonstrative depth. This 'look' may have been intentional by Fraker. I'd say the passive HD presentation is underwhelming.

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

On their Blu-ray, Imprint use a linear PCM dual-mono track (24-bit) in the original English language. A Reflection of Fear has a couple of exciting moments that export minor depth. The score is by Fred Myrow (Pray For the Wildcats, Soylent Green, Plan 10 from Outer Space) and adds both intensity and subtlety to the film although it would be considered relatively unremarkable and forgettable overall. Imprint offer optional English subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The Imprint Blu-ray offers a new (2021) commentary by Lee Gambin. He reads an incredible amount into the film and he does his research quite thoroughly. I don't think I could ever see the film as 'academically' as he does. He sees significance in Joel Schiller's art direction and many details of the production and strong performances. He is obviously reading directly from the extensive notes he has prepared. Despite his deep-dive analysis - it didn't develop any strong appreciation from this reviewer for A Reflection of Fear. Lee also introduces audio interviews, conduced by himself, with Sondra Locke from 2014 (weak sound quality - through the phone) running about 3/4 of an hour followed by an interview with actor Gordon DeVol from 2021 as they play consecutively to the full running time of the film's video. Lastly is a trailer and the package has a limited edition (2,000 copies) slipcase.

William A. Fraker's "A Reflection of Fear" doesn't have the perceived thriller-horror aspects of its title/posters, that I was anticipating. It evolves to be a rather morose character study of a damaged girl and the dangers, and reasons, surrounding her mental health. Fraker directed Monte Walsh, but he is more renowned as the important cinematographer on Bullitt, Rosemary's Baby, Rancho Deluxe, The Ghost of Sierra de Cobre, The Day of the Dolphin, An Innocent Man etc.) a "A Reflection of Fear" didn't really grab me as its pacing and story remained languid. I should probably revisit it one day as I thought Locke's performance was stellar and I always enjoy Robert Shaw in anything. The Imprint Blu-ray offers a bland video rendering of what I found to be an mediocre piece of cinema - one I may need to grow into it. We should appreciate the exposure it that is now receiving (worldwide BD debut.) Curious, and open-mined, film fans keen on the topic may get more out of it than I did, although the film's mysterious moods imbue anticipation with complex, unspoken, characterizations. Despite my reservations on a recommendation, it's not all bad.

Gary Tooze