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

ADDITION: Fun City Editions Blu-ray (January 2022): Fun City Editions (Vinegar Syndrome's sister company, through OCN Distribution) presents Christopher Petit’s debut feature, Radio On, on an all-new dual-layered Region 'A' Blu-ray. The 1979 British road film is newly scanned & restored in 4k from original 35mm negative. Martin Schäfer's black & white cinematography is rich with stark contrast and grainy detail, with Fun City Edition's Blu-ray finally giving the image a respectable transfer (a BFI Blu-ray was also released this year but we do not have a copy at the time of this review). The 1080p image is backed up by a robust, high bitrate. Note how in our third comparison shot below (the one inside the car) suddenly shows an actual radio in the Blu-ray, where the DVD shows only black splotches. Also note the beautiful grain and detail in this same shot, now displaying the highway and scenery in all its full glorious detail. With all of the light and shadows now truly exposed, the film's cinematography is allowed to shine even brighter than before, on previous SD releases. Fun City Editions have a winner on their hands here.

NOTE: We have added 40 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

One of the main attractions of Radio On is its phenomenal soundtrack. Director Petit was able to amass a veritable who's who of musicians to provide the soundtrack. David Bowie, Kraftwerk, Robert Fripp (of King Crimson fame), Ian Dury & The Blockheads, Eric Goulden (Wreckless Eric), Lene Lovich, The Rumour, Devo, and of course Sting (who appears in the film and provides an on-screen cove of "Three Steps to Heaven'' by the Cochran Brothers.) This audio track is presented in 24-bit 2.0 mono DTS-HD Master Audio. I would assume that this is a faithful presentation of the film's original audio presentation, without any annoying damage audible. There are optional English SDH subtitles on this Region 'A' Blu-ray from Fun City Editions.

Fun City Editions' Blu-ray release of Radio On features many bonus features, both archival and new. Cinematic multi-hyphenate (author, historian, critic, film programmer, podcaster, publisher and producer with an emphasis on genre cinema) Kier-La Janisse provides an audio commentary throughout the feature film's running length. Janisse is an avowed fan of Christopher Petit, and Radio On in particular, even wondering aloud if they got the commentary gig due to their facebook profile pic being a poster for the film. Janisse also has had the pleasure of interviewing director Petit in the past. On display is Janisse's shear wealth of knowledge for the film (as well as experimental film in general). This combines neatly with their music history, resulting in a sort of Gestalt commentary, covering all the intricate details of the film. This is a great commentary for fans and newbies alike. Fun City Editions have also included a 52-minute audio interview with Petit where the director speaks about their experiences as a critic (and film editor of 'Time Out' from 1973-1978) and how this provided the real impetus for Radio On, and how it never would've happened without his time at the magazine. Everything is discussed by the director here, from Kraftwerk to Martin Scorsese, and fans should get a kick out of this recollection of stories and anecdotes. Next up is an archival video interview with director Chris Petit and producer Keith Griffiths, from 2008. This piece also covers the inspiration for the film, as well as many other topics, I was particularly fascinated by the director's mentioning of Hellman's Two-Lane Blacktop and Antonioni's Red Desert within the context of Radio On. "“Before the Explosion of the Image Bank" is a new
video interview with director Chris Petit that lasts over 37-minutes. This interview delves more into the deeper thoughts about cinema in general, and its various incarnations and classifications. Petit transforms the typically bland and blasé director-as-interview-subject into an erudite discussion on art and representation. In these interviews, Petit also speaks of revisiting Radio On, for his follow-up digital video essay, “Radio On (Remix)," which Fun City Editions has wisely included here, lasting around 24-minutes. An image gallery, and the film's original (with a capital 'O') theatrical trailer round out the Blu-ray disc's extras. This release also includes a great booklet, with essays (including one from critic Glenn Kenny) stills and cast & crew information. This release contains a plethora of juicy bits for all fans of Radio On.

Radio On is a unique and moving cinematic experience. The 1979 British road film is a contemplative one, as full of silence as it is music. The rare moments of dialogue are jarring, and as cryptic as the sounds and images themselves. This is a film that is impossible to classify, with the viewer experiencing a mesmerizing journey not unlike the lead character. Fun City Editions' Blu-ray transfer is newly scanned & restored in 4k from the film's original 35mm negative. The audio/visual presentation is a thing of beauty, not to mention the many valuable and thoughtful bonus features. Highly recommended to fans of avant-garde cinema.

Colin Zavitz