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

ADDITION: Criterion Blu-ray / 4K UHD (February 2025): Criterion have transferred Gus Van Sant's Drugstore Cowboy to 4K UHD and Blu-ray. It is cited as being from a "New 4K digital restoration, supervised and approved by director Gus Van Sant and director of photography Robert Yeoman". The Criterion 4K UHD package has one 4K UHD disc of the film and this Blu-ray (which is also available separately) with the film and special features. While we are in possession of the 4K UHD disc we cannot resolve the encode yet and therefore cannot obtain screen captures. We hope to add to this review when possible. So, the below captures are from Criterion's 2025 1080P Blu-ray transfer.

Like 4K UHD transfers of The Long Wait, and I, the Jury, and many others below, Criterion's 2160P transfer of Drugstore Cowboy does not have HDR applied (no HDR10, HDR10+, nor Dolby Vision.) We have seen many other 4K UHD transfers without HDR; Mondo Macabro's Dr. Jekyll and the Werewolf, Cult Film's Django 4K UHD, Umbrella's 4K UHD transfer of Peter Weir's The Last Wave and Criterion's 4K UHD transfers of Winchester '73, The Mother and the Whore, I Am Cuba, The Others, Rules of the Game, Branded to Kill, In the Mood For Love, Night of the Living Dead and, further examples, Masters of Cinema's The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, and Kino's 4K UHDs of Bob le Flambeur, Last Year at Marienbad, Nostalghia, The Apartment, For a Few Dollars More, A Fistful of Dollars, In the Heat of the Night, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly as well as Koch Media's Neon Demon + one of the 4K UHD transfers of Dario Argento's Suspiria.

The Criterion image colors are much more balanced than all the previous digital editions. The HD presentation is brighter, colors have more richness, flesh tones cool, and there is even a shade of depth here and there. The authentic 1.85:1 show more information in the frame than Imprint's 1.78:1. It's readily apparent that the Criterion with the 4K digital restoration supervised and approved by director Van Sant and DoP Yeoman is the best this film has looked ever on physical media. The 4K UHD appearance is another notch ahead because of the higher resolution.   

NOTE: We have added 74 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray and 4K UHD, Criterion use a linear PCM 2.0 channel track (24-bit) in the original English language. Drugstore Cowboy has just a few aggressive moments - one notable gunshot - and those effects come through with unremarkable depth. The score was by Elliot Goldenthal (Heat, Interview With the Vampire, Pet Sematary, A Time To Kill, Public Enemies) - one of his earliest works. There is some other excellent music in the film, including For All We Know by Abbey Lincoln, Little Things by Bobby Goldsboro, Put a Little Love in Your Heart performed by Jackie DeShannon, I Am performed by Roky Erickson & Jack Johnson, Cherry Lips performed by The Robins and other music capturing the film's era and distressed moods. Criterion have optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray and 4K UHD disc.

Included on the Criterion Blu-ray and 4K UHD is the 2001 commentary by Gus van Sant and Matt Dillon found on the Artisan DVD where they discuss the 'hat on the bed' superstition, the director of photography Robert Yeoman, the Elliot Goldenthal score - Gus heard his score in Pet Sematary. They relate that both their fathers were golfers who had played with each other independently of knowing them. The locations are talked about, Gus talks about this being his major feature with a star (Dillon), a lot of author James Fogle... it's good - very relaxed and they remember together certain production details. It's enjoyable hearing their thoughts of over 20-years ago. Like the Imprint, the Criterion Blu-ray also includes the 1/2 hour Making-of documentary found on the 2001 US DVD. Criterion include new interviews with Robert Yeoman and actor Kelly Lynch that run about 20-minutes each where they discuss their recollection of the production, working with Gus Van Sant etc.. Included are 50-minutes of, modest quality, deleted scenes / B-roll footage. Lastly is a trailer and the package has liner notes with an essay by author and screenwriter Jon Raymond (Denial.)

Gus Van Sant's Drugstore Cowboy is based on the autobiographical novel by James Fogle, which was unpublished at the time the film was made. Van Sant's filmography (Mala Noche, Paranoid Park, My Own Private Idaho, Gerry, To Die For, Good Will Hunting etc.) has a loyal following who recognize his gifted filmmaking abilities. He is also a photographer, painter, and musician (releasing two albums.) Drugstore Cowboy was at the beginning of his unique brand of cinema with a focus on marginalized subcultures. Drugstore Cowboy explores the lives of drug user/addicts and dealers existing on society's outer fringes. It was also notable for its Portland, Oregon - and its rail yard - setting. It's a memorable film with excellent performances looking premium in this 4K UHD / Blu-ray / package with the previous commentary, new interviews, making of, deleted scenes and a booklet. This is strongly recommended.

***

ADDITION: Imprint Blu-ray (October 2021): Imprint have transferred Gus Van Sant's Drugstore Cowboy to Blu-ray. The 1080P is in the 1.78:1 aspect ratio. The DVDs had colors all over the place from green hue to orange skin tones. Contrast is significantly superior (more pure whites, deeper black levels) and the film has a purposeful rough edge (very textured) to it that is supported far better by the Blu-ray transfer that is on a dual-layered disc with a very high bitrate (6X that of the weak PAL DVD.) It is rarely crisp but that is a function of the shooting style.

NOTE: We have added 60 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Imprint use a linear PCM 2.0 channel track (24-bit) in the original English language. There is also an isolated score track with effects. It all sounds fine in the uncompressed transfer. Imprint offer optional English subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

Included on the Imprint Blu-ray is the 2001 commentary by Gus van Sant and Matt Dillon found on the Artisan DVD. The Blu-ray also has the 1/2 hour Making-of documentary founds on the 2001 US DVD. There is also a new visual essay by filmmaker Chris O’Neill running about 11-minutes entitled 'Ahead of the Curve' - I loved his observations, There is a new featurette on composer Goldenthal, a dozen minute interview with Kelly Lynch called Diane's Addiction - she who had worked as a flight attendant after leaving college and a model for the Elite modeling agency before acting. Lastly is a theatrical trailer.

The Imprint Blu-ray is easily the best home theater a/v presentation to date - it has the valuable commentary, a new visual essay, interview and limited edition packaging. This is a keeper for me. Absolutely recommended!

Gary Tooze