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

ADDITION: Indicator Blu-ray (October 2021): Indicator have transferred David Greene's Gray Lady Down to Blu-ray. It is on a dual-layered disc with a very high bitrate. A typical Indicator transfer - it looks very strong with depth, true colors and excellent contrast. It's another flawless, clean, 1080P transfer from the UK-based company.

NOTE: We have added 46 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Indicator use a linear PCM mono track (24-bit) in the original English language. Gray Lady Down has most of its action underwater with sonar, crashing, clanging, whirring and exterior rescue efforts sounds clouded by the deep ocean. There are some aggressive moments but the audio comes through authentically flat. There is a great score by Jerry Fielding (The Gambler, Kolchak: The Night Stalker, Farewell My Lovely, Straw Dogs, Scorpio, The Wild Bunch, Straw Dogs, The Killer Elite, The Mechanic, and The Getaway), fully supporting the film well in the lossless transfer. Indicator offer optional English subtitles (see sample below) on their Region 'B' Blu-ray.

The Indicator Blu-ray offers a new commentary by Peter Tonguette. He is always excellent - showing how Gray Lady Down has the subtle visual sophistication that elevates it above the disaster themed films of the era that it was, unfortunately, grouped. He discusses the cast - Heston, David Carradine, Stacy Keach, Ned Beatty, Ronny Cox, Michael O'Keefe, identifying the briefly seen Christopher Reeve, sound effects editor Peter Berkos etc. and talented director David Greene, his adoration of Fielding's score - with an 'escalating ticking clock' approach and he shares much more. His insight and analysis are always appreciated. We can also access a 1 1/4 hour Guardian Interview with Charlton Heston from 1985 - while the film runs. It is an archival audio recording of the great actor in conversation with Quentin Falk at the National Film Theatre, London. The sounds quality is below that of the commentary but is still quite audible and informative. We also get "Stacy Keach: Lady's Man" for a dozen minutes. He recalls his role as the dashing captain leading the rescue. Stephen McHattie: The Changing Tide runs almost 8-minutes and he relates his recollection of memories of working with a great team on Gray Lady Down. Plumbing the Depths is also new - a 40-minute discussion by film historian and former Navy officer Alan K. Rode (pronounced ROE-DEE) on the US Navy Submarine Rescue Program. His comments are of great interest. There are an original theatrical trailer, TV Spot and some radio spots plus an image gallery of promotional and publicity material. The package has a limited edition exclusive 32-page booklet with a new essay by Omar Ahmed, archival articles on the film, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and film credits   

David Greene's Gray Lady Down is certainly a notable notch above the more salacious and common 'disaster flics' of Hollywood's 70s with wonderful ensemble cast support and adept realization from director David Greene. Charlton Heston calls it a 'rescue' film as opposed to a disaster effort. I was very entertained and the Indicator Blu-ray is at their definitive level with stellar, authentic, a/v and stacked new extras with a new wonderful commentary that bolstered by appreciation. Indicator stand heads and tails above their competitors -and Gray Lady Down is absolutely recommended!

Gary Tooze