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

ADDITION: Criterion Blu-ray (September 2022): Criterion have transferred Darius Marder's Sound of Metal to Blu-ray. It is cited as being from a "4K digital master, supervised by director Darius Marder and cinematographer Daniël Bouquet". Criterion is also simultaneously releasing this in a 4K UHD package with this Blu-ray included. We will add some 3840 X 2160 captures here when we can. Sound of Metal was distributed by Amazon Studios and being a modern film looks flawless in 1080P buoyed by Daniël Bouquet's thoughtful cinematography. This was shot with an Aaton Penelope in 35mm and the transfer is in the 2.39:1 aspect ratio on a dual-layered Blu-ray disc with a max'ed out bitrate. Darker scenes are supported sublimely - there is depth, impressive contrast and true colors. It looks perfect on my system.

NOTE: We have added 50 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Criterion use a DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround track (24-bit) in the original English language with an optional French DUB. This is a  very robust rendering and Sound of Metal is already noted for its "stunningly immersive, Academy Award–winning sound design by Nicolas Becker". It lives up to it in this lossless transfer with drums, guitar and vocals by Riz Ahmed and Olivia Cooke plus pieces by Abraham Marder, Julien Emery, Elan Sicroff etc. - all, sounding clean and impacting in the lossless transfer. Criterion offer an audio descriptive track option in lossy Dolby and optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

The Criterion Blu-ray offers a new 1/2 hour conversation between Darius Marder and filmmaker Derek Cianfrance, who discusses the screenplay and development of Sound of Metal. Cianfrance conceived and worked on an unscripted-drama-hybrid project that eventually evolved into this film, for which he shares a story credit with Marder. There is a 1/4 hour Behind the Scenes program created by Amazon Studios in 2020 that includes interviews with director Darius Marder; sound designer Nicolas Becker; and actors Riz Ahmed, Paul Raci, and Olivia Cooke. Criterion include a 25-minute documentary, made in June 2022, where sound designer Nicolas Becker and director Darius Marder discuss Sound of Metal's Academy Award-winning sound design. In 2021, director Darius Marder used outtakes from Sound of Metal to create this 5-minute music video for Abraham Marder's song "Green," which is also featured in the closing credits of the film. It is presented on this Blu-ray with a new 3-minute introduction by Darius Marder. Lastly is a trailer and the package has a liner notes booklet with an essay by critic Roxana Hadadi.

Darius Marder's Sound of Metal deals with the subject of hearing impairment and initially accepting it as permanent disability. Evolving are support and new communication skills for drummer Ruben Stone to assist in re-establishing his life and values he can now see as important. It morphs to a vital maturation while accepting his condition without selfishness or his previous nihilistic perceptions. It's quite brilliantly realized with excellent acting, sound and cinematography. Riz Ahmed seems to get more convincing with each performance. The Criterion Blu-ray has stellar a/v and revealing supplements of a hopeful and life-affirming expose. Our highest recommendation.

Gary Tooze