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

ADDITION: Criterion Blu-ray (January 2023): Criterion have transferred Mia Hansen-Løve's Bergman Island to Blu-ray. It is cited as being from a "2K digital master, approved by director Mia Hansen-Løve". Aside from a touch of color saturation this looks as flawless as you might expect a modern film to look in 1080P on a dual-layered disc with a max'ed out bitrate. It is in the 2.4 widescreen and shows some of the beautiful landscapes of Fårö - cottages, beaches, a Lutheran church, even a windmill.

NOTE: We have added 34 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Criterion use a robust DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround track (24-bit) in the original English language - with some French and Swedish. There is minor separation from water and wind. Bergman Island has a few musical pieces by Robin Williamson plus samplings from ABBA's The Winner Takes It All to Mahler's Symphony No. 9 in D-4. It all sounds clean with consistent dialogue in the lossless transfer. Criterion offer optional English subtitles on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

The Criterion Blu-ray offers a new 20-minute interview, recorded in New York City in October 2022, with actor Vicky Krieps who discusses the unusual process of shooting Bergman Island in two parts, the deep connection she felt with the role of Chris and with writer-director Mia Hansen-Love, and why the film came at the perfect time in her life. Also included is a 1/4 hour interview, recorded in New York City in October 2022, with writer-director Mia Hansen-Love who discusses her visual approach to Bergman Island, the evolution of the film's story, and its complicated casting process. Bergman’s Ghosts is a 2021 short film by Gabe Klinger - shot on Faro island, Sweden, during the making of Bergman Island, offering a candid look at writer-director Mia Hansen-Love's creative process. Lastly is a trailer and the package has a liner notes booklet with an essay by critic Devika Girish.

Mia Hansen-Løve's Bergman Island is a clever and emotionally probing romantic drama. I agree with the RT critical consensus; "Minor but charming, the well-acted Bergman Island uses the titular filmmaker's legacy as the launchpad for a dreamlike rumination on romance and creativity." The location / backdrop and references to Bergman will be of interest to cinema fans. As will the examination of the creative process. The Criterion Blu-ray is at their usual high level of digital package production. I can see myself revisiting Bergman Island in the future accepting its deliberate pacing. Bergman fans may wish to indulge.

Gary Tooze