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

ADDITION: Imprint Blu-ray (March 2023): Imprint have transferred Bernardo Bertolucci's Little Buddha to Blu-ray. It is cited as being a "1080p High-definition presentation on Blu-ray from a 4K scan of the original negative". It looked awesome on my system - kudos to the advanced art production, effects and cinematography. A beautiful film. Golden and blue hues are utilized. The 2-hour 20-minute film is on a dual-layered disc with a high bitrate. It is presented in the 2.0:1 aspect ratio - a Storaro favorite. There are gorgeous, well balance, colors and plenty of appealing depth. It looks super in HD.    

NOTE: We have added 62 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Imprint offer the option of a robust DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround or a linear PCM stereo track (both 24-bit) in the original English language. Little Buddha has very few aggressive moments but some deft separation and intense bass when called upon. The impressive audio seems equal to the video presentation. The score by Ryuichi Sakamoto (Wild Palms, Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence, The Last Emperor, Wings of Honneamise, Love is the Devil, High Heels) sounding majestic and dreamlike in the lossless transfer. Imprint offer optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The Imprint Blu-ray offers a new commentary by film historian Jim Hemphill. he discusses how Little Buddha reunited the team that created Bertolucci's The Last Emperor (Producer Jeremy Thomas, composer Ryuichi Sakamoto, cinematographer Vittorio Storaro etc.) and how with The Sheltering Sky, it forms an unofficial trilogy. He makes some great observation on Bertolucci's intent and how it is atypical of the director's other work with conflict, sex or taboo topics. He comments how some see it more as childlike or at least seen through the eyes of a child. There is a lot on Bertolucci's evolution and history as a filmmaker. He discusses how the Buddha flashback scenes of Little Buddha were photographed in 65 mm Todd-AO by Storaro. The rest of the film was filmed in 35 mm anamorphic Technovision. Jim provides excellent commentaries. There is a 1/4 hour vintage Making of Little Buddha featurette withy much of the cast and crew, an interview with producer Jeremy Thomas and an interview with director Bernardo Bertolucci from 1993. New are "A Great Adventure" – a 16-minute interview with supervising art director Andrew Sanders plus 22-minutes with supervising sound editor Eddy Joseph entitled Reincarnation of Sound and also new "Buddhist Lines" – 15-minutes with dialogue coach Constantine Gregory. Lastly is a theatrical trailer. 

Bernardo Bertolucci's Little Buddha was the last collaboration of the director with cinematographer Vittorio Storaro. The real story of monks finding a child candidate as the reincarnation of a Lama always holds fascination. Seattle resident Jesse Conrad is selected and encouraged to travel to Bhutan. His architect father (played by Chris Isaak) - going through his own soul-searching crisis - decides to take him. Interspersed are visually striking flashbacks in ancient Nepal (Lumbini) of Prince Siddhartha played by Keanu Reeves (the Buddha before his enlightenment). Despite the middling critical reaction to Little Buddha - Bertolucci's direction and Storaro's cinematography are always jaw-dropping-ly impressive. The film explores Buddhist philosophy, reincarnation etc. The Imprint Blu-ray, from a 4K scan of the original negative, looks, and sounds, beautiful and there is a new commentary, 3 new interviews as well as vintage extras. Bertolucci fans will want to see Little Buddha on Blu-ray.

Gary Tooze