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

ADDITION: Criterion Blu-ray (July 2023): Criterion have transferred Carl Franklin's One False Move to Blu-ray. and to 4K UHD. It is cited as being from a "New 4K digital restoration, approved by director Carl Franklin". It looks pristine with fine grain and rich black levels. The HD presnetation quality is extremely pleasing.

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 stereo track (24-bit) in the original English language. One False Move has plenty of violence - beatings, gunfire etc.. aggressive moments that come through with modest depth and score by Matthew Ender, Peter Haycock (single guitar theme - later orchestrated throughout the film), Derek Holt and (uncredited) Paul Di Franco, including Brenda Sutton's Don't Walk Away from Love, Michael Sutton's Show You Right, Reverend Julian Turner performing Jesus Is Leading Me. It sounds buoyant and clean in the lossless. Criterion offer optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region 'A' Blu-ray and their Region FREE 4K UHD disc.

The Criterion Blu-ray offers the old commentary by Carl Franklin from 1999 - which, I believe, was on the original LaserDisc. He discusses the texture divergence of the city (often blue) vs. earthy country browns, specifics of production, formulated key scenes, that the child in the first 10-minutes of the film was actually Michael Beach's son, time-delays in appeasing the production company, budget constraints etc. He provided the type of first-hand knowledge of a film that only a director can offer. There is also a new conversation between Franklin and cowriter-actor Billy Bob Thornton for about 1/2 hour where they reminisce about the production, discuss the script co-written by Thornton's friend Tom Epperson and other recollections of the project from almost 30-years ago. Lastly is a film trailer and the package has a liner notes booklet with an essay by author William Boyle.

One False Move was Carl Franklin's feature debut, and was voted by critic Gene Siskel as his favorite film of 1992. One False Move was low-budget ($2.5 million), co-written by Billy Bob Thornton, and almost went straight to home video after completion, but as critical exposure traveled in festivals about the film's adept realization and complex themes (race as a corollary to urban/city existence - "Color Me Bad" was an original title) it garnered a deserved theatrical release. The late Bill Paxton, Cynda Williams, Thornton (who married Williams after the film was made) and Michael Beach are all excellent. I've always loved Franklin's neo-noir work especially Devil in a Blue Dress, High Crimes, and Out of Time that I all find superior. Criterion produce a fine Blu-ray and 4K UHD of Franklin's exceptional debut film. I thoroughly enjoyed this - very strongly recommended!

Gary Tooze