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

ADDITION: Kino Blu-ray (November 2023): Kino have transferred Burt Reynolds's Gator to Blu-ray. It is on a dual-layered disc with a max'ed out bitrate. Kino released Gator on Blu-ray is 2014 (OOP) but they have added a commentary. This newly transferred image is quite strong. There is a shade of gloss, pleasing depth and solid detail in close-ups. It was shot in Georgia; Valdosta, Savannah, Lakeland and the swamps,  flora and fauna look gorgeous in 1080P. Overall a very good HD presentation. 

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

On their Blu-ray, Kino use a DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel track (24-bit) in the original English language. Gator has aggressive effects from speed boat chases and helicopters to explosions / fire, fits fights, gunfire - that carry effective depth. The score was by Charles Bernstein (The Entity, Invasion of the Bee Girls, his first Hollywood film White Lightning, Stoney, Cujo, Deadly Friend, Mr. Majestyk) - also in the film are Gator by Jerry Reed, For a Little While performed by Bobby Goldsboro and Rusty Richards' Hey, Country Boy performed by Dinah Shore (who had a 'romance' with Burt.) The track supports the film well - adding to the honky-tonk adventure, humor and effects. Kino offer optional English subtitles on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

The Kino Blu-ray offers a new commentary by the enjoyable pairing of Steve Mitchell and Nathaniel Thompson. They talk about Michael Douglas, playing the Governor, and his successful daytime talk show that ran for almost 20-years, the use of locals in the filming of Gator, the other actors - Lauren Hutton, Jerry Reed, Jack Weston, Dub Taylor etc. - and others that appeared in different Reynolds' films, a lot on Burt, his directorial debut, the crew and much more. It's worth the indulgence. Also included is 10-minutes of Back to the Bayou: Part II - the second part of an interview with Burt Reynolds (the first part is on the White Lightning Blu-ray.) Always a pleasure to see him, R.I.P. There are three radio spots and a theatrical trailer. The Blu-ray package has an O-card slipcase.  

Burt Reynolds's Gator was his directorial debut. Reynolds says they sent him the script for the film and he refused to do it saying "it's a terrible script. Then, they asked me if I wanted to direct? And I said 'It's a wonderful script'." Critic Charles Champlin stated that, "Gator looks exactly what it is, a commercial concoction assembled for an undemanding mass market..." Well Duh. I'm sure that was the intent as fans reacted so positively to Burt's machismo character, Gator McKlusky, in White Lightning. They wanted more - without a lot of fuss. This gave him a chance to director, was filled with stunts and action, plus it has beautiful gap-toothed model and actress Lauren Hutton (The Gambler.) Those that watch the American adult animated sitcom Archer realize that Gator has been referenced multiple times as the lead character's favorite film. Kino have improved on their 2014 Blu-ray with a surprisingly strong image, new commentary and slipcase. Burt Reynolds fans may wish to indulge.

Gary Tooze