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

ADDITION: Criterion 4K UHD / Blu-ray (April 2025): Criterion has transferred Julian Schnabel's Basquiat to Blu-ray and 4K UHD. The former is cited as being from a "New 4K digital restoration of the 2024 black-and-white version of the film, supervised and approved by director Julian Schnabel" and for the 4K UHD package: "One 4K UHD disc of the 2024 black-and-white version presented in Dolby Vision HDR and one Blu-ray with the film and special features". While we are in possession of the 4K UHD disc, we cannot resolve the encode yet, and therefore, cannot obtain screen captures. We hope to add to this review when possible. So, the below captures are from Criterion's 2025 1080P Blu-ray transfer. As an extra, Criterion includes a new 4K digital restoration of the 1996 theatrical version (color, running at 1:46:47,) also sourced from the original 35mm negative. As a supplement, it has a much lower bitrate and is only on the BD disc. The new Blu-ray and 4K UHD transfer of the 2024 black-and-white version enhances the film’s aesthetic. Ron Fortunato’s (Before the Devil Knows You're Dead, Nil By Mouth) 35mm cinematography, captured in wide shots, reveals intricate textures - cracked pavement, layered graffiti, and urban decay - while interiors, like Basquiat’s unkempt loft, show detailed clutter in peeling paint and scattered art supplies. Close-ups of Jeffrey Wright’s expressive face gain impressive clarity, with the black-and-white palette emphasizing the stark shadows and emotional intensity. The 1996 theatrical color version, also restored in 4K, restores the vibrant palette of 1980s New York with neon reds, yellows, and greens from dive bars contrasting with gray streets. Basquiat’s art - bold reds, blues, and yellows - advances against the white gallery walls, and the surreal sequences, like the surfer vision, retain their ethereal blue glow. The black-and-white 4K UHD version, presented in Dolby Vision HDR, offers a high dynamic range that enhances contrast and depth. The grayscale is rich with deep blacks and bright whites creating a luminous, painterly effect, as described by Criterion. The surreal sequences, such as the blue-tinted surfer visions, are rendered in shades of gray, maintaining their dreamlike quality while aligning with Schnabel’s artistic intent. It looks quite pristine. Both Blu-ray and 4K UHD restorations preserve the 35mm grain, ensuring authenticity. The image is free of significant scratches or splices, a marked improvement over earlier releases, and the black-and-white version’s artistic choice remains a desirable curiosity.

NOTE: We have added 72 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE.

On their Blu-ray and 4K UHD, Criterion uses a DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround track (24-bit) in the original English language. The audio has been remastered as part of the 4K restoration process. Basquiat's ambient soundscape of 1980s New York - car horns, street chatter, footsteps - is vividly rendered with the 5.1 mix placing sounds in the surround channels, immersing viewers in the Lower East Side’s chaos. In the villa’s loft, the rustle of paint cans, drip of water, and distant city hum enhance the lived-in atmosphere. Practical effects, like the thud of footsteps during Basquiat’s drug-fueled rants, add tactile realism, while surreal sequences feature soft waves and wind sounds, amplifying the dreamlike quality. The eclectic soundtrack, curated by Schnabel, features hip-hop, punk, jazz, and classical music, reflecting Basquiat’s influences. Tracks like Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power” and The Pogues’ “Fairytale of New York” gain depth with the surround mix, their energetic beats filling the surround channels during street scenes. Jazz standards, like Charlie Parker’s “Ornithology,” used in loft scenes, have a richer sound with the saxophone’s clarity enhanced. Classical pieces, like Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” underscoring surreal moments, benefit from the surround mix, creating a more immersive elegiac tone. The audio transfer is flawless and sounds clean. Criterion offers optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region 'A' / 'B' Blu-ray and Region FREE 4K UHD. 

The Criterion Blu-ray offers a new commentary that features Julian Schnabel and writer/curator Giulia D’Agnolo Vallan, discussing the film’s production, Schnabel’s personal connection to Basquiat, and the 1980s art scene. Schnabel’s firsthand perspective, as a contemporary of Basquiat, provides intimate insights into the art world and his directorial choices, while Vallan adds scholarly context, likely exploring the film’s themes of race and commodification. It offers a deep dive into the film’s creation and cultural significance. Included is a new 25-minute interview with Jeffrey Wright, conducted in 2024, reflecting on his breakout role as Basquiat, his preparation, and the film’s impact on his career. Wright’s perspective is crucial, given his acclaimed performance - the film’s emotional core - offering a retrospective look at his experience. The 25-minute runtime allows for depth, making it a significant addition. Included is a 55-minute archival interview from 1996 that features Schnabel and David Bowie, discussing the film’s production, Bowie’s role as Andy Warhol, and their connection to the art world. The interview captures Schnabel and Bowie at the time of the film’s release, offering historical context and Bowie’s personal insights - he met Warhol in real life and borrowed his wig and glasses for the role. Lastly is a trailer and the package has a liner notes booklet with an essay by film scholar Roger Durling (Cinema In Flux: A Year of Connecting Through Film,) exploring the film’s themes, Schnabel’s directorial debut, and Basquiat’s cultural impact. It should be noted that both Blu-ray and 4K UHD packages have a new cover by Julian Schnabel.

Julian Schnabel's Basquiat traces the life of artist Jean-Michel Basquiat (Jeffrey Wright) from his early days as a homeless graffiti artist in late 1970s New York City to his rise as a celebrated figure in the 1980s art world, ending with his tragic death from a heroin overdose in 1988 at age 27. The film delves into Basquiat’s struggles with racism, the commodification of his art, and escalating drug addiction, exacerbated by Warhol’s death in 1987. Basquiat boasts an extensive ensemble cast that brings the vibrant 1980s New York art scene to life, featuring a mix of Hollywood legends and rising stars who portray both real-life figures and composite characters. Jeffrey Wright delivers a breakout lead performance as Jean-Michel Basquiat, capturing the artist’s complex charisma and inner turmoil, while David Bowie offers a nuanced portrayal of Andy Warhol, praised for its authenticity and humor, drawing on his personal acquaintance with Warhol to enhance the role. The supporting cast includes Benicio del Toro as Benny Dalmau, a fictionalized friend possibly inspired by Basquiat’s SAMO partner Al Díaz, earning Del Toro the 1997 Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male, alongside Gary Oldman as Albert Milo, a character based on Schnabel himself, and Michael Wincott as the flamboyant art critic Rene Ricard. High-profile actors, like Dennis Hopper (as art dealer Bruno Bischofberger), Christopher Walken (a journalist,) Willem Dafoe (an electrician,) and Parker Posey (gallery owner Mary Boone,) add depth with their brief but impactful roles, while Claire Forlani plays Basquiat’s girlfriend Gina, and other notable names, like Courtney Love, Tatum O’Neal, and Vincent Gallo (in an uncredited cameo) contribute to the film’s star-studded allure, though some critics argue the parade of famous faces can overshadow the narrative’s focus on Basquiat himself. The brilliant monochrome presentation on Criterion's Blu-ray and 4K UHD offers unique artistic perspective on this evocative biopic. The 1996 theatrical color version inclusion will be appreciated. Schnabel fans and art cinema enthusiasts should consider this a must-own.

Gary Tooze