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

 

Firstly, Little Murders is a fascinating film. Indicator offer its world premiere on Blu-ray in another of their brilliantly complete packages. It resides on a dual-layered disc with a max'ed out bitrate. The film's many dark scenes show no noise and I noticed no speckles or damage. The heavy film textures are well-processed by the 1080P transfer and it looks clean and consistent with rich grain, true, deep colors in an, overall, very impressive HD presentation. Excellent.

 

Audio comes in a linear PCM mono track (24-bit) in the original English-language. It's clear with audible dialogue - it has a score by Fred Kaz and some will recognize John Lewis' Skating in Central Park by the Modern Jazz Quartet. The sound quality is clear, flat and authentic. There are optional English (SDH) subtitles on the Region 'B'-locked Blu-ray.

 

Indicator stack the package with supplements that include two audio commentaries - the first with actor Elliott Gould and writer Jules Feiffer and the second with journalist Samm Deighan. I especially appreciated the latter which covered some interesting analysis and factual details. There are two, short separate introductions to the film by Alan Arkin and Jules Feiffer. A Certain Amount of Black is a new, 18-minute, interview with actor-producer Elliott Gould and I always find his insights revealing. Beginner’s Luck is a new 19-minute interview with actor-director Alan Arkin who, likewise, has a lot to share about the production and his own career. Acts of Random Violence is a new 1/2 interview with award-winning writer and satirist Jules Feiffer, author of the original stage play and screenplay adaptation of Little Murders. Speaking of Films: 'Little Murders' is the original 1972 promotional recording of Jules Feiffer in discussion with academics and critics Susan Rice, Robert Geller, Leonard Maltin and Sean Driscoll. It runs 1/2 hour. There are radio interviews of promotional recordings of Elliott Gould, Donald Sutherland and Alan Arkin, specially prepared for radio station syndication - from 1971. We also get an original theatrical trailer, and a trailer commentary + critical appreciation by Larry Karaszewski. There are original TV spots, original radio spots and an image gallery of on-set and promotional photography . The package contains a limited edition exclusive 40-page booklet with an essay by Jim O’Rourke, cast and crew profiles, original promotional discussion guide, contemporary critical responses, and film credits.

 

A totally, unique and bizarre, black comedy, big-city social satire dealing with themes of trust, paranoia, indifference... funny, human, touching, shocking... Little Murders has a lot going for it and bolstering appreciation are the extensive supplements - including the two commentaries and the many interviews. Another fabulous choice for Indicator to bring to Blu-ray. A super package of a lesser-seen film that deserves a winder audience - absolutely recommended!

 

 

Gary W. Tooze