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

ADDITION: Criterion Blu-ray (July 2019): Criterion bring Michael Radford's Nineteen Eighty-Four to a 'Director Approved Special Edition' Blu-ray. It is transferred via a "New 4K digital restoration, supervised by cinematographer Roger Deakins". It looks very impressive - the, intentional, theatrical desaturated color palette image is rich with consistent grain texture and deep colors (blues and grays) via a dual-layered rendering with a max'ed out bitrate. This looks just gorgeous on my system with fine detail in close-ups and a wonderful use of the 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The visuals carry depth and exceptional contrast and shadow detail. The image quality is magnificent.

NOTE: We have added 38 more large resolution Criterion Blu-ray captures for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE.

On their Blu-ray, Criterion use linear PCM mono tracks (24-bit) in the original English language with the option of two film scores: one by the British musical duo Eurythmics (Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart) deriving songs like "Sexcrime (Nineteen Eighty-Four)" and "Julia" although the majority of the tracks are instrumental. Also another important option is an orchestral one by composer Dominic Muldowney which includes the opening Aria, This Is Our Land, the main title "Oceania, 'Tis for Thee" etc.. I was keen to hear the Eurythmics score which exports a different tone to the film, although still dystopian, and even the 'Big Brother' dialogue sounds different (not as imposing and less echo-y.) The option is certainly appreciated although after sampling - I think I prefer Muldowney's. Director Radford objected to Virgin Film's insistence on using the more pop-oriented electronic score by the Eurythmics. He expressed his displeasure during his acceptance speech at the Evening Standard British Film Awards and it is pleasing to have both included here. I believe this was a similar option on the Twilight Time Blu-ray release (which I do not own.) Criterion offer optional English subtitles on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

Supplements include new interviews with director Michael Radford for about 22-minutes - recorded by the Criterion Collection in London in March 2019. He details his experiences making the film, how quickly the project evolved, requesting Richard Branson's support etc.. There is also one with cinematographer Roger Deakins recorded at the same time. He talks about the in-camera appearance that he deems primitive now, the low budget for building sets, his relationship with Radford etc. There is also a new interview with David Ryan, author of George Orwell on Screen running shy of 22-minutes. He relates how he read some essays and was, eventually, hooked on Orwell. He details many of the film versions of 1984. There is less than 5-minutes of Behind-the-scenes footage featuring interviews with director Michael Radford and actors John Hurt and Suzanna Hamilton. There is also a trailer and the package has a liner notes booklet with an essay by writer and performer A. L. Kennedy.

This is a brilliant visual experience. It has both the Totalitarian-warning and is a sexual story (more than a love affair with sex portrayed as an act of rebellion). There are themes of oppression and control venturing to the physical sense with the harrowing torture scenes. I was thrilled with the 4K Blu-ray presentation, the extras and the fascinating, faithful, adaptation. Strongly recommended!  

Gary Tooze