ADDITION: (November 2018) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray: Eureka! (Masters of Cinema) present the Scorsese-helmed classic "The Last Waltz" on a dual-layered Blu-ray. The 1.85:1 image is housed on the disc with a fully maxed-out bitrate. Though we don't have the MGM disc for comparison, this transfer is apparently from the same source, so one could assume they are similar. The 1080p image greatly improves upon the previous SD image from the Scorsese boxset. This is definitely evident in the amount of detail in any given frame. The film is also less stretched out, with more information on all sides of the frame. There are instances of damage, with frequent tiny white flecks showing up throughout the feature, probably indicating a lack of digital tinkering to improve the image. That said, aside from some very dark, and uniformly black portions of the screen in some scenes, this is a very decent transfer. The experience here is mostly all about the audio, let's be honest.

The audio is where the film shines, we are given a few options here. There is the choice of watching the film in either 24-bit 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio or in an uncompressed 24-bit linear PCM 2.0 track. Either choice is going to impress, with Levon Helm's drums and Danko's bass sounding powerful without drowning out the various tones of guitars, saxophones, vocals, piano and organ. There are optional English SDH subtitles on this Region 'B'-locked Blu-ray.

Eureka! has included not one but two vintage audio commentaries, one with director Martin Scorsese and musician Robbie Robertson, the other with "The Band" members Levon Helm and Garth Hudson, journalists Jay Cocks and Greil Marcus, creative consultant Mardik Martin, producers Jonathan Taplin and Steven Prince, Cameraman Michael Chapman, Music Producer John Simon, Irwin Winkler and performers Mavis Staples, Dr. John and Ronnie Hawkins (includes optional subtitles identifying who is talking). These are both worth a listen, full of info regarding how the project came to be, and the technical stuff required to accomplish it all. "Revisiting The Last Waltz" is a 22.5-minute archival short documentary featuring interviews with Martin Scorsese and Robbie Robertson. "Jam 2" is from archival footage from the Last Waltz concert, with most of the musicians jamming on stage together. There is a stills gallery broken down into sub-categories and the film's trailer and TV spot as well. Also included here is a 100-PAGE perfect bound collector's book including writing on the film by Adam Batty, Greil Marcus and Robbie Robertson; extremely rare archival imagery; extensive notes, storyboards and sketches from the film's production.

This is the first Blu-ray release of "The Last Waltz" in the UK, and if you ever wanted to see on of the best concert films of all time, here is your chance. Eureka! have assembled a nice package with some great extras and a decent image, but as the title card warns before the film, “This film should be played loud!” 

Colin Zavitz