ADDITION: Blu-ray - Sept 07': Firstly we more than realize that our screen captures don't utilize the same methodology and hence the direct comparison of captures is not as relevant as in the majority of our DVD image comparisons. We include them to give you a rough idea of the improved color depth but they far from represent how pristine the new Blu-ray presents the transferred image. It is heads and tails above the already strong SD DVDs. Quality is exceptionally strong with vibrant color depth and excellent detail - its is far superior to the SD editions - brighter without apparent manipulations.

The differences between the Blu-ray and the SDs beyond the sterling new image is that the the Hi-def DVD is loaded with 25 subtitle options for the feature and 5 for the extra features (which duplicate the Special Edition with commentary and two featurettes).

I have always found this an extremely entertaining film, albeit the Hollywood-esq lack of subtleties, and this new Blu-ray DVD is the best home theatre presentation available - also the price is quite reasonable as far as Hi-def discs go at less than $20. 

****

RE the SD's: There is no significant image quality differences - the Special Edition may have slightly redder skin tones but detail and external colors are an fairly exact match. Both DVDs are progressive, anamorphic in the film's original 2.35 ratio and transferred to dual-layered discs.  Both have black borders circumventing the edge of the frame slightly limiting the horizontal resolution. But overall the image is excellent, very few artefcats - clean and sharp.

The differences come in the supplements. In the SuperBit - on the pretext of filtering more data - has none. It offers English and Japanese subtitles and a 5.1 and, largely superfluous, DTS track. The Special Edition has a rather bland commentary from 2001 by director Rob Reiner (lots of gaps) and two featurettes - of the two I preferred 'From Stage to Screen' with input from Sorkin about his original play and Reiner again about the adaptation to film. There are also text screen filmographies and a theatrical trailer. It is coded for regions 1, 3 and 4 with subtitles options making it suitable for sale in alternate locations (parts of Asia and Europe). It loses the DTS track for a 2.0 channel stereo and another 5.1 job with a few offered DUBs. Both are in the NTSC standard.

NOTE: My software states the Japanese SuperBit is region 0 although I would assume it is region 2.

Bottom line - I'm expecting the Blu-ray to look marvelous and hope it contains some new extras (as well as the old). Great film and Jack's performance borders on terrifyingly sobering as an extremely fundamentalist military mind. I look forward to owning the Blu-ray. We will get some comparative shots if possible. 

Gary W. Tooze