The Criterion Blu-ray of Sawdust and Tinsel is part of their Ingmar Bergman’s Cinema 100th Anniversary 30 Blu-ray Boxset (reviewed, as a work in-progress, HERE). It shares this Blu-ray with The Rite.

NOTE: Yes, as has been leaked, we can now confirm that this Blu-ray set is Region FREE!

It is also coming out individually on, Criterion Blu-ray, December 18th, 2018 HERE, and we will compare to see if it is the same transfer although we don't know if it will, also, share the disc with The Rite. Stay tuned.

This 1080P Criterion transfer has a higher bitrate and shows more information in the frame than the Artificial Eye Blu-ray, (part of their Classic Bergman 5 BD set reviewed HERE) but can tend to look softer and have less texture than its UK counterpart. It looks fine in-motion and more demonstratively shows the intentionally bleached scene as 'bleached'. It has the same extras as the their 2007 DVD (Cowie commentary, Bergman intro) and has uncompressed linear PCM (24-bit) mono audio in Swedish. 

***

ADDITION: Sandrew Metronome - February 2010: The Scandinavian release is contrast boosted and appears to be slightly horizontally stretched. It, surprisingly, offers optional English subtitles - albeit a different translation (see sample below). There are no supplements and it obviously suffers from PAL speedup - so, for all factors considered, we still recommend the Criterion edition.  

****

ON THE CRITERION: The Criterion transfer is pictureboxed (see our full description of 'pictureboxing' in our Kind Hearts and Coronets review). NOTE The Criterion captures below have been put in their own table to indicate the amount of the pictureboxing (note the black border circumventing the edge). Where this may benefit systems that produce overscan (ex. production made cathode ray tubes) - it detracts from systems that do not requite it (ex. HTPC).

NOTE: This is reported as featuring five minutes of material not included in previous U.S. editions.

The dual-layered, progressive transfer offers Criterion's high standard of image, sound, subtitle and supplement quality. The screen captures below give a good representation of the excellent contrast. Some will note the intense 'bleached' look of the flashback sequence early in the film. It can actually remove detail from the background but we assume it was an intentional technique and is discussed in the commentary. Overall it looks very good - improving as the film progresses. Fine digital noise appears as good grain. Audio is clean, clear an consistent. Optional English subtitles support the dialogue.  

Supplements include another brilliant commentary from Peter Cowie. It is as informative and professional as we have come to expect. Many details are covered and some of the essence of the narrative is explored. In a short introduction by Bergman (from 2003) he discusses a negative review of the film that he recalls by heart - 'I refuse to make an ocular inspection of Mr. Bergman's latest vomit'. Bergman thought he had made his best film to that point but admits being very sensitive to the chilly reception that Sawdust and Tinsel received. There are also some liner notes with a new essay by critic John Simon and an appreciation by filmmaker Catherine Breillat.

This is a great film although it contains uncomfortable moments. Bergman fans will rejoice and although there is a Tartan edition in the UK that is presently significantly more expensive (and a French as well I believe - only French subs) - this surely improves upon it in every facet. Recommended!  

Gary W. Tooze