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

ADDITION: Universal Studios Blu-ray January 2010':

Bravo Universal!!

Firstly, while my caps are not exact frame matches - we need only look at the technical statistics of the disc to see that Universal have come through with a notably superior transfer than is found on the French - Region 'B'-locked Blu-ray.

This is definitely NOT the exact same as the HD and single-layered French - Region 'B'-locked Blu-ray VC-1 encode. This is a dual-layered AVC rendering with almost double the disc space for the feature and more than double the bitrate than the previous Blu-ray! I can definitely state that Atonement looks the best it ever has for your home theater enjoyment. There is dramatically more depth, sharper detail and even slightly improved colors.

The DTS-HD Master 5.1 likewise has almost double the kbps and it sounds fabulous - crisp, tight and immersive with the film's wonderful soundtrack that I also on on CD. This sounds much cleaner with healthier bass.

Extras are duplicated from the 2008 DVD with Wright commentary and the seven deleted scenes, with optional commentary, and two featurettes. This Blu-ray also has BD-LIVE and a My Scenes function. There are English, French or Spanish subtitles and my Momitsu also identified it as being region free playable on Blu-ray machines world-wide.

This was one of the very last Universal studio production HD-DVDs before abandoning that format altogether but they still have finally issued on Blu-ray in North America. This is one of my favorite films of the past 10-years.  Obviously, we strongly recommend this Universal Region FREE Blu-ray - which has finally been justly treated with a strong transfer. Another encouraging factor is the price - for less than $20 - it is a must-own.

ADDITION: Universal / Studio Canal Blu-ray July 09': Unfortunately this is another in a slew of French Blu-rays of English language films that do not allow original English audio without the enforcement of French subtitles. It appears to be a contractual thing but I surely wish this would come to English-friendly Blu-ray ASAP.

A bit about the image - it wouldn't surprise me if it was the exact same as the HD with the same VC-1 encode. It's somewhat superior than the screen caps below indicate. The 1080P visuals look stunning but more credit to the film's deft cinematography. The DVD was really not too shabby in its own right but the Blu-ray (and HD) versions improve upon it fairly dramatically depending on the scene.

This was one of the very last Universal studio production HD-DVDs before abandoning that format altogether but they still have not issued on Blu-ray yet in Region 'A'. This is one of my favorite films of the past 10-years and I hope it surfaces soon. Extras seem duplicate with French subs but there is additional 15-minute piece Jean-Yves Thibaudt, un virtuose au Cinema in French with no English subtitles.

I can watch this via my computer with the English audio while avoiding the French subtitles and some with a 'Macro Blocker' may be able to avoid the enforcement. Obviously, we suggest waiting on this title which my Momitsu also identifies as region 'B'-locked.    

NOTE: The HD version (combo) is reviewed HERE.

I view far too many films consecutively to have any worth as a critic. Often when I see something that deeply moves me - I am hesitant to try to express that joy as I know my ineffective words can never do it justice. Atonement is such a film. A perfectly realized cinematic experience. It is magnificent... as good as any film released in 2007.

The standard definition DVD looks very strong. Aside from some minor noise it produces a stellar appearance. Contrast and detail are at high levels and colors look balanced and true.  I look forward to seeing it in 1080 as I imagine everything will be slightly improved. Atonement is a visual masterpiece with inspirational and deeply moving cinematography and this SD DVD seems to represent it very well. I can't see anyone having complaints about this disc's image quality. 

The audio is in a 5.1 track (with similar DUBs in French and Spanish). To my ears it sounded buoyant without excess. It does have moments of being tested and pass those trials adequately. The soundtrack from Debussy to Puccini blossoms subtly.  In short, I have no complaints with the film's audio transfer to DVD.

There are some fabulous supplements including an interesting and telling commentary by director Joe Wright. He has an easily decipherable accent - there are some appropriate gaps and he talks a lot on the blocking and detailing information to the actors. With the shots of animals he does mention Laughton's Night of the Hunter. There are also 7 deleted scenes with optional commentary. They run about 1 minute each and although interesting I believe the choices of removing them was correct. Finally two featurettes - Bringing the Past to Life - The Making of Atonement runs almost 30 minutes and includes input from Redgrave and Knightley as well as others. There is a shorter one as well - From Novel to Screen: Adapting a Classic that has Wright input some of the adaptation process - it runs only 5 minutes. 

I've already extolled the film to the hilt and for only $16 this may have the best value of any DVD I have purchased this year. Buy... now. 

Gary W. Tooze