Firstly, seeing films this stylish with such an uncomfortable social edge are certainly humbling to this reviewer. Just when you develop a minor comfort with your knowledge of cinema you see something as potent and haunting as Death of a Cyclist. A film I knew nothing about previously but one that will extensively impact my perception of the medium. I found it totally mesmerizing filmmaking.

This Criterion transfer is again pictureboxed (see our description of 'pictureboxing' in our Kind Hearts and Coronets review). Criterion have included a thick black border around the edge of the frame to counter overscan on production-made television sets.

Well, I had surmised that we had seen the last of pictureboxing from Criterion - I guess my hopefulness was misplaced. This transfer looks good, but by Criterion's lofty standard - not great. There is light damage, usually running vertically, and mostly in the beginning of the film. Contrast, frequently a hallmark of Criterion, seems somewhat faded in Death of a Cyclist. There is some minor noise and overall my judgment of this image appearance leans towards a thin, more fragile, presentation. The positive, is that, of course, the film is very watchable and the weaker points of the transfer don't impinge upon the impact of Bardem's masterpiece. It is dual-layered, has a healthy bitrate and is progressive making me suspect that it is fruitful as Criterion could offer given the supplied source material. The mono audio is unremarkable but fully discernable and the dialogue is supported by optional English subtitles.

Supplements include a 45 minute documentary entitled Calle Bardem. Directed by Alberto Leal it features interviews with Bardem's collaborators and peers including his writing partner Luis Berlanga as well as critics and scholars discussing his achievements in Spanish cinema. It is very educational and definitely worth watching. The package also includes a 30-page liner notes booklet featuring an essay by scholar Marsha Kinder and Bardem's 1955 call to arms for Spanish cinema.

I'm so very impressed with this film and very much appreciate Criterion bringing it to digital light for English-locked audiences. The pricing is not extensive and you get an enjoyable documentary as a viable supplement with this suspenseful, stylish film. I have really learned about a new director and intend to seek out more of his work now. I strongly recommend this package - personally speaking, a real eye-opener film-wise.    

Gary W. Tooze