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

ADDITION: Cult Films Blu-ray (September 2022): Cult Films have transferred Michelangelo Antonioni's Identification of a Woman to Blu-ray. It is cited as being the "latest restoration from 2K source" and the '40th anniversary of the film'. So, there are quite a few differences from the 2011 Criterion Blu-ray. Firstly, this Cult Films 1080P transfer is in the 1.75:1 aspect ratio where the Criterion, and Mr. Bongo DVD, were 1.85:1. Generally, the UK edition has lost a sliver of information from the right and top edges of the frame. Beside the Epic film's image the Criterion looks to have a yellow or orange cast with the skin tones appearing less natural. The fact the Epic Film's HD presentation has richer, deeper colors and healthy black levels. For many visual facets it has advanced on the Criterion. The Epic Blu-ray is often brighter with more natural flesh tones. I think it is the best I have seen the film look on digital. 

NOTE: We have added 50 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Cult Films also use a linear PCM mono track (24-bit) in the original Italian language. Identification of a Woman is a passive film audio-wise and we will duplicate the comments from our article, HERE, on the film by Bruce Winstein: "And we know how important music is to Antonioni: throughout the film there is original music (composed by John Foxx) which contributes greatly to the overall spirit of the film but in the final scene in a hotel in Venice, there is a woman playing a Scriabin piano sonata. It seems to fit PERFECTLY with what is happening visually. In listening to some commercial recordings of this piece, it is clear that none of these would have worked in the film, for they are played with more expression and nuance, enough so that they would disrupt the balance that Antonioni wanted to achieved in the scene. Somehow he got it played beautifully enough but not too beautifully." There is other music in Identification of a Woman performed by Steve Hillage, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Peter Baumann, Tangerine Dream, Gianna Nannini and others plus Edvard Grieg's "Calma nella foresta". It sounds clean and clear in the uncompressed. Cult Films offer optional English subtitles on their Region 'B'-locked Blu-ray.

The Cult Films Blu-ray offers three extras (with English subtitles) starting with a new 1/2 hour interview with Antonioni’s wife Enrica Fico-Antonioni entitled “Identification of a Director”. Enrica played 'Nadia' in Identification of a Woman. It was nice to hear her insights and recollections. Cult Films also include an intimate hour-long video-diary of Antonioni filmed by his wife, Enrica. It is called “With Michelangelo” as we see the director in unrehearsed circumstances - talking and traveling in a car. It was made in 2005. He passed in 2007 at 94. There is also a 10-minute new video essay on Antonioni by Scholar Pasquale Iannone. The package has a transparent keep case with reversible cover art. The Criterion Blu-ray was an unusually bare-bones release with nothing more than a booklet featuring an essay by critic John Powers and a 1982 interview with director Michelangelo Antonioni by critic Gideon Bachmann.

Michelangelo Antonioni's Identification of a Woman is about an Italian filmmaker searching for a female lead in his next film, and also a future muse and lover - after separation from his wife. It is often considered to be Antonioni's last major work. There are instances of his observations on a changing world around him, insecurity, superficiality and emptiness. Identification of a Woman is notable for its more explicit sexual scenes plus the delightful fog-drenched set piece providing and air of mystery and emotional disorientation. I admit the Cult Films Blu-ray of Identification of a Woman gave me the impetus for discovering the film anew with its beautiful cinematography and poetic eroticism. He remains my favorite director. This is quite a video and supplement upgrade and we strongly recommend!

Gary Tooze