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

ADDITION: Kino - Region 'A' Blu-ray (January 2019): Desert Fury with it's extensive homo-erotic motifs is somewhat of a 'cult' film within the Noir cycle and its release on Blu-ray by Kino is significant for fans of the film. This is a Technicolor film and the process rarely comes through as vibrant on digital as it does in theatres. But the DVDs did an admirable job if overly bright. The 1080P transfer is accurately darker but colors (compare Scott's green sweater) are definitely richer. The grain textures are another area that the higher resolution advances upon the SD. Despite a minor few flecks of color the HD presentation is gorgeous - especially night scenes or Lancaster's black leather jacket which shine with the layered contrast. The image quality is brilliant - one of the most attractive looking films on Blu-ray that I've seen in months. It should also be noted that this is in the theatrical running time - where both DVDs had PAL speedup.

Kino use a DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel mono (16-bit) audio transfer for Desert Fury. The film has been notable for its limited action or aggressive gunplay - until later in the film but the film's sound is an important part of the film experience thanks to iconic Miklós Rózsa score (The Killers, The Lost Weekend, The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes, The Strange Love of Martha Ivers, Double Indemnity) and it sounds subtly impacting in the lossless transfer. Kino add optional English subtitles (see sample below) on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

Aside from a trailer (and trailers for other Lancaster films) Kino add a new audio commentary by Film Historian Imogen Sara Smith, author of In Lonely Places: Film Noir Beyond the City. It is fully professional discussing the private and professional lives of Mary Astor, screenplay writer Robert Rossen, Lancaster, Lizabeth Scott, Edith Head, Wendell Corey and addresses Eddie Muller's comment that this is the 'gayest movie in Noir' citing examples within the film. She comments on the film's impressive colors, desert vistas and much more. The commentary is an extremely valuable part of this package if the a/v were not enough for most.

Desert Fury is one of the most unique Noirs with a stellar cast, Technicolor brilliance and it's homo-eroticism always seething beneath the surface. This is already one of my favorite Blu-rays of the early year and it has a wonderful commentary. It has our absolute highest recommendation!

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ADDITION: Koch Media - Region 2 - PAL (August 2010): Seems like the exact same excellent transfer (hope I got the frame matches the same). Koch has a nice package but the liner notes are in German and the DV1 is region FREE - although both are in the PAL standard. Noir and Lizabeth Scott fans will be happy with whatever is the cheapest option for them. Sweetness...

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ON THE DV1: First off - I LOVE this film - and this new DV1 (Australian) Region 0 - PAL DVD blows away my old black and white DVD-R (from TV) transfer.... by a mile.  It is most impressive for the sumptuousness and brilliancy of the Technicolor. Even more so considering this is a single-layered effort. Lizabeth Scott is absolutely radiant! Wow!

Now, it's not perfect as colors look a little faded in a few spots but this is one DVD I have my grip tightly on - and I'm not letting go. Detail is very strong (this film can't be 60 years old!) and the transfer seems fairly free of artifacts and is progressive. I am most impressed.

The audio is represented by a consistent and clear mono 2.0 channel effort. No complaints there with no major dropouts or hiss to note. There are no subtitles offered for this edition of Desert Fury.

Extras consistent solely of a one page liner notes essay by DVDBeaver-brethren Vigen Galstyan. There is a poorer Spanish DVD edition available HERE but this is the one to own and it's primo in the noir canon. No brainer purchase - get it while you can. 

Gary W. Tooze