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

ADDITION: Indicator - Region 'B' Blu-ray (April 24th, 2019): Nicolas Roeg's "Track 29" has its world premiere on Blu-ray thanks to Indicator. This is plainly stated as an HD remaster. The 1.85:1 HD image is light years ahead of the previously released DVD. That being said the image can appear a bit soft and thick, most likely due to whatever source print was available to Indicator. There are rarely any instances of damage, with the texture looking clean throughout. Black levels are competent, showing a modest range, without crushing. Colors seem appropriately bright and vibrant, and skin tones look healthy and realistic.

From the opening chords of John Lennon's Mother, and its abrupt cut-out / cut-back-in matching what we see on the screen, the music and diagetic/non-diagetic sounds all play a key role in this film. Thankfully the 24-bit linear PCM audio track supports these moments, exporting a strong representation of the film's original stereo audio, whether you are listening while watching the film or via the optional isolated music & effects track. The score is thanks to the prolific Stanley Myers ("Take a Girl Like You", The Wilby Conspiracy,  Eureka, Cimino's The Deer Hunter, Roeg's Insignificance, Harold Becker's The Boost, Pete Walker House of Mortal Sin and Frightmare, etc.) Dialogue is easily decipherable and clear. There are also optional English SDH subtitles available on this Region 'B' Blu-ray from Indicator.

In true Indicator fashion, this Blu-ray is chock-full of substantial extras. The first being a 1-hour and 21-minute archival audio recording of director Roeg, in conversation at London’s National Film Theatre. The interview is played over the film itself. Next up is an audio commentary with filmmaker and film historian, Jim Hemphill. This is a good listen, with Hemphill jumping into the possible readings of the film right from the start. As Oldman's character appears out of thin air onto the bridge, Theresa Russell's character is watching a TV, and as Hemphill points out, the narration emanating from the tube could very well substitute for a reading of the very film about to unfold. To those curious, the TV narrator speaks "...even time itself can be bent and twisted, and unbelievable as it may seem, two or more things can inhabit the same area at the same time, coexisting in parallel dimensions". "Postcards from Cape Fear" is a 17-minute interview with actor Colleen Camp (Yvette from Clue!) recalling the experience of working with Nicolas Roeg. "On the Right Track" features editor and longtime Roeg collaborator Tony Lawson spending 10-minutes discussing the construction of the film. "An Air of Mystery" has costume designer Shuna Harwood detailing the distinctive look of Track 29. "Buzz and Gossip" is a 15-minute piece with sound mixer David Stephenson reflecting on the challenges of making the film. As mentioned above, there is also the option of watching the film with an Isolated music & effects track, which works to emphasize the subtleties of Stanley Myers' unique and varied music, which would otherwise be buried under the dialogue and sound effects. Also here is an image gallery and the film's original trailer. There is a limited edition exclusive 36-page booklet with a new essay by Danny Leigh, Dennis Potter and Theresa Russell on Track 29, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and film credits.

At first glance "Track 29" certainly appears to be a bit of an outlier in the canon of Nicolas Roeg. Upon further inspection, one tends to notice a style and theme typically and uniquely his own. Though the film reaches more toward the absurd and comedic, there is certainly a deeper and darker symptomatic reading of the film lurking beneath the exposition. Moments of orgasmic ecstasy or bursts of violence are aided by Roeg's frequent elliptical shots, beautifully edited by Tony Lawson (Don't Look Now, Straw Dogs). Indicator's image is surely from the best source available, and this absolutely blows the cropped SD DVD right out of the water. Recommended to fans of Roeg, and writer Dennis Potter.

Colin Zavitz

***

ON THE DVD (2007): The most intriguing problem with this film is trying to ascertain its proper aspect ratio. Both current DVD editions present the film in a 1:1.33 (4:3) format, but I find it very difficult to believe that this is correct, given that it was not produced (as far as I am aware) as a TV movie. I have strong suspicions that the master copy used to create this DVD is the exact same master copy used to produce the 1987 Cannon Video VHS editions, as the picture has a clear video-like quality to it (I wouldn't be surprised if the master used to make this DVD was a twenty year old Beta SP tape).

Ultimately this is a cheap DVD edition and no expense has been spent on its production. This is certainly a film that deserved better, and this dreadful edition does not do it justice. I may be wrong - perhaps this film looks just the way that Roeg intended, but I'd be amazed if it does.

 - Rob Farmer

Anchor Bay

Region 2 - PAL