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

NOTE: We are making an educated guess that the New Line Blu-ray is Region FREE - especially with the German and Russian language options but we don't know positively yet.

Stacked releases or what? Wow. Looking at the image discrepancy - we surely have seen greater variance in quality between SD and HD - and where the Blu-ray is more subtle in its visual superiority - that improvement certainly exists. Depending on the scene it can range from mild to extravagant. While both transfers appear slightly imperfect - with a possibility of mild manipulation - I thought they both represented the film adequately. The DVD is fairly strong considering the limitations of the format's dual-layering with so much space taken  up by the extensive supplements.  The Blu-ray - also dual-layered - has so much more space (more than 5 times) that this doesn't appear to be an issue.  Improvements are noted in the usual areas but detail may be the most prominent. The DVD image in The Notebook can appear hazier at times and the 1080P sharpens it up - perhaps not to perfection but reasonable enough to enjoy the presentation. There isn't a lot of difference in the color scheme of each format representation - skin tones lose the pasty orange appearance. Contrast is improved and easily noticeable on the Blu-ray release with a larger system identifying it more to much higher degree.

Audio-wise the Blu-ray again advances upon the 5.1 with a TrueHD mix. The film has a mostly passive, dialogue-driven track so it's not an obvious superiority but the TrueHD sets a cleaner mood/aura especially with Aaron Zigman's original score. There are poignant classical pieces used in the film from Chopin to Beethoven and some period pieces like I'll Be Seeing You and Alabamy Home that sound dynamite in HD. Overall - very competent and clean. 

Digital supplements are duplicated on both releases. Two commentaries - one with Cassavetes taking full advantage of the format by expanding upon multiple production details with his usual high energy. I'm not through with Sparks but he sounds comfortable and intelligent.  We get three decent featurettes - All in the Family - Nick Cassavetes (11:37), Nicholas Sparks: A Simple Story, Well Told (6:37) and Southern Exposure: Locating “The Notebook” (11:32.) Two pieces on casting with "Casting Ryan and Rachel" (4:05) and an audition tape of Rachel Adams (3:36.) There are 10 deleted scenes / 2 alternate scenes (2.35 / Dolby 5.1 - optional commentary by editor Alan Heim): Allie Confronts Noah in Bathtub (1:11), Alternate 1st Love Scene (6:19), Fin Consoles a Drunken Noah (2:34), No Letters (0:23), New Couple (0:51), Dad Visits Noah on Roof (2:31), Allie’s Return to Seabrook (2:13), Catching & Preparing Dinner (2:09), Duke Gives House to Kids (1:17), Allie Tries to Phone Noah (0:36), Alternate Second Love Scene (4:36) and Story of the Notebook (3:19). Digitally speaking there is also a theatrical trailer (2:19.) The Blu-ray package gives you some trinkets in, what resembles, a cigar/keepsake box (see image below) with an envelope of stickers and two laminated bookmarks, 16 small Envelopes and Note cards and a handsomely bound photo notebook (46-pages) with character descriptions, color photos and blank pages. I'm usually not keen on these type of additions as they generally of inferior quality but here everything is both practical and potentially functional.  

This is such a likeable film - making it easy to succumb to all its performance charms and to also want to see it in the best possible presentation. The Blu-ray is not perfect but does the superior job of the two - both visually and aurally. We are talking about double the cost but most will agree that it is worth it in the long run. The film is a rare love story - one that reflects cinema of the past - certainly worthy of any digital library. The Notebook is one of the best of its kind, that I've seen, in the past many years - approaching the level of Atonement - so, in my opinion, that means it is very highly recommended.     

Gary W. Tooze