- Eric Cotenas

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

NOTE: I can confirm that the Svensk Filmindustri International Blu-ray is region free and will play on Blu-ray machines worldwide. The dual-layered SF Blu-ray also has removable, albeit smallish, white English subtitles. Svensk Filmindustri is the oldest and considered one of the most important Swedish motion-picture studios.

NOTE: This DVD and Blu-ray are representing the theatrical cut of Bergman's film Fanny och Alexander. As we related - there is 5-hour cut of Fanny and Alexander that was eventually shown on television. This 300 minute version can be purchased on Criterion DVD HERE in a boxset that includes the theatrical. It is compared to the AE PAL edition HERE.

The dual-layered SF Film Blu-ray is in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio where the Criterion DVD appears faithful in 1.66:1. We see a shade more information on the Blu-ray - notably on the side edges. While I don't find this consequential to the viewing experience - I would lean, as one of many criteria, towards an accurate 1.66 rendering if I had my choice. The Blu-ray shows evidence of DNR - removing detail and grain. While it can be impossible for me to state any definitive statements regarding the theatrical accuracy of the different color representations on each transfer - I can relate some opinions. Firstly, so as not to be accused of bias - I think both do a wonderful job of presenting the film experience. Where the Criterion leans to a cooler look, the SF Blu-ray is smoother and warmer being occasionally brighter with redder skin tones. While the Criterion skin tones look more pale /cool, and possibly realistic to some, I can't shake the feeling that there has been some subtle color manipulation on the transfer of this DVD. It is selectively done - so I can't make blanket statements about the process but sometimes black levels appear heightened and other times the contrast pumped a bit - making some of the brighter colors on the 1080P - seem faded on the DVD. I'll reiterate that this is only my opinion, but I felt the colors on the 1080P where probably more accurate to the theatrical. 

I've toggled back and forth between the DVD and Blu-ray and noted that either the Criterion has been marginally stretched vertically - with slightly slimmer faces - or SF Blu-ray has been squished horizontally (fatter faces). It's quite minimal but accentuated a bit by our captures sizes below. Like the aspect ratio difference, in normal viewing, I doubt it would hinder anyone from enjoying this masterpiece.

Finally about the image - the Blu-ray gives a higher level of emotional attachment to the film in my opinion. It has far more depth and, is thus, becomes more impacting. It produced the absolute best viewing experience of Fanny and Alexander that I have ever had (a total of four in my lifetime.) Others may disagree and it's hard not to credit the Criterion for another astounding DVD - garnering Top 10 votes in every category in our 2004 Year End Poll. Mathematically the Blu-ray has about 6 times the bitrate - generally meaning better compression, less artifacts and noise, more detail (despite the DNR), smoother, tighter etc.

Luiz says: "Gary, just some comments I would like to share with you about the Fanny BD and the Criterion version. Criterion seems to clip every data beyond 16-235 grey scale range. The problem is that they are probably editing at 0-255, and instead of compressing the data to 16-235 for the final encoding they are clipping it or actually delivering the whole 0-255 range but most monitors/TVs can't present this entire range. Even when your TV can if it is calibrated it is adjusted to clip everything beyond 16-235. But since the grabs come from your computer (which certainly is 0-255, unless the software used clips it...) it seem Criterion just clips the scale, leaving the shadows more strong and less detailed as well as the highlights. This is common practice among Criterion releases. Their BD releases seem to be correct, the entire 0-255 is compressed to 16-235. I believe you noticed the BD has a strong DNR applied to it, the Criterion DVD looks more detailed in a number of occasions." (thanks Luiz!)

Audio - where both have the original Swedish mono as an option the SF Blu-ray has it as an uncompressed LCPM track or the option of a DTS-HD Master core 1.0. This was immensely noticeable in the music which sounded just incredible as if the instruments were right in the room with me. Dialogue too was, at times, piercing. Criterion offer and English language DUB that I have never tested. Both offer optional English subtitles with the tacking on Dutch, Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish as further choices. Singing does not appear to have been translated.              

Supplements go firmly in Criterion's favor with the excellent Cowie commentary and a second, single-layered, disc which includes about 45 minutes of Bergman introductions of 11 of his films - quite interesting and very much worth seeing. The SF Blu-ray has nothing in the way of extras.

First and foremost its the film that is the most important attribute here. We can quibble about the transfer but it remains far more essential to see Fanny and Alexander than to worry about which is the best transfer. Funny, I can't imagine anyone who might be interested in the Blu-ray not already owning this on DVD (be it Criterion or not.) This is Bergman's second film to reach 1080P for home viewing (the other being The Seventh Seal) - for what it's worth I, personally, value this even more. It's so important to have options in life and I doubt anyone will be disappointed in their viewing of Fanny and Alexander through high-definition. For Bergman's loyal and extensive following that amounts to an encouraging recommendation from this reviewer.     

Gary W. Tooze