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

NOTE: I can confirm that the BFI Blu-ray is region code 'B' and will NOT play on Blu-ray machines outside that region.

The differences between the DVD and Blu-ray image quality is extravagant. It is quite notable in the matched screen captures below. The DVD is hazy with weak, muddy contrast and the 1080P resolution disc improves upon it to a much higher ideal with richer black levels and brighter, more pure, whites. Detail is also a visible improvement and the Blu-ray supports the film grain extremely well. It looks quite marvelous. The disparity is so great that I suspect the SD-DVD may be the same transfer as the older out-of-print BFI edition from April 2003. I say this as I noted some minor differences in light damage marks that don't appear to be the same on both digital editions - some more visible on the hi-def rendering. This could very well be the transfer - but it did cross my mind a few times. For 4 quid more the Blu-ray offers far better value in my opinion even beyond the telltale image superiority.   

Audio-wise the DVD's mono was quite strong and the Blu-ray has an uncompressed linear PCM track. While differences may be subtle the HD audio is marginally crisper in dialogue and the sparse music and background sounds. Both offer removable English subtitles.

Extras are very good with an in-depth and revealing commentary by film historian Robert Murphy, with segmented (edited) input from writer Alan Sillitoe and cinematographer Freddie Francis. This is duplicated from the original DVD.  There is a new interview with Shirley Anne Field for 10-minutes in HD where she is revealed as quite candid about her past career and work in Saturday Night and Sunday Morning. She was certainly right about being photogenic as there are some stunning still photos of her shown during the interview. Wow. There is an extracted audio segment (less than 5 minutes) with Albert Finney - hosted by Michael Billington from 1982. BFI have included, also in HD, We Are the Lambeth Boys a 1959 Karel Reisz classic Free Cinema documentary. There is also an Illustrated booklet containing essays and biographies.

This is a perfect example of 'British kitchen sink' drama - quite an unforgettable classic of fatalism. The Blu-ray is definitely the best way to go for home viewing but and improves on every facet of the SD-DVD. We strongly encourage for those who are able to view it in region 'B' or who have a region-free Blu-ray player elsewhere.    

Gary W. Tooze