NOTE: From Amazon: DVD Alert: We are aware that special features were missing from a number of Slumdog Millionaire DVDs. Fox has set up a hotline telephone number (1-888-223-4FOX) for those consumers who may have purchased a version that does not contain special features. Upon calling the hotline, these consumers will be able to have their disc replaced for one containing special features. Fox regrets any inconvenience this has caused.
 

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 NOTE: I don't believe this is a studio-supplied screener - yet despite the listing on the back of the box - this has NO viable extras (Menus do not support the supplements listed on the package as well - i.e. commentary, making of..., deleted scenes etc.) So there is an error somewhere. We will review this disc anticipating the mistake is on the box - NOT the DVD authoring. If it proves otherwise - we will alter our coverage. It is also possible that my copy, alone, is faulty - but due to the accuracy of the menus (specifically the Special Features Menu) I find this remote. Could it be the rental version? Lastly - it could be the rare 'Canadian' edition rearing its head - again unlikely IMO. Stay tuned.

As far as I can tell - this is the only SD-DVD release of Slumdog Millionaire coming out in region 1. It is bare-bones (see note above) but very reasonably priced especially when you consider the film's accolades which include the Oscar for Best Picture. I see the Blu-ray HERE is stacked with a Director commentary, Making of..., Deleted Scenes, a second disc of a Digital copy and more. The image quality on this DVD isn't particularly remarkable and shows all the weaknesses of the inferior format. Colors on the Blu-ray (eventually compared if we can ever crack it) are brighter, more depth and detail is a healthy notch up - but this DVD represents the film about as well as this progressive, anamorphic, dual-layered SD format can with a moderate bitrate and the feature taking up just under 6 Gig of space.

The audio is a reasonably clean 5.1 track with a fair amount of separation in the mix with the noisy locales of India producing some external audibles from the rear speakers. The Blu-ray goes a step further with a more dynamic DTS-HD having noticeably more depth. Hindi dialogue is shown in a burned-in subtitle over a transparent green rectangular taping and English, French and Spanish subs are removable in a white font (see samples below).

There are only 4 trailers as extras (and not one included for Slumdog Millionaire!) timing out at a little over 4 minutes. Not offering a two-disc DVD package containing most of the same supplements as the hi-def edition is an interesting choice by Fox.

As for this, the film is so highly lauded and the limited DVD package - but competent transfer - that it makes it hard not to glowingly recommend. The Blu-ray HERE is less than $10 more and seems like a far better 'deal' in my opinion with better image, audio and extensive extras.       

Gary W. Tooze