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

ADDITION: Twilight Time Blu-ray - July 14': After seeing Under the Skin - I was keen to re-visit a previous film by the director, Jonathan Glazer. Hand it to Twilight Time! They offer both the 1.78:1 and 2.35:1 transfers of Sexy Beast on the same dual-layered Blu-ray. This is one diplomatic way to resolve the debate! So we have added captures from both below for you to compare yourself - only information is lost, or gained, on the top and bottom of the frame. The US edition is 1080P- AVC and looks tighter than the VC-1 encoded UK Blu-ray that is interlaced. It is also notably superior 'in-motion'.

Audio on the US Blu-ray also gets the nod which a more robust DTS-HD Master surround as well as a lossless stereo option. Both sounds excellent and twilight Time add the option of the Isolated score track accessible. Like the UK release - it offers optional English subtitles.

Supplements add the same commentary and featurette as the 4DVD but additionally include the aforementioned isolated score and some liner notes by Julie Kirgo!

This is limited to only 3,000 copies so I wouldn't wait. The Twilight Time is the definitive edition and Glazer's film should be part of many people's digital library. Don't wait unless you want to spend exorbitant prices on eBay or 3rd part sellers.

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ADDITION: 4DVD - Region 'B' Blu-ray - June 09': Before we get into the image transfers - let's talk about Sexy Beast's aspect ratio. The US, UK and French DVDs have the film in a, somewhat cramped, 2.35:1 AR. IMDb, Amazon and a number of other sources claim it was originally (or composed for) 1.85:1. I've read online arguments going both ways - and I admittedly liked the film in 2.35 but there seems to be an inordinate amount of chopped heads at 2.35. This, of course, doesn't mean that this is 'incorrect'. You may judge for yourself by the captures below but 1.85 seems more centered to me. I'm truly non-committal - although this might end up being more of a personal choice as we would all like to see it the way it was 'meant' to be shown.

Unfortunately the new Blu-ray transfer is interlaced (1080i). I never found it problematic, in my viewing, nor saw combing or related artifacts - and the time is not 4% faster (as a PAL transfer would be). My software tells me it's 29.970 fps. Detail seems marginally improved - perhaps less so with colors - and it shows more depth than the DVD. It's a single-layered VC-1 transfer and could definitely look better I think. The Blu-ray is slightly brighter. In all honestly, despite the interlacing - it does look superior to the DVD but I suspect the aspect ratio is a more prescient issue for most folks. I found it quite a different film experience in 1.85. Along with the improved image quality - possibly a more impacting one.

The Blu-ray offers a DTS-HD master at over 2000 kbps but I never found it intense enough to be able to identify scene differences from the DVD's standard 5.1 - although I admit they must exist. Both editions offer optional English subtitles but DVD adds Spanish. My Momitsu tells me this release is region 'B'-locked!

These editions have the same extras - the Kingsley / Thomas commentary and the 7-minute behind the scenes SD featurette with interview tidbits from cast and crew. The Fox DVD seems to have slapped on a few more unrelated trailers.

Memorable film with Kingsley's iconic performance - perhaps the total antithesis of his Gandhi. There is still some disappointment here and the aspect ratio issue will probably prevail as the important feature, but the 4DVD Blu-ray's interlacing weakness - although it is superior to the DVD - should be unacceptable (PLEASE stop doing this!). However, IF you do feel the 1.85 is accurate then this imperfect Blu-ray is the way to go although there are obviously better reasons to indulge in a Momitsu region FREE Blu-ray player.

     

Gary W. Tooze