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

 

We are treated to Blu-rays of Paul Newman's The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man in the Moon Marigolds on both sides of the pond.  A Region FREE Twilight Time (US) and a Region 'B'-locked Indicator (UK). The 1080P image quality appears identical - both a '4K restoration from the original negative'. The Indicator has a max'ed out bitrate and may have a slight edge in-motion. Both transfers look excellent - beautiful, tight, colors,  film-like texture - very impressive visuals.

 

The Twilight Time Blu-ray use a DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel mono (24-bit) and Indicator go for a linear PCM mono (also 24-bit). Both sound the same to my ears. There are modest effects that come across authentically flat but with hints of depth. The score is credited to Maurice Jarre (The Tin Drum, The Man Who Would Be King, The Damned etc.) and it supports the film's humanity and drama very well in the uncompressed renderings. Both offer isolated score/effects options and both have optional English-SDH subtitles (see samples). As stated the Twilight Time is Region FREE and the Indicator Region 'B' Blu-ray disc.

Twilight Time have a trailer (along with the isolated score/effects track option.) Indicator include much more. There is an informative audio commentary with film historian Adrian Martin who focuses a lot on Newman as a director (comparing him to Robert Mulligan) and it is rewarding for those who wish to indulge. While the film plays you may also access The John Player Lecture with Paul Newman from 1972 - archival audio recording of an interview conducted by Derek Malcolm at London's National Film Theatre OR you can also listen to a Guardian Interview with Joanne Woodward from 1984 - lasting just over an hour. It is another archival audio recording of an interview conducted by Tony Bilbow at the National Film Theatre. We get a brief segment of the 1973 Cannes Film Festival press conference with Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward plus an original theatrical trailer, original TV spot and an image gallery of on-set and promotional photography. The Indicator package has a limited edition exclusive booklet with a new essay by Johnny Mains, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and historic articles on the film.

 

This is a fascinating film and even more so with the Martin commentary to reflect on. The Indicator Blu-ray offers many extras and is the definitive release but for those only interested in seeing the film in an excellent presentation - the Twilight Time will suffice quite well. This emotional film is brilliant and I am grateful to have it in my collection. Strongly recomemdned!   

Gary Tooze