ADDITION - Region 'A' Blu-ray - April 09': Image : 9/10
The first number indicates a relative level of excellence compared to other Blu-ray video discs on a ten-point scale. The second number places this image along the full range of DVD and Blu-ray discs.

Gary raised a number of minor concerns about the DVD image that he suspected would be corrected on Blu-ray. I suspect he will be surprised by the difference. Possibly influenced by the recent deluge of digitally processed movies of late, I found the experience of watching this movie, at least for the first half hour or so, to be surprisingly relaxing. I was keenly aware that the medium itself, Blu-ray, is digital, but that it did not deter from my feeling engaged by its original source: film. There is something tangible about an image derived from a properly exposed negative, and this one is among the best. When I could take my mind off the movie to seek them out, I was aware of no artifacts, only some trifling edge-enhancement. Surfaces, from plaster to flesh, have a substance to them that makes one almost swoon with pleasure. Hair has a lightness that you can feel. Shadow and highlight detail is always assured. Of course, it helps that the movie is relatively devoid of post-processed visual effects, at least for the first act.

Audio & Music : 7/9
As Gary rightly points out, The Reader is mostly a dialogue driven movie that doesn't engage the surrounds very much. Indeed one would necessarily come to this impression when listening to the DVD's DD 5.1. But once again, uncompressed audio scores: Every word is now clear, even those spoken in hushed whispers – and there are many - so that we can go with the flow of the language without strain or complaint. Atmospherics, such as in the rotunda of the court building, make its case without bringing attention to themselves. The church choir slowly envelopes us as it does Hanna. Restraint is the order of the day in the score by 27-year old American composer Nico Muhly. Relying on the subtlest of music cues, often just a piano and strings, the Dolby TrueHD mix conveys the shifting moods with just enough clarity to ensure it doesn't turn into mush.

Extras are duplicated (see below).

Blu-ray Recommendation : 9
Despite its modest, even paltry extra features – no new ones beyond those on the DVD, nor any in HD – I give this release a high recommendation. The movie is a provocative, well-intentioned, if not problematic drama, and the image is reference quality.

ON THE DVD: I liked The Reader, but while I don't believe I loved it - it certainly is worthy of deep respect and even adoration. This is a very well crafted film - from an impacting story and performances are all quite memorable.

The Weinstein DVD has some issues that I am sure will be corrected on the Blu-ray - conveniently due out just 2 weeks later HERE.  While the overall bitrate is very low - it seems the feature video portion itself takes up less than 4.5 Gig of space on this dual-layered disc. The image is not overly weak or fraught with intense artifacts but I imagine it could look (and will) far superior - possibly showing more grain and depth. As far as standard-definition goes - detail is acceptable with some minor softness issues. Perhaps I am being too picky but expect a big difference (tightening up) in the 1080P version - which we will add to this review as soon as we can. This DVD is expectantly progressive and has the theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85. It is coded for region 1 in the NTSC standard.

Audio is 5.1 but the film rarely supports dynamic separations with a mostly dialogue driven track. There isn't much 'surround' in the mix (a few subtle instances) but audio levels are consistent and clean. There is a French DUB and subtitles in English or Spanish.

Supplements contain 12 deleted scenes (over 40-minutes worth) - that I can't say would enhance the 'puzzle' factor or ingratiate anyone towards the pacing of the film. But there is some interesting acting and character development that obviously got left on the cutting room floor. One interesting segment is entitled "German Guilt" with Ganz which may be worth the 4-minutes invested.  After that there is close to an hours worth of 5 separate production featurettes - covering the usual (Making of, Interviews, Make-up, music etc.).  These have a modicum of interest but this is probably directly proportional to your enjoyment of the film and Winslet's fine performance. 

While it is common-place to be blasé about the central issue of the plot - the film is so brilliantly realized that it gives a denser meaning to its conclusion.  The DVD gives wholly decent presentation but consumer's tastes seem to be elevating these days and some may expect more from the transfer. Hopefully the Blu-ray will be a stunner. There is some wonderful cinematography and I look forward to seeing it in high-definition. As for the film - I'm very positive on its cinema value and encourage everyone to watch it when they have the opportunity. The Reader is vastly better than most films I watch as a DVD reviewer. 

Gary W. Tooze