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

Criterion's Wanda Blu-ray is advertised as a "New 2K digital restoration by the UCLA Film & Television Archive, The Film Foundation, and Gucci" and has been preserved from the original 16mm color reversal a/b rolls, the original 16mm optical track, and an original 35mm release print. Digital restoration has been conducted on selected sequences to repair damage to the source elements. In keeping with the film's low budget, certain production artifacts have been left intact. The 35mm preservation elements restore Wanda's original sound mix and shooting aspect ratio. The restoration was completed 2010. This about sums up the image - on a dual-layered Blu-ray with a max'ed out bitrate; true to its low-budget roots, with the best transfer they could achieve with their resources. Interiors can look greenish. Grain levels are somewhat heavy and thick but this is true of the film stock used. Colors and contrast levels are strong, with only the occasional dip in quality (a shot at the bank vault comes to mind).

Criterion have included the uncompressed monaural soundtrack in a linear PCM 1.0 24-bit track. Given the low-budget of the film, the soundtrack sounds surprisingly coherent, with audible dialogue and sound effects. The sounds of the factories, mines, and city streets sound appropriately grimy and contrast the quieter moments in bedrooms. There is no score to this film, adding to its' vérité style. There are optional English subtitles on this Region 'A' Blu-ray.

Criterion have included an hour-long 1980 documentary by Katja Raganelli, featuring an interview with Wanda director Barbara Loden and brief interviews with cinematographer Nicholas T. Proferes and acting teacher Paul Mann. Also included here is a 14-minute segment from "The Dick Cavett Show" featuring a guest appearance by director Barbara Loden, promoting Wanda. It aired March 4, 1971. Another welcome inclusion on this Blu-ray is an audio recording from April 2,1971, of director Barbara Loden speaking to students about the challenges of making one's first film, as part of the Harold Lloyd Master Seminar series at the American Film Institute. Criterion also include a 1975 half-hour educational film about a pioneer woman struggling to survive with her family on the Kansas prairie. Barbara Loden directed and stars in this film. There is also a booklet featuring an essay by film critic Amy Taubin and the new cover is thanks to Eric Skillman.

Wanda was Barbara Loden's sole feature as a director. She also wrote the film, and it is a tragic modern, almost picaresque take on America in the 70s, with Loden in the starring role almost always held by a man. It is reminiscent of Herzog's Stroszek or Rafelson's Five Easy Pieces (which was also a film from 1970). The film was shot by Nicholas T. Proferes, who also shot Elia Kazan's "The Visitors". Though some may find this film somewhat of a slog, it is worth seeing through to the end, and it is a shame that Loden never directed another feature film. An interesting Blu-ray addition to the Criterion Collection.

Colin Zavitz