ADDITION Universal 70th Anniversary Limited Edition - Region FREE Blu-ray - April 2014:  Firstly, obtaining matching captures was very difficult as there was a timeline on the Universal. I did the best I could.

Well, well, well - despite the near parity in technical details of the new Universal transfer as compared to the Masters of Cinema rendering - there are some fairly big differences in the image quality. Between the two there is some movement in the frame - sometimes less information in the frame (a notable amount) occasionally more, less grain and richer black levels on the US BD. The overall presentation is darker. Have they 'manipulated'? quite possibly but I didn't find any excessive waxiness (perhaps a shade in one late scene) or unnatural flatness to the image. I thought it looked very solid from standard viewing - just different (see Brian's comments below). Personally, I like the grain textures of the UK disc but I can see the appeal, for some, in the smoother, darker image of the Universal. Heck, for some, the additional information in the frame is enough of a deal-breaker - so to each his own. I thoroughly enjoyed my viewing. Those projecting and have some strong sensitivities - may find noticeable flaws in the Universal. To be honest - I really couldn't. I think it is kind of cool that they are, so, different.

Brain tells us on our FB page: "Safe bet each Blu-ray uses different elements. I don't detect any DNR, which leads me to believe Universal used either the o-neg, or more likely a 1st gen master interpositive. Likely for their release MoC had to use the best available to them, perhaps from the BFI or some other archive, using either a dupe neg or a reference print, but definitely a generation or two removed from the Universal source. This difference is most apparent if you compare the caps of Edward G. Robinson against the windows. The grain structure is very different. And if they used a dupe, it would explain the cropping which likely would've happened when the dupe was made; MoC would never intentionally crop a transfer. Both did very nice jobs based on the materials available to them. " (Thanks Brian!)

James White tells us in email: "Just a quick comment regarding your comparison review of the Double Indemnity Universal BD with the MOC. As you may be aware, I did some work on MOC's master for their release, and wanted to clarify that the source HD master came direct from Universal with additional grading and cleanup overseen by yours truly, which we thought necessary as it appeared that only minimal cleanup had been applied by Universal at that time. (All this info is in the MOC booklet, so there shouldn't be any speculation as to where our master came from) I haven't seen the new release from Universal, but I would guess that the original source elements may be the same, but Universal did additional grading and cleanup that took the appearance in a slightly different direction than ours. One of the key issues we were most concerned about Reuther ours was preserving the original grain structure, which I'm still pleased with on our MOC version." (Thanks James!)

Audio-wise - the Universal is a shade more robust - notable in the depth of Miklós Rózsa score. Universal offer a Spanish DUB (not lossless) and offer subtitles - directly underneath the character speaking (see sample below). The US Blu-ray is region FREE - as all Universal discs tend to be.

We get the two commentaries from the 2006 Universal DVD. The first, and excellent, with film historian Richard Schickel and the second - also brimming with information - with screenwriter Lem Dobbs and Film Historian Nick Redman. There is a brief introduction by Robert Osborne, the Shadows of Suspense documentary (also on the 2006 DVD and MoC Blu-ray described below; "...essential input from Eddie Muller, James Ursini, Alain Silver, Drew Casper, William Friendkin and more. The Richard Schickel commentary is good , if a little dry - he brings up MacMurray's straight-laced persona and Stanwyck's inert sexuality and legendary Noir status. I enjoyed his input on the Chandler/Wilder screenplay/dialogue..." and the 1973 TV Movie Double Indemnity (as well a duplicate from the old SD) with Richard Crenna, Lee J. Cobb, and Samantha Eggar plus a theatrical trailer. The package includes postcard-sized envelope with a US reproduction theatrical poster, 3 US Lobby cards reproductions and an image of the alternate 'gas chamber' ending. There is s leaflet with the Includes UltraViolet code for stream and download. So nothing new at all - except the cards and ability to download for a portable device etc.

There you have it - a definite option of an absolute must-own Noir film in HD. I suspect that many Region 'A'-locked Blu-ray fans will certainly appreciate this 1080P image.

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ADDITION Masters of Cinema Blu-ray - June 2012: Just brilliant! The new Masters of Cinema 1080P transfer far exceeded my expectations. I found the more prevalent and consistent grain the biggest attribute - but there is more. The contrast layering is superb and the Blu-ray exudes a powerful film-like presence. There is more information in the frame - notably at the bottom edge. There are some inconsistencies with the source - but these are the same ones I noted on the DVD(s) - ex. background/shadow flickering in the first scene of Neff's confession. The flickering is more visible in the darker sequences. The MoC is brighter and more detailed - I was mesmerized by my viewing. Fabulous!

Audio goes lossless too with the Miklós Rózsa score giving off noir vibes all on its own (offered as an isolated track on the Blu-ray.) There are optional English (SDH) subtitles - see sample - on the region 'B'-locked disc.

We get the Redman / Dobbs commentary from Universal's 2006 DVD as well as the 37-minute, 2006, documentary Shadows of Suspense featuring film historians, directors, and authors discussing the making of Double Indemnity, plus a 1945 Screen Guild Theater radio adaptation of Double Indemnity, starring Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray running a 1/2 hour. There is an original theatrical trailer and the aforementioned optional 'Isolated' music and effects track. Masters of Cienma have included a wonderful 36-page booklet featuring a 1976 interview by John Allyn with Billy Wilder; an extract from a 1976 interview with James M. Cain comparing his original serial with Wilder’s film adaptation; documentation of novelist and Double Indemnity co-screenwriter Raymond Chandler’s attitude toward working within the Hollywood studio system; an extract from the original screenplay depicting the excised “death chamber” ending; a note on the restoration; and rare archival imagery.

Another in the long list of reasons for those on this side of the pond to indulge in a region FREE Blu-ray player. I've seen the film on many occasions but this 1080P viewing was very special - close to seeing it for the first time. Our highest recommendation!

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