Supplements duplicate the Fox with the excellent commentary by Anthony Slide and Robert Birchard where they discuss the long takes, differences from the popular novel, the extensive extras (16,000?), Power, Tierney, Clifton Webb, Goulding, the history of the wedding gown used in the film (designed by Tierney's future husband Oleg Cassini), the proposed but rejected intermission and much more. We also have the Fox Movie-Tone News but there is a second disc PAL DVD included.

So, the Fox Blu-ray is unavailable - fetching big bucks in some auctions. The Signal One has an inferior a/v transfer but marginally more film-like and it the same extras. I had forgotten how informative the commentary is. I'm very glad I revisited the film with restless Larry Darrell (Tyrone Power) seeking meaning in his life after being traumatized as a pilot in the war - rejecting a conventional life. George Cukor was slated to direct but he wasn't keen on the screenplay. Somerset Maugham (played by Herbert Marshall) pushed for Gene Tierney. Betty Grable and Judy Garland were originally considered for the role of Sophie before Anne Baxter was cast. The Razor's Edge is a stacked film with extensive production values. A very worthwhile film and commentary for fans who missed out on the Fox BD.    

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ADDITION: (January 2015) 20th Century Fox - Region FREE - Blu-ray: A successful dual-layered transfer with a max'ed high bitrate for the 2.5 hour film. I was impressed by the SD back in 2005 but it does look greenish beside the new 1080P, which advances with richer black levels and the high resolution brings out the film's textures but it can tend to look a bit digitized. The source still has some light scratches and marks, plus a bit of contrast flickering but overall, in-motion, it looks quite good.

Included is an authentic DTS-HD Master mono track at 1089 kbps. It sounds clean, consistent and flat with the depth prevalent in the noble score by Alfred Newman (The Diary of Anne Frank, Bus Stop, Blood and Sand, A Letter to Three Wives, Panic in the Streets etc.) sounding majestic and brilliant. There are optional, white, subtitles (see below) on the Region FREE Blu-ray disc.

Extras mimic the DVD with the commentary by Anthony Slide and Robert Birchard and Fox Movie-Tone News but we lose the liner notes and poster image. What a great film - magnificent and one we can whole-heartedly recommend in this superior, if imperfect, HD release. I can't think of a reason not to own this film in your collection. 

***

ON THE DVD: I'm always swayed by Gene Tierney's beauty, but this is a decent image. Progressive, 1.33 ratio, film grain prevalent, good contrast and relatively sharp. Both English audio tracks seemed clear and defined to me, although I only test the stereo option briefly. I don't like the bright yellow subtitles, but they are readable and accurate. I'm about 2/5ths through the commentary and am enjoying the insights. This is great film with a universal theme still prevalent today.  

Gary W. Tooze