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

ADDITION: Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray May 15': The short story on this is the 1080P grain which gives the film some texture making it far less 'video-flat' and more like it was shown theatrically. It is a dual-layered transfer with a very high bitrate and we must believe the best representation of the film we will likely ever get on digital. The higher resolution really does give it some much-needed depth and film-like presence.

The audio also improves - authentically 1.0 channel mono using a linear PCM transfer - there is depth not present on the SDs. It has strength in the dialogue voices that is not there on simple Dolby. There are optional English (SDH) subtitles on the region 'A'-locked Blu-ray disc.

Supplements duplicate the 2009 DVD: "There are 2009 video interviews with actors André Gregory and Wallace Shawn by filmmaker and friend Noah Baumbach. Amusingly Gregory has really aged but Shawn looks about the same. Strung together it's an hour-long piece shot exclusively for the Criterion Collection. “My Dinner with Louis,” is a 52-minute episode from the BBC program Arena, in which Shawn interviews director Louis Malle and lastly there is a 30-page booklet featuring an essay by critic Amy Taubin and the prefaces written by Gregory and Shawn for the published screenplay. Excellent work." 

What an enjoyable film experience - that continues to grow on me - this is especially true in the higher resolution. Those that haven't seen any of the André Gregory & Wallace Shawn: 3 Films package should probably pick that up but we can recommend fans to double dip on this for the improved presentation - both video and audio Recommended.

***

ADDITION: Criterion - June 09':  I believe this was 16mm and blown up to 35 and the production is rather pragmatic. The single-layered Fox Lorber is easily dismissible. The OOP (out-of-print) DVD from 1998 was in 1.33:1, full-frame - probably open-matte, aspect ratio where the Criterion is 1.66 - and presumably accurate. Due to the source quality this is not our greatest disparity in quality (see De Sica's Two Women) but it's dramatic enough. The Criterion detail, colors and contrast are unarguably improved and it has more information in the side edges (less on top/bottom). The Criterion shows some grain but I bet this looks very authentic and textured in Blu-ray - although a 1080P rendition for consumers is not in the cards at this time.

NOTE: There is a, fairly recent, UK DVD edition from Optimum HERE but I don't own to compare.

While the audio on the Criterion is expectantly flat and occasionally scattered - it towers above the F/L which has background hiss issues that tended to disturb the viewing experience. The old edition has no subtitles where Criterion, expectantly, offer optional English (sample below).

There is no commentary but Criterion have added a second DVD of supplements.
There are new video interviews with actors André Gregory and Wallace Shawn by filmmaker and friend Noah Baumbach. Amusingly Gregory has really aged but Shawn looks about the same. Strung together it's an hour-long piece shot exclusively for the Criterion Collection. “My Dinner with Louis,” is a 52-minute episode from the BBC program Arena, in which Shawn interviews director Louis Malle and lastly there is a 30-page booklet featuring an essay by critic Amy Taubin and the prefaces written by Gregory and Shawn for the published screenplay. Excellent work.

I saw this years ago but never really warmed to it, but my Criterion viewing changed that quite a lot - it's either the transfer of my taste has altered (probably both). Wally Shawn is such an intriguing character with his urchin looks and distinct voice - who can forget him in The Princess Bride. I truly believe Criterion have done the best they could with My Dinner With Andre in the SD-DVD format. A memorable, and now almost an iconic, film expression that few can forget. About time Criterion - Recommended!   

****

ON THE FOX / LORBER: This is often regarded by DVD-ophiles as one of the weakest looking transfers ever put to digital. Unfortunately, it is also the only release on DVD of this film and it continues to fetch prices above $100 in online auctions.

Matt Lipson from Criterion has confirmed that they own the rights and are planning to release it in the near future.

 - Gary Tooze

***

ON THE FOX / LORBER: An early and out of print DVD from Fox Lorber. The transfer is lackluster with chroma errors, color fluctuation and a green tinge, lots of damage during reel changes and dust and scratches all over. There's an irritating film error in chapters 7-8 (a white blob and a hair moving around). The picture is pretty soft but at least it's progressively transferred. This DVD is very pricey at Amazon Marketplace and I certainly don't think it's worth >$100 but the film is great and I do hope someone will re-release it to DVD in the future. Meanwhile, I don't think there's much difference between a VHS and this DVD.

 - Daniel Mott