ADDITION: Blu-ray - October 08': The screen grabs will indicate the new 1080P image is improved but not extravagantly so. But again, the 960 resized screen captures don't tell the entire story. I see the most noticeable advancement in colors - especially skin tones. The comparison captures of Mickey Rourke are probably the most telling... but it does excel in every other category as well - more detailed, more information in the frame (top), marginally brighter and shows more film grain/less noise etc. . In toggling back and forth on my system from the Deluxe SD-DVD to the Blu-ray I could see significant improvement in those features. The film was shot with a softer focus than most - possibly relating it to the shadowy noirs of the past that it channels. Hence, detail is never excessively sharp. The Blu-ray looks so much more like film though and I'll wager much more accurate to its original theatrical intent.

In the audio front we get a new TrueHD track that I wouldn't call overly buoyant. The center channel (dialogue) will get the lion's share of work but occasional whistling wind and other subtle details make their way to the rears creating a typically noir-esque aura. John Barry's competent original score for Body Heat accentuates the mood and seems an absolute perfect fit for the plot and characters. We also get a 5.1 track (no simple stereo!) and three 2.0 channel DUBs. As expected there are optional subtitles - even in German which support the transfer's region FREE status.

Extras are all duplicated from the Deluxe Edition SD (SEE BELOW) and it's still a shame no commentary was produced as the film is certainly worthy. None of the supplement featurettes or deleted scenes are in HD. Bottom line is that Warner's 1080P disc is heads and tails above the older DVDs - both visually and aurally - and personally I found this a strong factor in bonding with the narrative structure. In short if you love the film, Body Heat, the Blu-ray is the edition to own just don't expect modern film crispness in the image - it wasn't made to look that way.

 - Gary Tooze

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ON THE SD-DVDs: Although image differences don't appear as prominent as we have seen in other comparisons - they do exist. The old edition (came out back in 1997!) is cropped on all 4 edges, but most noticeably on the sides. The Deluxe edition is brighter, cleaner and smoother with far less digital noise, but skin tones are a shade redder. Overall, I definitely think it is an improvement. The new is also dual-layered and the previous single-layered.

Audio and subtitle options are the same with the the Deluxe edition sub font being less bold and not as intrusive. The original is in a dreaded snapper case where the Deluxe is in s standard keep case.

The attraction of the Deluxe Edition are the supplements - about 10 minutes worth of Deleted Scenes (5 of them) - three New Featurettes (Body Heat: The Plan (17:05), The Production (16:15) and The Post-Production running10:36). I enjoyed the 12-minute long 1981 interview footage with Kathleen Turner and William Hurt (12:35). They have also thrown in a theatrical trailer. There are no liner notes. I would have expected a commentary (possibly with Kasdan), but I guess it wasn't in the cards.

The film has strong atmosphere and performances - a great throwback from classic noir in an updated story. The Deluxe edition is priced to sell and we think it is a worthwhile purchase.  

 - Gary Tooze