ADDITION: Wild Side - Region 'B' Blu-rays October 2018': Wild Side's Blu-ray of "The Seven Ups" comes in a beautiful package with a 184-page glossy booklet with highly interesting behind-the-scenes, script, and promo photos. The main body of text is in the French language, but this is remains an impressive package. The image here is probably closest to the Twilight Time release in terms of colors, although somewhat less-harsh in terms of saturation. The framing and lack of a stretched image are very similar to the Twilight Time. Where this disc differs is in contrast, the Wild Side Blu-ray is superior to the Twilight sporting a slightly brighter image with some softness. The 1.85:1 image has a supportive bitrate and looks even better in motion. There no English subtitles but thankfully the French subtitles are optional and not hardcoded to the image. The audio is available in either French or English in 24-bit DTS-HD Master Audio. This is a Region B Blu-ray. Previously released extras from the Signal One and Twilight Time releases are present here, in English (with French subtitles). There is also a extra (Unite de Choch - Faith Beddiar) but this in French (w/o English subtitles).

Colin Zavitz

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ADDITION: Twilight Time - Region FREE Blu-rays March 2018': Wow - quite a difference. The new Twilight Time, although also in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio, definitely shows the European versions to be horizontally stretched (as initially noted in our 2016 review below) and maybe the US version to be slight vertically stretched. The frame shifts slightly to the left (gains info on left loses on right) but also loses a lot of information in the bottom of the frame. Very odd. Colors are different too - with much warmer skins tones, very dark and thick - looks low-res, poor contrast!, but also a heavy green-blue-teal cast. It's dual-layered with a high bitrate but this has more to do with the US source vs. the European source. I prefer the detail on the Signal One but the ratio squishing is wildly apparent. As we always state: "it's nice to have options". I, personally, prefer the Signal One.

Twilight Time use a DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel mono for the audio transfer. It's 24-bit and may be a shade deeper than the Signal One but the differences are marginal. Both include optional English (SDH) subtitles. Twilight Time add both the option of access isolated score for the Don Ellis and, unused, Johnny Mandel scores (see paragraph below).

"Another French Connection alumnus returning here was late jazz composer Don Ellis, whose work on that film earned him a Grammy. However, he wasn't the initial choice; the original score was written by Johnny Mandel, who had scored hits with his soundtracks to films like M*A*S*H (1970) and The Sandpiper (1965). However, his work was rejected and Ellis was brought in to write a replacement score." (h/t TCM).

Aside from the exact same 'exclusive' audio commentary by Richard Harland Smith and supplements - introduction by Director-Producer Philip D’Antoni, 5 production featurettes, scrapbook, Super 8 Version, Lobby Cards, Stills and Media Gallery, original teaser and trailers - the Twilight adds the aforementioned isolated scores and liner notes. The Twilight Time is limited to 3,000 units.

We love it when there are differences and with the HD images - this is a substantial variance. It should be appreciated that the commentary/extras are essentially duplicated. Remains a wonderfully tense and gritty cop-thrillers of the 70's - pairing with Bullitt or The French Connection . Consumers have the choice of BDs that appeal to them the most.  

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ADDITION: Signal One - Region 'B' Blu-rays June 2016': Obviously the Signal One is the package to get - dual-layered with the much higher (max'ed out) bitrate than the German BD. This shows up in richer, darker visuals, slightly warmer skin tones and superior texture and grain support. The Koch may also be stretched horizontally a bit. Either way - it looks superior.

Signal One go with a linear PCM in the original mono - in 24-bit (to the German DTS-HD master 16-bit) it also deserves the nod as the best. Both Blu-rays offer optional English subtitles (SDH on the UK.)

Supplements also go the way of the Signal One Blu-ray with Criterion-level extras including an excellent new commentary by writer and film expert Richard Harland Smith and over 1 1/4 hour's worth of new interviews with director Philip D'Antoni, actor Tony Lo Bianco, technical adviser Randy Jurgensen, a brief introduction and a new documentary on the film's iconic car chase. Wow! These also include the vintage making of..., the, 17-minute, Super 8 version cut down to one reel so home viewers could enjoy a 'digest' version of the film, trailers, lobby cards etc..