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

ADDITION: Criterion Region 'A' - Blu-ray - September 2016: Firstly, I should clear up a misconception. The DVD captures are not mine and I can see now, not derived by our current methodology. This has happened, rarely, throughout the years. I can tell by looking at the bitrate graph that this contributor was using a Mac. I suspect his settings dampened the image's colors and contrast. It is not captured so as to obtain 960 pixel resolution captures. So you may ask, why are you comparing to this DVD? I  think it, comparatively, still has value in this case for things like the extras and the framing, bitrate etc. . If I can, easily, get an original Criterion DVD, I may redo the captures to make that part of this review more relevant. More so than simply Blu-ray captures alone. So, if you feel the DVD captures are irrelevant - ignore them. The Blu-ray captures were derived from the same method we have been using for HD - prominently on the site (over 4,000 reviews/comparisons.)

So let's talk about the Blu-ray transfer. It is house on it's own dual-layered disc (extras on a separate Blu-ray) for the 3 hour films with a supportive bitrate. It looks to be max'ed out for the film's running length and a, almost totally, filled dual-layered disc (over 48.5 Gig.) So, colors, flesh tones look brighter and far more realistic. There is softness but the same type of gritty, grassroots, texturizing we have seen from almost all of Altman's films. None are pristinely tight and glossy - that is contrary to the intended style. But most can see from the 1080p captures that the Blu-ray is sharper and  more balanced. More like the theatrical film? That is how I would, certainly, wager.

Criterion give the option of a DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel at 2120 kbps or a robust DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround at 3739 kbps (both 24-bit) - and, like the 2004 DVD, as well as the option of the isolated score. The surround helps with the dialogue but it is not as discretely separated as more modern films. Effects and aggression export depth and the score by Mark Isham (Little Man Tate, Of Mice and Men, Crossing Over, In the Valley of Elah, A River Runs Through It) supports the film as well as you might anticipate. There are optional English (SDH) subtitles and the Blu-ray disc is region 'A'-locked.

Criterion include extras from their previous DVD including the 1/2 hour conversation between director Robert Altman and actor Tim Robbins from 2004 as well as Luck, Trust & Ketchup: Robert Altman in Carver Country, the 1.5 hour 1993 documentary, directed by John Dorr, Mike Kaplan, on the making of Short Cuts with input from much of the cast including Altman, Tim Robbins, Fred Ward, Matthew Modine, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Andie MacDowell, Julianne Moore etc. Also duplicated is the 50-minute, 1983 audio interview with Carver conducted by Kay Bonetti, for the American Audio Prose Library, the two deleted and one alternate scene (Smoking - 1:08, Hey Clown -0:38, I Threw it Away - 2:24) and a look inside the marketing of Short Cuts, featuring trailers and more than sixty print advertising campaigns. To Write and Keep Kind is a 56-minute, 1992, PBS documentary on the life of author Raymond Carver. It features interviews with the writer's family and friends providing and insightful look as his short stories and poems. There are also four original demo recordings of the film’s Doc Pomus–Mac Rebennack songs, performed by Rebennack (Dr. John) plus the package has a liner notes booklet with an essay by film critic Michael Wilmington (as found on the 2004 DVD.)

Another incredible Blu-ray package of an Altman film - by the folks at Criterion. Two Blu-ray - the film in a wonderful new 1080P transfer and an entire second BD of supplements. Brilliant cinema that you would love to go on forever. This is another Blu-ray that has out highest recommendation! 

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ON THE DVD (2004):  There are some very vibrant colors in this 'director approved' Criterion DVD. Although they appear extravagant at times I suspect it was as theatrically shown. This may not be as crisp as other Criterion offerings but it comes in a stupendous 2-disc package with a host of extra features. The erratic image quality is absolutely a function of Altman's shooting methods. Contrast is good, aspect ratio is maintained, subtitles are perfect - nothing for Altman fans to complain about. Another gem from Criterion.

Gary W. Tooze