The newer Eureka Blu-ray advances over the Shout! Factory by having a max'ed out bitrate (almost 50% higher than the US transfer). This shows in the visuals with slightly richer colors and an, overall, smoother in-motion appearance. Looking closely you may be able to see the stronger attributes of the Eureka with a tighter, more film-like image. I would assume the source is the same with both having the exact same running time to the 1/1000th of a second. Simply put - the UK transfer is more robust and produces the better viewing - dependant on the size of your system or how discerning your eye is.

The audio is strong for both and too similar to be able to distinguish differences. Both use a DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround and while both offer a stereo option - the Eureka is in linear PCM supporting a slightly crisper high-end, imo. The film's music is accurately described in the Eureka description as "fantastic cutting-edge score by The Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan and Elia Cmíral". The Eureka includes an isolated score of this music and effects and another listening option. Both offer optional English subtitles in a slightly different font. NOTE: Some of the Assyrian Neo-Aramaic, Portuguese, Italian and Aramaic in the film are on burned-in subtitles (samples below.)

Extras are also similar with one notable difference. Both have the audio commentary with director Rupert Wainwright that gives good coverage of the production details and adaptation of the story and both editions also have the 25-minute, 1999 TV-piece, Divine Rights: The Story of Stigmata featurette written by David Hughes and Dane McMaster. It's a promotional documentary on the film which, apart from the usual cast and crew interviews, includes info on real cases of stigmata, such like the one of Padre Pio di Pietrelcina. There are also 13-minutes of deleted scenes, the music video Identify by Natalie Imbruglia and a theatrical trailer. The UK package includes the alternate ending (listed but not on my Shout! Factory Blu-ray) and the US disc includes the 3/4 hour Incredible But True – Stigmata: Marked For Life 2003 TV documentary that traces the history of stigmata from St. Francis of Assissi to Padre Pio while exploring alternative explanations for the phenomenon such as the power of the mind to create physical wounds.

I always appreciate different options and in this case - for the discerning video-phile the Eureka offers better value in the image presentation but for those keen on the supplements - the Shout! Factory has the interesting, and lengthy, 2003 documentary.

I've seen Stigmata a few times over the years and it is growing on me - I'm always into religious-based horrors and this is in the top half. It morphs from the stigmata issue to one of exorcism decently. I'll watch it again one day. Recommended!

 - Gary Tooze