ADDITION: (June 2017) Olive - Region 'A' - Blu-ray: Olive's 1080P is so welcome for this highly impacting Nicholas Ray film. It's in the 2.39:1 aspect ratio and shows much more information in the frame than the Masters of Cinema SD, of over a decade ago. Certainly far in advance of the pan-and-scan from  ITV (see sample below). The high bitrate image transfer looks very good. There are a few inconsistencies - but they see more likely part of the film's source. Colors (flesh tones) are more true, contrast (snowy whites), detail rises - the visuals all tighten, and there is some depth notable. I was, also, impressed with the in-motion presentation.

Olive use a DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel at a healthy 1983 kbps (24-bit) and the film effects - animal sounds, gun firing etc., carry depth and can sound impacting. The film's dramatic symphony music is credited to Angelo Francesco Lavagnino (Chimes at Midnight, Othello, Legend of the Lost), with occasional epic-sounding choir-infused score and it certainly benefits from the lossless rendering. Thee are optional English subtitles on the Region 'A' Blu-ray disc.

Very unfortunately no extras at all. This film deserves much more - it is such a powerful viewing experience and thankfully the commentary is still there on the MoC DVD for those who, luckily, have that DVD. The Olive price is exorbitant considering the bare-bone status.

The film is very strongly recommended! I am always deeply impacted by it and the skills of Ray. Own this Blu-ray - one day.

***

NOTE: Unfortunately, there appears to be a dispute over the rights for this film and MoC have withdrawn their DVD edition from all stores - it being replaced by a shoddy ITV edition (see comparison capture below). The ITV is 4:3 pan and scan (of a 2.35:1 film!), and it's cut. Terrible print, and they've spelt Anthony Quinn's name wrong on the front sleeve "Antohny".

"It's hard to believe that this DVD of Nicholas Ray's THE SAVAGE INNOCENTS has been released by a major company, in England, in 2007. Its quality shows nothing but contempt for the format and for the filmmaker. It has scenes missing (it's the cut version), it is framed at 1.33:1 (it's pan and scan instead of the luminous 2.35:1 Scope
that Nicholas Ray intended), and it's from a terrible 1980s era transfer made for TV. There are no extras, and to really kick the film in the teeth --- ITV DVD have spelt "Anthony Quinn"'s name wrongly on the front cover.

One look at the screengrab of the ITV DVD below, compared to the MoC Series edition, makes it clear which version should be tracked down. Not only is half of the image lost horizontally on the new ITV DVD edition, but the top and bottom is cropped too. It really is a dreadful DVD and one of the worst I've seen in a long, long time.

I only hope that a fine company like Criterion can do the film justice in the USA... Nicholas Ray is not in the Criterion Collection yet. Meanwhile, the MoC Series edition, anamorphic 2.35:1, with commentary track, and 28-page booklet, seems to still be available at cd-wow or amazon.co.uk marketplace for those that are interested..."
 

-Nick Wrigley, Masters of Cinema

NOTE: re: THE SAVAGE INNOCENTS, you might want to add that the MoC edition is 10 minutes longer than the Spanish SUEVIA FILMS edition (that edition is also 2.35:1 but is non-anamorphic). (Thanks Steve!)

****

This Eureka DVD is progressive and anamorphic with bright intense colors. The print used for the first 15 minutes seems to have had some limitations and shows some haziness. There are fairly slim back borders at the edges indicating a minimizing of horizontal resolution. I also see this DVD image exhibiting some moiring and it can appear quite heavy in spots. Although perhaps a notch below MoC's other releases in image quality, this still looks quite acceptable to me. The commentary is very good - both Ehrenstein and Krohn are intelligent film scholars and they bring up many prevalent issues and genuinely seem to be having a good time relating other films to The Savage Innocents. Clearing up details regarding the actress Anna May Wong playing Hiko who is not THE Anna May Wong (from Shanghai Express and Piccadilly) although she was originally desired for the role, are details that are relatively unknown by most film fans. It is great to hear things like that discussed. A wonderfully appointed booklet is included and a digital gallery of posters and lobby cards. I applaud Eureka for bringing this masterpiece film to their digital lineup and taking the effort that they have (commentary, booklet). Film fans should be very appreciative of their efforts. We strongly recommend!   

Gary W. Tooze