ADDITION: Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray October 17': Kino's new Blu-ray transfer of, one of the most beloved fantasy-romance films of all time, Portrait of Jennie, on single-layered disc, advances beyond the SD image quality. It is lighter, more detailed and shows some consistent grain. It looks very appealing in-motion - it may not by dynamic but is a solid bump above the DVDs.

As covered very well in the Howarth commentary, Selznick had a 3 Channel Stereo incorporated - notably for the final storm sequence. Not all theatres had the ability to utilize it but some did and, as well as the option of a standard DTS-HD Master mono track (16-bit) we get a DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround choice and it has some separation that adds drama to the film late storm sequence. Good show! As for the score, after Bernard Herrmann quit, Dimitri Tiomkin (Angel Face, Strangers on a  Train, The Men, Dial M For Murder, The Thing From Another World etc. etc.) took over although the former's Jennie's Song, as beautifully sung by Jennifer Jones, was still used in the film as well as Claude Debussy Arabesque No. 1 in E and Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune as adapted by Tiomkin. The lossless sound quality on both track sounds fine. Thee are optional English subtitles (see sample below) on the Region 'A'-locked Blu-ray disc.

NOTE: The intentional 'gauzy' technique is used to represent an art canvas and the film's fantasy elements - seen many times in the film and the green tint and sepia tone is used for final reel, excluding the film's last shot.

I've been enjoying a few audio commentaries by film historian Troy Howarth lately and this is at the same high level filling the time with small, but interesting, details of the performers; Cotten, Jones, facts about Selznick etc. I found it excellent. The package has a reversible cover art (see bottom) and it has a Portrait of Jennie trailer (1:43), as well as 4 other trailers.

A favorite film and I'm thrilled to have it in 1080P. The surround audio option and commentary add further value and this Blu-ray has our very strong recommendation!

ADDITION: MGM (Oct - 04) - I'm getting weary of looking at these images. I think the MGM and Anchor Bay give almost the same sharpness, but often I see the Anchor Bay as superior. The contrast on the MGM looks finer, but it may be only that it is darker overall. The MGM has included removable English subtitles. I am sticking with my Anchor Bay for the superior extras/menus and sharpness. MGM, as with their Duel in the Sun (originally released by Anchor Bay as well) missed another opportunity to better the initial release.... and they couldn't even bother to include a trailer as an extra. What fools. Stick with your OOP Anchor Bay - in my mind it is even more valuable now.

- Gary W. Tooze