ADDITION: Kino Lorber - Region 'A'  Blu-ray - December 2017: The image improves, in most areas - better color balance, sharper, more grain, more information in the frame. Kino's 1080P transfer is on a dual-layered disc with a supportive bitrate. The opening sequence, appropriately, moves from yellow to sepia. The new Blu-ray image looks clean and consistent in-motion. No complaints.

Kino use  DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel at 1555 kbps (16-bit). No demonstrative effects - it is not that type of film, but we do get a nice score by Alan Price (Lindsay Anderson's Britannia Hospital and O' Lucky Man) that sounds contemplative in the lossless. There are optional English subtitles on Kino's Region 'A'-locked Blu-ray disc.

The Kino Blu-ray has many supplements starting with an audio commentary by producer Mike Kaplan, moderated by film critic Stephen Farber (author of Hollywood Dynasties) - they discuss the material used for the film, initiation by meeting Lillian Gish, working with Bette Davis, her looking at the dailies and much more. Peer Talk: The Raw September 1986 Interviews runs about 1 1/4 hours and has one-on-one's with stars Bette Davis, Lillian Gish, Vincent Price, Ann Sothern and Harry Carey Jr.. Fans will appreciate the frankness - especially from Davis. There is also a similar set of interviews with director Lindsay Anderson, cinematographer Mike Fash and production designer Jocelyn Herbert running just shy of 1/2 hour. It is likewise very enlightening. There are almost an hour's worth of new interviews with actress Mary Steenburgen, actress Margaret Lad, actress Tisha Sterling and executive producer Shep Gordon. There are three short 'Mike Kaplan vignettes', 10-minute of Never Apologize with Malcolm McDowell talking about Lindsay Anderson. There is also a song: You Can Never Tell video performed by Tisha Sterling, written by Mike Kaplan plus an original theatrical trailer. There is a limited edition 16-page booklet included.

The Whales of August is an exceptional film, dare I say - a masterpiece. Kino really do it justice after the bare-bones DVD from 2003. The commentary and extensive extras add great value - this is a very impressive Blu-ray release. We give it our highest recommendation!

 - Gary + Eric