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

ADDITION: Indicator Blu-ray (July 2021): Indicator have also transferred The Day of the Dolphin to Blu-ray. It's quite similar in appearance to the 2020 Kino 1080P, but may be marginally sharper. It's not a large disparity though. This supports the color questions that arose as compared to the 2003 DVD. It looks impressive in-motion and a true representation of the original theatrical look - as much as the surviving source can support.

On their Blu-ray, Indicator offer two options - a linear PCM 2.0 channel track (24-bit) or a DTS-HD Master 3.0 channel track - both in the original English language and both advancing on the 16-bit Kino adding a richness and separation (in the 3-channel) not present on the US Blu-ray. There are plenty of audio effects (Alpha and Beta's clicks and 'English', underwater sequences, boats etc.) plus and impacting score by iconic French composer Georges Delerue (King of Hearts, The High Commissioner, Silkwood, Mister Johnson, Jules et Jim, The Woman Next Door, The Last Metro, Get Out Your Handkerchiefs, Day For Night) adding gentle chords to the more philosophical themes of the film. Indicator offer optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region 'B'-locked Blu-ray.

The Indicator Blu-ray has included a new (2021) selected scene commentary with academic and film historian Sheldon Hall (co-author of Epics, Spectacles, and Blockbusters: A Hollywood History: Contemporary Approaches to Film and Television). He discusses themes of the film like animal exploitation, how it has perception and misdirection, The Day of the Dolphin straddling genres keeping the audience off balance - unknown from the opening whether it is a conspiracy thriller, sci-fi, revenge of nature... and some with expectations that only partially pay off. He also discusses its advertising perception of being a 'political thriller', how Mike Nichols disowned the film (along with his Wolf) and he gives some interesting perspectives on The Day of the Dolphin. It runs for about 1/2 hour to the film and is an intelligent analysis. Days of My Life is new interview with actor who Jon Korkes detail the eventful production of The Day of the Dolphin for 3/4's of an hour. Moon Over the Bahamas is a new in-depth discussion of the film with the second assistant director, and long-time Mike Nichols collaborator, Michael Haley running 40-minutes. Indicator include an archival interview with Buck Henry from 2003 where the screenwriter looks back on his adaptation of Robert Merle’s novel for over a dozen minutes. This was included on the Kino Blu-ray - as was archival interviews with Leslie Charleson - as the actor chats about her first major feature film role and Edward Herrmann where he recalls working with Nichols and George C Scott. There is an original theatrical trailer, a 'Trailers From Hell' episode with Larry Karaszewski, a TV spot, radio spots and an image gallery: promotional and publicity material. The Indicator package contains a limited edition exclusive 36-page booklet with a new essay by Neil Sinyard, extracts from interviews with director Mike Nichols and producer Joseph E Levine, an archival interview with actor Trish Van Devere, an extract from the Robert Merle novel, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and film credits.

The Day of the Dolphin is still a fascinating film involving an intriguing concept from Robert Merle’s novel. Mike Nichols directing, always impacting George C. Scott and Buck Henry's script adding some subtle animal exploitation themes plus a potential glimpse into the future. The Indicator Blu-ray is stacked with over 2-hours of new supplements - looking at the film on a deeper level and reflecting on its production idiosyncrasies plus much more. I still love this totally unique thriller for its less-detailed qualities. The Indicator Blu-ray is strongly recommended!   

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ADDITION: Kino Blu-ray (February 2020): Kino have transferred Mike Nichols' The Day of the Dolphin to 1080P Blu-ray. It is cited as a "Brand New 4K Restoration". The 1080P exposes some of the failing of the 2003 (17-years ago!) SD transfer that looks quite yellow beside the new HD. The Kino has more information on the top and right edges of the 2.35:1 frame, skin tones warm considerably, detail improves - on the dual-layered transfer with a max'ed out bitrate. It looks a shade flat and has some green hues but strong in-motion with texture visible.

NOTE: We have added 25 more large resolution Blu-ray captures for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Kino use a DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel track (16-bit) in the original English language. It is another advancement in the film's audio. Unlike the Homevision, Kino offer optional English subtitles (see sample below) on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

The Kino Blu-ray has the same 1/2 hour interviews with screenwriter Buck Henry and actors Leslie Charleson and Edward Herrmann as found on the Homevision, there is a radio spot and theatrical trailer, but the biggest addition is the new audio commentary by film historians Howard S. Berger and Nathaniel Thompson who extol the recently-maligned film (even by Buck Henry). They make the case that it is a fascinating film and Berger shares my opinion when seen 40+ years ago. We all loved it - I mean, talking dolphins, thriller, Scott - very cool. They discuss director Nichols, differences from the book and how it shares features with some of the paranoid thrillers released at the time - and much more. It increased my appreciation of the film, which I already loved. There is also a reversible alternate cover (see below.)

The Day of the Dolphin has such a neat thriller-sci-fi concept. Great score - there is a ton to like here and this HD presentation helped me capture the enjoyment I had for this films decades ago. The Day of the Dolphin is a film I am very happy to add to my Blu-ray collection. I can now get rid of my DVD. An easy recommendation! 

Gary Tooze