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

ADDITION: Indicator Blu-ray (January 2020): Firstly, there was a Park Circus Blu-ray that came out in 2011 HERE, but we don't own it to compare.

Indicator have transferred Peter Mullan's Orphans to Blu-ray. From seeing some captures, it looks very similar to the 2011 Park Circus 1080P. Indoor and low-level lighting do not look good to me. They are almost eerily dark and bordering on exhibiting moiring. I certainly don't blame the transfer - this seems a function of the way the film looked, now knowing how close it is to the 2011 Blu-ray. So, we think the transfer is decent - dual-layered with a supportive bitrate - but perhaps the visuals are a reflection of the dark comedic atmosphere prevailing throughout Orphans.   

On their Blu-ray, Indicator give the option of DTS-HD Master (24-bit) in both a robust 5.1 surround or 2.0 channel stereo - in the original English language. There is notable separation at times in some of the aggressive sequences. The lossless also advances the film's score by Craig Armstrong (Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, The Incredible Hulk), which includes sampling like The Air That I Breathe performed by Gary Lewis and some songs by Billy Connolly. There is some depth and it sounds quite adept. Indicator offer optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

Indicator include the audio commentary with writer-director Peter Mullan from a 2000 DVD that was released. He discusses his 4 openings and how he had to opt for the one used in the film (discussed in more detail in the 'deleted scenes'). He discusses certain scenes, technical hurdles, and his thick accent is pretty easy to discern although the film's audio could have been mixed a bit more quietly. He'll say things like "here comes my fancy shot' or 'being the smart ass that I am' or 'completely my fault' and it generally is worth the indulgence to those keen on the film. There is also an hour-long documentary celebrating the film's 20th Anniversary entitled "Orphans Reunited" from 2019, that features interviews with Mullan, actors Douglas Henshall, Gary Lewis, Stephen McCole, and Rosemarie Stevenson, composer Craig Armstrong, and others discussing their experiences making Orphans. From 2000 is the 1/2 hour "The Making of ‘Orphans’ - an archival documentary featuring behind-the-scenes footage, plus there is 11-minutes of deleted scenes with an optional director commentary ("another scene they bummed - the bastards") as are over 1/4 hour's worth of audition tapes with Mullan commentary. I really liked the three short films directed by Peter Mullan; Close from 1994 has a new father, who gets irate when someone makes an insulting remark about his daughter. Good Day for the Bad Guys from 1995 has members of a theatrical group live in terror under the infernal influence of an overbearing fellow actor. Last up is Fridge also from 1995, set in Glasgow has two roughians lock a small boy inside a broken fridge-freezer. There is an original theatrical trailer and image gallery of publicity and promotional material, plus the package has a limited edition exclusive 40-page booklet with a new essay by Michael Pattison, an archival article by Mullan, Mullan’s open letter to FilmFour, critical responses, and film credits.

Brilliant film. Orphans has Mullan's raw black humor (things are so horrendous sometimes that you have to laugh to be able to embrace it.) He can show the bad side of humanity but in a very ingratiating, realistic, way. It is unique and probing with themes of family awkwardness, survival and grieving. It's a film I am very happy to own on Blu-ray especially with the director-involvement in the supplements. Certainly recommended!

Gary Tooze