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

ADDITION: Kino Blu-ray (April 2020): Kino have transferred John Schlesinger's Billy Liar to Region 'A' Blu-ray. The 1080P image quality is exactly the same as the 2013 Studio Canal Blu-ray - on a dual-layered disc with a max'ed out bitrate. It is also a a shade green/grey but has no artifacts and looks significantly improved over the 2001 Criterion DVD. Solid upgrade from SD.

On their Blu-ray, Kino use a DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel track (only 16-bit) in the original English language. It takes a small step behind the UK editions but the score by Richard Rodney Bennett (The Brink's Job, Figures in a Landscape, Far From the Madding Crowd, The Witches, Equus, Pickup Alley, The Man Who Could Cheat Death) still sounds rich, occasionally bouncy and supportive. Kino offer optional English subtitles on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

The Kino Blu-ray includes a new audio commentary by film historian Kat Ellinger who knocks it out of the park in terms of deep analysis of the film. She brings up details I never would have related to Billy Liar. She identifies this black comedy as another Schlesinger theme involving the secret life of frustrated dreamers (referencing Walter Mitty <- one of my favorite films.) Kat sees characteristics of Billy Fisher that allow him to escape with fantasy rather than confront his reality discussing the various detractions from his family. She remarks on Tom Courtenay (who had understudied Albert Finney in the West End theatre adaptation of the novel), how he got the part and the support from Finney, incorrect comparisons to the "Nouvelle Vague" etc.  She covers so much - she barely takes a breath - and I found it really one of her most thorough commentaries. There is also a lengthy SD trailer for the film 9and other trailers) included.

One of the most re-watchable and effective comedies of its era. Billy Liar shows John Schlesinger's mastery as a filmmaker and there is an excellent cast. Region 'A'ers now have a Blu-ray with a deep Kat Ellinger commentary. An easy recommendation! 

Gary Tooze

ADDITION Studio Canal Blu-ray - June 2013: Wow - check out how cropped the OOP Criterion is! (all 4 sides but notably the top and the left edge.) The Studio Canal 1080P can look a shade green/grey but has no artifacts and is dual-layered with a strong bitrate. We've come a long way in over a decade. The region 'B' Blu-ray is a shade darker but a definite uptick in detail. The AR turns out to be a huge consideration. The audio is lossless in a linear PCM and there are optional subtitles. Studio Canal have included some very good supplements. New interviews with many of the participants - and all in HD. Bravo! Still a wonderful, and sad, film - Julie Christie is stunning in HD - the extra are much appreciated. Certainly recommended!

***

ON THE DVD (2002): Very nice bittersweet film that left me quite sad in the end. The transfer is stupendous. Brilliant contrast levels and tight anamorphic image. Director and principles commentary is also interesting to hear the reflections of the past development of the film. All good news from Criterion. Dynamite DVD package.