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

ADDITION: Criterion Blu-ray (October 2020): Criterion have transferred Norman Jewison's phenomenal "Moonstruck" to Blu-ray on an all-new dual-layered disc. This is listed as being from a new 4K digital restoration. The 1.85:1 1080p image is supported with a reasonably high bitrate, helping the picture look consistently detailed when in motion. "Moonstruck" has a somewhat heavy grain, common to film stocks of the era, with certain sequences appearing to lack a finite detail. These moments are few and far between though, and when we get to the climax at the opera, certain close-ups of Cher and Nicolas Cage are quite breathtaking. Colors seem to be warm, with skin tones on the redder side, though some shots are suspiciously teal (notice any white walls, sheets, Nic Cage's collar in the close-up at the opera etc. having a greenish tint). Black levels are quite varied and dark when need be (note the image of Olympia Dukakis looking through the moonlit window), though a few composite effects shots (namely of NYC and the moon) look a little muddy.

Criterion have included a (24-bit) 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master audio soundtrack for this Blu-ray release of "Moonstruck". The surround effects are subtle, yet effective, especially during the Puccini sequence. The score is credited to Dick Hyman (The Purple Rose of Cairo, Zelig, Mighty Aphrodite, Hannah and Her Sisters) with the unforgettable That's Amore performed by Dean Martin, Vikki Carr's It Must Be Him (Seul sur son Étoile) and Giacomo Puccini's La Bohème. Optional English (SDH) subtitles are available on this Region 'A' Blu-ray from Criterion.

An archival audio commentary (recorded in 1998) is included on this new Blu-ray from Criterion. This track features director Norman Jewison, actor and musician Cher, as well as screenwriter John Patrick Shanley. Criterion's bonus features start with a 12-minute introduction from star, Cher, with the actress / performer describing some of her favorite memories from the film. This was filmed in 2013 as part of the American Film Institute's 'Night at the Movies' program. "John Patrick Shanley" is a 16-minute 2020 interview with Moonstruck's screenwriter (also the writer of the play/film, Doubt, as well as the films, "The January Man", and "Five Corners"). Another new 2020 interview is included with literature and cinema scholar Stefano Albertini. This interview was recorded in Bozzolo, Italy, and features Albertini discussing Puccini's La boheme and the way the opera adds to Moonstruck's tone. "City Lights" is a 33-minute 1987 interview with director Norman Jewison. This was filmed for the Canadian television program and involves Jewison discussing his approach to storytelling, as well as the production and positive reception of the film. There are more archival TV interviews included here, with 3 interviews from 1987's "Today Show". These are broken up into the three sections; "Cher", "Nicolas Cage", and "Olympia Dukakis and Vincent Gardenia". "AFI's 100 years...100 Passions" is an 11.5-minute interview with actor Danny Aiello. This is an excerpt from the program covering the hundred greatest love stories in American cinema. Aiello talks about working with the rest of the cast and Jewison, as well as learning a Brooklyn dialect. 37-minutes of audio-only excerpts are also included here (recorded in May, 1989 as part of the AFI's Harold Lloyd Master Seminar series). These feature playwright, screenwriter and filmmaker John Patrick Shanley discussing his creative process and the experiences surrounding "Moonstruck". "At the Heart of an Italian Family" is a 26-minute program featuring footage from the rehearsals for "Moonstruck" as well as interviews with Jewison, Shanley and other cast and crew members. "The Music of 'Moonstruck'” is a 2006 program exploring the influence of Puccini's 'La boheme' on the development of the characters in the film. Composer Dick Hyman, director Jewison, and writer Shanley all appear. The film's trailer rounds out Criterion's Blu-ray bonus features. An essay by critic Emily VanDerWerff is included in the package.

Criterion's new 4K digital restoration Blu-ray of "Moonstruck" is a worthy purchase for fans, with a slew of new and archival extras, a well-done 5.1 soundtrack, and a decent image. The film is just as brilliant and moving as when it premiered decades ago. I forgot how impressive the supporting cast is, with some of the best character actors (Vincent Gardenia, Olympia Dukakis, Danny Aiello, and John Mahoney to name a few) almost stealing the show from the two younger leads. Highly recommended.

Colin Zavitz