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

ADDITION: Criterion Blu-ray (October 2020): Criterion have released the Netflix film, "The Irishman'' on an all-new dual-layered Blu-ray. This transfer is based on a 4K digital master, approved by director Martin Scorsese. The almost 3.5-hour film carries a supportive bitrate, thanks to the extras being housed on a separate, second, Blu-ray disc. Almost every shot (from cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto - Brokeback Mountain, The Wolf of Wall Street) is meticulously crafted, with the 1080p details and state-of-the-art visual effects coming through strongly. While the film is available on Netflix in 4K UHD (with DolbyVision) this Blu-ray certainly holds its own. It should be noted that while we were not able to take captures from the aforementioned streaming service (nor could we properly showcase the Dolby Vision HDR effects), this Blu-ray is brighter and has an expected, minor, drop in detail. To those without the 4K capabilities, this Blu-ray is still something to behold. Flesh tones and shadows are strikingly realistic (even when created through CGI) and some minor teal-leaning.

In what is hopefully a new trend (for eligible films), Criterion have included a 7.1 Dolby TrueHD / Atmos soundtrack on their Blu-ray. The channel separation is impressive, especially in the quieter moments (some restaurant scenes had me completely immersed, to the point that I could swear people were eating right behind me). In what is another great addition, Criterion have also included a descriptive audio track. The score is thanks to Robbie Robertson (Scorsese's The Color of Money and The King of Comedy), of the Band. There are optional English SDH subtitles on this Region 'A' or 'B' Blu-ray (depending on your geographic location.)

Criterion has included a number of bonus features on their new Blu-ray, beginning with the making of “The Irishman”; a new program filmed in 2020 that shows a behind-the-scenes look at the production of The Irishman. This 36-minute piece features interviews with director Martin Scorsese and members of his cast and crew. "Scorsese, De Niro, Pacino, and Pesci" is a 19-minute roundtable conversation with the four discussing the project. "Gangsters’ Requiem" is a new 22-minute video essay by film critic Farran Smith Nehme about The Irishman's synthesis of Scorsese's signature formal techniques and how he pushes them forward into a new landscape of loyalty, betrayal, and end-of-life reflection. The 5-minute "Anatomy of a Scene: 'The Irishman'" is a 2020 program featuring director Martin Scorsese talking through the Frank Sheeran 'Appreciation Night' scene of The Irishman. This single-scene commentary was produced in 2020 by Mekado Murphy for the New York Times' online series Anatomy of a Scene. "The Evolution of Digital De-aging as Seen in 'The Irishman'" is a 13-minute piece delving into the rather complicated (and expensive) visual effects created for the film. Criterion also includes 24-minutes of interview excerpts with both Frank “The Irishman” Sheeran and Teamsters trade-union leader Jimmy Hoffa (from 1999 and 1963, respectively). A trailer and teaser for the film round out the extras on the Blu-ray disc. There is also an included essay from critic Geoffrey O’Brien.

Martin Scorsese's Netflix production of "The Irishman" (based on "I Heard You Paint Houses" by Charles Brandt) arrives on Blu-ray thanks to the high degree of professionalism of Criterion. For those that were unable to watch the film on the streaming service, this is a wonderful Blu-ray presentation, with a impressive amount of extras. Recommended to Scorsese fans and cinephiles in general.

Colin Zavitz