Bonus Captures:

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

ADDITION: Indicator Blu-ray (August 2022): Indicator have also transferred Frank Perry's 1970 Diary of a Mad Housewife to Blu-ray. The UK transfer looks more pleasing with a slight uptick in contrast and warmer flesh tones. It has much more pronounced texture. For many it may not be a significant improvement, but nonetheless, it exists. The Indicator is also on a dual-layered disc with a max'ed out bitrate.

NOTE: We have added 11 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

Indicator also advance on the audio - with a 24-bit linear PCM track, in the original English language. Some will note the improvement. The film is light on effects. There is no credited score but Diary of a Mad Housewife has music and a nice selection in the opening credits; Mars Bonfire's "Ride With Me Baby" and Alice Cooper's Lay Down And Die Goodbye are utilized. The Indicator offer optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region 'B'-locked Blu-ray.   

The Indicator package is stacked starting with a new commentary by actor Rutanya Alda and film historian Lee Gambin for the theatrical cut. NOTE: Indicator include the 'long unseen' alternative TV version containing unique scenes, presented in Standard Definition. The TV version also offers a new commentary by Frank Perry biographer Justin Bozung (also author of The Cinema of Norman Mailer: Film is Like Death). There is much more; a 6-minute piece with Richard Benjamin entitled A Confident Approach, plus a wonderful 1/2 hour video appreciation by Academy Award-winning editor and filmmaker Chris Innis (editor on The Hurt Locker.) There is also an original theatrical trailer, a TFH Larry Karaszewski trailer commentary, Radio spots and an image gallery of promotional and publicity material. The package has a limited edition exclusive booklet with a new essay by Paula Mejía, a profile of novelist Sue Kaufman, extracts from interviews with Frank Perry, Eleanor Perry and Carrie Snodgress, a look at Snodgress and Neil Young’s relationship, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and film credits.

Frank Perry's Diary of a Mad Housewife is a very good film that has been hard to access for many years. I enjoyed it as a partial comedy, partial romance and marriage-drama. Themes involve social-climbing, isolation, boredom, marital malaise, and disenchantment. I continue to appreciate Frank Perry as a director and gained new appreciation for Carrie Snodgress in a career-defining role. The Indicator Blu-ray advances on all fronts over its US counterpart; better a/v, extras including the TV version, commentaries, a stellar appreciation etc. and extensive booklet. Certainly this Indicator 1080P edition is recommended - especially to Perry fans and those who appreciate 70's cinema.

***

ADDITION: Kino Blu-ray (December 2020): Kino have transferred Frank Perry's 1970 Diary of a Mad Housewife to Blu-ray. The 1080P image is exceptionally grainy, almost close to looking like being from 16mm. It looked very strong my system - I appreciate the grain. There are some light surface scratches but no consistent damage or bad flaws. Details tighten in the films' many close-ups. It's on a dual-layered disc with a max'ed out bitrate. This looks like a strong replication of the original theatrical release with a very film-like presentation.

NOTE: We have added 18 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Kino use a DTS-HD Master dual-mono track (16-bit) in the original English language. Kino offer optional English subtitles on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

The Kino Blu-ray offers a new commentary by screenwriter Larry Karaszewski with film historians Howard S. Berger and Steve Mitchell. They discuss the aggressive editing and how the film evokes Mike Nichols' The Graduate, it's vérité-like style touches, differences from the book, Carrie Snodgress' impressive performance and much more. I love listening to these guys and it always emboldens my appreciation for a film. There is also a, beat-up, trailer.

Gary Tooze