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

ADDITION: Arrow Blu-ray (January 2021): Arrow have transferred Fhiona-Louise's Cold Light of Day to Blu-ray.

Arrow Video have released a brand new 2K restoration of "Cold Light of Day'' from the original 16mm camera negative approved by director Fhiona-Louise. The dual-layered Blu-ray features a fully maxed out bitrate, which helps the 1.33:1 1080p image. The image does have the thicker grain that is common to 16mm productions. The film intentionally has a muted palette, and features locations that are drab and dull, which benefits the mood of the picture. Contrast is strong, while it can be a little difficult to discern minute details, what with the heavy grain and all.

NOTE: We have added 12 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

OArrow Video presents "Cold Light of Day" in its original uncompressed mono audio. This is a linear PCM 2.0 mono track. The original soundtrack must have been in good condition since this restoration features quite intelligible dialogue. The music here is thanks to Paul Stuart Davies. There are optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing on this Region 'FREE' (depends which and where you purchase) Blu-ray from Arrow Video.

Arrow Video includes not one, but two commentaries, the first with writer/director Fhiona-Louise. The director eloquently describes her fascination with the subject matter, as well as lending some insight into the choices in photography which has the effect of keeping the viewer at a distance, typically eschewing tighter shots. Also here is a new audio commentary with film historians/writers Dean Brandum and Andrew Nette. This commentary involves much more of a wider scope, from comparing the abundance of serial killer films based on true US murders to the handful that have existed in Britain over the decades. Serial Killer Dennis Nilsen is mentioned in both commentaries, as are the choices in what to depict on screen (or off, for that matter). "Playing the Victim" is a newly filmed 16-minute interview with actor Martin Byrne-Quinn. The casting of Byrne-Quinn (along with Bob Flag) is essential to the film's modest qualities, and it is interesting to hear about the filming from the actor's point of view. "Risky Business" is a 6-minute interview with actor Steve Munroe. "Scenes of the Crime" is a 12.5-minute tour of the shooting locations with writer/director Fhiona-Louise and Arrow video producer Ewan Cant. Of particular interest is the inclusion of the original "Cold Light of Day" promo film made to raise financing for the feature. The re-release trailer also appears in the bonus features. Arrow also gives us 2 short films (newly restored in HD) starring "Cold Light of Day" director Fhiona-Louise and photographed by (Star Wars Prequels DP) David Tattershall; the 9-minute "Metropolis Apocalypse'', and the 3.5-minute "Sleepwalker" (from 1988 and 1993, respectively). This Blu-ray release from Arrow's also has a reversible sleeve featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx. The limited release also has a collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Jo Botting and a look at how the press reported Dennis Nilsen’s real-life crimes by Jeff Billington.

Opening with the title card; "This film is based on actual events, but not on an account. Names have been changed to protect innocent parties." "Cold Light of Day" will certainly not be everybody's cup of tea. This is not an exploitation picture, however the lurid subject matter (it is based on the real serial killer Dennis Nilsen), it has more in common with Fatih Akin's "Der Goldene Handschuh (The Golden Glove)", Ulli Lommel's "Tenderness of the Wolves" and John McNaughton's "Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer" (three fantastic, tough-to-watch masterpieces that avoid the typical lurid trappings so common in the subgenre). Arrow Video's Blu-ray release is loaded with bonus material, from the commentaries to the short films, this is a rather solid release for an oft-overlooked film. Highly recommended to more mature filmgoers that aren't turned off by the subject matter.

Gary Tooze