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

ADDITION: Indicator Blu-ray (December 2020): Indicator have transferred Carl Franklin's Devil in a Blue Dress to Blu-ray in the UK. It is cited as being from a "2K restoration" and I don't see any significant differences from the 2015 Twilight Time 1080P. I might give a slight edge to the Indicator for the higher (max'ed out) video bitrate. It is consistent with fine texture. Kudos also to the lighting, art direction (Dan Webster), set design (Kathryn Peters) and period wardrobe (Sharen Davis) for a moody and authentic atmosphere.

NOTE: We have added 30 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Indicator advance with more robust options for a DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround track or a linear PCM 2.0 channel track (24-bit) option in the original English language. There are aggressive effects including punctuating gunfire that separate tightly - with a wonderful jazzy score (listen for T-Bone Walker, Jimmy Witherspoon, Duke Ellington, Pee Wee Crayton, Bull Moose Jackson, Thelonious Monk and more) by the iconic Elmer Bernstein's (From the Terrace, The Hallelujah Trail, The Grifters, Birdman of Alcatraz, Love With the Proper Stranger, The Bride at Remagen, The Comancheros, The World of Henry Orient, Kings of the Sun, Hud, To Kill a Mockingbird, Summer and Smoke) score gains benefit from the uncompressed transfer and adds significantly to the film experience. Like Twilight Time, Indicator offer optional English (SDH) subtitles. There disc, however, is a Region 'B'-locked Blu-ray.

The Indicator Blu-ray offers the same commentary by writer-director Carl Franklin who discusses many aspects of the production, story and praise for the performers. It's a very good follow-up to the film. We also get Don Cheadle's screen test footage with an intro by Franklin - also found on the Twilight Time. new is the Dancing with the Devil (2018) - a 22-minute archival interview with Franklin, conducted by the Film Noir Foundation's Eddie Muller at a Noir City screening of Devil in a Blue Dress. There is also an original theatrical trailer, image gallery: promotional and publicity materials and the package has a limited edition liner notes booklet with a new essay by Keith Harris, an archival interview with Carl Franklin from Positif magazine, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and film credits.

Devil in a Blue Dress is a well above average neo-noir mystery/thriller. I loved it - such great art-direction capturing the period and smokey aura. Solid performances and a great story. I wish there were more modern films like this - the new Perry Mason series captures the same L.A. Confidential vibe. The Indicator Blu-ray nudges ahead with the max'ed out transfer, more robust audio, and additional extras including the booklet. It's a film experience directly appealing to those who crave more Noir in their digital library - strongly recommended!

Gary Tooze