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

ADDITION: Indicator Blu-ray (January 2021): Indicator have transferred Paul Schrader's Light Sleeper to Blu-ray. I know there was an Australian Blu-ray released a couple of years ago by Umbrella - but I don't have any information on it. This is on a dual-layered disc with a max'ed out bitrate. The image is thick and consistent with colors carrying some richness and an even texture to the 1080P visuals. There is depth and impressive contrast - a solid HD presentation appearance.  

NOTE: We have added 76 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Indicator use a linear PCM mono track (24-bit) in the original English language. It is another advancement in the film's audio and score by Michael Been - his only composer film credit - although he did act in Martin Scorsese's The Last Temptation of Christ (1988). It a dark brooding less-utilized score and suits the film perfectly. There is other music samplings; 24-7-365 performed by Wizdom-N-Motion, Twisted performed by Kane Roberts and the excerpt from 'Scorpio Rising' performed by The Call. It all sounds very moody and effective in the uncompressed transfer. Indicator offer optional English subtitles on their Region 'B' Blu-ray.

The Indicator Blu-ray offers the 2002 audio commentary with writer and director Paul Schrader. It was on an early Lionsgate DVD. Paul Schrader describes this as one of his favorite film but also the only one that came to him in a dream. He describes John LeTour as his own mid-life character. He discusses lighting and focus, the importance of the music. Schrader always provides a fascinating commentary in terms of both the technical aspects of the production, the protagonists narration, borrowing from Kenneth Anger's 'Scorpio Rising' (with his approval,) the story, being shot entirely on location the conflicted character of John LeTour, the use of David Spade as the 'Theological Cokehead' representing Schrader himself, an small homage to Taxi Driver, the other actors and much more. He was seeking 'grace' in the finale. I loved listening to it. There is also an 18-minute selected scenes commentary with actors Willem Dafoe and Susan Sarandon also from 2002. They describe how they knew Paul Schrader and his, very direct, request to be involved in the film, their characters, Schrader being very decisive, etc. It is excellent. Indicator include a 66-minute 'Guardian Interview' with Willem Dafoe from 1998. It is an archival audio recording of the actor in conversation with critic Jonathan Romney, recorded at London’s National Film Theatre playing to the film. New is The Midlife Movie (2021) running 18-minutes where Paul Schrader remembers the production of Light Sleeper. There is a 1/2 hour BAM interview with Ed Lachman and Paul Schrader from 2008 where the cinematographer and director are in conversation on-stage at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, New York, after a screening of Light Sleeper. Dear Paul Schrader, Thank You for ‘Light Sleeper’ is a new 10-minute personal meditation on Schrader’s film from the critic and filmmaker Mark Cousins. We get an original theatrical trailer, image gallery of promotional and publicity materials and the limited edition package contains an exclusive 36-page booklet with a new essay by Christina Newland, an archival on-set report for Sight and Sound by Kevin Jackson, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and film credits.  

Paul Schrader's Light Sleeper is one of those films I had never seen... and I loved very minute of it! Right form the start it totally felt like a darkish Schrader neo-noir with characters on the fringes.. of legality and soul-searching. Many consider it the director's best film. The performances are so great - how the story weaves through the film, there are themes of redemption, lost love, confusion, hope, prophecy etc..  The Indicator Blu-ray is brilliant - a top-shelf a/v transfer, stacked with extras including the essential commentary, interviews and booklet. Our highest recommendation!

Gary Tooze