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

ADDITION: Kino Blu-ray (November 2020): Kino have transferred Billy Wilder's The Lost Weekend to Blu-ray via a "Brand New 4K Master". There is quite a difference from the Masters of Cinema 1080P of 8-years previous. Where the Kino is 'superior' in terms of detail, sharpness, smoothness (less blotchy), is lighter, it looks cleaner but it also shows less information in the frame. The UK transfer is in the 1.33:1 aspect ratio where the Kino is ion the, more accurate, 1.37:1 aspect ratio. Both have max'ed out bitrates. If you're not bothered, by what we perceive as 'cropping' then the Kino is a much better HD presentation, imo. This is notable in-motion as well.   

NOTE: We have added 41 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. It is another advancement, albeit tiny, being slightly more robust - notable in the score by Miklós Rózsa (The Naked City, Criss Cross, The Killers, The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes, The Strange Love of Martha Ivers, Double Indemnity) sounding marginally deeper. Kino offer optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

The Kino Blu-ray has anew audio commentary by Film Historian Joseph McBride who is the author of several books on film (many biographies.) McBride is one of the heavyweights of film commentary and he shows his chops with some in-depth information on director Wilder and many facets of Lost Weekend. It's always a pleasure to listen to someone who really know their stuff. I think it add significant value to the BD. Kino also include a 1/2 hour Radio Adaptation, a Trailer From Hell segment with Mark Pellington and a theatrical trailer.  

Billy Wilder's The Lost Weekend is a subtly escalating film with grim realism peering around every corner. Ray Milland is so good at distracting with his congenial happiness and witty repartee. You can ignore reality, but you can't ignore the consequences of reality. This remains one of Wilder's best dramas. We bond to Don - accepting and understanding his disease making his fall all the more impactful. I can't believe that it took so long for this unforgettable masterpiece to come to Region 'A'  Blu-ray. We can easily recommend it as part of every digital library. Kino's McBride commentary, and 4-K restored image adds significant value to their Blu-ray. I'd even recommend double-dipping if you already own the UK edition. An essential film to own in the best home theatre quality!

***

Masters of Cinema (June 2012): Pretty sweet. The Lost Weekend appears very strong on Blu-ray from The Masters of Cinema arm of Eureka Cinema in the UK. Black levels are quite intense and may have been boosted - but I think it looks quite good and quite close to theatrical. Like Double Indemnity - there is an issue with contrast flickering - notable in the backgrounds. I didn't find it distracting nor would let it deter my viewing pleasure. Grain is very textured and pleasing. Details is surprising for such thick visuals - only a few minor speckles as damage although there are some less consistent parts of the film (source) where density may have been compromised. It has no gloss and the dual-layered high bitrate produces a very rich image. This Blu-ray has a nice realistic feel with a reasonable film-like sense to it. Visually this is pleasing.

Audio :
Masters of Cinema offer an uncompressed DTS-HD Master track with nothing extraordinary but a probable strong replication of the film's theatrical. The lossless track does its job well with clear dialogue and no prominent effects. Miklós Rózsa's score is impeccable being a large part of the viewing experience and it sounds superb via the uncompressed track. There are optional English (SDH) subtitles and my Momitsu has identified it as being a region 'B'-locked Blu-ray.

Extras :
Masters of Cinema have added some solid extras - we get a 6.5-minute video introduction by director director Alex Cox and his keen interpretations and appreciations are always welcome. The colossal three-part 1992 BBC Arena programme Billy, How Did You Do It? directed by Gisela Grischow and Volker Schlöndorff, featuring Schlöndorff in conversation with Billy Wilder is here in its 3-hour plus entirety and could have a full page review of its own. Wonderful passion in creating this - and Wilder fans shouldn't miss out. Included is the 1946 Screen Guild Theater radio adaptation of The Lost Weekend – starring Ray Milland, Jane Wyman, and Frankie Faylen running about a 1/2 hour and an original theatrical trailer - looking worse for wear. The package has a 36-page liner notes booklet featuring a new essay on the film by critic and filmmaker David Cairns; a reproduction of the famous hallucination sequence in three forms: an excerpt from Charles R. Jackson’s novel, an excerpt from Charles Brackett and Billy Wilder’s screenplay, and a presentation of actual frames from the corresponding scene in the film; a vintage public service advertisement by Seagram’s about The Lost Weekend and the broader social dilemma of alcoholism; and rare archival imagery. Excellent!

Gary Tooze