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

ADDITION: Imprint Blu-ray (March 2021): Imprint have transferred John Frankenheimer's Black Sunday to Blu-ray. I don't have a DVD or another Blu-ray to compare it to (I think this is the first 1080P transfer of the film.) It doesn't looks great but is consistent. It's on a dual-layered disc with a high bitrate for the 2 1/4+ hour film. It's soft without a high level of detail exporting modest texture. This may be the best it will look for an HD presentation but we hope to compare it one day to a superior Blu-ray image.

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

On their Blu-ray, Imprint offer a DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround or the option of a linear PCM stereo track (both 24-bit) in the original English language. There are plenty of audio effects in the film from the loud hum of the dirigible to machine gun fire and loud explosions including the testing of the fatal multi-bullet (dart) device. The score is by the iconic John Williams (The Rare Breed, The Missouri Breaks, War Horse, The Fury, Images, Sleepers, The Cowboys, Conrack, 1979's Dracula) and adds significantly to the viewing experience augmenting the tension and drama of the extreme action sequences. Also played are The Star Spangled Banner and The Stars and Stripes Forever before the Dallas Cowboys vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Superbowl. Imprint offer optional English subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The Imprint Blu-ray offers a new commentary by film historian Stephen Prince who discusses Black Sunday as the first Hollywood film to deal with international terrorism. He's very prepared and covers much of Frankenheimer's career, Shaw, Dern and Marthe Keller (John Schlesinger's Marathon Man, Billy Wilder's Fedora and Sydney Pollack's Bobby Deerfield) as a relative unknown to US audiences at the time. She is excellent in Black Sunday. There are also new interviews including film music historian Daniel Schweiger about the John Williams score running 10-minutes plus It Could Be Tomorrow - Directing Black Sunday, a Ballyhoo Production running over a dozen minutes unafraid to take a more critical look at the director's oeuvre. Lastly, is a theatrical trailer and the package has a limited edition slipcase on the first 1500 copies.

I remember seeing John Frankenheimer's Black Sunday when I was much younger and it had a big impact on me. I don't think it has held up as well over time but it's always a pleasure to see Robert Shaw in such an ambitious effort with a determined, pioneering storyline. It's an intensive thriller that builds with a high level of suspense. The Imprint Blu-ray provides a modest presentation but the Prince commentary and two interviews make it desirable. I was glad to revisit the film after a few decades and learn more about the impressive John Frankenheimer. 

Gary Tooze