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

ADDITION: Criterion Blu-ray (April 2021): Criterion have transferred Edmund Goulding's Nightmare Alley to Blu-ray. It is cited as being a "New 4K digital restoration". It wouldn't have taken much to advance on the bootleg CineCom Blu-ray and its litany of flaws; horizontally stretched, interlaced in PAL timing, cropped, artefacts, a probable SD bump etc. The Criterion image is a bit waxy in spots, but generally shows some textures and is the brightest image and shows the most in the frame - notably on the side edges. It is on a dual-layered disc and looks marvelous in-motion. Lee Garmes' (Shanghai Express, Morocco, Since You Went Away) cinematography style is described by Imogen Sara Smith by as 'soft, textured "sfumato" lighting' and we can see that plainly here by Criterion's 1080P transfer. A pure treat to see it looking so strong and representational in this format.  

NOTE: We have added 86 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Criterion use a linear PCM mono track (24-bit) in the original English language. Carnival sounds exist and are flat but recognizable - adding atmosphere. It is another advancement in the film's audio and score... by Cyril J. Mockridge (I Wake Up Screaming, Where the Sidewalk Ends, Thieves' Highway, Desk Set, The Ox-Bow Incident, The Dark Corner, My Darling Clementine, Night People) sounding a bit deeper with more consistent dialogue. Criterion offer optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

The Criterion Blu-ray includes the audio commentary from 2005 featuring film historians James Ursini and Alain Silver where they discuss how Tyrone Power initiated the production to help change his image (Darryl F. Zanuck not wanting to be involved), how it has some transcendental philosophies and the redemptive conclusion (different from William Lindsay Gresham's book). They do talk about the author, the Helen Walker psychologist character being immoral - notably differing, in general from the troubled Carny folk and how they show loyalty and morality in Nightmare Alley, and much more. It is a fabulous, essential, commentary - glad to have it included here. Criterion add a new 1/2 hour interview with film critic Imogen Sara Smith, author of In Lonely Places: Film Noir Beyond the City, recorded in New York in January 2021 and she talks about Gresham and the book, the 'juicy' character of Stanton 'Stan' Carlisle, director Edmund Goulding, the idea of it being a 'cursed film' and much more. Like all her work - it is excellent. I enjoyed the dozen-minute interview with actor Coleen Gray, courtesy of the Film Noir Foundation, recorded by filmmaker Patrick Francis in 2007. In it, Gray discusses her experience working on Nightmare Alley. There is also a new 20-minute interview with performer and sideshow historian Todd Robbins recorded in New York in January 2021. There is a 10-minute audio excerpt from an interview with filmmaker Henry King that was conducted by Thomas R. Stemple in January 1971 and recorded as part of the Darryl F. Zanuck Research Project for the American Film Institute's Oral History Collection. In it, King discusses his work with Nightmare Alley star Tyrone Power, who also acted in eleven of King's pictures. There is a trailer and the package has liner notes with an essay by film writer and screenwriter Kim Morgan. 

Nightmare Alley is one of the most beloved, important, grimmest and cult-promoting of all Noirs. The latter because of its lack of availability for years over a legal dispute between Producer George Jessel and 20th Century Fox. It remains a fascinating part of the 'dark cinema' cycle with a touching, complex, anti-hero in the mysterious intriguing world of carnival life and 'mentalists'. Nightmare Alley is one of the most desirable of Noirs to finally come to a legitimate Blu-ray. Kudos to Criterion for its valuable extras and the best the film has ever looked and sounded on digital. Absolutely recommended! 

Gary Tooze