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

December 2022: Just a short note that Fun City's March 6th, 2023 UK release of Norbert Meisel's Walking the Edge to Blu-ray is an almost exact duplicate of their US release excepting that it now has optional English subtitles - something the June 2021 Blu-ray edition did not offer.

Otherwise it is the same 4K restoration - exact same audio, video, menus, extras and reversible sleeve (see below.) It is, likewise, region FREE. A great release!

***

ADDITION: Fun City Editions Blu-ray (June 2021): Fun City Editions (Jeremy, Alphabet City, Smile, I Start Counting) have transferred Norbert Meisel's Walking the Edge to Blu-ray. It is cited as being from a "New 4K restoration from its 35mm original camera negative". It translated to digital as many mid 80's films with the less-resilient stock that shows rougher grain. The 1080P is consistent, clean and exports authentic colors. It is one a dual-layered disc with a max'ed out bitrate and I can't imagine it looking any better in this format. The textures appear noisier but it is simply how many 80's films looked. I am very pleased with Fun City's 4K-restored HD presentation.  

NOTE: We have added 68 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Fun City Editions use a DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel track (24-bit) in the original English language. There are sequences of aggression with gunplay that carry reasonable, often surprising, depth and a pulsing score, with some horn riffs, by Jay Chattaway (Vigilante, Silver Bullet, Maniac, Maniac Cop) sounding supportive and indicative of the genre and era. Fun City Editions offer no subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The Fun City Editions Blu-ray offers two commentaries. I thoroughly enjoyed the older one with director Norbert Meisel and stars Robert Forster and Nancy Kwan (Meisel's wife.) They had fun, discussing the production - it's short 3-week production time, how they came to be involved, the low budget aspects and some anecdotes of how they knew much of the supporting cast and crew. There are gaps in the second half but it was a pleasure to hear Forster and Kwan remembering their work here, Tarantino and more. The new commentary is by film historian Chris Poggiali and film producer Matt Verboys. They discuss director Norbert Meisel, his ability to procure natural, realistic performances (leaving the actors alone), Forsters' likable Jason Walk character who is stuck in his past, many of the cast, how Walking the Edge evokes classic Film Noir... and much more. It's educational. There is a new, 24-minute, video interview with "French Connection Cop" Randy Jurgensen entitled "Det. Jurgensen Remembers Forster and Spinell" sharing his experiences. Also included is a new, dozen-minute, video interview with composer Jay Chattaway talking about his work and the score. "Breaking Point" is a new dozen-minute video essay by filmmaker Chris O'Neill which starts with a quote from Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian; "Robert Forster: a coolly charismatic character actor with an intensely sympathetic air...he was much loved by his colleagues as a class act, and for audiences he was an American icon." He talks about Forster's resume of over 180 screen appearances, how Walking the Edge was in a transitional period in the actor's career, his initial role in John Huston's Reflections in a Golden Eye and much more. There is a theatrical trailer, image gallery and the package has a booklet with a new essay by filmmaker and writer Jim Hemphill, plus reversible cover artwork.  

Norbert Meisel's Walking the Edge is a dated genre film - but we love the nostalgia, Forster and lovely Kwan. It holds up to be an enjoyable thriller with a drifting 'hack' teaming with a women bent on revenge. It is films like this, with simple involved characters standing up to criminals, that we reflect back on today with a great appreciation. I wish there were 100 more like this with Robert Forster (RIP.) The Fun City Editions' Blu-ray is top-shelf material; 4K restored, two commentaries, interviews, a video essay and a booklet. Strongly recommended!

Gary Tooze