NOTE : The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc. ADDITION: Criterion Blu-ray (May 2019): Criterion have transferred George Stevens' delightful Astaire/Rogers musical Swing Time to Blu-ray . It appears to be from the same master as the Warner DVD, with the same minor damage marks. This 1080P is described as a "New 2K digital restoration". The bitrate is approaching 6X that of the SD and this shows in the richer grain texture support - and contrast is better defined (the DVD image can look a shade green beside the BD.) The Blu-ray image is wonderful in-motion produces a very appealing presentation. On their Blu-ray , Criterion use a linear PCM mono track (24-bit) in the original English language. It is predictably flat with some issues regarding the age of the production but dialogue is clear if sometimes hollow. The Jerome Kern with lyricist Dorothy Fields (and uncredited Robert Russell Bennett) score includes Pick Yourself Up, The Way You Look Tonight, A Fine Romance, Bojangles of Harlem with many sang and danced by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. It sounds toe-tappingly clear and crisp. The Criterion BD offers optional English subtitles on their Region 'A' (In North American) and Region 'B' (in the UK) Blu-ray . Criterion include the audio commentary from 1986 featuring John Mueller, author of Astaire Dancing: The Musical Films - it is still jammed with information and well-worth the indulgence for those keen on the film and Astaire. There are archival interviews with performers Fred Astaire hat was conducted by George Stevens Jr. in 1982. Two with Ginger Rogers from 1980 and 1982 - and another with Swing Time choreographer Hermes Pan that was conducted by George Stevens Jr. in 1982. We get a new interview with George Stevens Jr. founder of the American Film Institute and son of director George Stevens, discusses the evolution of his father's career. Also is a new interview with film scholar Mia Mask on the “Bojangles of Harlem” number and who discusses blackface used in that Swing Time. In Full Swing, is a new 40-minute program on the film’s choreography and soundtrack featuring jazz and film critic Gary Giddins, dance critic Brian Seibert, and Dorothy Fields's biographer Deborah Grace Winer discuss the making of Swing Time and the way Astaire and Rogers's films revolutionized the Hollywood dance musical. Lastly, is an liner notes essay by critic Imogen Sara Smith Swing Time is one of the most beautiful of the early dance-musicals. It's funny, and romantic with wonderfully choreographed and performed dance sequences. It's a film I am very pleased to own on Blu-ray . Watchable any evening with the lights turned low - to step back in time when life was far more graceful, and simple yet classy - a very strong recommendation!

Gary Tooze