The Remains of the Day [DVD] [1993]

A "special edition" of the period piece The Remains of the Day should please fans of gripping dramas starring Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson. This 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer by Columbia looks bright and beautiful, perfectly capturing the essence of the film. Although there is a slight amount of edge enhancement in the image, overall, this is a splendid looking transfer. The audio is presented in a newly remixed Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack. Not surprisingly, this soundtrack is somewhat subdued due to the fact that The Remains of the Day is a mostly dialogue-driven film. All aspects of the effects, music, and dialogue are clear and free of any distortion. Also included on this disc is a Dolby Digital 2.0 mix, as well as French, Spanish, and Portuguese subtitles. The Remains of the Day: Special Edition includes some well-produced supplemental material for fans to sift through. A commentary track by Emma Thompson, producer Ishmael Merchant, and director James Ivory is both informative and chatty. All three participants seem to enjoy each other's company and have interesting stories to share with the listener. Three separate documentaries are included (an HBO special, a featurette titled "Blind Loyalty, Hollow Honor," and a newly created retrospective documentary), and, taken as a whole, all three of these are very informative. The "retrospective" is an especially engaging look back with actors Anthony Hopkins and Christopher Reeve. Six deleted scenes are included with optional commentary by the director, as well as some selected filmographies on the cast and crew, and a few thin production notes. The Remains of the Day: Special Edition is a wonderful DVD for those interested in not only seeing the film, but also learning about its background.