Dirty Work 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Dirty Work 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf June 25, 2025

1998’s “Dirty Work” was intended to bring the strange comedy of Norm Macdonald to the masses. The production followed the Adam Sandler path of dumb guy entertainment, sticking Macdonald’s subtle ways with a punchline into a vibrantly colored, happily crude endeavor, trusting viewers would accept the “Saturday Night Live” performer’s idiosyncratic ways. They didn’t (the film grossed less than “Air Bud: Golden Receiver”), but that didn’t stop the picture, which went on to achieve cult fandom through home video rentals and cable airings, giving the feature a second life. Looking to build on this reputation, Vinegar Syndrome attempts to deliver the goods for “Dirty Work,” giving the theatrical cut a fresh UHD scan, also going out of their way to restore a “Dirtier Cut” of the offering, which represents director Bob Saget’s original R-rated intent. There’s also an Assembly Cut for superfans, delivering a much longer version of the effort in workprint form. What a time to be alive.

For additional information and analysis, please read the 2015 Blu-ray review.

Three cuts of “Dirty Work” are offered on this release: the Theatrical Cut (81:51), the “Dirtier Cut” (83:45), and the Assembly Cut (120:42).

Dirty Work 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

"Dirty Work" was previously issued on Blu-ray in 2015 by Olive Films. Vinegar Syndrome returns to the title with guns blazing, offering multiple cuts of the movie, while two of these versions are listed as "presented in Dolby Vision HDR and newly scanned and restored from its 35mm original camera negative." It's a much brighter look at "Dirty Work" than the Olive release, delivering powerful primaries throughout the viewing experience, working with the cartoonish world of the feature. From set decoration to costuming, there are clear yellows, reds, and blues to enjoy. Greenery is distinct, and subtle shades of fish and lighting register as intended. Skin tones are mostly natural, with a few peaks of redness at times. Detail is excellent, getting into skin particulars and fibrous outfits. Interiors maintain excellent dimension, and exteriors retain depth. Blacks are deep, securing evening activity. Highlights are tasteful. Grain is film-like. Source is in good condition. For the "Dirtier Cut," a reconstruction of the movie was involved, resulting in very mild jumps into new footage.

Dirty Work 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The PG-13 cut of "Dirty Work" is presented with 5.1 and 2.0 DTS-HD MA mixes, while the "Dirtier Cut" is only offered in 2.0 DTS-HD MA. While both tracks do the trick, the 2.0 is actually a bit more engaging, with a smaller, focused sound fitting a low-tech comedy. Dialogue exchanges are clear, preserving various performance choices and dramatic emphasis. Scoring maintains steady support and defined instrumentation. Soundtrack selections are also secure, with clear vocals. Atmospherics are appreciable. For the "Dirtier Cut," a reconstruction of the movie was involved, resulting in slightly compressed audio differences for the new footage.

Dirty Work 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet contains essays by Don Ozzi, Jon Dieringer, and Oscar Becher.

• Commentary (Theatrical Cut) features co-writer Frank Sebastiano and Mike Hunchback.

• Commentary ("Dirtier Cut") features co-writers Frank Sebastiano and Fred Wolf.

Blu-ray Disc #1

• "Note to Self" (63:01, HD) is the making-of for "Dirty Work," featuring interviews with co-writers Frank Sebastiano and Fred Wolf, assistant director Alan Goluboff, assistant editor Ryan Folsey, stunt performer Brian Jagersky, and actors Jim Downey, David Koechner, Uni Park, Kevin Farley, Boyd Banks, Robert Shipman, B.J. McQueen, Cliff Saunders, Grant Nickalls, and Gerry Mendicino. The "Saturday Night Live" experience is tracked, with a few of the interviewees recalling how they met Norm Macdonald, exposed to his atypical personality and comedic interests. The production evolution and experience for "Dirty Work" is tracked, exploring writing, casting, characterization, and editing. Tributes to Macdonald and director Bob Saget are provided as well.

• "Two Dollars" (10:46, HD) is an interview with actor Jim Downey, who sits down for an interview fresh after some type of accident, newly fitted for an eyepatch. Downey describes his introduction to the world of Norm Macdonald, impressed with his comedic skills at "Saturday Night Live." The interviewee examines his time as a thespian and shares tales from the set, where he was confronted by co-star Jack Warden over his religious background. He also offers an appreciation for Macdonald's unusual mind.

• "Quicksand" (7:52, HD) is an interview with actor Kevin Farley, who connected to Norm Macdonald through friends and golf, expecting a bigger part in "Dirty Work" due to this relationship. Time on the set is recalled, as Farley hit up Don Rickles for stories, and he shares his thoughts on director Bob Saget and his brother, Chris Farley. The interviewee also provides his appreciation of Macdonald's character and skill with comedy.

• "Cutting 'Dirty Work'" (6:24, HD) is an interview with assistant editor Ryan Folsey, son of editor George Folsey Jr., initially offering some information about his dad and his place in a changing industry as technology moved from film to digital. Professional duties are recalled, putting the Folseys in charge of wacky footage, and technique is celebrated as Ryan learned it all from his father.

• "Front Row" (8:48, HD) is an interview with assistant director Alan Goluboff, who offers an appreciation of director Bob Saget, who experienced an education while making "Dirty Work." The interviewee highlights comedic choices made by the actors, and recalls the presence of Don Rickles on the set, with the crew taking the brunt of the comedian's insults.

• "Nose Biter" (5:23, HD) is a video conference interview with actress Uni Park, who was in Canada was she received a call to appear in "Dirty Work," amused by the part offered to her. Park wasn't completely aware of what she was getting into with the picture, soon surrounded by comedians, including Chevy Chase, who lived up to his troubling reputation via a cringe-worthy introduction.

• "Face First" (7:25, HD) is an interview with stunt performer Brian Jagersky, who showed an early interest in martial arts training, eventually getting into the stunt business. Hired for "Dirty Work," Jagersky was responsible for Macdonald's hard hits and full body tosses during the shoot, offering an understanding of his technique when throwing himself around for the production.

• "Fully Loaded" (7:37, HD) is an interview with actor David Koechner, who describes Norm Macdonald's comedic technique, respecting his unusual ways, sharing anecdotes about their time together as well. The interviewee also offers his appreciation for director Bob Saget.

• "Revenge for Hire" (9:11, HD) is an interview with co-writer Frank Sebastiano, who originally sent a set of jokes to Norm Macdonald for use on "Saturday Night Live," scoring a gig out of the relationship. Dreaming of film work, Sebastiano started the script for "Dirty Work" as a teenager, eventually reworking the material for Macdonald with the comedian and Fred Wolf. Casting is analyzed, collecting unusual actors for the "juvenile" project. An appreciation for Macdonald and his special sense of humor is provided as well.

• "Excuse Me" (7:42, HD) is an interview with co-writer Fred Wolf, who has "nothin' bad to say" about Norm Macdonald, providing a few anecdotes about his time with the co-writer/star, working to understand his sense of humor. The interviewee also offers a tale about the first screening of "Dirty Work" for studio brass, creating some room tension afterwards Wolf personally decided to break.

• "The Last Word" (15:47, HD) is a dual interview with co-writers Frank Sebastiano and Fred Wolf, who highlight the collaborative process. Sebastinano was new to the movie business when he submitted "Dirty Work," while Wolf carried more experience, trying to respectfully add jokes to the script. The interviewees recall the experience working with Macdonald, fighting to keep him involved in the writing process. Tales from the test screening process are shared, as angry parents pulled little children out of the theater, and the release of "Dirty Work" is remembered, with its financial failure immediate.

• "Hey Jim, It's Norm" (19:30, HD) is a dual interview with co-writer Frank Sebastino and actor Jim Downey. The men set out to explore text messages from Norm Macdonald, sharing his communication with Downey, which is filled with strange bits and comedic interplay. Anecdotes from the Norm Experience soon take over the conversation, celebrating his unusual behavior.

Blu-ray Disc #2

• Alternate Extended Ending (1:04, HD) is provided.

• A Theatrical Trailer (2:27, SD) is included.

Dirty Work 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The "Dirtier Cut" isn't a drastic reworking of "Dirty Work," but it does return some edge to the picture, delivering a more natural overview of the effort's tomfoolery. It's a slight improvement on a feature that's undeniably stiff in execution, but also very funny at times, especially when it breaks away from Sandler formula to explore the oddity of Macdonald's imagination. The package certainly celebrates its star, putting Vinegar Syndrome to work as they strive to give Macdonald the love he deserves and his first starring vehicle the editorial and supplementary attention nobody thought was possible.