Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.5

Jagged Edge Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov August 30, 2021

Richard Marquand's "Jagged Edge" (1985) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films. The supplemental features on the disc include new video interview with writer Joe Eszterhas; new video program with editor Sean Barton; archival audio interview with Jeff Bridges; vintage promotional materials for the film; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".

After his wife is brutally murdered in their beach house, Jack Forrester (Jeff Bridges) instantly inherits her wealth and becomes a murder suspect. Veteran lawyer Teddy Barnes (Glenn Close), who has not worked on a criminal case for years, reluctantly agrees to defend Forrester, and soon after becomes romantically involved with him. During the trial, Barnes faces Thomas Krasny (Peter Coyote), also an experienced lawyer, and despite some unexpected setbacks proves that Forrester is an innocent man. But a strange discovery forces her to reevaluate the entire case.

In the United States, Jagged Edge was released on Blu-ray by Image Entertainment in 2011. For an in-depth analysis of the film, please see Casey Broadwater's review of this release here.

Jagged Edge Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Jagged Edge arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films.

The release is sourced from an older but very good master that was supplied by Sony Pictures. (I believe it is a 2K master). To be honest, the only two areas where I think some meaningful improvements can be made are density and fluidity. However, addressing the former would automatically strengthen the latter. These improvements will not be substantial. Grain is already very nicely exposed and it just needs to be a little 'tighter'. It cannot be healthier because there are no traces of problematic digital adjustments. Fluidity is very good as well, but some of the darker indoor and nighttime footage can slightly more convincing. The rest looks really, really good. For example, the color-grading job is outstanding. The primaries look very healthy, stable, and nicely balances. There are wonderful ranges of supporting nuances as well. Highlights look good. There are no stability issues. The entire film looks clean, too. All in all, while it may be older, the current master that Sony Pictures has in its vaults boasts a very strong organic appearance. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Jagged Edge Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and English: LPCM 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

I viewed the entire film with the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. I thought that it was very solid. Clarity, sharpness, and stability are excellent. The audio is very healthy as well. While the film has a very good music score, there isn't any material that can offer opportunities for impressive dynamic contrasts, so the overall range of dynamic nuances is rather limited. I did not encounter any encoding anomalies to report in our review.

Jagged Edge Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Trailer - vintage U.S. trailer for Jagged Edge. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).

• Radio Spot - vintage radio spot for Jagged Edge. In English, not subtitled. (1 min).

• Music of Loneliness: Huckvale on Barry - in this new program, music historian David Huckvale discusses John Barry's soundtrack and some of the ways in which it enhances the suspense in Jagged Edge. In English, not subtitled. (10 min).

• Sean Barton: Cutting Edge - in this new program, editor Sean Barton recalls how he was hired to work on Jagged Edge as well as the process of contributing to a 'union picture'. In English, not subtitled. (17 min).

• Joe Eszterhas: Killer Business - in this new program, writer Joe Eszterhas discusses his background and what it was like growing up in Cleveland, his love for Italian neorealist films, his first screenplay for F.I.S.T., and involvement with Jagged Edge. In English, not subtitled. (23 min).

• The Guardian Interview with Jeff Bridges - presented here is an archival audio interview with Jeff Bridges which was conducted by Geoff Andrew at the Naitonal Film Theatre in London on February 18, 1990. The actor discusses his background and career as well as some of the characters he had been cast to play. In English, not subtitled. (57 min).

• Image Gallery - a gallery with original promotional materials for Jagged Edge.

• Booklet - exclusive booklet with a new essay by Maitland McDonagh, extracts from archival interviews with director Richard Marquand, a look at the making of the film, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and full film credits.

Jagged Edge Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

You have to be a fan of at least one of the leads in Jagged Edge to enjoy it. I am not trying to imply that it is a poor film, but your instincts will very quickly reveal to you where the film is heading and how the drama will be wrapped up. So, it would be only a matter of time before everything comes together as you expect. Indicator/Powerhouse Films' release of Jagged Edge is sourced from an older but very solid master that was supplied by Sony Pictures. It features a good selections of exclusive new and archival bonus features as well. RECOMMENDED, but only to the fans.