Joe Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Joe Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman September 10, 2026

Radiance Films' Transmission imprint is offering Region B viewers a chance to see this provocative 1970 film which offered Susan Sarandon her first feature film role. The film was released in Region A several years ago by Olive (see below for a review link). Joe is quite probably a prime example of how the general zeitgeist in the United States had morphed since the so-called Summer of Love in 1967, though its hyperbolic approach to its depiction of the "current" state of affairs is likely its most memorable aspect, along with a riveting performance by Peter Boyle as the title character. While this film's exploration of what might be termed "class consciousness" is absolutely visceral, the whole "generation gap" angle of a "hippie" child leaving well to do parents was something of subgenre during this period, and for those who haven't seen it, there's a very interesting 1971 made for television effort called Maybe I'll Come Home in the Spring starring Sally Field that may be of some interest.

As mentioned above, Olive Films released Joe several years ago and the Joe Blu-ray review of that edition offers plot information, a list of supplements (not much) and an assessment of the technical presentation.

Joe Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Joe is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Radiance Films' Transmission Video Distribution imprint with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.85:1. Radiance sent a check disc for purposes of this review and so I'm not privy to any information on the transfer which might be included in an insert booklet, but their website only a generic "high definition digital transfer" as its sole technical data point, which of course isn't very informative. I've attempted to duplicate some of the frames captured for the review of the Olive edition, and this looks identical, which probably suggests this was culled from the same master. While there are some variances in clarity and grain structure, especially with regard to what I assume may have been second unit work on location, this is an appealingly robust looking presentation. The palette is nicely suffused and detail levels are compelling, especially in some of the extreme close-ups that director John Avildsen tends to favor throughout the story.

Joe Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Joe features an LPCM Mono track which faithfully reproduces the somewhat limited sound design of the film. One of the strongest elements of that sound design is a really appealing score by jazz great Bobby Scott (look him up if you haven't heard of him), with some very nice vocals by Jerry Butler among others. Outdoor material features some ambient environmental effects, as do scenes in bars, parties and Joe's work environment. Dialogue is presented without any issues. Optional English subtitles are available.

Joe Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Audio Commentary by Matt Zoller Seitz and Jason Bailey


• Ellen E. Jones (HD; 13:16) offers her thoughts on the film.


• Erica Wexler (HD; 16:01) is the daughter of screenwriter Norman Wexler (look him up if you don't recognize his name), and offers her reminiscences of her father and the film.


• Trailers (HD; 4:24) features two trailers for the film with optional commentary by Marc Edward Heuck.


• Stills Gallery (HD)

Radiance sent a check disc for purposes of this review, but their website mentions the typical retinue of packaging extras.

Joe Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The commentary track on this disc mentions how Joe became something of a cause célèbre in its day, and how not one, but two, soundtrack compilation albums were released, one featuring the score and one featuring dialogue. I can tell you from personal experience that second named release was like catnip for a very young boy who stumbled on the cassette version (stop laughing) in the car of a friend who was visiting my family some years after the film had actually been released, and I snuck off to hear various questionable (for a minor, anyway) moments, including some snippets from the orgy (please pronounce it a la Joe) scene late in the film. Joe is maybe a little too over the top for its own good, but it offers one of the most compelling showcases of Peter Boyle's long and interesting career. Technical merits are generally solid and the supplements interesting and informative. Recommended.