Trainspotting Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		3.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		3.5

Trainspotting Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov January 13, 2024

Danny Boyle's "Trainspotting" (1996) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion. The supplemental features on the release include archival audio commentary was recorded by Danny Boyle, Ewan McGregor, producer Andrew Macdonald, and screenwriter John Hodge; various archival cast and crew interviews; deleted scenes; new program with costume designer Rachael Fleming and production designer Kave Quinn; vintage promotional materials; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

Based on the popular novel by Irvine Welsh, Danny Boyle’s Trainspotting is a film that is irresistibly funny and at the same time incredibly sad. It follows closely the deeds of a group of junkies living in Edinburgh, Scotland, as they slowly lose control over their lives.

There are five of them. Mark Renton (Ewan McGregor, The Island), an on-again, off-again addict, who has repeatedly attempted to get off drugs but has failed. Spud (Ewen Bremner, Julien Donkey-Boy), a good-hearted loser, who always gets shafted. Sick Boy (Jonny Lee Miller, Plunkett & Macleane), a young lad not yet fully hooked on heroin but fascinated with Sean Connery. Tommy (Kevin McKidd, AfterLife), a deceivingly intelligent looking lad, who believes that an Iggy Pop show is better than sex. Begbie (Robert Carlyle, Riff-Raff), a disturbingly violent man with a serious drinking problem.

The five junkies are at a different point in their addiction cycles, which is the reason why Trainspotting is structured as a collage of individual sequences. One of them is about Mark’s attempt to get clean. He goes to an abandoned apartment and nails the door so that he could resist the temptation of getting out and finding himself another fix.

There is another sequence where Mark visits Tommy, who has locked himself into an abandoned apartment, with a slightly different idea in mind. Mark attempts to cheer up his friend but realizes that Tommy has already given up on life. Before he leaves, Mark gives him his change.

In another sequence, we see Mark moving to London and attempting to start a new life. However, Begbie, who is wanted in connection to an armed robbery, and Sick Boy, who has become a pusher and pimp, appear and drag him back into a world of excess and crime.

The finale is uplifting. Everyone is given a second chance, but only one of the main characters takes advantage of it. Of course, considering what takes place during the first half of the film, one could successfully argue that the message of Trainspotting is far more nihilistic than it is optimistic.

Trainspotting earned international acclaim after it was screened at the Cannes Film Festival (outside of competition) in May 1996. The film had premiered to rave reviews in the United Kingdom a few months earlier. Big international distributors quickly bought the rights to the film, and the rest is history. Nowadays, Trainspottting is considered by many as one of the quintessential cult films of the 90s.

One of the key reasons why the film managed to entice audiences around the globe is its impeccable blending of drama and comedy. Cinematographer Brian Tufano captured the deceiving coolness (and ugliness) of heroin addiction in such an impressive fashion that many felt Trainspotting might have effectively promoted what it aimed to dismiss.

The notable jabs at the value system promoted by Margaret Thatcher’s conservative government during the 80s (where the story of the film is set) also resonated strongly with many who saw Trainspotting. Mark’s initial rejection of these values – manifested through his memorable monologue in the very beginning of the film – and consequently enthusiastic embracement are amongst the key scenes from the film.

Trainspotting is complimented by a fantastic selection of club hits such as “Born Slippy” by Underworld, “Final Hit” by Leftfield, “For What You Dream Of” by Bedrock, “Temptation” by New Order, etc.

Trainspotting 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, Trainspotting arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion.

The release introduces a brand new 4K makeover that was approved by Danny Boyle. This makeover can also be viewed in native 4K on this 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray combo pack.

I viewed Trainspotting in native 4K and 1080p, on two different nights, because there were plenty of discrepancies in the color scheme, which now looks different. In our review of the 4K Blu-ray release, I highlighted several examples where primaries and supporting nuances are altered. The same alterations are present in 1080p as well. I took a lot of different screencaptures to demonstrate the discrepancies, so take a look at them and see if they can help you understand what is different now and how.

The entire film looks healthier now. Obviously, this is hardly surprising because the old master that was used to source previous releases of Trainspotting had several notable limitations. Density levels and fluidity are superior as well. Naturally, on a larger screen, you will see much more attractive visuals. Unfortunately, in different areas, the color temperature of the visuals is different now. Sometimes the discrepancies are small and practically irrelevant (see screencapture #3), but sometimes they are significant. Image stability is excellent. I did not encounter any encoding anomalies to report either. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Trainspotting Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

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

I viewed Trainspotting on 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray in its entirety. I tested the two lossless tracks, but I think that I prefer the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. When the music kicks in, the difference between the lossy and lossless tracks becomes undeniable, and during several of the mass scenes, there is movement in the surrounds that makes a difference, too. Clarity, sharpness, and stability are very good, but I have to admit that there are several sections where the accents become so thick that I have to turn on the subtitles. I did not encounter any anomalies to report in our review.

Trainspotting Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary - this archival audio commentary was recorded by Danny Boyle, Ewan McGregor, producer Andrew Macdonald, and screenwriter John Hodge for Criterion in 1996. The commentators go down memory lane and recall their collaboration on Trainspotting while cracking up a few jokes along the way as well.

• Designing - in this exclusive new program, costume designer Rachael Fleming and production designer Kave Quinn discuss the sets, costumes, and visual appearance of Trainspotting. (Also, there are some interesting comments about Shallow Grave). The program was produced for Criterion in 2023. In English, not subtitled. (20 min).

• Listening - this program gathers recollections from musicians featured on the Trainspotting soundtrack -- Iggy Pop, Bobby Gillespie (Primal Scream), Damon Albarn (Blur), Jarvis Cocker (Pulp), Neil Barnes (Leftfield), and Rick Smith and Karl Hyde (Underworld) -- and Noel Gallagher (Oasis). In English, not subtitled. (12 min).

• Memories of "Trainspotting" - in this archival documentary, director Danny Boyle, producer Andrew Macdonald, screenwriter John Hodge, Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Kelly Macdonald and Robert Carlyle recall their collaborations on Trainspotting, the various challenges the cast and crew faced during the production process, how the film was received, etc. In English, not subtitled. (45 min).

• Off the Rails: The Making of "Trainspotting" - this program gathers various archival interviews with Danny Boyle, producer Andrew Macdonald, screenwriter John Hodge, author Irvine Welsh, Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremned, and Robert Carlyle, among others. The interviewees discuss everything from the novel that inspired Trainspotting to the casting choices that were made and the film's reception. In English, not subtitled. (45 min).

• Deleted Scenes - presented here are several deleted scenes that can be viewed with optional audio commentary by the filmmakers. In English, not subtitled. (11 min).
  
  1. Deleted scene 24
  2. Deleted scene 31
  3. Deleted scene 32
  4. Deleted scenes 73 and 110
  5. Deleted scene 142
  6. Deleted scene 143
  7. Deleted scene 188
  8. Deleted scenes 191
  9. Deleted Australian scene

• Teaser Trailer - presented here is an original teaser trailer for Trainspotting cut by Polygram. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).

• Theatrical Trailer - presented here is an original theatrical trailer for Trainspotting cut by Polygram. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• Reading - a few test readings by Ewan McGregor done for Criterion's audio commentary for Trainspotting. In English, not subtitles. (3 min).

• Booklet - an illustrated booklet featuring essays by critic Graham Fuller and author Irvine Welsh, Welsh's glossary of terms from the novel, and technical credits.

Trainspotting Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

This upcoming release of Trainspotting is a lot like the recent release of Brotherhood of the Wolf. It introduces a brand new 4K restoration that alters the film's original theatrical appearance but was endorsed by Danny Boyle. Some people will be fine with the changes, but a lot of people will find them quite frustrating. The release has an extensive selection of exclusive new and archival bonus features, so it is definitely worth picking up. However, I think that an opportunity was missed to deliver the definitive home video release of Trainspotting. RECOMMENDED.