This fine cast makes this film even more of a classic. The Criterion DVD release of Grand Illusion is a winner. The film was supposed to be Criterion's first venture into the DVD market, but the print from the newly discovered camera negative didn't meet their expectations. The DVD was postponed, while months were spent upon cleaning up all the scratches. As a result, the full-frame image is stunning and absolutely clean.
Blacks are very rich and deep.
The contrast is well balanced. Criterion's new digital transfer was painstakingly created from the long-lost camera negative, for decades believed destroyed by the Nazis during the occupation of France. It looks wonderful - this DVD was well worth any wait. The mono soundtrack is not quite as stellar, though. I had a hard time understanding some of the German dialogue.