Secret Window DVD Review

Presented in 2.40:1 anamorphic widescreen and boasting a high definition transfer, Secret Window looks very good indeed. The print is clean from scratches or dirt and grain is never a real problem. The image is sharp for the most part with only a few scenes looking softer than normally expected. Colours are bright and vivid with no signs of bloom or bleed and blacks are solid with good shadow detail present. Edge enhancement is thankfully no where to be seen and compression artefacts are few and far between. Overall the print is above average with no real problems seen in the transfer.

The first thing to hit you about the soundtrack is the brilliant score by Phillip Glass, his Basic Instinct style creepiness surrounds the listener throughout the movie, adding that edge which many scores try and fail to achieve. The rest of the Dolby Digital 5.1 soundmix is also very well done with excellent ambiant effects surrounding the Cabin, and the use of blackouts with only audio effects to portray some of the more gory aspects of the movie. Dialogue is crisp and clear and easy to follow and LFE is used to underpin some of the more jumpy moments. Overall this soundmix is not one which will make the demo piece, but will satisfy without hitting you over the head.

Kicking the extras off is the insightful and interesting Directors commentary track from David Koepp. The track is full of information regarding the writing, casting and making of the movie and Koepp is entertaining enough to hold your attention. Next are three featurettes; From Book to Film, A look through it and Secrets Revealed. You can watch these separately or as one long 62 minute piece. One thing I will say is do not watch the extras first! Right from the start there are huge spoilers that will ruin the movie for you. The featurettes start with a promotional feel but quickly become more interesting once we get into the meat of the story and production techniques used for the camera moves and setting up the ending. Also featured are 4 Deleted scenes with optional commentary, many of which are actually extended scenes, there are animated storyboards and finally trailers for the movie and other Columbia Titles.
A tense and clever thriller with excellent performances and fast pacing and the disc is above average in terms of AV performance with welcome extras. Highly recommended.