Finally, a new DVD release of the classic 1978 movie "FM".

The previous 2000 DVD issue was selling for astronomical prices for a decent used copy, and I didn't think that I would ever find an affordable disc. This latest DVD, released very quietly last summer, contains both a "Widescreen Presentation" (2.35:1) enhanced for for 16x9 TV's, and a "Full-Frame Presentation" reformatted to fit 4x3 TV's, which is the way that I originally viewed it back in the day. Also included is the "Theatrical Trailer", which I could access on my computer, but was not attainable on my Samsung Blu-ray player, on which I also could not ever navigate to the Main Menu of the disc.

The bad news is that the picture quality is merely okay. The opening credits of the movie start with a slightly muddy and indistinct focus, but the quality gets slightly better after the first few scenes. I am not sure of the source for this release, but high-def it is definitely not.


The good news is that the picture quality is probably as good as we can hope for at this point for a cult classic of this vintage, and I am satisfied with my recent purchase. One of the reviewers claims there are scenes which have been edited or cut altogether, but I did not notice anything missing. Of course, I hadn't viewed this movie for some twenty years, but it still holds together well, and brought about a great nostalgia for the days when I used to catch it whenever it aired.

Overall, well worth getting if you remember the original movie.