DVD Review: Criterion redresses an error

“Dressed to Kill” is far from Brian De Palma’s best film. In fact, it’s not even the best of his “Hitchcock homages” ... or knockoffs, if you’re unsympathetic. (That would be “Obsession.”) But it has its many fans, who will want to pick up the new Criterion home video release.

The most important thing to say is that initially Criterion dropped the ball badly. The product was supposed to hit stores on Aug. 18, but reviewers who received early copies reported that most or all of the film was slightly squeezed along the sides, making everyone’s faces longer and thinner.

To their credit, the Criterion folks quickly announced that they were pushing back the date to Sept. 8, so they could press a new run to correct the error. They also offered to replace any copies that might have somehow already made it into consumer outlets and then to buyers. But, to avoid that hassle, “Dressed to Kill” fans should make sure before they buy that “Second printing 2016” appears on the back of the case, rather than “First printing 2016.”

The video transfer is often hazy, but that’s an accurate representation of the original theatrical experience. Like previous domestic digital home versions, this is the unrated cut, not the 1980 R-rated version. Two of the extras (held over from the 2001 DVD release) discuss the cutting and detail the differences — as well as of the additionally cleaned-up network TV version — in split screen. The main changes for the R-rated and TV cuts involve taking out much of the blood and direct violence. In addition, Angie Dickinson’s character’s groin was covered up in the opening sequence; and a popular four-letter word for a specific part of the male anatomy was changed to “bulge.”

Those account for only 15 minutes of this edition’s 2 1/2 hours of extras. From the 2001 DVD, Criterion also holds over a 43-minute “Making of” documentary and an insightful six-minute analysis by star Keith Gordon, who later became a director himself. The new edition contains recent interviews with De Palma (together with Noah Baumbach), star Nancy Allen, producer George Litto, composer Pino Donaggio, body double Victoria Lynn Johnson, and photographic art director Stephen Sayadian. Also new is a discussion with filmmaker Michael Apted about cinematographer Ralf Bode.

Dressed to Kill (Criterion, Blu-ray, $39.95; DVD, $29.95)