Ridley Scott's Gladiator was released on Blu Ray on September 1st 2009.  The studio behind this release has applied heavy processing resulting in arrows and spears disappearing from the image.  Detail suffers and edge enhancement adds a halo like image around the borders of objects and people.

Edge enhancement is an unnecessary evil on high definition content and is usually only applied if too much digital noise reduction or other form of heavy processing has reduced image detail.  It's a fake way of sharpening the image and at first glance you assume the image is sharp and detailed.  At second glance you notice halo's around people and objects and at third glance you just throw up.

The usual reason for doing this is because they are using a very old master and do not want to pay to strike a new one so instead apply additional processing. 

Gladiator has been released in a much hyped Sapphire series meant to represent the very best image quality.  Fans of the film are less than happy and many have voiced grave concerns about the transfer. The transfer suffers from excessive DNR, edge enhancement and is atrocious.

The latest news as of late July 2010 is that Paramount have listened to complaints and have an exchange program in place, if you live in North America then just give them an email at PHE_Customerservice@Paramount.com and let them know you wish to exchange your disc.

In Europe where the title is distributed by Universal you can take advantage of this exchange program sometime during the last week of August 2010. This is proof that complaining works.

Click here to see blu ray screencaps of the re-released version of gladiator.