MPAA Rating: R

Running Time: 93 Minutes

Starring: Jason Schwartzman, Olivia Williams, Bill Murray, Brian Cox, Seymour Cassell, Mason Gamble

Written by: Wes Anderson & Owen Wilson

Directed by: Wes Anderson

Studio: Criterion

Retail Price: $39.95

Features: Audio Commentary with Director/Co-WriterWes Anderson, Co-Writer Owen Wilson and Jason Schwartzman, The Making Of 'Rushmore documentary, MTV Movie Awards Shorts, The Charlie Rose Show with Wes Anderson and Bill Murrary, Cast Audition Footage, Wes Anderson's Hand Drawn Storyboards with a Flim to Storyboard Comparison, Graphics, Theatrical Trailer

Specs: 2.35:1 Widescreen 1080p High Definition, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, English Subtitles, Chapters (25 Chapters)

Released: November 22nd, 2011

Rushmore is presented in a 1080p High Definition transfer, with the widescreen aspect ratio of 2.35:1. This is a new digital transer, mastered in 2K resolution from the original camera negative. With that in mind, this is the best Rushmore has ever looked. Save for a slight bit of shimmering here and there, this is a near-flawless transfer. The film looks pretty much spotless, with no dirt or blemishes to be found. Fleshtones are accurate, detail is fantastic (so much so that you can practically see all of David Wasco's production design) and color saturation is sublime — everything from the greens of Dr. Guggenheim's office, to the exteriors of Rushmore Academy. Black levels are rich, too. This is gorgeous looking, razor sharp transfer that brings out the life of the movie's visuals and Robert Yeoman's cinematography as never before on a home video release. I couldn't be happier. 

For this Blu-ray, Rushmore has gotten an audio upgrade with a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track in English. This is a great, discrete sound mix. All of the sound elements — music, dialogue, and sound effects — are balanced together, with one not overpowering the others. Dialogue is clear, crisp and always easy to hear. The sound effects — as featured in Max's stage productions (especially the grand finale) and revenge antics — have a nice power to them. Best of all though is the music featured in the soundtrack: all the British Invasion tunes and Mark Mothersbaugh's score, which are immensley filling through the channels. Fidelity hits a sweet spot on the track too, and the use of the subwoofer is well done, too. What a treat, for sure.

English subtitles are included.

This is a port of the outstanding 2000 Criterion DVD version, and everything has been retained for the Blu-ray release.

The Audio Commentary with Director/Co-Writer Wes Anderson, Co-Writer Owen Wilson and Jason Schwartzman is quite good, and covers a broad spectrum of topics on the making of the the movie. Anderson and Wilson's beginnings with "Bottle Rocket" is discussed. Anderson talks about his influences (including directly in some of the shots), as well as the movie's actors, song choices and use of storyboards. A must listen for any fan of the movie and Anderson's work.

The MTV Movie Awards Shorts, written and directed by Anderson, are still a highlight. Max Fischer offers an introduction, plus his stage visions for "The Truman Show," "Armageddon" and "Out of Sight."The Graphic Sections feature a lot of wonderful visuals to look at: pops, programs from Max's plays, posters, banners and more. There is also Audition Footage for Jason Schwartzman, Sara Tanaka, Stephen McCole, Ronnie and Keith McCawley and Mason Gamble. 

The Charlie Rose Show features interviews with Wes Anderson and Bill Murray, as featured on PBS back in 1999. Anderson and Murray separately discuss the challenges of making the movie, their craft and much more. 

There is also The Making of Rushmore, a very fine on-set documentary by Eric Chase Anderson (Wes Anderson's brother). The documentary is very well done, as it has on-set footage and interviews with the actors and those involved in the production.  

The hand drawn Storyboards by Wes Anderson also get their own section. There are story boards for six scenes, and it is quite fascinating to see Anderson's vision, and how it made it to screen. There's even a feature to watch the scene and the storyboard at the same time, which is always a plus for good comparison.

The Theatrical Trailer is included, and the same wonderful inserts as last time: Dave Kehr's essay, and Eric Chase Anderson's fold-out poster of Rushmore Academy and the characters. 

Rushmore is one of the most beloved films of the 1990s, and is also a modern masterpiece. It's thrilling to have this true original on Blu-ray, and it's worth the upgrade for the stunning new transfer and superlative DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix. All the wonderful extra features from the 2000 Criterion DVD are here, too. This is a must for any cinephile's library.