It's obvious that this 1.85:1 1080p transfer easily trumps all previous DVD releases, but this isn't quite a perfect presentation. First, the good news: To Kill a Mockingbird is clean as a whistle, boasting strong textures, excellent shadow detail and a smooth, pleasing appearance. Close-ups and wide shots are razor sharp, especially during outdoor sequences. Compression artifacts, edge enhancement and interlacing appear to be completely absent. The only notable problem here, unfortunately, is a distinct lack of film grain; though it is apparent at times, it's obviously been dialed back a few levels.

Universal presents their side of the story during an accompanying restoration featurette [see "Bonus Features" below], explaining that an algorithm was used to average out film grain due to a number of optical push-ins (flat zooms on the film itself, not traditional in-camera zooms). This does eliminate the "problem" of heavy grain during certain close-ups, but it's not necessarily an even trade. I definitely wouldn't call this issue a deal-breaker, but some viewers may find it slightly bothersome.

The audio, on the other hand, aims lower and meets all reasonable expectations for a 50 year-old film. Presented in your choice of DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio, lossy DTS 2.0 Mono or a French dub, the film's dialogue-driven atmosphere is crisp, clear and well-defined. The 5.1 track is tastefully done and should even satisfy inquisitive purists, mostly using the surround channels for mild outdoor ambience and occasional music cues. The original Mono track is also impressive, though slightly less so in dynamic range and fullness. Optional English (SDH), Spanish and French subtitles are all included.

Seen above, this Limited Edition combo pack arrives in a handsome Digibook Case, featuring 44 pages of printed extras including personal letters, behind-the-scenes photos, promotional images, script excerpts and more. The Blu-Ray and DVD bookend the printed material inside, which also includes a loose promotional insert for upcoming Universal Blu-Rays and a Digital Copy redemption code. The menu interface is presented in typical Universal style, combining quick loading time with smooth, simple navigation. This 129-minute film has been divided into a generous 39 chapters, no obvious layer change was detected during playback and the Blu-Ray appears to be locked for Region "A" players only.

Two new bonus features are included; the first is a brief Restoration Featurette (9 minutes) promoting Universal's "100 Years" campaign. It's a surface-level but interesting piece that covers a number of prominent studio releases and features To Kill a Mockingbird numerous times. Also here is a U-Control feature with picture-in-picture comments narrated by Cecilia and Anthony Peck with additional contributions by Horton Foote, Mary Badham, Robert Mulligan and more. Returning bonus features are presented in 480p, new material is 1080p and all applicable extras include optional subtitles.

This two-disc combo pack also includes a featureless DVD and Digital Copy of the film; the latter is redeemable via a code printed on the packaging insert, which expires at the end of the year.

To Kill a Mockingbird is unquestionably a classic, whether in reference to Harper Lee's groundbreaking source novel or this beloved film adaptation. Gregory Peck's portrayal of noble Atticus Finch carries the story with pure class, though it's told from the perspective of a young girl just beginning to notice the less-than-perfect world around her. Featuring crisp cinematography, a deliberate pace and a strong backbone, this enduring film still has the ability to surprise and comfort its audience. Universal's Blu-Ray is a solid effort, improving upon the excellent Legacy Edition DVD with a mostly-successful A/V upgrade and a few appropriate new extras. It's a well-rounded release that fans should enjoy, and the Limited Edition Digibook package is just icing on the cake. Highly Recommended to fans of all ages.

NOTE: The above images were obtained from promotional outlets and do not represent Blu-Ray's native 1080p resolution.