A display apparatus (30) has an LC device (14) exhibiting its maximum contrast with incident light at an oblique angle .phi. from normal, wherein oblique angle .phi. is greater than about +/-10 degrees from normal. A backlight unit (32) provides substantially collimated illumination with a central ray at an incident angle .theta..sub.2 with respect to the LC device (14), wherein incident angle .theta..sub.2 within about +/-5 degrees of oblique angle .phi.. The full-width half-maximum intensity of the illumination is within about +/-10 degrees of the central ray at incident angle .theta..sub.2.