List of technical issues on Criterion BDs + Superior International Alternatives - Blu-ray Forum

professorwho · 07-02-2019, 05:16 PM

In addition, I will also list a disc replacement program from Criterion themselves if it exists for a title listed here.

In some cases here, the Criterion edition may not be outright terrible, but have a superior international alternative, thus be listed here. This is meant to show titles with better releases outside of Criterion, even if Criterion's may still be of a good quality.

If the superior version uses the same master, I will point that out as well as a tier system to help show how the difference between the Criterion and the superior disc is. Here is an explanation:

LOW tier shows that the two discs share a similar enough makeup, usually with the same master, though with slightly better aspects on the superior international version.

MID tier shows that there is a good difference in quality between the two discs. They may share the same master, or use a different one, but it is a nice upgrade over the Criterion, typically in areas like compression, colour grading and a newer scan.

HIGH tier shows a massive upgrade over the Criterion edition in potentially more than one area- including compression, colour grading, a new master and potentially a longer restoration (extended version). These are the titles where the superior international edition is highly advocated over the Criterion release.

12 Angry Men
MID tier
Reason: Poorer compression
Solution: UK/DE MGM BD

Ace in the Hole
LOW tier
Reason: Poorer compression (UK release has incorrect AR, though)
Solution: UK Eureka BD

The Age of Innocence
LOW tier
Reason: Poorer compression
Solution: EU/JP Sony releases

Ali: Fear Eats the Soul
LOW tier
Reason: Poorer compression
Solution: UK Arrow BD

The American Friend
Reason: Poorer compression
Solution: DE Studio Canal BD

Beauty and the Beast (1946)/La belle et la bête
HIGH tier
Reason: Newer scan exists
Solution: UK BFI BD

Berlin Alexanderplatz
MID tier
Reason: Poorer compression
Solution: UK Second Sight BD
NOTE: You must have a TV which can accept a 50i signal, or have a player that can convert to 60i in order to play the main episodes.

Before Sunrise
LOW tier
Reason: Poorer compression
Solution: DE Warner BD

Before Sunset
LOW tier
Reason: Poorer compression
Solution: DE Warner BD

Being John Malkovich
LOW tier
Reason: Poorer compression
Solution: UK Arrow BD

Beyond the Valley of the Dolls
MID tier
Reason: Poorer compression
Solution: UK Arrow BD

Bicycle Thieves
MID tier
Reason: Poorer compression
Solution: IT San Paolo BD

The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant
LOW tier
Reason: Poorer compression
Solution: UK Arrow BD

The Black Stallion
LOW tier
Reason: Poorer compression
Solution: DE Capelight BD

Breathless
HIGH tier
Reason: New 4K restoration and UHD exists
Solution: UK/FR/DE UHD

Le Cercle Rouge
MID tier
Reason: Poorer compression and worse colour timing
Solution: UK Optimum BD

The Cranes Are Flying
LOW tier
Reason: Poorer compression
Solution: French Potemkine BD

Crash
HIGH tier
Reason: 4K UHD exists of the same title
Solution: UK Arrow 4K UHD

Dekalog
MID tier
Reason: Poorer compression, frame rate issues
Solution: UK Arrow BD
NOTE: You must have a TV which can accept a 50i signal, or have a player that can convert to 60i in order to play the main episodes. If you can play back PAL content, then it is a HIGH tier, but as many cannot, it is listed as MID tier.

Don't Look Now
High tier
Reason: Newer 4K restoration exists
Solution: UK Studio Canal Remastered BD
NOTE: A 4K UHD Blu-ray has also been released by Studio Canal which itself is a huge improvement over their already fantastic remastered BD. A 4K Blu-ray player or drive is required to play and a TV with HDR is needed to see the full effect of the restoration. A Dolby Vision layer is present on the disc as well, as such, to see the full colourspace of the transfer, a Dolby Vision equipped TV or monitor is required.

Dragon Inn
LOW tier
Reason: Poor compression
Solution: UK Eureka BD

The Earrings of Madame de...
MID tier
Reason: Less DNR and worse compression
Solution: UK BFI BD

The Elephant Man
HIGH tier
Reason: 4K UHD exists of same title
Solution UK/DE/FR/AU UHD

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
HIGH tier
Reason: New scan exists
Solution: UK Arrow BD

Fellini Satyricon
Reason: Poor compression
Solution: UK Eureka BD

Forty Guns
LOW tier
Reason: Poor compression
Solution: UK Eureka Remastered BD from the "Fuller at Fox" box set

The Friends of Eddie Coyle
LOW tier
Reason: Poorer compression
Solution: UK Eureka BD

Funny Games
HIGH tier
Reason: DNR and poorer compression
Solution: FR BD

Harold and Maude
LOW tier
Reason: Poorer compression
Solution UK BD

If...
LOW tier
Reason: Poorer compression
Solution: UK Eureka BD

Ikiru
Reason: Poorer compression
Solution: JP Toho BD

It Happened One Night
LOW tier
Reason: Poorer compression
Solution: DE Sony BD

Kes
MID tier
Reason: Poorer compression
Solution: UK Eureka BD

The Killers (1946)
Reason: Poorer compression
Solution: UK Arrow BD

The Killing & Killer's Kiss
MID tier
Reason: Poorer compression, and lossy audio on Killer's Kiss
Solution: UK Arrow BD

Koyaanisqatsi
MID tier
Reason: Poorer compression and DNR
Solution: UK Arrow BD

Kwaidan
LOW tier
Reason: Poorer compression
Solution: UK Eureka BD

The Last Emperor
MID tier
Reason: Incorrect aspect ratio
Solution: JP Geneon BD
NOTE: There is an Italian 3D Blu-ray which uses a newer 3D transfer showing more detail, however, the brightness levels have been elevated to compensate for watching in 3D.

The Last Picture Show
LOW tier
Reason: Poorer compression
Solution: DE Sony BD

Last Year at Marienbad
HIGH tier
Reason: Newer scan exists
Solution: UK Remastered BD

Late Spring
Reason: Newer scan exists
Solution: JP Shochiku BD

The Leopard
HIGH tier
Reason: Newer scan exists
Solution: DE Koch BD

M
MID tier
Reason: More thorough restoration with more footage has since been created with better compression and brightness levels than Criterion
Solution DE Universium BD

Marketa Lazarová
Reason: Poorer compression
Solution: DE Bildstörung BD

McCabe and Mrs Miller
LOW tier
Reason: Poorer compression
Solution: EU Warner Bros BD

Medium Cool
MID tier
Reason: Poorer compression and black levels
Solution: UK Eureka BD

Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence
LOW tier
Reason: Poorer compression and wrong aspect ratio
Solution: DE Studio Canal BD

Ministry of Fear
MID tier
Reason: Poorer compression
Solution: UK Indicator/Powerhouse Films BD

Mon Oncle
Reason: Poorer compression
Solution: UK Studio Canal BD

Mulholland Drive
HIGH tier
Reason: Poorer compression
Solution: UK Studio Canal BD

My Darling Clementine
MID tier
Reason: Poorer compression and DNR
Solution: UK Arrow BD

My Life as a Dog
LOW tier
Reason: Poorer compression
Solution: UK Arrow BD

My Own Private Idaho
HIGH tier
Reason: Poorer compression
Solution: EU/Asia Warner releases

Nashville
LOW tier
Reason: Poorer compression
Solution: UK Eureka BD

Odd Man Out
MID tier
Reason: Poorer compression
Solution: UK Network BD

On The Waterfront
MID tier
Reason: Poorer compression
Solution: DE Sony BD

One Eyed Jacks
LOW tier
Reason: Poorer compression
Solution: UK Arrow BD

Orpheus
MID tier
Reason: Poorer compression and incorrect aspect ratio
Solution: UK BFI BD

Pan's Labyrinth
HIGH tier
Reason: Poorer compression and black levels
Solution: UK Optimum BD
NOTE: A 4K UHD by New Line has since been released. Whether or not it is an upgrade over the UK disc is up to the reader. A 4K Blu-ray player or drive is required to play and a TV with HDR is needed to see the full effect of the disc.

Parasite
High tier
Reason: 4K UHD exists of the same title
Solution: US/FR/UK/AU UHD

Paris, Texas
High tier
Reason: Newer restoration exists, better compression and color grading
Solution: DE Studio Canal Remastered BD

Police Story & Police Story 2
HIGH tier
Reason: Poorer compression, and in the case of PS2- incorrect black levels
Solution: UK Eureka BDs

Rebecca
MID tier
Reason: Poorer compression
Solution: FR Carlotta Films BD

Salo: 120 Days of Sodom
LOW tier
Reason: Poorer compression
Solution: Remastered UK BFI BD

Scanners
MID tier
Reason: Incorrect colour timing and aspect ratio
Solution:DE Subkultur BD

Seconds
MID tier
Reason: Poorer compression and black levels
Solution: UK Eureka BD

Shoah
HIGH tier
Reason: Poorer compression and colour timing
Solution: UK Eureka BD

The Story of the Last Chrysanthemum
LOW tier
Reason: Poorer compression
Solution: JP Shochiku BD

Sweet Smell of Success
LOW tier
Reason: Poorer compression
Solution: UK Arrow BD

The Third Man
MID tier
Reason: Newer scan exists
Solution: UK/DE Studio Canal BD

Time Bandits
LOW tier
Reason: Poorer compression
Solution: UK Arrow BD

The Tin Drum
LOW tier
Reason: Poorer compression
Solution: DE Kinowelt BD

Thief
MID tier
Reason: Poorer compression
Solution: UK Arrow BD

Tokyo Story
MID tier
Reason: Further digital restoration of same master
Solution: UK BFI Remastered BD

A Touch of Zen
MID tier
Reason Poorer compression
Solution: UK Eureka BD

The Tree of Wooden Clogs
MID tier
Reason: Worse colour timing and poorer compression (main issue is colour timing)
Solution: UK Arrow BD

Ugetsu Monogatari
LOW tier
Reason: Poorer compression
Solution: JP Kadokawa BD

The Wages of Fear
HIGH tier
Reason: Newer restoration exists, Criterion is shorter by 5 minutes
Solution: UK BFI BD

Walkabout
HIGH tier
Reason: Newer restoration exists, in correct 1.85:1 aspect ratio
Solution: UK Second Sight BD

Westfront 1918
MID tier
Reason: Poorer compression, incorrect brightness/black levels
Solution: UK Eureka BD

Women in Love
LOW tier
Reason: Poorer compression
Solution: UK BFI BD

07-02-2019, 05:16 PM	#1
professorwho Blu-ray Champion Top contributor Member since:Apr 2017 4K collection:229 Blu-ray collection:982 Blu-ray reviews: 64 Trading Score:7	List of technical issues on Criterion BDs + Superior International Alternatives In addition, I will also list a disc replacement program from Criterion themselves if it exists for a title listed here. In some cases here, the Criterion edition may not be outright terrible, but have a superior international alternative, thus be listed here. This is meant to show titles with better releases outside of Criterion, even if Criterion's may still be of a good quality. If the superior version uses the same master, I will point that out as well as a tier system to help show how the difference between the Criterion and the superior disc is. Here is an explanation: LOW tier shows that the two discs share a similar enough makeup, usually with the same master, though with slightly better aspects on the superior international version. MID tier shows that there is a good difference in quality between the two discs. They may share the same master, or use a different one, but it is a nice upgrade over the Criterion, typically in areas like compression, colour grading and a newer scan. HIGH tier shows a massive upgrade over the Criterion edition in potentially more than one area- including compression, colour grading, a new master and potentially a longer restoration (extended version). These are the titles where the superior international edition is highly advocated over the Criterion release. 12 Angry Men MID tier Reason: Poorer compression Solution: UK/DE MGM BD Ace in the Hole LOW tier Reason: Poorer compression (UK release has incorrect AR, though) Solution: UK Eureka BD The Age of Innocence LOW tier Reason: Poorer compression Solution: EU/JP Sony releases Ali: Fear Eats the Soul LOW tier Reason: Poorer compression Solution: UK Arrow BD The American Friend Reason: Poorer compression Solution: DE Studio Canal BD Beauty and the Beast (1946)/La belle et la bête HIGH tier Reason: Newer scan exists Solution: UK BFI BD Berlin Alexanderplatz MID tier Reason: Poorer compression Solution: UK Second Sight BD NOTE: You must have a TV which can accept a 50i signal, or have a player that can convert to 60i in order to play the main episodes. Before Sunrise LOW tier Reason: Poorer compression Solution: DE Warner BD Before Sunset LOW tier Reason: Poorer compression Solution: DE Warner BD Being John Malkovich LOW tier Reason: Poorer compression Solution: UK Arrow BD Beyond the Valley of the Dolls MID tier Reason: Poorer compression Solution: UK Arrow BD Bicycle Thieves MID tier Reason: Poorer compression Solution: IT San Paolo BD The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant LOW tier Reason: Poorer compression Solution: UK Arrow BD The Black Stallion LOW tier Reason: Poorer compression Solution: DE Capelight BD Breathless HIGH tier Reason: New 4K restoration and UHD exists Solution: UK/FR/DE UHD Le Cercle Rouge MID tier Reason: Poorer compression and worse colour timing Solution: UK Optimum BD The Cranes Are Flying LOW tier Reason: Poorer compression Solution: French Potemkine BD Crash HIGH tier Reason: 4K UHD exists of the same title Solution: UK Arrow 4K UHD Dekalog MID tier Reason: Poorer compression, frame rate issues Solution: UK Arrow BD NOTE: You must have a TV which can accept a 50i signal, or have a player that can convert to 60i in order to play the main episodes. If you can play back PAL content, then it is a HIGH tier, but as many cannot, it is listed as MID tier. Don't Look Now High tier Reason: Newer 4K restoration exists Solution: UK Studio Canal Remastered BD NOTE: A 4K UHD Blu-ray has also been released by Studio Canal which itself is a huge improvement over their already fantastic remastered BD. A 4K Blu-ray player or drive is required to play and a TV with HDR is needed to see the full effect of the restoration. A Dolby Vision layer is present on the disc as well, as such, to see the full colourspace of the transfer, a Dolby Vision equipped TV or monitor is required. Dragon Inn LOW tier Reason: Poor compression Solution: UK Eureka BD The Earrings of Madame de... MID tier Reason: Less DNR and worse compression Solution: UK BFI BD The Elephant Man HIGH tier Reason: 4K UHD exists of same title Solution UK/DE/FR/AU UHD Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas HIGH tier Reason: New scan exists Solution: UK Arrow BD Fellini Satyricon Reason: Poor compression Solution: UK Eureka BD Forty Guns LOW tier Reason: Poor compression Solution: UK Eureka Remastered BD from the "Fuller at Fox" box set The Friends of Eddie Coyle LOW tier Reason: Poorer compression Solution: UK Eureka BD Funny Games HIGH tier Reason: DNR and poorer compression Solution: FR BD Harold and Maude LOW tier Reason: Poorer compression Solution UK BD If... LOW tier Reason: Poorer compression Solution: UK Eureka BD Ikiru Reason: Poorer compression Solution: JP Toho BD It Happened One Night LOW tier Reason: Poorer compression Solution: DE Sony BD Kes MID tier Reason: Poorer compression Solution: UK Eureka BD The Killers (1946) Reason: Poorer compression Solution: UK Arrow BD The Killing & Killer's Kiss MID tier Reason: Poorer compression, and lossy audio on Killer's Kiss Solution: UK Arrow BD Koyaanisqatsi MID tier Reason: Poorer compression and DNR Solution: UK Arrow BD Kwaidan LOW tier Reason: Poorer compression Solution: UK Eureka BD The Last Emperor MID tier Reason: Incorrect aspect ratio Solution: JP Geneon BD NOTE: There is an Italian 3D Blu-ray which uses a newer 3D transfer showing more detail, however, the brightness levels have been elevated to compensate for watching in 3D. The Last Picture Show LOW tier Reason: Poorer compression Solution: DE Sony BD Last Year at Marienbad HIGH tier Reason: Newer scan exists Solution: UK Remastered BD Late Spring Reason: Newer scan exists Solution: JP Shochiku BD The Leopard HIGH tier Reason: Newer scan exists Solution: DE Koch BD M MID tier Reason: More thorough restoration with more footage has since been created with better compression and brightness levels than Criterion Solution DE Universium BD Marketa Lazarová Reason: Poorer compression Solution: DE Bildstörung BD McCabe and Mrs Miller LOW tier Reason: Poorer compression Solution: EU Warner Bros BD Medium Cool MID tier Reason: Poorer compression and black levels Solution: UK Eureka BD Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence LOW tier Reason: Poorer compression and wrong aspect ratio Solution: DE Studio Canal BD Ministry of Fear MID tier Reason: Poorer compression Solution: UK Indicator/Powerhouse Films BD Mon Oncle Reason: Poorer compression Solution: UK Studio Canal BD Mulholland Drive HIGH tier Reason: Poorer compression Solution: UK Studio Canal BD My Darling Clementine MID tier Reason: Poorer compression and DNR Solution: UK Arrow BD My Life as a Dog LOW tier Reason: Poorer compression Solution: UK Arrow BD My Own Private Idaho HIGH tier Reason: Poorer compression Solution: EU/Asia Warner releases Nashville LOW tier Reason: Poorer compression Solution: UK Eureka BD Odd Man Out MID tier Reason: Poorer compression Solution: UK Network BD On The Waterfront MID tier Reason: Poorer compression Solution: DE Sony BD One Eyed Jacks LOW tier Reason: Poorer compression Solution: UK Arrow BD Orpheus MID tier Reason: Poorer compression and incorrect aspect ratio Solution: UK BFI BD Pan's Labyrinth HIGH tier Reason: Poorer compression and black levels Solution: UK Optimum BD NOTE: A 4K UHD by New Line has since been released. Whether or not it is an upgrade over the UK disc is up to the reader. A 4K Blu-ray player or drive is required to play and a TV with HDR is needed to see the full effect of the disc. Parasite High tier Reason: 4K UHD exists of the same title Solution: US/FR/UK/AU UHD Paris, Texas High tier Reason: Newer restoration exists, better compression and color grading Solution: DE Studio Canal Remastered BD Police Story & Police Story 2 HIGH tier Reason: Poorer compression, and in the case of PS2- incorrect black levels Solution: UK Eureka BDs Rebecca MID tier Reason: Poorer compression Solution: FR Carlotta Films BD Salo: 120 Days of Sodom LOW tier Reason: Poorer compression Solution: Remastered UK BFI BD Scanners MID tier Reason: Incorrect colour timing and aspect ratio Solution:DE Subkultur BD Seconds MID tier Reason: Poorer compression and black levels Solution: UK Eureka BD Shoah HIGH tier Reason: Poorer compression and colour timing Solution: UK Eureka BD The Story of the Last Chrysanthemum LOW tier Reason: Poorer compression Solution: JP Shochiku BD Sweet Smell of Success LOW tier Reason: Poorer compression Solution: UK Arrow BD The Third Man MID tier Reason: Newer scan exists Solution: UK/DE Studio Canal BD Time Bandits LOW tier Reason: Poorer compression Solution: UK Arrow BD The Tin Drum LOW tier Reason: Poorer compression Solution: DE Kinowelt BD Thief MID tier Reason: Poorer compression Solution: UK Arrow BD Tokyo Story MID tier Reason: Further digital restoration of same master Solution: UK BFI Remastered BD A Touch of Zen MID tier Reason Poorer compression Solution: UK Eureka BD The Tree of Wooden Clogs MID tier Reason: Worse colour timing and poorer compression (main issue is colour timing) Solution: UK Arrow BD Ugetsu Monogatari LOW tier Reason: Poorer compression Solution: JP Kadokawa BD The Wages of Fear HIGH tier Reason: Newer restoration exists, Criterion is shorter by 5 minutes Solution: UK BFI BD Walkabout HIGH tier Reason: Newer restoration exists, in correct 1.85:1 aspect ratio Solution: UK Second Sight BD Westfront 1918 MID tier Reason: Poorer compression, incorrect brightness/black levels Solution: UK Eureka BD Women in Love LOW tier Reason: Poorer compression Solution: UK BFI BD Last edited by professorwho; 02-23-2021 at 09:24 PM.

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