Region 4 Winners and Losers

    A previous version of this film has been released in Region 1 by Film Preservation Associates on CBS/Fox/Image. This version was in an aspect ratio of 1.13:1, which appears to be the original aspect ratio. There is a comparison between the this version and the Warners edition on www.dvdbeaver.com. This comparison shows that the Warners version is cropped, and that the image quality of the earlier release is superior. This version also contained an alternative audio track with a 1989 recording of a reconstruction of the original score by Carl Davis, who also conducts and features in a short interview. If you have this version, then hold onto it, and get the Region 4 if the extras appeal. Note that the earlier Region 1 is no longer available, having been withdrawn in favour of the new edition.

    The same content as the Region 4 is also available in Regions 1 and 2. The Region 1 has digital artefacting (motion blurring and ghosting) caused by conversion from PAL to NTSC format using a flawed PAL standard definition digital transfer, so it can be ruled out. The Region 2 seems to be identical to the Region 4, so in terms of cost and availability I will award this to the Region 4.