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Turning to comparisons with Region 1 releases matters become a little difficult. As previously mentioned, both Anchor Bay and Criterion have released DVD editions of the film, however it appears they are not readily available, at least not from all the major stores. Some online stores list them as out of stock whilst others have backorders available. With such difficulties our release has the immediate advantage of ready availability. Compared to the Region 4 release, the Region 1 Anchor Bay release misses out on: - 25 minutes of screen tests for the major role of Mrs De Winter
The Region 1 Criterion release misses out on nothing: Compared to the Criterion release, the Region 4 release misses out on: - Commentary by film scholar Leonard J. Leff, author of Hitchcock and Selznick: The Rich and Strange Collaboration of Alfred Hitchcock and David O. Selznick in Hollywood
- Isolated music and effects track
- Footage from the 1940 Annual Academy Awards ceremony, at which Rebecca won Best Picture and Best Cinematography Oscars
- Hundreds of behind-the-scenes photos chronicling the film's production from location scouting, set photos, and wardrobe continuity to ads, posters, lobby cards, and promotional memorabilia
- Illustrated essay on Daphne du Maurier, author of the book on which Rebecca is based
- Hitchcock on Rebecca: excerpts from the director's conversations with filmmaker Francois Truffaut
- Phone interviews with star Joan Fontaine and Dame Judith Anderson from 1986
- Hitchcock's casting notes
- Reissue trailer
- Production correspondence and casting notes
- 1939 test screening questionnaire
- Complete broadcast of the 1938 Campbell Playhouse radio adaptation, starring Orson Welles and the Mercury Theatre players, including an interview with Daphne du Maurier
- 1941 Lux Radio Theatre broadcast starring Ronald Colman & Ida Lupino, including and an interview with David O. Selznick
- 1950 Lux Radio Theatre broadcast starring Laurence Olivier & Vivian Leigh
- Liner notes by Robin Wood, author of the groundbreaking book Hitchcock's Film and Hitchcock's Film Revisited in a 22-page booklet
Now if you're a fan of this film, the extensive and expensive ($35 US) Criterion 2-disc edition could be for you. Otherwise I would suggest going for the local product with a fantastic video and audio transfer, and a sample of interesting screen tests.
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