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Phantom (1922)
Phantom (1922) poster
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3.5

Phantom (1922)

Drama, Romance, Fantasy • 2h 5m

Overview

Lorenz Lubota is a city clerk with no direction in life. One day on his way to work he is run over by a woman driving a chariot and he is immediately infatuated with her.

Director: F. W. Murnau

Best English-Friendly Release

MoC or US Flicker Alley (unsure)

Best Video Release

- MoC included in boxset
- Germany new 2k restoration, no subs
- US Flicker Alley not sure which restoration

Format

1080p Blu-ray

External Links

Length

125 mins

Type

Movie

Last Updated

a year ago

Contributors

Best English-Friendly Release

MoC or US Flicker Alley (unsure)

Best Video Release

- MoC included in boxset
- Germany new 2k restoration, no subs
- US Flicker Alley not sure which restoration

Format
1080p Blu-ray
Length
125 mins
Type
Movie
Last Updated
a year ago
Contributors

More from F. W. Murnau

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Tabu: A Story of the South Seas poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Eureka MoC Blu-ray

Best Video:

MoC > Kino Lorber (see slowpics for comparison). No information on Potemkine.

Additional Info:

MoC has higher bitrate than Kino Lorber, also the contrast is increased. But there is no noticeable reduction in visible film damage presented between the two offerings.

Best English-Friendly:

Eureka MoC Blu-ray

Best Video:

MoC > Kino Lorber (see slowpics for comparison). No information on Potemkine.

Additional Info:

MoC has higher bitrate than Kino Lorber, also the contrast is increased. But there is no noticeable reduction in visible film damage presented between the two offerings.

Nosferatu poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

MoC and BFI differing restorations and scores

Best Video:

2006 Restoration: Eureka Blu-ray
1995 photochemical restoration: BFI Blu-ray that some may prefer

Best Audio:

Eureka with Murnau institute restoration featuring score based on original score, BFI uses Photoplay restoration with James Bernard score

Additional Info:

Both Eureka and BFI BDs are worthy of owning. Each restoration has unique positives and extras. The James Bernard score on the BFI is outstanding and the image tinting is different to how the Murnau institute official restoration was done. The Eureka MOC BD is stuffed with extras and remains one of the best made BDs of all time. Whatever you do: AVOID THE KINO BD!!! It uses the same Murnau institute restoration but drops frames for the whole feature-thus it loses a significant portion of the film! This was never acknowledged or addressed. The Kino BD remains one of the worst BDs of all time for this reason.

Nosferatu poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

MoC and BFI differing restorations and scores

Best Video:

2006 Restoration: Eureka Blu-ray
1995 photochemical restoration: BFI Blu-ray that some may prefer

Best Audio:

Eureka with Murnau institute restoration featuring score based on original score, BFI uses Photoplay restoration with James Bernard score

Additional Info:

Both Eureka and BFI BDs are worthy of owning. Each restoration has unique positives and extras. The James Bernard score on the BFI is outstanding and the image tinting is different to how the Murnau institute official restoration was done. The Eureka MOC BD is stuffed with extras and remains one of the best made BDs of all time. Whatever you do: AVOID THE KINO BD!!! It uses the same Murnau institute restoration but drops frames for the whole feature-thus it loses a significant portion of the film! This was never acknowledged or addressed. The Kino BD remains one of the worst BDs of all time for this reason.

Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Eureka MoC Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

SFFP new 4K restoration

Best Video:

MoC audio is better, OOP but available in ebay https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=225532&page=3

Best English-Friendly:

Eureka MoC Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

SFFP new 4K restoration

Best Video:

MoC audio is better, OOP but available in ebay https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=225532&page=3

Tartuffe poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

MoC

Best Video:

MoC vs Kino Lorber no comparison, Kino Lorber is the same old restoration

Tartuffe poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

MoC

Best Video:

MoC vs Kino Lorber no comparison, Kino Lorber is the same old restoration

The Haunted Castle poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

MoC Blu-ray

Best Video:

MoC vs Kino Lorber Blu-ray, where Kino Lorber is supposedly a new restoration, different tint but darker and less shadow details http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film5/blu-ray_reviews_73/early_murnau_blu-ray.htm 

Best English-Friendly:

MoC Blu-ray

Best Video:

MoC vs Kino Lorber Blu-ray, where Kino Lorber is supposedly a new restoration, different tint but darker and less shadow details http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film5/blu-ray_reviews_73/early_murnau_blu-ray.htm 

Faust poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Eureka MoC Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber AR is squished; MoC is correct. Unsure on France Potemkine

Faust poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Eureka MoC Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber AR is squished; MoC is correct. Unsure on France Potemkine

City Girl poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

MoC Blu-ray

City Girl poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

MoC Blu-ray

More from MoC

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The Most Dangerous Game poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

MoC Blu-ray

Best Audio:

MoC Blu-ray offers both restored and an unrestored tracks

Best English-Friendly:

MoC Blu-ray

Best Audio:

MoC Blu-ray offers both restored and an unrestored tracks

The Doll poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray or OOP MoC Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray or OOP MoC Blu-ray have different grading see caps

The Doll poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray or OOP MoC Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray or OOP MoC Blu-ray have different grading see caps

Medium Cool poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion Blu-ray is slightly better than MoC Blu-ray: while both are from a 4K restoration approved by director, MoC is more sharpened but gamma is flatter see caps

Best Audio:

Paramount DVD and potentially Paramount LaserDisc see blah-ray

Criterion and MoC Blu-ray has the same audio, and additional (destructive) hiss reduction was applied, and one segment was made significantly louder.

Also, every home video release except the 1982 Paramount VHS cassette replaces Wild Man Fischer's 'Merry-Go-Round' in the roller derby scene with a version of 'Sweet Georgia Brown' by Brother Bones. Two very different songs, and one must assume that the tone of the scene has changed considerably

Medium Cool poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion Blu-ray is slightly better than MoC Blu-ray: while both are from a 4K restoration approved by director, MoC is more sharpened but gamma is flatter see caps

Best Audio:

Paramount DVD and potentially Paramount LaserDisc see blah-ray

Criterion and MoC Blu-ray has the same audio, and additional (destructive) hiss reduction was applied, and one segment was made significantly louder.

Also, every home video release except the 1982 Paramount VHS cassette replaces Wild Man Fischer's 'Merry-Go-Round' in the roller derby scene with a version of 'Sweet Georgia Brown' by Brother Bones. Two very different songs, and one must assume that the tone of the scene has changed considerably

Ernst Lubitsch in Berlin: From Schönhauser Allee to Hollywood poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

MoC Lubitsch in Berlin OOP boxset Blu-ray as extras

Best Video:

MoC Lubitsch in Berlin OOP boxset Blu-ray as extras, SD video in 1080p container

Best English-Friendly:

MoC Lubitsch in Berlin OOP boxset Blu-ray as extras

Best Video:

MoC Lubitsch in Berlin OOP boxset Blu-ray as extras, SD video in 1080p container

Anna Boleyn poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

MoC OOP Blu-ray

Best Video:

MoC OOP Blu-ray is likely to have better encoding than Kino Lorber Blu-ray judging from other movies in the boxset

Anna Boleyn poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

MoC OOP Blu-ray

Best Video:

MoC OOP Blu-ray is likely to have better encoding than Kino Lorber Blu-ray judging from other movies in the boxset

Sumurun poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

MoC OOP Blu-ray

Best Video:

MoC OOP Blu-ray is likely to have better encoding than Kino Lorber Blu-ray judging from other movies in the boxset

Sumurun poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

MoC OOP Blu-ray

Best Video:

MoC OOP Blu-ray is likely to have better encoding than Kino Lorber Blu-ray judging from other movies in the boxset

The Oyster Princess poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

MoC OOP Blu-ray

Best Video:

MoC OOP Blu-ray is likely to have better encoding than Kino Lorber Blu-ray judging from other movies in the boxset

Best English-Friendly:

MoC OOP Blu-ray

Best Video:

MoC OOP Blu-ray is likely to have better encoding than Kino Lorber Blu-ray judging from other movies in the boxset

I Don't Want to Be a Man poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

UK MoC Lubitsch in Berlin OOP Blu-ray

Best Video:

UK MoC Lubitsch in Berlin Blu-ray has stlighly better encoding than US Kino Lorber Blu-ray see caps

Best English-Friendly:

UK MoC Lubitsch in Berlin OOP Blu-ray

Best Video:

UK MoC Lubitsch in Berlin Blu-ray has stlighly better encoding than US Kino Lorber Blu-ray see caps

The Wildcat poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

MoC OOP Blu-ray

Best Video:

MoC OOP Blu-ray has slightly better encoding than Kino Lorber Blu-ray see caps

The Wildcat poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

MoC OOP Blu-ray

Best Video:

MoC OOP Blu-ray has slightly better encoding than Kino Lorber Blu-ray see caps

Make Way for Tomorrow poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion Blu-ray > MoC Blu-ray which has boosted contrast see caps

Best Audio:

MoC Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion Blu-ray > MoC Blu-ray which has boosted contrast see caps

Best Audio:

MoC Blu-ray

More Drama on Blu-ray

The Rules of the Game poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

The Criterion 4K Blu-ray has marginally better detail and grain structure than ESC 4K Blu-ray

The ESC France 4K Blu-ray is an SDR grade erroneously presented in HDR, but if your player can force the HDR into SDR it looks very good.

Best Audio:

2011 Criterion Blu-ray has the least tampered with audio of the DVD era, but it's possible the 1993 Criterion LaserDisc or the 1998 Japan LaserDisc are preferable.

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

The Criterion 4K Blu-ray has marginally better detail and grain structure than ESC 4K Blu-ray

The ESC France 4K Blu-ray is an SDR grade erroneously presented in HDR, but if your player can force the HDR into SDR it looks very good.

Best Audio:

2011 Criterion Blu-ray has the least tampered with audio of the DVD era, but it's possible the 1993 Criterion LaserDisc or the 1998 Japan LaserDisc are preferable.

The Sound of Music poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Disney 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Disney 4K Atmos is great, a reference quality track. It's a very slight remix (music seems to be from a better source), but it's completely seamless and faithful to the original, better fidelity than anything since the 1994 30th Anniversary Edition LaserDisc.

All DVDs (and 2010 Blu-ray) sound far worse than the 4K Blu-ray/LaserDisc and have various missing sound cues.

Best English-Friendly:

Disney 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Disney 4K Atmos is great, a reference quality track. It's a very slight remix (music seems to be from a better source), but it's completely seamless and faithful to the original, better fidelity than anything since the 1994 30th Anniversary Edition LaserDisc.

All DVDs (and 2010 Blu-ray) sound far worse than the 4K Blu-ray/LaserDisc and have various missing sound cues.

The Hidden Fortress poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

BFI 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

BFI 4K Blu-ray has excellent master and grade, no DNR and tasteful HDR

Best Audio:

Restored original mono mix: Toho Japan 4K Blu-ray
Unrestored original mono: 2014 BFI Blu-ray

BFI 4K Blu-ray has OG Perspecta (in 5.1 container) and a stereo downmix of it; no original mono.

Additional Info:

The unrestored track on BFI's earlier release appears to be an almost entirely unmanipulated transfer of the original mix. It suffers from a distracting low-frequency hum. The 4K restoration comes with a restored track, which appears to be the same transfer, but which appears to be cleaned up with a moderate amount of noise reduction and some EQ, nicely opening up the high-end, and which is likely to be preferable to most listeners. All earlier releases sound poor.

Perspecta isn't a discrete surround format, instead only relying on manipulating volume and panning of the mono track across L/C/R channels, based on embedded control tones. As such, even the Perspecta track is technically just the mono mix, though the omission of the proper mono on BFI's 4K is still unfortunate.

Best English-Friendly:

BFI 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

BFI 4K Blu-ray has excellent master and grade, no DNR and tasteful HDR

Best Audio:

Restored original mono mix: Toho Japan 4K Blu-ray
Unrestored original mono: 2014 BFI Blu-ray

BFI 4K Blu-ray has OG Perspecta (in 5.1 container) and a stereo downmix of it; no original mono.

Additional Info:

The unrestored track on BFI's earlier release appears to be an almost entirely unmanipulated transfer of the original mix. It suffers from a distracting low-frequency hum. The 4K restoration comes with a restored track, which appears to be the same transfer, but which appears to be cleaned up with a moderate amount of noise reduction and some EQ, nicely opening up the high-end, and which is likely to be preferable to most listeners. All earlier releases sound poor.

Perspecta isn't a discrete surround format, instead only relying on manipulating volume and panning of the mono track across L/C/R channels, based on embedded control tones. As such, even the Perspecta track is technically just the mono mix, though the omission of the proper mono on BFI's 4K is still unfortunate.

What Dreams May Come poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

US end credits song: US Universal Blu-ray

International end credits song: International Universal Blu-ray

Additional Info:

The US uses the end credits score “Beside You” from composer Michael Kamen, while in other markets it is Simply Red “Besides You”.

Best English-Friendly:

Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

US end credits song: US Universal Blu-ray

International end credits song: International Universal Blu-ray

Additional Info:

The US uses the end credits score “Beside You” from composer Michael Kamen, while in other markets it is Simply Red “Besides You”.

12 Angry Men poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

2026 Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

2011 Criterion Blu-ray is the best. Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray has heavily filtered audio

12 Angry Men poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

2026 Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

2011 Criterion Blu-ray is the best. Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray has heavily filtered audio

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

International Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

International Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray > US Paramount 4K Blu-ray for the US Cut.

International Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray, is significantly better than the US Paramount 4K Blu-ray (even with FEL Baked in and Dolby Vision), with more grain retention and detail
SDR Comparisons: International Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray vs US Paramount 4K Blu-ray: https://slow.pics/c/TEPHtKjl
HDR Comparisons: International Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray vs US Paramount 4K Blu-ray: https://slow.pics/c/hIFe11Hx
Comparisons in SDR using L8 Trim from CM v4.0 (both UHDs can use CM v4.0): Remux vs USA UHD: https://slow.pics/c/mkrhVtpl

The International Cut, which contains alternate, more violent shots in the final act, hasn't been released on home video to date.

Additional Info:

International Cut contains alternate, more violent shots in the final act.

Best English-Friendly:

International Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

International Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray > US Paramount 4K Blu-ray for the US Cut.

International Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray, is significantly better than the US Paramount 4K Blu-ray (even with FEL Baked in and Dolby Vision), with more grain retention and detail
SDR Comparisons: International Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray vs US Paramount 4K Blu-ray: https://slow.pics/c/TEPHtKjl
HDR Comparisons: International Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray vs US Paramount 4K Blu-ray: https://slow.pics/c/hIFe11Hx
Comparisons in SDR using L8 Trim from CM v4.0 (both UHDs can use CM v4.0): Remux vs USA UHD: https://slow.pics/c/mkrhVtpl

The International Cut, which contains alternate, more violent shots in the final act, hasn't been released on home video to date.

Additional Info:

International Cut contains alternate, more violent shots in the final act.

How Green Was My Valley poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Fox Blu-ray

Best Video:

Fox Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Fox Blu-ray mono mix

As noted at Blah-Ray, the mono mix on the Fox Blu-ray, although not perfect, sounds better than the 5.1 remix and at least as good as earlier LaserDiscs, which suffer from being murky.

Best English-Friendly:

Fox Blu-ray

Best Video:

Fox Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Fox Blu-ray mono mix

As noted at Blah-Ray, the mono mix on the Fox Blu-ray, although not perfect, sounds better than the 5.1 remix and at least as good as earlier LaserDiscs, which suffer from being murky.

Angel poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber 4k resto

Best Audio:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray 

Additional Info:

The audio on the Kino Lorber Blu-ray comes from a better source than the various DVDs and the previous HD version on streaming. This audio is relatively untampered with, and is likely the best available source as no laserdisc was ever issued.

Angel poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber 4k resto

Best Audio:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray 

Additional Info:

The audio on the Kino Lorber Blu-ray comes from a better source than the various DVDs and the previous HD version on streaming. This audio is relatively untampered with, and is likely the best available source as no laserdisc was ever issued.

Red Cliff II poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

International Cut: US Magnolia Pictures Blu-ray

Original Hong Kong Cut (2 parts): US Magnolia Pictures Blu-ray or Hong Kong Blu-rays?

Best Video:

International Cut: US Magnolia Pictures Blu-ray

Original Hong Kong Cut (2 parts): US Magnolia Pictures Blu-ray or Hong Kong Blu-rays?

Additional Info:

Hong Kong Blu-ray has extras not on the US release

Red Cliff II poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

International Cut: US Magnolia Pictures Blu-ray

Original Hong Kong Cut (2 parts): US Magnolia Pictures Blu-ray or Hong Kong Blu-rays?

Best Video:

International Cut: US Magnolia Pictures Blu-ray

Original Hong Kong Cut (2 parts): US Magnolia Pictures Blu-ray or Hong Kong Blu-rays?

Additional Info:

Hong Kong Blu-ray has extras not on the US release

Red Cliff poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

International Cut: US Magnolia Pictures Blu-ray

Original Hong Kong Cut (2 parts): US Magnolia Pictures Blu-ray or Hong Kong Blu-rays?

Best Video:

International Cut: US Magnolia Pictures Blu-ray

Original Hong Kong Cut (2 parts): US Magnolia Pictures Blu-ray or Hong Kong Blu-rays?

Additional Info:

Hong Kong Blu-ray has extras not on the US release

Red Cliff poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

International Cut: US Magnolia Pictures Blu-ray

Original Hong Kong Cut (2 parts): US Magnolia Pictures Blu-ray or Hong Kong Blu-rays?

Best Video:

International Cut: US Magnolia Pictures Blu-ray

Original Hong Kong Cut (2 parts): US Magnolia Pictures Blu-ray or Hong Kong Blu-rays?

Additional Info:

Hong Kong Blu-ray has extras not on the US release

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