Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
Adventure, Action, Science Fiction • 2h 16m
Overview
Anakin Skywalker, a young slave strong with the Force, is discovered on Tatooine. Meanwhile, the evil Sith have returned, enacting their plot for revenge against the Jedi.
Director: George Lucas
Cast: Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Jake Lloyd, Ian McDiarmid, Pernilla August, Oliver Ford Davies, Hugh Quarshie, Ahmed Best, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Frank Oz, Terence Stamp, Brian Blessed, Andy Secombe, Ray Park, Lewis Macleod, Warwick Davis, Steve Speirs, Silas Carson, Jerome St. John Blake, Alan Ruscoe, Ralph Brown, Celia Imrie, Benedict Taylor, Clarence Smith, Samuel L. Jackson, Dominic West, Karol Cristina da Silva, Liz Wilson, Candice Orwell, Sofia Coppola, Keira Knightley, Bronagh Gallagher, John Fensom, Greg Proops, Scott Capurro, Margaret Towner, Dhruv Chanchani, Oliver Walpole, Megan Udall, Hassani Shapi, Gin Clarke, Khan Bonfils, Michelle Taylor, Michaela Cottrell, Dipika O'Neill Joti, Phil Eason, Mark Coulier, Lindsay Duncan, Peter Serafinowicz, Toby Longworth, Marc Silk, Amanda Lucas, Katie Lucas, Richard Armitage, Sacha Alexander, Simon Allen, Paul Bannon, Don Bies, Trisha Biggar, Michonne Bourriague, Douglas Bunn, Ben Burtt, Doug Chiang, Rob Coleman, Roman Coppola, Sean Cronin, Zsuzsanna Cseh, Matt Daniel-Baker, Russell Darling, Philip Delancy, Sebastian Dewing, Andrew Doucette, C. Michael Easton, Andrew Elias, Catherine Ernster, Salo Gardner, Andrew Gersh, Patrice Girod, Ned Gorman, Joss Gower, Raymond Griffiths, Nathan Hamill, Tim Harrington, Sally Hawkins, Jack Hayes, Nifa Hindes, Nishan Hindes, Frank Huseyin, Alexi Kaye Campbell, David Knight, John Knoll, Kamay Lau, Andrew Lawden, John M. Levin, Dan Madsen, Iain McCaig, Rick McCallum, João Costa Menezes, Lorne Peterson, Andrew Raven, Steve Sansweet, Mike Savva, Chris Scarabosio, Jeff Shay, Christian Simpson, Paul Martin Smith, Scott Squires, Tom Sylla, Bill Tlusty, Matthew Wood, Jeff Olson, Michael Dondero, Scott Schumann
Director: Ron Howard
Director: Ron Howard
OG: "4K80" on the high seas
If not, Disney 4K Blu-ray
OG: "4K80" on the high seas
Special Editon: "4K97_V" or "D_97_VI" on the high seas. If not, the 4K Blu-rays are generally considered an improvement over the 2011 Blu-rays. (although both restorations are DNR'ed and have issues).
70mm six-track mix is included in 4K80 (taken from an actual 70mm print)
OG: "4K80" on the high seas
If not, Disney 4K Blu-ray
OG: "4K80" on the high seas
Special Editon: "4K97_V" or "D_97_VI" on the high seas. If not, the 4K Blu-rays are generally considered an improvement over the 2011 Blu-rays. (although both restorations are DNR'ed and have issues).
70mm six-track mix is included in 4K80 (taken from an actual 70mm print)
Director: George Lucas
OG: "4K77" or "D+77" on high seas.
Special Edition: "4K97" or "D+97_IV" on high seas.
OG: "4K77" or "D+77" on high seas.
Special Edition: "4K97" or "D+97_IV" on high seas.
Director: George Lucas
OG: "4K77" or "D+77" on high seas.
Special Edition: "4K97" or "D+97_IV" on high seas.
OG: "4K77" or "D+77" on high seas.
Special Edition: "4K97" or "D+97_IV" on high seas.
4K83 for OG version on high seas
4K83 for OG version on high seas
4K83 has OG mix
4K83 for OG version on high seas
4K83 for OG version on high seas
4K83 has OG mix
High seas for recreated Theatrical Cut or HDTV rip, Disney 4K Blu-ray is a mediocre upscale.
High seas for recreated Theatrical Cut or HDTV rip, Disney 4K Blu-ray is a mediocre upscale.
High seas for recreated Theatrical Cut or HDTV rip, Disney 4K Blu-ray is a mediocre upscale.
High seas for recreated Theatrical Cut or HDTV rip, Disney 4K Blu-ray is a mediocre upscale.
High seas for recreated Theatrical Cut or HDTV rip, Disney 4K Blu-ray is a mediocre upscale.
High seas for recreated Theatrical Cut or HDTV rip, Disney 4K Blu-ray is a mediocre upscale.
High seas for recreated Theatrical Cut or HDTV rip, Disney 4K Blu-ray is a mediocre upscale.
High seas for recreated Theatrical Cut or HDTV rip, Disney 4K Blu-ray is a mediocre upscale.
Director: James Cameron
Disney 4K Blu-ray's artificial smoothening of facial textures making actors look unnatural, grain reduction and other changes to make the film look less like a product of its time
Old WEB-DL or HDTV rip for non AI version
Director: James Cameron
Disney 4K Blu-ray's artificial smoothening of facial textures making actors look unnatural, grain reduction and other changes to make the film look less like a product of its time
Old WEB-DL or HDTV rip for non AI version
Director: Michael Bay
Director: Michael Bay
Directors: Colin Chilvers & Will Vinton & Jerry Kramer & Jim Blashfield
OG Version: 1989 US Image Entertainment LaserDisc
2005 Edited Version - Re-Edited and Censored: UK Warner Bros Blu-ray
2005 Edited Version - Uncensored: UK Warner Bros DVD
Film Whisperer's restoration is better
OG Version: 1989 US Image Entertainment LaserDisc
2005 Edited Version - Re-Edited and Censored: UK Warner Bros Blu-ray
2005 Edited Version - Uncensored: UK Warner Bros DVD
Film Whisperer's restoration is better
Censorship changes for Blu-ray: https://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=224122
Directors: Colin Chilvers & Will Vinton & Jerry Kramer & Jim Blashfield
OG Version: 1989 US Image Entertainment LaserDisc
2005 Edited Version - Re-Edited and Censored: UK Warner Bros Blu-ray
2005 Edited Version - Uncensored: UK Warner Bros DVD
Film Whisperer's restoration is better
OG Version: 1989 US Image Entertainment LaserDisc
2005 Edited Version - Re-Edited and Censored: UK Warner Bros Blu-ray
2005 Edited Version - Uncensored: UK Warner Bros DVD
Film Whisperer's restoration is better
Censorship changes for Blu-ray: https://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=224122
Director: Stuart Baird
US Cut: old Warner Bros DVD (first pressing from 1997, pre 2010), alleycat's preservation better
International Cut (censored): Warner Bros Blu-ray
US Cut: old Warner Bros DVD (first pressing from 1997, pre 2010), alleycat's preservation better
International Cut (censored): Warner Bros Blu-ray
International Cut changes: https://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=2965833
Director: Stuart Baird
US Cut: old Warner Bros DVD (first pressing from 1997, pre 2010), alleycat's preservation better
International Cut (censored): Warner Bros Blu-ray
US Cut: old Warner Bros DVD (first pressing from 1997, pre 2010), alleycat's preservation better
International Cut (censored): Warner Bros Blu-ray
International Cut changes: https://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=2965833
Director: Antoine Fuqua
Director: Antoine Fuqua
Director: Michael Bay
Director: Michael Bay
Director: George P. Cosmatos
Disney 4K Blu-ray for the 4K Theatrical Cut or 2002 Vista Series DVD for the Director's Cut, alleycat's DC restoration better
Theatrical Cut: Disney 4K Blu-ray caps
Director's Cut: 2002 Vista Series DVD, alleycat's DC restoration better
Closest to original: 1994 Hollywood Pictures LaserDisc, other LDs are probably the same
Blu-rays only have 5.1 upmixes but probably fine
Director: George P. Cosmatos
Disney 4K Blu-ray for the 4K Theatrical Cut or 2002 Vista Series DVD for the Director's Cut, alleycat's DC restoration better
Theatrical Cut: Disney 4K Blu-ray caps
Director's Cut: 2002 Vista Series DVD, alleycat's DC restoration better
Closest to original: 1994 Hollywood Pictures LaserDisc, other LDs are probably the same
Blu-rays only have 5.1 upmixes but probably fine
Director: Wes Craven
Theatrical: Paramount 4K Blu-ray
Uncut Director's Cut: Either the Germany Kinowelt DVD, the Japan DVD, the Scandinavian DVD, or the US LaserDisc. Fan preservation is likely better quality.
Theatrical: Paramount 4K Blu-ray
Uncut Director's Cut: Either the Germany Kinowelt DVD, the Japan DVD, the Scandinavian DVD, or the US LaserDisc. Fan preservation is likely better quality.
2011 Blu-ray/2021 4K Blu-ray
The 2011 Lionsgate Blu-ray is incredibly poor for every Original Trilogy film; older processed older DVD-era masters with heavy use of DNR, sharpening and edge enhancement with a really dull color grade. The 4K Blu-ray is miles better. The DTS-HD 5.1 across all three films appears to be the same on both the Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray, and they appear to be the untouched theatrical 5.1 mixes.
The Uncut version has more violence: https://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=256325
Director: Wes Craven
Theatrical: Paramount 4K Blu-ray
Uncut Director's Cut: Either the Germany Kinowelt DVD, the Japan DVD, the Scandinavian DVD, or the US LaserDisc. Fan preservation is likely better quality.
Theatrical: Paramount 4K Blu-ray
Uncut Director's Cut: Either the Germany Kinowelt DVD, the Japan DVD, the Scandinavian DVD, or the US LaserDisc. Fan preservation is likely better quality.
2011 Blu-ray/2021 4K Blu-ray
The 2011 Lionsgate Blu-ray is incredibly poor for every Original Trilogy film; older processed older DVD-era masters with heavy use of DNR, sharpening and edge enhancement with a really dull color grade. The 4K Blu-ray is miles better. The DTS-HD 5.1 across all three films appears to be the same on both the Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray, and they appear to be the untouched theatrical 5.1 mixes.
The Uncut version has more violence: https://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=256325
2015 Lionsgate Blu-ray or 35mm scan for Theatrical Cut
For the Ultimate Edition with the T-1000 searching John's room and the happy future ending, the 2009 Skynet Blu-ray, which is the older pre 2017 transfer, but has DNR.
StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray is heavily denoised and smoothened, best Blu-ray is the 2015 Lionsgate Blu-ray (missing the Ultimate Edition with the T-1000 searching John's room and the happy future ending, which is on the 2009 Skynet Blu-ray, which is DNRed), 35mm scan for the theatrical cut also available.
For the Ultimate Edition with the T-1000 searching John's room and the happy future ending, the 2009 Skynet Blu-ray, which is the older pre 2017 transfer, but has DNR.
Original Kodak CDS mix likely on the Artisan DVD and other Japan DVD.
Differences and review of the mix. There are earlier stereo mixes and many subsequent remixes on DVDs but it is unclear how many of them are really unique.
2017 Blu-Ray (which has the DNRed transfer), the 2009 Skynet Edition Blu-Ray, and the 2000 Ultimate Edition DVD have exclusive extras. The 2003 Extreme Edition DVD has some exclusive easter eggs.
2015 Lionsgate Blu-ray or 35mm scan for Theatrical Cut
For the Ultimate Edition with the T-1000 searching John's room and the happy future ending, the 2009 Skynet Blu-ray, which is the older pre 2017 transfer, but has DNR.
StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray is heavily denoised and smoothened, best Blu-ray is the 2015 Lionsgate Blu-ray (missing the Ultimate Edition with the T-1000 searching John's room and the happy future ending, which is on the 2009 Skynet Blu-ray, which is DNRed), 35mm scan for the theatrical cut also available.
For the Ultimate Edition with the T-1000 searching John's room and the happy future ending, the 2009 Skynet Blu-ray, which is the older pre 2017 transfer, but has DNR.
Original Kodak CDS mix likely on the Artisan DVD and other Japan DVD.
Differences and review of the mix. There are earlier stereo mixes and many subsequent remixes on DVDs but it is unclear how many of them are really unique.
2017 Blu-Ray (which has the DNRed transfer), the 2009 Skynet Edition Blu-Ray, and the 2000 Ultimate Edition DVD have exclusive extras. The 2003 Extreme Edition DVD has some exclusive easter eggs.
Director: James Cameron
2013 MGM Blu-ray, or 4K Blu-ray if you MUST have the mono mix, 2001 MGM DVD for a purist version with original colors and the international mono mix
2013 MGM Blu-ray for non AI transfer, 2001 MGM DVD for a purist version with original colors and the international mono mix
1991 Image Entertainment LaserDisc for the US mono mix, 2001 MGM DVD for the International mono mix
The 4K Blu-Ray and the 2001 MGM DVD have exclusive extras.
Director: James Cameron
2013 MGM Blu-ray, or 4K Blu-ray if you MUST have the mono mix, 2001 MGM DVD for a purist version with original colors and the international mono mix
2013 MGM Blu-ray for non AI transfer, 2001 MGM DVD for a purist version with original colors and the international mono mix
1991 Image Entertainment LaserDisc for the US mono mix, 2001 MGM DVD for the International mono mix
The 4K Blu-Ray and the 2001 MGM DVD have exclusive extras.
Director: George Lucas
Director: George Lucas
Director: George Lucas
Original US cut, European cut, and Italian cut: 35mm scans
1977 reissue cut: Warner Bros LaserDisc
2004 George Lucas director's cut: Warner Bros Blu-ray
Original US cut, European cut, and Italian cut: 35mm scans
1977 reissue cut: Warner Bros LaserDisc
2004 George Lucas director's cut: Warner Bros Blu-ray
Original US cut, European cut, and Italian cut: 35mm scans
1977 reissue cut: Warner Bros LaserDisc
2004 George Lucas director's cut: Warner Bros DVD
Director: George Lucas
Original US cut, European cut, and Italian cut: 35mm scans
1977 reissue cut: Warner Bros LaserDisc
2004 George Lucas director's cut: Warner Bros Blu-ray
Original US cut, European cut, and Italian cut: 35mm scans
1977 reissue cut: Warner Bros LaserDisc
2004 George Lucas director's cut: Warner Bros Blu-ray
Original US cut, European cut, and Italian cut: 35mm scans
1977 reissue cut: Warner Bros LaserDisc
2004 George Lucas director's cut: Warner Bros DVD
Edit History
5/17/2026
5/3/2026
Best Audio Release
Added
Cinema DTS
Added
Cinema DTS
11/8/2025
Best English-Friendly Release
Added
High seas for the recreated Theatrical Cut
Added
High seas for the recreated Theatrical Cut
Best Video Release
From
Disney UHD is disappointing
To
High seas for the recreated Theatrical Cut, Disney 4K Blu-ray is disappointing
From
Disney UHD is disappointing
To
High seas for the recreated Theatrical Cut, Disney 4K Blu-ray is disappointing
12/30/2024
