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The Birds (1963)
The Birds (1963) poster
Letterboxd

3.7

Best English-Friendly Release

Best Video Release

Best Audio Release

?

Format

UHD Blu-ray

UHD Tiers

Excellent
Universal The Alfred Hitchcock Collection Vol 1

TSPDT

2026: #181
2025: #179
2024: #180
2023: #180
2022: #180

Length

120 mins

Type

Movie

Alternative Titles

Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds

Last Updated

2 years ago

Contributors

Best English-Friendly Release
Best Video Release
Best Audio Release

?

Format
UHD Blu-ray
UHD Tiers
Excellent
Universal The Alfred Hitchcock Collection Vol 1
Featured Lists
TSPDT
2026: #181
2025: #179
2024: #180
2023: #180
2022: #180
Length
120 mins
Type
Movie
Alternative Titles
Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds
Last Updated
2 years ago
Contributors

Featured in National Film Registry

See more →
This Is Spinal Tap poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1998 Criterion DVD Stereo

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1998 Criterion DVD Stereo

In the Heat of the Night poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Wicked Vision Germany 4K Blu-ray or US Criterion 4K Blu-ray?

Best Audio:

Criterion Blu-ray probably better?

Best English-Friendly:

Wicked Vision Germany 4K Blu-ray or US Criterion 4K Blu-ray?

Best Audio:

Criterion Blu-ray probably better?

Jazz on a Summer's Day poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best Video:

FRA Carlotta Blu-ray: FiM encode. At least slightly better than the Kino.

Additional Info:

Carlotta ports over all special features from the Kino release, except the booklet essay. All specials are in English.

Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best Video:

FRA Carlotta Blu-ray: FiM encode. At least slightly better than the Kino.

Additional Info:

Carlotta ports over all special features from the Kino release, except the booklet essay. All specials are in English.

The Searchers poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Warner Archive 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1988/1990 WB Hi-Fi VHS, crystal clear, albeit with some distortion in louder areas

The 4K Blu-ray reuses the same poor mastering used on the 2006 WB Blu-ray, only with a completely unnecessary bass cut and extra noise reduction.

Additional Info:

Even putting resolution aside, the Warner Archive 4K Blu-ray has the best video. The old Blu-ray master and earlier DVD both had massive issues with colour.

That said, picture on the 4K Blu-ray isn't perfect, with strange posterized magenta glints and some instances of DNRhttps://bsky.app/profile/dagscott.bsky.social/post/3leahavqi7k2l

The Searchers poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Warner Archive 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1988/1990 WB Hi-Fi VHS, crystal clear, albeit with some distortion in louder areas

The 4K Blu-ray reuses the same poor mastering used on the 2006 WB Blu-ray, only with a completely unnecessary bass cut and extra noise reduction.

Additional Info:

Even putting resolution aside, the Warner Archive 4K Blu-ray has the best video. The old Blu-ray master and earlier DVD both had massive issues with colour.

That said, picture on the 4K Blu-ray isn't perfect, with strange posterized magenta glints and some instances of DNRhttps://bsky.app/profile/dagscott.bsky.social/post/3leahavqi7k2l

The 7th Voyage of Sinbad poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Sony 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Sony 4K Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

Sony 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Sony 4K Blu-ray

The Empire Strikes Back poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

OG: "4K80" or "D+80" on the high seas. If not, Disney 4K Blu-ray

Special Edition: "4K97_V" or "D+97_V" on high seas.

Upcoming Release:

2027 Original Trilogy restoration/50th anniversary rerelease clips leaked plus release confirmed

Best Video:

OG: "4K80" or "D+80" on the high seas

Special Edition: "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).

Best Audio:

OG: LaserDisc audio is the best option for the Dolby Stereo mixes. 70mm six-track mix is included in 4K80 (taken from an actual 70mm print). There are 16mm rips of the mono mix.

Special Edition: Cinema DTS or 1997 LaserDisc for the Special Edition.

Best English-Friendly:

OG: "4K80" or "D+80" on the high seas. If not, Disney 4K Blu-ray

Special Edition: "4K97_V" or "D+97_V" on high seas.

Upcoming Release:

2027 Original Trilogy restoration/50th anniversary rerelease clips leaked plus release confirmed

Best Video:

OG: "4K80" or "D+80" on the high seas

Special Edition: "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).

Best Audio:

OG: LaserDisc audio is the best option for the Dolby Stereo mixes. 70mm six-track mix is included in 4K80 (taken from an actual 70mm print). There are 16mm rips of the mono mix.

Special Edition: Cinema DTS or 1997 LaserDisc for the Special Edition.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2015 Lionsgate Blu-ray 

Best Video:
  • 2015 Lionsgate Blu-ray (but it's missing the extra scenes in the Ultimate Edition)

  • 2017 StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray and subsequent 4K Blu-rays are notorius for being heavily denoised and smoothened. Alternatively, 35mm scans for the theatrical cut is 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.

Best Audio:
  • Original Kodak/ORC CDS mix:  Japan Pioneer DVD in DTS/ac3 5.1

  • Original Dolby Stereo SR: USA Widescreen LaserDisc and others.

differences of mixes on various releases: see thread and more info here.

Additional Info:

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.

Best English-Friendly:

2015 Lionsgate Blu-ray 

Best Video:
  • 2015 Lionsgate Blu-ray (but it's missing the extra scenes in the Ultimate Edition)

  • 2017 StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray and subsequent 4K Blu-rays are notorius for being heavily denoised and smoothened. Alternatively, 35mm scans for the theatrical cut is 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.

Best Audio:
  • Original Kodak/ORC CDS mix:  Japan Pioneer DVD in DTS/ac3 5.1

  • Original Dolby Stereo SR: USA Widescreen LaserDisc and others.

differences of mixes on various releases: see thread and more info here.

Additional Info:

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.

King Kong poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

WB Blu-ray

Best Video:

WB Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

WB Blu-ray

Best Video:

WB Blu-ray

Lambchops poster
DVD
Best English-Friendly:

Warner Archive Blu-ray The Jazz Singer has it included as extras on one of the DVDs

Best Video:

Warner Archive Blu-ray The Jazz Singer has it included as extras on one of the DVDs

Best English-Friendly:

Warner Archive Blu-ray The Jazz Singer has it included as extras on one of the DVDs

Best Video:

Warner Archive Blu-ray The Jazz Singer has it included as extras on one of the DVDs

Return of the Jedi poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

OG: "4K83" or "OTD83" on the high seas

Special Edition: "4K97_VI" or "D+97_VI" on the high seas

Upcoming Release:

2027 Original Trilogy restoration/50th anniversary rerelease clips leaked plus release confirmed

Best Video:

OG: "4K83" or "OTD83" on the high seas

Special Edition: "4K97_VI" or "D+97_VI" on the high seas

Best Audio:

OG: LaserDisc audio is the best option for the Dolby Stereo mixes (and usually included in fan restorations). There are 16mm/TV rips of the mono mixes.

Special Edition: Cinema DTS or 1997 LaserDisc for the Special Edition.

Best English-Friendly:

OG: "4K83" or "OTD83" on the high seas

Special Edition: "4K97_VI" or "D+97_VI" on the high seas

Upcoming Release:

2027 Original Trilogy restoration/50th anniversary rerelease clips leaked plus release confirmed

Best Video:

OG: "4K83" or "OTD83" on the high seas

Special Edition: "4K97_VI" or "D+97_VI" on the high seas

Best Audio:

OG: LaserDisc audio is the best option for the Dolby Stereo mixes (and usually included in fan restorations). There are 16mm/TV rips of the mono mixes.

Special Edition: Cinema DTS or 1997 LaserDisc for the Special Edition.

More from Alfred Hitchcock

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

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Criterion Blu-ray

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

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Criterion Blu-ray

North by Northwest poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

WB 4K

Best Video:

WB 4K

Best Audio:

1984 MGM Hi-Fi VHS

Best English-Friendly:

WB 4K

Best Video:

WB 4K

Best Audio:

1984 MGM Hi-Fi VHS

Dial M for Murder poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2D version: Warner Archive Blu-ray

3D version: Warner Archive 3D Blu-ray

Best Video:

2D version: Warner Archive Blu-ray

3D version: Warner Archive 3D Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

2D version: Warner Archive Blu-ray

3D version: Warner Archive 3D Blu-ray

Best Video:

2D version: Warner Archive Blu-ray

3D version: Warner Archive 3D Blu-ray

The Lady Vanishes poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion vs Network Blu-ray?

Best Video:

Criterion vs Network Blu-ray?

Best Audio:

1989 Criterion LaserDisc

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion vs Network Blu-ray?

Best Video:

Criterion vs Network Blu-ray?

Best Audio:

1989 Criterion LaserDisc

To Catch a Thief poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Paramount 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

2024 Paramount "Presents" 4K: although there are reviews that called it disappointing. It is also regarded as a vast improvement over all previous versions by many others as well.

This is a problematic release, because while scenes like the aerial shots at the beginning looked pristine and shows new detail, many others are suspiciously identical across all three Blu-ray releases (the 2012, 2020 and this 2024).

Some defects on this are unfixed from the 2020 Blu-ray for some reason. (See this review and its discussion.)

Best Audio:

1996 Paramount Hi-Fi VHS

Best English-Friendly:

Paramount 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

2024 Paramount "Presents" 4K: although there are reviews that called it disappointing. It is also regarded as a vast improvement over all previous versions by many others as well.

This is a problematic release, because while scenes like the aerial shots at the beginning looked pristine and shows new detail, many others are suspiciously identical across all three Blu-ray releases (the 2012, 2020 and this 2024).

Some defects on this are unfixed from the 2020 Blu-ray for some reason. (See this review and its discussion.)

Best Audio:

1996 Paramount Hi-Fi VHS

Rear Window poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

2005 US DVD

Best English-Friendly:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

2005 US DVD

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

Via Vision or StudioCanal Blu-ray?

Best Video:

Via Vision or StudioCanal Blu-ray?

Kino Lorber Blu-ray has incorrect aspect ratio for pre-2024 restorations of both silent and sound versions

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

Via Vision or StudioCanal Blu-ray?

Best Video:

Via Vision or StudioCanal Blu-ray?

Kino Lorber Blu-ray has incorrect aspect ratio for pre-2024 restorations of both silent and sound versions

Stage Fright poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Warner Archive Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

Warner Archive Blu-ray

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

Warner Archive Blu-ray

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

Warner Archive Blu-ray

I Confess poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Warner Archive Blu-ray

I Confess poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Warner Archive Blu-ray

More from Universal

See more →
This Is the Night poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Universal Blu-ray

Best Video:

Universal Blu-ray seems to be an old HD scan and doesn't look too good

Best English-Friendly:

Universal Blu-ray

Best Video:

Universal Blu-ray seems to be an old HD scan and doesn't look too good

Ferrari poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Netherlands Remain in Light or UK Universal 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Netherlands Remain in Light or UK Universal 4K Blu-ray, See caps: Ferrari (2023) | Slowpoke Pics

Best Audio:

Netherlands Remain in Light

Additional Info:

All three discs come from the same master and share the same Dolby Vision grade, with identical dynamic metadata and CMv4.0 on all three. The Eagle Pictures disc is the only Profile 7 FEL, the Remain in Light and Universal UK discs are both MEL. On paper that gives the Italian finer coding precision, but it doesn't buy anything on this film, the grain is heavy enough to hide base layer quantisation on its own and none of the three discs bands. It also costs something, the Eagle Pictures encode noticeably smooths grain in flatter, low contrast areas, so a fair bit of fine texture that both other discs keep is simply gone. Edges and overall definition are fine, but the Dutch and UK discs clearly hold the film's texture better and are the ones to get. Between those two it's very close, with the Dutch keeping slightly more grain across most of the scenes checked. Worth noting as well, the Dutch and UK discs have their title cards in English while the Italian keeps them in Italian.
Caps comp: Ferrari (2023) | Slowpoke Pics

Ferrari poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Netherlands Remain in Light or UK Universal 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Netherlands Remain in Light or UK Universal 4K Blu-ray, See caps: Ferrari (2023) | Slowpoke Pics

Best Audio:

Netherlands Remain in Light

Additional Info:

All three discs come from the same master and share the same Dolby Vision grade, with identical dynamic metadata and CMv4.0 on all three. The Eagle Pictures disc is the only Profile 7 FEL, the Remain in Light and Universal UK discs are both MEL. On paper that gives the Italian finer coding precision, but it doesn't buy anything on this film, the grain is heavy enough to hide base layer quantisation on its own and none of the three discs bands. It also costs something, the Eagle Pictures encode noticeably smooths grain in flatter, low contrast areas, so a fair bit of fine texture that both other discs keep is simply gone. Edges and overall definition are fine, but the Dutch and UK discs clearly hold the film's texture better and are the ones to get. Between those two it's very close, with the Dutch keeping slightly more grain across most of the scenes checked. Worth noting as well, the Dutch and UK discs have their title cards in English while the Italian keeps them in Italian.
Caps comp: Ferrari (2023) | Slowpoke Pics

Jaws 3-D poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2D version: 2016 Universal Blu-ray

3D version: Universal 3D Blu-ray (caveat: 3D Blu-ray has misaligned eyes)

Nick_M's 3D version is better than Universal 3D Blu-ray

Best Video:

2D version: 2016 Universal Blu-ray

3D version: Universal 3D Blu-ray (caveat: 3D Blu-ray has misaligned eyes)

Nick_M's 3D version is better than Universal 3D Blu-ray

Jaws 3-D poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2D version: 2016 Universal Blu-ray

3D version: Universal 3D Blu-ray (caveat: 3D Blu-ray has misaligned eyes)

Nick_M's 3D version is better than Universal 3D Blu-ray

Best Video:

2D version: 2016 Universal Blu-ray

3D version: Universal 3D Blu-ray (caveat: 3D Blu-ray has misaligned eyes)

Nick_M's 3D version is better than Universal 3D Blu-ray

The Bad Guys poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2D version: Universal 4K Blu-ray

3D version: Australia Universal/Sony 3D Blu-ray

Best Video:

2D version: Universal 4K Blu-ray

3D version: Australia Universal/Sony 3D Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

2D version: Universal 4K Blu-ray

3D version: Australia Universal/Sony 3D Blu-ray

Best Video:

2D version: Universal 4K Blu-ray

3D version: Australia Universal/Sony 3D Blu-ray

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

Director's Cut: Hong Kong Edko Films Blu-ray

International Theatrical Cut/US Theatrical Cut: Universal Blu-ray

Hong Kong Theatrical Cut: Disney+ Streaming in Singapore

Thai Theatrical Cut: Disney+ Streaming in Thailand

Best Video:

Director's Cut: Hong Kong Edko Films Blu-ray

International Theatrical Cut (aka. Unrated Cut): Universal Blu-ray

US Theatrical Cut: Universal Blu-ray, Starz Streaming for open matte

Hong Kong Theatrical Cut: Disney+ Streaming in Singapore, Singapore Disney DVD for open matte

Thai Theatrical Cut: Disney+ Streaming in Thailand, Thailand Disney DVD for open matte

Best Audio:

Director's Cut: Hong Kong Edko Films Blu-ray, Universal Blu-ray for original 5.1

International Theatrical Cut/US Theatrical Cut: Universal Blu-ray

Hong Kong Theatrical Cut: Singapore Disney DVD

Thai Theatrical Cut: Thailand Disney DVD

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

Director's Cut: Hong Kong Edko Films Blu-ray

International Theatrical Cut/US Theatrical Cut: Universal Blu-ray

Hong Kong Theatrical Cut: Disney+ Streaming in Singapore

Thai Theatrical Cut: Disney+ Streaming in Thailand

Best Video:

Director's Cut: Hong Kong Edko Films Blu-ray

International Theatrical Cut (aka. Unrated Cut): Universal Blu-ray

US Theatrical Cut: Universal Blu-ray, Starz Streaming for open matte

Hong Kong Theatrical Cut: Disney+ Streaming in Singapore, Singapore Disney DVD for open matte

Thai Theatrical Cut: Disney+ Streaming in Thailand, Thailand Disney DVD for open matte

Best Audio:

Director's Cut: Hong Kong Edko Films Blu-ray, Universal Blu-ray for original 5.1

International Theatrical Cut/US Theatrical Cut: Universal Blu-ray

Hong Kong Theatrical Cut: Singapore Disney DVD

Thai Theatrical Cut: Thailand Disney DVD

Cats poster
4K Streaming
Best English-Friendly:

Movies Anywhere Streaming

Best Video:

Movies Anywhere Streaming

Best Audio:

Universal Blu-ray

Cats poster
4K Streaming
Best English-Friendly:

Movies Anywhere Streaming

Best Video:

Movies Anywhere Streaming

Best Audio:

Universal Blu-ray

Pillow Talk poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

2012 BD is of similar fidelity but adds extra foley sounds. 2003 PAL DVD is a stereoized remix.

Best English-Friendly:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

2012 BD is of similar fidelity but adds extra foley sounds. 2003 PAL DVD is a stereoized remix.

The Bourne Identity poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Universal HD-DVD

Best Video:

Universal HD-DVD 

The Universal Blu-ray is slightly filtered and DNR'd compared to the HD-DVD, and the Universal 4K Blu-ray, on top of being upscaled, adds additional DNR and is softer than both previous HD releases.

Best English-Friendly:

Universal HD-DVD

Best Video:

Universal HD-DVD 

The Universal Blu-ray is slightly filtered and DNR'd compared to the HD-DVD, and the Universal 4K Blu-ray, on top of being upscaled, adds additional DNR and is softer than both previous HD releases.

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

Universal Blu-ray

Best Video:

Universal Blu-ray (4K Blu-ray has DNR)

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

Universal Blu-ray

Best Video:

Universal Blu-ray (4K Blu-ray has DNR)

American Graffiti poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Original 1973 cut: 35mm scans

1978 reissue cut: 2011 Universal Blu-ray

Best Video:

Original 1973 cut: 35mm scans

1978 reissue cut: 2011 Universal Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Original 1973 cut: 35mm scans

1978 reissue cut: 1992 Japan CIC Video LaserDisc

Best English-Friendly:

Original 1973 cut: 35mm scans

1978 reissue cut: 2011 Universal Blu-ray

Best Video:

Original 1973 cut: 35mm scans

1978 reissue cut: 2011 Universal Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Original 1973 cut: 35mm scans

1978 reissue cut: 1992 Japan CIC Video LaserDisc

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