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High School (1969)
High School (1969) poster
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3.9

High School (1969)

Documentary • 1h 15m

Overview

Documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman takes us inside Northeast High School as a fly on the wall to observe the teachers and how they interact with the students.

Best English-Friendly Release

BFI Boxset Blu-ray

Best Video Release

BFI Boxset Blu-ray

Format

1080p Blu-ray

Featured Lists

National Film Registry

Year of Induction: 1991

External Links

Length

75 mins

Type

Movie

Last Updated

7 months ago

Contributors

Best English-Friendly Release

BFI Boxset Blu-ray

Best Video Release

BFI Boxset Blu-ray

Format
1080p Blu-ray
Featured Lists
National Film Registry

Year of Induction: 1991

Length
75 mins
Type
Movie
Last Updated
7 months ago
Contributors

Featured in National Film Registry

See more →
West Side Story poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Germany Capelight 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Capelight's 5.1 is sourced from the original 6-track. The fidelity is comparable to the 4.0 from the 4-track available on previous BDs.
An alternate 5.1 mix was created for the 1999 MGM DVD / LaserDisc, It boasts better high end detail throughout, but the trade off is reduced bass.

See additional info for more detail.

Additional Info:

West Side Story was produced as a 70mm Todd-AO presentation, with an accompanying 6-track audio mix in the following channel configuration: see diagram. 35mm presentations used a 4-track or a mono mixdown instead.

The original 6-track elements were thought to have been lost until they were recovered and restored in 2010. In 1981, for the film's 20th anniversary, a new 6-track mix was created by upmixing the available 4-track elements.

Capelight's release is sourced from original 6-track elements uncovered in 2010, but unfortunately it's not as detailed as it should be, owing to unnecessary noise reduction. It's by no means bad, but it could be better. As the Lc/Rc channels are mixed into into L/C/R, it's also essentially no different to a 4-track fold-down. This isn't exactly an issue as left/right center channels mix down to L/C/R very well, but a better way of handling this would be to use Atmos objects to position those channels where they should be, as Disney did on The Sound of Music.

The 4-track mix was included in a discrete form on MGM's previous BD, it trades blows with Capelight's 6-track-derived 5.1.

Interestingly, the 1999 MGM LaserDisc/DVD release includes a different 5.1 mix, which sounds a bit more detailed than the two other tracks. It's sound signature is on the brighter side, with a slight emphasis on the treble instead of bass like other releases. Although that accounts for some of the perceived detail, even after matching EQ there are spots where Capelight loses out. It's a slight upmix, with split surrounds and LFE. Whether it was derived from 4-track or 6-track elements is not clear, though it matters little, as the end result would have been very similar in either case. There are no booklet notes stating the source used, but it sounds very similar to the matrixed 1992 LD, which was attributed to the 6-track. Still, given that the original elements were thought to have been lost, I would assume that this refers to the 1981 mix.

Previous LaserDisc releases are similar to the discrete 1999 track. All LD releases are missing the intermission music and a brief whistling sequence.

The 7.1 upmix on MGM's Blu-ray offers little of value.

Best English-Friendly:

Germany Capelight 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Capelight's 5.1 is sourced from the original 6-track. The fidelity is comparable to the 4.0 from the 4-track available on previous BDs.
An alternate 5.1 mix was created for the 1999 MGM DVD / LaserDisc, It boasts better high end detail throughout, but the trade off is reduced bass.

See additional info for more detail.

Additional Info:

West Side Story was produced as a 70mm Todd-AO presentation, with an accompanying 6-track audio mix in the following channel configuration: see diagram. 35mm presentations used a 4-track or a mono mixdown instead.

The original 6-track elements were thought to have been lost until they were recovered and restored in 2010. In 1981, for the film's 20th anniversary, a new 6-track mix was created by upmixing the available 4-track elements.

Capelight's release is sourced from original 6-track elements uncovered in 2010, but unfortunately it's not as detailed as it should be, owing to unnecessary noise reduction. It's by no means bad, but it could be better. As the Lc/Rc channels are mixed into into L/C/R, it's also essentially no different to a 4-track fold-down. This isn't exactly an issue as left/right center channels mix down to L/C/R very well, but a better way of handling this would be to use Atmos objects to position those channels where they should be, as Disney did on The Sound of Music.

The 4-track mix was included in a discrete form on MGM's previous BD, it trades blows with Capelight's 6-track-derived 5.1.

Interestingly, the 1999 MGM LaserDisc/DVD release includes a different 5.1 mix, which sounds a bit more detailed than the two other tracks. It's sound signature is on the brighter side, with a slight emphasis on the treble instead of bass like other releases. Although that accounts for some of the perceived detail, even after matching EQ there are spots where Capelight loses out. It's a slight upmix, with split surrounds and LFE. Whether it was derived from 4-track or 6-track elements is not clear, though it matters little, as the end result would have been very similar in either case. There are no booklet notes stating the source used, but it sounds very similar to the matrixed 1992 LD, which was attributed to the 6-track. Still, given that the original elements were thought to have been lost, I would assume that this refers to the 1981 mix.

Previous LaserDisc releases are similar to the discrete 1999 track. All LD releases are missing the intermission music and a brief whistling sequence.

The 7.1 upmix on MGM's Blu-ray offers little of value.

Hud poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Hud poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

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

2011 Blu-ray (4K Blu-ray is upscaled; former PDI animator Jonathan Gibbs confirms the film was originally rendered at 1828 pixels wide to save file space)

Upcoming Release:

Universal 25th Anniversary 4K Blu-ray with Dolby Vision and Atmos

Best Video:

2011 Blu-ray (4K Blu-ray is upscaled; former PDI animator Jonathan Gibbs confirms the film was originally rendered at 1828 pixels wide to save file space)

Best Audio:

Cinema DTS

Additional Info:

The old 2 disc DVD has extras missing from 4K Blu-ray

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

2011 Blu-ray (4K Blu-ray is upscaled; former PDI animator Jonathan Gibbs confirms the film was originally rendered at 1828 pixels wide to save file space)

Upcoming Release:

Universal 25th Anniversary 4K Blu-ray with Dolby Vision and Atmos

Best Video:

2011 Blu-ray (4K Blu-ray is upscaled; former PDI animator Jonathan Gibbs confirms the film was originally rendered at 1828 pixels wide to save file space)

Best Audio:

Cinema DTS

Additional Info:

The old 2 disc DVD has extras missing from 4K Blu-ray

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

BFI Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion = BFI, both HD resto: source

Best Audio:

BFI Blu-ray (slightly)

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

BFI Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion = BFI, both HD resto: source

Best Audio:

BFI Blu-ray (slightly)

Shadow of a Doubt poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Universal Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Universal Blu-ray

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

UK MoC Blu-ray

Best Video:

UK MoC Blu-ray uses the same restoration as Criterion but has more natural contrast and more organic grains see caps

Best Audio:

MoC Blu-ray has the exactly same audio as Criterion Blu-ray

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

UK MoC Blu-ray

Best Video:

UK MoC Blu-ray uses the same restoration as Criterion but has more natural contrast and more organic grains see caps

Best Audio:

MoC Blu-ray has the exactly same audio as Criterion Blu-ray

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

Harlan County U.S.A. poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Before Sunrise poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best Video:

Germany Blu-ray and Criterion Paramount no difference, just get Criterion https://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?d1=11014&d2=10022&c=4022

Additional Info:

Germany Blu-ray has English audio

Best Video:

Germany Blu-ray and Criterion Paramount no difference, just get Criterion https://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?d1=11014&d2=10022&c=4022

Additional Info:

Germany Blu-ray has English audio

Fargo poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray scheduled for November 2026 release

Best Audio:

All the same

Fargo poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray scheduled for November 2026 release

Best Audio:

All the same

More from Frederick Wiseman

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

BFI Boxset Blu-ray

Best Video:

BFI Boxset Blu-ray

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

BFI Boxset Blu-ray

Best Video:

BFI Boxset Blu-ray

Juvenile Court poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

BFI Boxset Blu-ray

Best Video:

BFI Boxset Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

BFI Boxset Blu-ray

Best Video:

BFI Boxset Blu-ray

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

BFI Boxset Blu-ray

Best Video:

BFI Boxset Blu-ray

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

BFI Boxset Blu-ray

Best Video:

BFI Boxset Blu-ray

Titicut Follies poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

BFI Boxset Blu-ray 

Best Video:

BFI Boxset Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

BFI Boxset Blu-ray 

Best Video:

BFI Boxset Blu-ray

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UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

BFI 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

BFI 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1993 Japan LaserDisc

Best English-Friendly:

BFI 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

BFI 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1993 Japan LaserDisc

Sanjuro poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray: intact grain compared to Toho/BFI UHDs' DNR'd master

Best Audio:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray is good, derived from the 1995 Criterion LaserDisc (which would be minimally better due to its lack of filtering) see blah-ray

Sanjuro poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray: intact grain compared to Toho/BFI UHDs' DNR'd master

Best Audio:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray is good, derived from the 1995 Criterion LaserDisc (which would be minimally better due to its lack of filtering) see blah-ray

Rome, Open City poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Roberto Rossellini’s War Trilogy Blu-ray. BFI Blu-ray slightly better encode but gamma is off

Best Video:

Criterion Roberto Rossellini’s War Trilogy Blu-ray. BFI Blu-ray slightly better encode but gamma is off

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Roberto Rossellini’s War Trilogy Blu-ray. BFI Blu-ray slightly better encode but gamma is off

Best Video:

Criterion Roberto Rossellini’s War Trilogy Blu-ray. BFI Blu-ray slightly better encode but gamma is off

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

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion > BFI. France Carlotta Blu-ray is a new, flawed 4K resto, which has heavy frozen grain

Best Audio:

1999 Image Entertainment DVD

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion > BFI. France Carlotta Blu-ray is a new, flawed 4K resto, which has heavy frozen grain

Best Audio:

1999 Image Entertainment DVD

The Trial of Joan of Arc poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

BFI Blu-ray

Best Video:

BFI Blu-ray: strong VDMS encode of a 4K scan.

No comparisons available against France Potemkine or Japan IVC. They are presumably from the same master, but do not feature English subs.

Best Audio:

TBD: BFI Blu-ray’s mono sounds clean. No hiss but not noticeably muffled/filtered either. No known comparisons against older releases.

Best English-Friendly:

BFI Blu-ray

Best Video:

BFI Blu-ray: strong VDMS encode of a 4K scan.

No comparisons available against France Potemkine or Japan IVC. They are presumably from the same master, but do not feature English subs.

Best Audio:

TBD: BFI Blu-ray’s mono sounds clean. No hiss but not noticeably muffled/filtered either. No known comparisons against older releases.

Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Wicked Vision 4K Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

BFI 4K Blu-ray scheduled for October 2026 release

Best Video:

Wicked Vision 4K Blu-ray see caps

Additional Info:

2019 BFI Blu-ray is the older master but better encode + extra footage than Criterion Blu-ray

Italy CG Entertainment Blu-ray is 4K resto, but horrible colours.

Best English-Friendly:

Wicked Vision 4K Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

BFI 4K Blu-ray scheduled for October 2026 release

Best Video:

Wicked Vision 4K Blu-ray see caps

Additional Info:

2019 BFI Blu-ray is the older master but better encode + extra footage than Criterion Blu-ray

Italy CG Entertainment Blu-ray is 4K resto, but horrible colours.

Spring in a Small Town poster
DVD
Best English-Friendly:

BFI DVD or Apple TV HD Streaming

Best Video:

BFI DVD or Apple TV HD Streaming no comparison available 

Additional Info:

New 4K restoration is going to world premiere on TIFF

Best English-Friendly:

BFI DVD or Apple TV HD Streaming

Best Video:

BFI DVD or Apple TV HD Streaming no comparison available 

Additional Info:

New 4K restoration is going to world premiere on TIFF

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 Lorber 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 Lorber 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 Lorber 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 Lorber BD remains one of the worst BDs of all time for this reason.

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

BFI UK Blu-ray

Best Video:

BFI UK Blu-ray

Best Audio:

BFI UK Blu-ray

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

BFI UK Blu-ray

Best Video:

BFI UK Blu-ray

Best Audio:

BFI UK Blu-ray

Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2025 BFI Blu-ray

Best Video:

2025 BFI Blu-ray > Criterion Blu-ray, much better encoding (caps)
Criterion seems to have done additional adjustment to the original grading

Both France Capricci and Japan Blu-ray are worse than Criterion and BFI.

Best Audio:

Criterion Blu-ray largely sounds better, but attentuates away some low-frequency ambient noises.
BFI Blu-ray has hum, dropouts, pops, noticable patching and beeping, but has extra low-end detail in a few spots.

Best English-Friendly:

2025 BFI Blu-ray

Best Video:

2025 BFI Blu-ray > Criterion Blu-ray, much better encoding (caps)
Criterion seems to have done additional adjustment to the original grading

Both France Capricci and Japan Blu-ray are worse than Criterion and BFI.

Best Audio:

Criterion Blu-ray largely sounds better, but attentuates away some low-frequency ambient noises.
BFI Blu-ray has hum, dropouts, pops, noticable patching and beeping, but has extra low-end detail in a few spots.

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High School (1969) backdrop