The Night of the Hunter (1955)
Crime, Drama, Thriller • 1h 32m
Overview
In Depression-era West Virginia, a serial-killing preacher hunts two young children who know the whereabouts of a stash of money.
Director: Charles Laughton
Cast: Robert Mitchum, Shelley Winters, Lillian Gish, Billy Chapin, Sally Jane Bruce, James Gleason, Evelyn Varden, Don Beddoe, Peter Graves, James Griffith, Gloria Castillo, Gloria Pall, Paul Bryar, Cheryl Callaway, Alexander Campbell, Michael Chapin, Roy Engel, Kay Lavelle, Frances Morris, Rudy Germane
Director: John Waters
Director: John Waters
Director: James Cameron
Paramount/Fox Blu-ray
3D Blu-ray for the IMAX/Open Matte version
35mm scan for original theatrical cut
Paramount/Fox Blu-ray
3D Blu-ray for the IMAX/Open Matte version
35mm scan for original theatrical cut
4K Blu-ray is AI upscaled
The 4K Blu-ray bonus disc, the 2012 Blu-ray bonus disc, and the 2005 3 disc DVD have exclusive extras.
Director: James Cameron
Paramount/Fox Blu-ray
3D Blu-ray for the IMAX/Open Matte version
35mm scan for original theatrical cut
Paramount/Fox Blu-ray
3D Blu-ray for the IMAX/Open Matte version
35mm scan for original theatrical cut
4K Blu-ray is AI upscaled
The 4K Blu-ray bonus disc, the 2012 Blu-ray bonus disc, and the 2005 3 disc DVD have exclusive extras.
This disc defaults to a lossless 5.1 remix, however in the setup menu, the original mono mix is included as a lossy alternative for the first time since the dawn of home video. The film was given a stereo remix very early on and remained stuck that way for decades.
This disc defaults to a lossless 5.1 remix, however in the setup menu, the original mono mix is included as a lossy alternative for the first time since the dawn of home video. The film was given a stereo remix very early on and remained stuck that way for decades.
Mono: Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray
Stereo remix: 1998 R2 WB DVD ? (more detailed)
4K Blu-ray is missing featurettes from the old Blu-ray
Mono: Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray
Stereo remix: 1998 R2 WB DVD ? (more detailed)
4K Blu-ray is missing featurettes from the old Blu-ray
Director: Elia Kazan
Director: Elia Kazan
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Director: Christopher Nolan
Spain Selecta Vision 4K Blu-ray
Collector's edition of a new restoration from Umbrella
Spain Selecta Vision 4K Blu-ray > other releases and old 2006 release - impressions of Selecta Vision release
Comparison of extras between different releases:
https://dvdcompare.net/comparisons/film.php?fid=999
https://dvdcompare.net/comparisons/film.php?fid=9670
Director: Christopher Nolan
Spain Selecta Vision 4K Blu-ray
Collector's edition of a new restoration from Umbrella
Spain Selecta Vision 4K Blu-ray > other releases and old 2006 release - impressions of Selecta Vision release
Comparison of extras between different releases:
https://dvdcompare.net/comparisons/film.php?fid=999
https://dvdcompare.net/comparisons/film.php?fid=9670
Director: John G. Avildsen
Warner Bros 2024 Ultimate Knockout Collection 4K Blu-ray/ Warner Bros 2023 Knockout Collection 4K Blu-ray (replacement disc)
Warner Bros 2024 Ultimate Knockout Collection 4K Blu-ray/ Warner Bros 2023 Knockout Collection 4K Blu-ray (replacement disc)
Original Mono: Ultimate Knockout Collection/Knockout Collection replacement disc> Knockout collection original.
The Mono mix on the initial release of the Knockout Collection is a fold-down of the 5.1, the replacement disc and the ultimate knockout version fixed the error.
Director: John G. Avildsen
Warner Bros 2024 Ultimate Knockout Collection 4K Blu-ray/ Warner Bros 2023 Knockout Collection 4K Blu-ray (replacement disc)
Warner Bros 2024 Ultimate Knockout Collection 4K Blu-ray/ Warner Bros 2023 Knockout Collection 4K Blu-ray (replacement disc)
Original Mono: Ultimate Knockout Collection/Knockout Collection replacement disc> Knockout collection original.
The Mono mix on the initial release of the Knockout Collection is a fold-down of the 5.1, the replacement disc and the ultimate knockout version fixed the error.
OG: "4K83" or "OTD83" on the high seas
Special Edition: "4K97_VI" or "D+97_VI" on the high seas
OG: "4K83" or "OTD83" on the high seas
Special Edition: "4K97_VI" or "D+97_VI" on the high seas
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.
OG: "4K83" or "OTD83" on the high seas
Special Edition: "4K97_VI" or "D+97_VI" on the high seas
OG: "4K83" or "OTD83" on the high seas
Special Edition: "4K97_VI" or "D+97_VI" on the high seas
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.
Vinegar Syndrome 4K Blu-ray see caps
For Blu-ray, UK Second Sight is better than Kino Lorber Blu-ray
Vinegar Syndrome 4K Blu-ray see caps
For Blu-ray, UK Second Sight is better than Kino Lorber Blu-ray
Germany Capelight 4K Blu-ray > Arrow 4K Blu-ray > Kino Lorber Blu-ray, by encoding quality see caps
Arrow 4K Blu-ray or Image Entertainment LaserDisc
(Arrow ported the LD track) see spectrogram
Germany Capelight 4K Blu-ray > Arrow 4K Blu-ray > Kino Lorber Blu-ray, by encoding quality see caps
Arrow 4K Blu-ray or Image Entertainment LaserDisc
(Arrow ported the LD track) see spectrogram
Director: Rob Reiner
UK Arrow 4K Blu-ray release date September 21 2026
Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray or Germany Capelight 4K Blu-ray no comparison available
Shout! Factory Blu-ray has exclusive extras the Kino Lorber/ Capelight release doesn't
Director: Rob Reiner
UK Arrow 4K Blu-ray release date September 21 2026
Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray or Germany Capelight 4K Blu-ray no comparison available
Shout! Factory Blu-ray has exclusive extras the Kino Lorber/ Capelight release doesn't
Directors: Charles Reisner & Buster Keaton
Directors: Charles Reisner & Buster Keaton
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Criterion Box Set
Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray worse than Blu-ray with poor encoding (review)
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Criterion Box Set
Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray worse than Blu-ray with poor encoding (review)
Director: Robert Butler
Radiance 4K Blu-ray is superior to Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray, see mfunk9786 review:
Despite being at a considerably tighter bitrate than the Kino, the BD-66 from Radiance /Transmission is the release to own. Looks fantastic (FiM again), grain pattern is crisp, and the repeating scene error isn't on it, either. Really nice packaging that isn't as beefy as a Second Sight LE is another big plus.
Director: Robert Butler
Radiance 4K Blu-ray is superior to Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray, see mfunk9786 review:
Despite being at a considerably tighter bitrate than the Kino, the BD-66 from Radiance /Transmission is the release to own. Looks fantastic (FiM again), grain pattern is crisp, and the repeating scene error isn't on it, either. Really nice packaging that isn't as beefy as a Second Sight LE is another big plus.
Director: J. Lee Thompson
Director: J. Lee Thompson
More Crime on Blu-ray
Director: John Waters
Director: John Waters
Director: Neil Jordan
Criterion 4K Blu-ray see caps
Director: Neil Jordan
Criterion 4K Blu-ray see caps
Director: Iain Softley
Capelight Germany 4K Blu-ray. Both 88 Films and Germany Capelight are superior to the Shout! Factory in HDR10 but their FEL layer may even things out. Objectively, the Capelight looks best as they avoided the chroma blocking that’s visible in 88’s disc but they in turn include an Atmos mix. I have the Shout! Factory, love how it looks and the 4K transfer is spectacular. https://slow.pics/c/vPmFQSAH
Director: Iain Softley
Capelight Germany 4K Blu-ray. Both 88 Films and Germany Capelight are superior to the Shout! Factory in HDR10 but their FEL layer may even things out. Objectively, the Capelight looks best as they avoided the chroma blocking that’s visible in 88’s disc but they in turn include an Atmos mix. I have the Shout! Factory, love how it looks and the 4K transfer is spectacular. https://slow.pics/c/vPmFQSAH
Director: Rob Reiner
Sony 2023 Steelbook 4K Blu-ray
Sony 2023 Steelbook Edition 4K Blu-ray> Sony 2019 Standard Edition 4K Blu-ray
Sony 2023 Steelbook 4K Blu-ray added Dolby Vision and more extras
The DVD has an isolated score track
In addition to the new Atmos track, both 4K Blu-ray releases have ported over the previous lossless 5.1 remix from the older 1080p Blu-ray in DTS-HD MA 5.1 and also include the original theatrical mono mix in lossless DTS-HD MA 2.0 Mono
Director: Rob Reiner
Sony 2023 Steelbook 4K Blu-ray
Sony 2023 Steelbook Edition 4K Blu-ray> Sony 2019 Standard Edition 4K Blu-ray
Sony 2023 Steelbook 4K Blu-ray added Dolby Vision and more extras
The DVD has an isolated score track
In addition to the new Atmos track, both 4K Blu-ray releases have ported over the previous lossless 5.1 remix from the older 1080p Blu-ray in DTS-HD MA 5.1 and also include the original theatrical mono mix in lossless DTS-HD MA 2.0 Mono
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Criterion 2.0 Surround Track
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Criterion 2.0 Surround Track
Director: Joel Schumacher
Dolby Stereo SR: WB LaserDisc (best audio mix of the film)
Dolby 5.1: WB LaserDisc AC3, WB DVD
2005 5.1 retransfer: WB DVD Dolby and DTS, WB Blu-ray TrueHD
4K Blu-ray has Atmos remixes with new effects and changes. The original matrix surround track is better mixed than the 5.1 discrete with more surround and low end engagement amazingly. It also hides the extensive ADR a bit due to the inherent quality dip comparing matrix to discrete formats.
Director: Joel Schumacher
Dolby Stereo SR: WB LaserDisc (best audio mix of the film)
Dolby 5.1: WB LaserDisc AC3, WB DVD
2005 5.1 retransfer: WB DVD Dolby and DTS, WB Blu-ray TrueHD
4K Blu-ray has Atmos remixes with new effects and changes. The original matrix surround track is better mixed than the 5.1 discrete with more surround and low end engagement amazingly. It also hides the extensive ADR a bit due to the inherent quality dip comparing matrix to discrete formats.
Director: Claude Sautet
Criterion 4K Blu-ray: Criterion and Coin de Mire are both based on the same new 4K restoration. They have close quality, but Criterion has thiner and less blocky grain, with better retention in dark areas. It was therefore preferred.
Criterion 4K Blu-ray: Criterion and Coin de Mire are both based on the same new transfer which is superior to the old master. But, again, the audio of Criterion has much higher dynamic range than that of Coin de Mire and was preferred.
Director: Claude Sautet
Criterion 4K Blu-ray: Criterion and Coin de Mire are both based on the same new 4K restoration. They have close quality, but Criterion has thiner and less blocky grain, with better retention in dark areas. It was therefore preferred.
Criterion 4K Blu-ray: Criterion and Coin de Mire are both based on the same new transfer which is superior to the old master. But, again, the audio of Criterion has much higher dynamic range than that of Coin de Mire and was preferred.
Director: John Woo
2026 Arrow 4K Blu-ray (part of a trilogy box set)
Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray > Disk Kino/WCL China import
review: Disk Kino
Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray has the original mono
Director: John Woo
2026 Arrow 4K Blu-ray (part of a trilogy box set)
Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray > Disk Kino/WCL China import
review: Disk Kino
Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray has the original mono
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