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Touch of Evil (1958)
Touch of Evil (1958) poster
Letterboxd

4.2

Touch of Evil (1958)

Crime, Thriller, Mystery, Drama • 1h 48m

Overview

When a car bomb explodes on the American side of the U.S./Mexico border, Mexican drug enforcement agent Miguel Vargas begins his investigation, along with American police captain Hank Quinlan. When Vargas begins to suspect that Quinlan and his shady partner, Menzies, are planting evidence to frame an innocent man, his investigations into their possible corruption quickly put himself and his new bride, Susie, in jeopardy.

Director: Orson Welles

Best English-Friendly Release

Best Video Release

Format

UHD Blu-ray

UHD Tiers

Excellent
MoC/Kino:

tie for PQ, MoC has a book + more extras

TSPDT

2026: #42
2025: #41
2024: #45
2023: #41
2022: #41

Length

108 mins

Type

Movie

Last Updated

a month ago

Contributors

Best English-Friendly Release
Best Video Release
Format
UHD Blu-ray
UHD Tiers
Excellent
MoC/Kino:

tie for PQ, MoC has a book + more extras

Featured Lists
TSPDT
2026: #42
2025: #41
2024: #45
2023: #41
2022: #41
Length
108 mins
Type
Movie
Last Updated
a month ago
Contributors

Featured in National Film Registry

See more →
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UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Disney 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Disney 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Disney 4K Blu-ray has the original DTS-ES 6.1 mix in DTS-HD MA 6.1. Inferior Dolby Atmos remix is set to default.

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

Disney 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Disney 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Disney 4K Blu-ray has the original DTS-ES 6.1 mix in DTS-HD MA 6.1. Inferior Dolby Atmos remix is set to default.

WALL·E poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray > Disney 4K Blu-ray: HDR10 same as the Disney disc, but Criterion's new Dolby Vision layer improves presentation in some aspects, and has very good extras

Best Audio:

Original DTS-ES 6.1 mix: Both are equal. ES rear centre channel maintained on both releases, but is unflagged on the Criterion 4K Blu-ray.

Dolby Atmos remix: Criterion 4K Blu-ray > Disney 4K Blu-ray.

WALL·E poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray > Disney 4K Blu-ray: HDR10 same as the Disney disc, but Criterion's new Dolby Vision layer improves presentation in some aspects, and has very good extras

Best Audio:

Original DTS-ES 6.1 mix: Both are equal. ES rear centre channel maintained on both releases, but is unflagged on the Criterion 4K Blu-ray.

Dolby Atmos remix: Criterion 4K Blu-ray > Disney 4K Blu-ray.

Young Mr. Lincoln poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion Blu-ray, 4K restoration

Young Mr. Lincoln poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion Blu-ray, 4K restoration

The Silence of the Lambs poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray scheduled for October 2026 release

Best Audio:

1991 Orion LaserDisc vs 2024 Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Additional Info:

Criterion Blu-ray has exclusive extras

Best English-Friendly:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray scheduled for October 2026 release

Best Audio:

1991 Orion LaserDisc vs 2024 Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Additional Info:

Criterion Blu-ray has exclusive extras

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

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.

Best Video:

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)

2017 StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray (and subsequent 4Ks) is 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 5.1: likely on the Artisan DVD and other Pioneer Japan DVD.
Original Dolby Stereo SR: USA Widescreen LaserDisc and others.

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.

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 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.

Best Video:

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)

2017 StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray (and subsequent 4Ks) is 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 5.1: likely on the Artisan DVD and other Pioneer Japan DVD.
Original Dolby Stereo SR: USA Widescreen LaserDisc and others.

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.

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.

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

Paramount/Fox Blu-ray
3D Blu-ray for the IMAX/Open Matte version

35mm scan for original theatrical cut

Best Video:

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

Best Audio:

Cinema DTS

Additional Info:

The 4K Blu-ray bonus disc, the 2012 Blu-ray bonus disc, and the 2005 3 disc DVD have exclusive extras.

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

Paramount/Fox Blu-ray
3D Blu-ray for the IMAX/Open Matte version

35mm scan for original theatrical cut

Best Video:

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

Best Audio:

Cinema DTS

Additional Info:

The 4K Blu-ray bonus disc, the 2012 Blu-ray bonus disc, and the 2005 3 disc DVD have exclusive extras.

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2022 Paramount Presents Blu-ray disc included in 4K Blu-ray set

Best Video:

2022 Paramount Presents Blu-ray disc included in 4K Blu-ray set, same master, but less bitrate starved.

Best Audio:

1980s Paramount VHS

Additional Info:

The encode on the BD is preferable to the UHD. Same master, but less bitrate starved: https://x.com/SadHillDevan/status/1530057783885721607?s=20 and see caps

Best English-Friendly:

2022 Paramount Presents Blu-ray disc included in 4K Blu-ray set

Best Video:

2022 Paramount Presents Blu-ray disc included in 4K Blu-ray set, same master, but less bitrate starved.

Best Audio:

1980s Paramount VHS

Additional Info:

The encode on the BD is preferable to the UHD. Same master, but less bitrate starved: https://x.com/SadHillDevan/status/1530057783885721607?s=20 and see caps

The Godfather Part II poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Paramount 2008 Blu-ray Coppola Restoration

Best Video:

Paramount 2008 Blu-ray Coppola Restoration

Best Audio:

Paramount 2008 Blu-ray Coppola Restoration

Additional Info:

The Paramount 4K "restoration" is a desecration. It has completely revisionist color timing, harsh HDR, treatment of stock footage, bad encoding, selective DNR and grain management so bad that the entire screen frequently freezes up with only characters moving around in grain soup. It is so bad that the film's restorer Robert Harris publicly washed his hands of it saying essentially the 2007 restoration (with Willis and Coppola supervising) is how the film was intended and made. This is Paramount's modern version done their way. The new 1080p SDR Blu-rays in print are the crap 4K desecration master with the same problems still there just harder to spot and with crap encodes. Part II overall fares better than the first film but it has all the same problems. Randomly some shots are the worst in the trilogy looks mushy and manipulated to death.
The mono option is an unnecessarily processed version of the lossy mono from the 2008 Blu-ray. The 2008 Blu-ray of the 2007 Coppola Restoration while an imperfect outdated disc is LIGHT YEARS better than this 4K desecration. The only truly major issue is that it is very slightly redder than the 2007 finished master as seen on DCPs. The lossy mono on the 2008 Blu-ray is the best version of the original mix known to exist as it is better than the late 80's mastering for VHS and LaserDisc.
DFIC review of the hideous crap 4K Blu-rays: https://youtu.be/0uw6-Kcy_UA?si=ob1nDg0wTCvemjH0

Best English-Friendly:

Paramount 2008 Blu-ray Coppola Restoration

Best Video:

Paramount 2008 Blu-ray Coppola Restoration

Best Audio:

Paramount 2008 Blu-ray Coppola Restoration

Additional Info:

The Paramount 4K "restoration" is a desecration. It has completely revisionist color timing, harsh HDR, treatment of stock footage, bad encoding, selective DNR and grain management so bad that the entire screen frequently freezes up with only characters moving around in grain soup. It is so bad that the film's restorer Robert Harris publicly washed his hands of it saying essentially the 2007 restoration (with Willis and Coppola supervising) is how the film was intended and made. This is Paramount's modern version done their way. The new 1080p SDR Blu-rays in print are the crap 4K desecration master with the same problems still there just harder to spot and with crap encodes. Part II overall fares better than the first film but it has all the same problems. Randomly some shots are the worst in the trilogy looks mushy and manipulated to death.
The mono option is an unnecessarily processed version of the lossy mono from the 2008 Blu-ray. The 2008 Blu-ray of the 2007 Coppola Restoration while an imperfect outdated disc is LIGHT YEARS better than this 4K desecration. The only truly major issue is that it is very slightly redder than the 2007 finished master as seen on DCPs. The lossy mono on the 2008 Blu-ray is the best version of the original mix known to exist as it is better than the late 80's mastering for VHS and LaserDisc.
DFIC review of the hideous crap 4K Blu-rays: https://youtu.be/0uw6-Kcy_UA?si=ob1nDg0wTCvemjH0

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

Paramount 2008 Blu-ray Coppola Restoration

Best Video:

Paramount 2008 Blu-ray Coppola Restoration

Best Audio:

2008 Blu-ray lossy mono. (Britain release only has 5.1)

Additional Info:

The Paramount 4K "restoration" is a desecration. It has completely revisionist color timing, harsh HDR, treatment of stock footage, bad encoding, selective DNR and grain management so bad that the entire screen frequently freezes up with only characters moving around in grain soup. It is so bad that the film's restorer Robert Harris publicly washed his hands of it saying essentially the 2007 restoration (with Willis and Coppola supervising) is how the film was intended and made. This is Paramount's modern version done their way. The new 1080p SDR Blu-rays in print are the crap 4K desecration master with the same problems still there just harder to spot and with crap encodes.
The mono option is an unnecessarily processed version of the lossy mono from the 2008 Blu-ray. The 2008 Blu-ray of the 2007 Coppola Restoration while an imperfect outdated disc is LIGHT YEARS better than this 4K desecration. The only truly major issue is that it is very slightly redder than the 2007 finished master as seen on DCPs. The lossy mono on the 2008 Blu-ray is the best version of the original mix known to exist as it is better than the late 80's mastering for VHS and LaserDisc.
DFIC review of the hideous crap 4K Blu-rays: https://youtu.be/0uw6-Kcy_UA?si=ob1nDg0wTCvemjH0

Best English-Friendly:

Paramount 2008 Blu-ray Coppola Restoration

Best Video:

Paramount 2008 Blu-ray Coppola Restoration

Best Audio:

2008 Blu-ray lossy mono. (Britain release only has 5.1)

Additional Info:

The Paramount 4K "restoration" is a desecration. It has completely revisionist color timing, harsh HDR, treatment of stock footage, bad encoding, selective DNR and grain management so bad that the entire screen frequently freezes up with only characters moving around in grain soup. It is so bad that the film's restorer Robert Harris publicly washed his hands of it saying essentially the 2007 restoration (with Willis and Coppola supervising) is how the film was intended and made. This is Paramount's modern version done their way. The new 1080p SDR Blu-rays in print are the crap 4K desecration master with the same problems still there just harder to spot and with crap encodes.
The mono option is an unnecessarily processed version of the lossy mono from the 2008 Blu-ray. The 2008 Blu-ray of the 2007 Coppola Restoration while an imperfect outdated disc is LIGHT YEARS better than this 4K desecration. The only truly major issue is that it is very slightly redder than the 2007 finished master as seen on DCPs. The lossy mono on the 2008 Blu-ray is the best version of the original mix known to exist as it is better than the late 80's mastering for VHS and LaserDisc.
DFIC review of the hideous crap 4K Blu-rays: https://youtu.be/0uw6-Kcy_UA?si=ob1nDg0wTCvemjH0

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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1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4k restoration

Best Audio:

1989/1993 Criterion LaserDisc

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

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Criterion 4k restoration

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The Lady from Shanghai poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Sony 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Sony 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1991 Columbia VHS (slightly)

Best English-Friendly:

Sony 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Sony 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1991 Columbia VHS (slightly)

Chimes at Midnight poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion HD transfer, not sure if Spain is newer

Best Audio:

2015 Mr Bongo Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion HD transfer, not sure if Spain is newer

Best Audio:

2015 Mr Bongo Blu-ray

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

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

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

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Citizen Kane poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

WB 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

WB Europe 4K Blu-ray slightly better encoding than Criterion (caveat: missing Criterion extras)

Citizen Kane poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

WB 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

WB Europe 4K Blu-ray slightly better encoding than Criterion (caveat: missing Criterion extras)

The Hearts of Age poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber Silent Avant-Garde Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber Silent Avant-Garde Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber Silent Avant-Garde Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber Silent Avant-Garde Blu-ray

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

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4k resto

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

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4k resto

F for Fake poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

France Potemkine Blu-ray

Best Video:

France Potemkine Blu-ray is new 4K master

F for Fake poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

France Potemkine Blu-ray

Best Video:

France Potemkine Blu-ray is new 4K master

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Fear and Desire poster
1080p Blu-ray
Upcoming Release:

Criterion Box Set

Best Video:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray worse than Blu-ray with poor encoding (review)

Upcoming Release:

Criterion Box Set

Best Video:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray worse than Blu-ray with poor encoding (review)

Runaway Train poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2021 Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best Video:

2021 Kino Lorber Blu-ray, the Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray has poor encoding and auto cleanup issues

Additional Info:

Twilight Time has an isolated score

Best English-Friendly:

2021 Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best Video:

2021 Kino Lorber Blu-ray, the Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray has poor encoding and auto cleanup issues

Additional Info:

Twilight Time has an isolated score

Sabrina poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray is a fine release with no glaring encode issues, the new master is also fine but graded to look quite dim in HDR/DV. Unsure whether that's really respectful to the source

Best Audio:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray / Paramount EU Blu-ray

Old Warner Bros US release is inferior.

Sabrina poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray is a fine release with no glaring encode issues, the new master is also fine but graded to look quite dim in HDR/DV. Unsure whether that's really respectful to the source

Best Audio:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray / Paramount EU Blu-ray

Old Warner Bros US release is inferior.

To Live and Die in L.A. poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Capelight DE 4K Blu-ray or Arrow UK 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Capelight DE 4K Blu-ray > Arrow UK 4K Blu-ray > Kino Lorber US Blu-ray, see caps

Capelight and Arrow both have good compression, but Capelight has the edge. Kino is very poor.

Best Audio:

Original matrixed Dolby Stereo: Arrow  4K Blu-ray or Image Entertainment LaserDisc
(Arrow is a port of the LD track, see spectrograms)

Capelight and old Arrow BD included the original stereo mix, but with excessive noise reduction rendering it much less detailed. Kino only included a downmix of the 5.1 remix.

Best English-Friendly:

Capelight DE 4K Blu-ray or Arrow UK 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Capelight DE 4K Blu-ray > Arrow UK 4K Blu-ray > Kino Lorber US Blu-ray, see caps

Capelight and Arrow both have good compression, but Capelight has the edge. Kino is very poor.

Best Audio:

Original matrixed Dolby Stereo: Arrow  4K Blu-ray or Image Entertainment LaserDisc
(Arrow is a port of the LD track, see spectrograms)

Capelight and old Arrow BD included the original stereo mix, but with excessive noise reduction rendering it much less detailed. Kino only included a downmix of the 5.1 remix.

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

Eureka UK Blu-ray

Best Video:

Eureka UK > Kino Lorber US

Best Audio:

Mono: Kino Lorber US Blu-ray possibly?

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

Eureka UK Blu-ray

Best Video:

Eureka UK > Kino Lorber US

Best Audio:

Mono: Kino Lorber US Blu-ray possibly?

The Last Days of Pompeii poster
DVD
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber OOP DVD 

Best Video:

Kino Lorber OOP DVD 

Also available on SD Streaming

Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber OOP DVD 

Best Video:

Kino Lorber OOP DVD 

Also available on SD Streaming

Misery poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray or Germany Capelight 4K Blu-ray?

Upcoming Release:

UK Arrow 4K Blu-ray release date September 21 2026 

Best Video:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray or Germany Capelight 4K Blu-ray no comparison available 

Additional Info:

Shout! Factory Blu-ray has exclusive extras the Kino Lorber/ Capelight release doesn't

Misery poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray or Germany Capelight 4K Blu-ray?

Upcoming Release:

UK Arrow 4K Blu-ray release date September 21 2026 

Best Video:

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Additional Info:

Shout! Factory Blu-ray has exclusive extras the Kino Lorber/ Capelight release doesn't

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1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

MoC or Cohen Blu-ray

Best Video:

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MoC or Cohen Blu-ray

Best Video:

MoC/Cohen > Kino Lorber

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Touch of Evil (1958) backdrop

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