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Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Lawrence of Arabia (1962) poster
Letterboxd

4.4

Best English-Friendly Release

Best Video Release

Additional Info

The 5.1 on Sony 4K Blu-ray is from the 1989 70mm mix. The original is 4-track. not on the disc.

Format

UHD Blu-ray

UHD Tiers

TSPDT

2026: #48
2025: #49
2024: #49
2023: #49
2022: #49

Length

216 mins

Type

Movie

Last Updated

6 months ago

Contributors

Best English-Friendly Release
Best Video Release
Additional Info

The 5.1 on Sony 4K Blu-ray is from the 1989 70mm mix. The original is 4-track. not on the disc.

Format
UHD Blu-ray
UHD Tiers
Featured Lists
TSPDT
2026: #48
2025: #49
2024: #49
2023: #49
2022: #49
Length
216 mins
Type
Movie
Last Updated
6 months ago
Contributors

Featured in National Film Registry

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Pickup on South Street poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion or MoC Blu-ray

Best Video:

While MoC Blu-ray has slightly better encoding than Criterion, the contrast on MoC looks very washed out, and Criterion‘s color grading is much more contrast-y. See caps

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion or MoC Blu-ray

Best Video:

While MoC Blu-ray has slightly better encoding than Criterion, the contrast on MoC looks very washed out, and Criterion‘s color grading is much more contrast-y. See caps

The Philadelphia Story poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4k transfer

Best Audio:

1986 MGM LaserDisc. 1987 VHS probably even better

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4k transfer

Best Audio:

1986 MGM LaserDisc. 1987 VHS probably even better

Top Hat poster
HD Streaming
Best English-Friendly:

Amazon HD Streaming

Best Video:

Amazon HD Streaming

IVC Japan Blu-ray is clearly from a higher generation film element and looks terrible. Comparisons: https://slow.pics/c/XUTwiv7B

Top Hat poster
HD Streaming
Best English-Friendly:

Amazon HD Streaming

Best Video:

Amazon HD Streaming

IVC Japan Blu-ray is clearly from a higher generation film element and looks terrible. Comparisons: https://slow.pics/c/XUTwiv7B

Born Yesterday poster
4K Streaming
Best English-Friendly:

4K Streaming

Born Yesterday poster
4K Streaming
Best English-Friendly:

4K Streaming

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid poster
4K Streaming
Best English-Friendly:

4K Streaming

Best Video:

4K Streaming

Best English-Friendly:

4K Streaming

Best Video:

4K Streaming

The Perils of Pauline poster
DVD
Best English-Friendly:

SerialSquadron SD Blu-ray

Best Video:
Best English-Friendly:

SerialSquadron SD Blu-ray

Best Video:
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 see caps

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 see caps

Additional Info:

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

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?

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

More from David Lean

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The Bridge on the River Kwai poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2022 Sony 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

2022 Sony 4K Blu-ray Steelbook / (2019? Sony 4K Blu-ray with the mono)

Best Audio:

1985 RCA/Columbia Hi-Fi VHS

Best English-Friendly:

2022 Sony 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

2022 Sony 4K Blu-ray Steelbook / (2019? Sony 4K Blu-ray with the mono)

Best Audio:

1985 RCA/Columbia Hi-Fi VHS

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

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion Blu-ray

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

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion Blu-ray

Brief Encounter poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion Blu-ray

Brief Encounter poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion Blu-ray

Doctor Zhivago poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

WB Blu-ray

Best Video:

WB Blu-ray

Doctor Zhivago poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

WB Blu-ray

Best Video:

WB Blu-ray

Great Expectations poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

UK ITV Blu-ray

Best Video:

UK very old transfer

Best English-Friendly:

UK ITV Blu-ray

Best Video:

UK very old transfer

More from Sony

See more →
Stand by Me poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

US Sony 2023 Steelbook 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

US Sony 2023 Steelbook Edition 4K Blu-ray > Sony 2019 Standard Edition 4K Blu-ray

US Sony 2023 Steelbook 4K Blu-ray added Dolby Vision and more extras

Best Audio:

Original Mono mix: Columbia Pictures LaserDisc, Sony 4K Blu-ray

5.1 remix: Sony 4K Blu-ray Sony Blu-ray

DVD and Blu-ray both have lossy Mono

Additional Info:

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

Only the US Steelbook has Dolby Vision

Stand by Me poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

US Sony 2023 Steelbook 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

US Sony 2023 Steelbook Edition 4K Blu-ray > Sony 2019 Standard Edition 4K Blu-ray

US Sony 2023 Steelbook 4K Blu-ray added Dolby Vision and more extras

Best Audio:

Original Mono mix: Columbia Pictures LaserDisc, Sony 4K Blu-ray

5.1 remix: Sony 4K Blu-ray Sony Blu-ray

DVD and Blu-ray both have lossy Mono

Additional Info:

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

Only the US Steelbook has Dolby Vision

Drive poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Second Sight 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Atmos on the Sony 4K Blu-ray maybe better?

Regarding the "original theatrical audio" 5.1 mixes:

The Sony UHD and the BD DTS-HD 5.1 mixes are the same but the UHD has been pushed slightly harder and has a lot of clipping. The UHD is 16 bit vs the BD's 24 bits.

The Second Sight UHD DTS-HD 5.1 is a downmix of its respective Atmos track. Definitely different from the Sony UHD/BD mix plus a little less dynamic. Whether or not that's representative of the theatrical Dolby Digital mix is anyone's guess.

So, if you want the best version of the original 5.1, the 2012 BD is the winner.

Best English-Friendly:

Second Sight 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Atmos on the Sony 4K Blu-ray maybe better?

Regarding the "original theatrical audio" 5.1 mixes:

The Sony UHD and the BD DTS-HD 5.1 mixes are the same but the UHD has been pushed slightly harder and has a lot of clipping. The UHD is 16 bit vs the BD's 24 bits.

The Second Sight UHD DTS-HD 5.1 is a downmix of its respective Atmos track. Definitely different from the Sony UHD/BD mix plus a little less dynamic. Whether or not that's representative of the theatrical Dolby Digital mix is anyone's guess.

So, if you want the best version of the original 5.1, the 2012 BD is the winner.

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

Sony Blu-ray

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

Sony Blu-ray

Ten Cents a Dance poster
DVD
Best English-Friendly:

Turner/Sony Columbia Pictures Pre-Code Collection DVD

Best Video:

Turner/Sony Columbia Pictures Pre-Code Collection DVD

Additional Info:

Restored but no release yet

Best English-Friendly:

Turner/Sony Columbia Pictures Pre-Code Collection DVD

Best Video:

Turner/Sony Columbia Pictures Pre-Code Collection DVD

Additional Info:

Restored but no release yet

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

30 Days of Night poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

US Sony Blu-ray

Best Video:

US Sony Blu-ray

UK ICON 4K Blu-ray is disappointing - caps. Filmout scan with grain management and overall less detail than the Blu-ray.

Best Audio:

US Sony Blu-ray

30 Days of Night poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

US Sony Blu-ray

Best Video:

US Sony Blu-ray

UK ICON 4K Blu-ray is disappointing - caps. Filmout scan with grain management and overall less detail than the Blu-ray.

Best Audio:

US Sony 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

The Dark Crystal poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

LaserDisc, Shout! Factory's 2.0 is a downmix of the 5.1

Additional Info:

Old Sony DVD has an isolated score

Best English-Friendly:

Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

LaserDisc, Shout! Factory's 2.0 is a downmix of the 5.1

Additional Info:

Old Sony DVD has an isolated score

Labyrinth poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Shout! Factory replacement 4K Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

Plaion 4K Blu-ray available in June

Best Video:

Shout! Factory replacement 4K Blu-ray, Shout! Factory doesn't have the low-pass filter that's on the Sony US 4K Blu-ray from 2021 with Dolby Vision (or the worse HDR10 only release from 2016). Shout! Factory retains more high-frequency grain and detail.

Labyrinth poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Shout! Factory replacement 4K Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

Plaion 4K Blu-ray available in June

Best Video:

Shout! Factory replacement 4K Blu-ray, Shout! Factory doesn't have the low-pass filter that's on the Sony US 4K Blu-ray from 2021 with Dolby Vision (or the worse HDR10 only release from 2016). Shout! Factory retains more high-frequency grain and detail.

50 First Dates poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Sony MOD 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Sony MOD 4K Blu-ray see caps

Best Audio:

Sony 2006 Blu-ray

A scream in one scene is missing from both UHD tracks, see post

Best English-Friendly:

Sony MOD 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Sony MOD 4K Blu-ray see caps

Best Audio:

Sony 2006 Blu-ray

A scream in one scene is missing from both UHD tracks, see post

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Lawrence of Arabia (1962) backdrop