Best Blurays IconBest Blurays
Films
/
Return of the Secaucus Seven (1980)
Return of the Secaucus Seven (1980) poster
Letterboxd

Return of the Secaucus Seven (1980)

Drama • 1h 44m

Overview

Seven former college friends, along with a few new friends, gather for a weekend reunion at a summer house in New Hampshire to reminisce about the good old days, when they got arrested on the way to a protest in Washington, D.C.

Director: John Sayles

Best English-Friendly Release

Best Video Release

Format

DVD

Featured Lists

National Film Registry

Year of Induction: 1997

External Links

Length

104 mins

Type

Movie

Alternative Titles

Return of the Secaucus 7

Last Updated

3 months ago

Contributors

Best English-Friendly Release
Best Video Release
Format
DVD
Featured Lists
National Film Registry

Year of Induction: 1997

Length
104 mins
Type
Movie
Alternative Titles
Return of the Secaucus 7
Last Updated
3 months ago
Contributors

Featured in National Film Registry

See more →
12 Angry Men poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber US / Capelight DE 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

1.85:1: Kino Lorber 4K  / Capelight 4K

1.66:1: Criterion 4K but low pass filtered

Comparison between the 4Ks, Criterion on the AR choice

Best Audio:

Criterion Blu-ray/4K Blu-ray

Other discs have unnecessary filtering and sound worse, the difference isn't substantial but audible

12 Angry Men poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber US / Capelight DE 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

1.85:1: Kino Lorber 4K  / Capelight 4K

1.66:1: Criterion 4K but low pass filtered

Comparison between the 4Ks, Criterion on the AR choice

Best Audio:

Criterion Blu-ray/4K Blu-ray

Other discs have unnecessary filtering and sound worse, the difference isn't substantial but audible

The Social Network poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Sony 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Sony 4K Blu-ray

Additional Info:

US Steelbook has FEL Dolby Vision whereas UK version only has MEL

4K Blu-ray has exclusive “unrated” audio with a small change to one line under the request of David Fincher (removed the poor dub over of frickin’ in the line “Screw it, let’s gut the f**kin’ nerd.”).

Best English-Friendly:

Sony 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Sony 4K Blu-ray

Additional Info:

US Steelbook has FEL Dolby Vision whereas UK version only has MEL

4K Blu-ray has exclusive “unrated” audio with a small change to one line under the request of David Fincher (removed the poor dub over of frickin’ in the line “Screw it, let’s gut the f**kin’ nerd.”).

Rocky poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Warner Bros 2024 Ultimate Knockout Collection 4K Blu-ray/ Warner Bros 2023 Knockout Collection 4K Blu-ray (replacement disc)

Upcoming Release:

Capelight 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Warner Bros 2024 Ultimate Knockout Collection 4K Blu-ray/ Warner Bros 2023 Knockout Collection 4K Blu-ray (replacement disc)

Best Audio:

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. 

Additional Info:

The Steelbook and UK standard edition is the same disc as the 2023 knockout collection.

Rocky poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Warner Bros 2024 Ultimate Knockout Collection 4K Blu-ray/ Warner Bros 2023 Knockout Collection 4K Blu-ray (replacement disc)

Upcoming Release:

Capelight 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Warner Bros 2024 Ultimate Knockout Collection 4K Blu-ray/ Warner Bros 2023 Knockout Collection 4K Blu-ray (replacement disc)

Best Audio:

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. 

Additional Info:

The Steelbook and UK standard edition is the same disc as the 2023 knockout collection.

Rip Van Winkle poster
DVD
Best English-Friendly:

Grapevine DVD Rip Van 1921 extras or OOP Image Entertainment DVD

Best Video:

Grapevine DVD Rip Van 1921 extras or OOP Image Entertainment DVD

Best English-Friendly:

Grapevine DVD Rip Van 1921 extras or OOP Image Entertainment DVD

Best Video:

Grapevine DVD Rip Van 1921 extras or OOP Image Entertainment DVD

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 Video:

Wicked Vision Germany 4K Blu-ray (LSP encode) 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 Video:

Wicked Vision Germany 4K Blu-ray (LSP encode) or US Criterion 4K Blu-ray?

Best Audio:

Criterion Blu-ray probably better?

Rosemary's Baby poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Paramount disappointing 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Paramount disappointing 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1998 Paramount LaserDisc or 2004 R2 Paramount DVD

Best English-Friendly:

Paramount disappointing 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Paramount disappointing 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1998 Paramount LaserDisc or 2004 R2 Paramount DVD

Roman Holiday poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Italy Plaion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Italy Plaion 4K Blu-ray > Paramount 4K Blu-ray (marginally)

Best English-Friendly:

Italy Plaion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Italy Plaion 4K Blu-ray > Paramount 4K Blu-ray (marginally)

Rio Bravo poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

WB 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

WB 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1988 WB VHS

Rio Bravo poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

WB 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

WB 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1988 WB VHS

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

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion/Capelight. MoC uses older master

Best Audio:

Theatrical Cut: France Wild Side Blu-ray

Pre-release Cut: ?

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

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion/Capelight. MoC uses older master

Best Audio:

Theatrical Cut: France Wild Side Blu-ray

Pre-release Cut: ?

More from John Sayles

See more →
Matewan poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion or UK 88 Films Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion or UK 88 Films Blu-ray are from director-approved 4K restoration with minimal differences see caps

Additional Info:

Both Criterion and 88 Films have the same audio

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

Criterion or UK 88 Films Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion or UK 88 Films Blu-ray are from director-approved 4K restoration with minimal differences see caps

Additional Info:

Both Criterion and 88 Films have the same audio

Lone Star poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion

Lone Star poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion

More from MGM

See more →
Raging Bull poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Imprint Australia 4K Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

Capelight 4K announced for 2026

Best Video:

Imprint Australia 4K Blu-ray has slightly better compression than Criterion 4K Blu-ray.

The master in DV looks all but identical to the Criterion’s HDR grade. Detail-wise, FiM’s encode looks like it uncovered a tiny bit of extra high-frequency information that got filtered on the Criterion. See nicolas review

Best Audio:

1990 Criterion LaserDisc/1993 MGM LaserDisc/2002 R2 MGM DVD are the best. See blah-ray https://blah-ray.blogspot.com/2018/01/raging-bull-1980.html

Imprint Australia 4K Blu-ray has better audio than Criterion 4K Blu-ray, from nicolas:

I believe that what’s on Imprint’s 4K is one of the good mixes MGM and Criterion released during the LaserDisc days. Music is powerful and detailed, dialogues have excellent fidelity and ambient sounds have perceptible depth. I compared the "new" 2.0 with the anemic 5.1 as well as the Criterion 4K mix and could clearly hear the improvements.

Best English-Friendly:

Imprint Australia 4K Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

Capelight 4K announced for 2026

Best Video:

Imprint Australia 4K Blu-ray has slightly better compression than Criterion 4K Blu-ray.

The master in DV looks all but identical to the Criterion’s HDR grade. Detail-wise, FiM’s encode looks like it uncovered a tiny bit of extra high-frequency information that got filtered on the Criterion. See nicolas review

Best Audio:

1990 Criterion LaserDisc/1993 MGM LaserDisc/2002 R2 MGM DVD are the best. See blah-ray https://blah-ray.blogspot.com/2018/01/raging-bull-1980.html

Imprint Australia 4K Blu-ray has better audio than Criterion 4K Blu-ray, from nicolas:

I believe that what’s on Imprint’s 4K is one of the good mixes MGM and Criterion released during the LaserDisc days. Music is powerful and detailed, dialogues have excellent fidelity and ambient sounds have perceptible depth. I compared the "new" 2.0 with the anemic 5.1 as well as the Criterion 4K mix and could clearly hear the improvements.

Point Blank poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-raycaps

Best Audio:

1993 MGM LaserDisc

Point Blank poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-raycaps

Best Audio:

1993 MGM LaserDisc

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

Soylent Green poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray see comparison

Best Audio:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Additional Info:

1992 MGM LaserDisc [ML102574] includes isolated score

Best English-Friendly:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray see comparison

Best Audio:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Additional Info:

1992 MGM LaserDisc [ML102574] includes isolated score

GoldenEye poster
4K Streaming
Best English-Friendly:

MGM Blu-ray 

Best Video:

MGM Blu-ray: old DNRed video master

4K Lowry master on Streaming (better than DNRed Blu-ray) and Ultimate Edition DVD more detailed but heavily cropped on all sides

LaserDisc master: excellent LaserDisc video master ported to Special Edition DVD

Best Audio:

Theatrical Dolby Digital 5.1: LaserDisc and Special Edition DVD

Theatrical Dolby Stereo SR: LaserDisc

Theatrical DTS 5.1: DTS LaserDisc

Blu-ray 5.1 new transfer

GoldenEye poster
4K Streaming
Best English-Friendly:

MGM Blu-ray 

Best Video:

MGM Blu-ray: old DNRed video master

4K Lowry master on Streaming (better than DNRed Blu-ray) and Ultimate Edition DVD more detailed but heavily cropped on all sides

LaserDisc master: excellent LaserDisc video master ported to Special Edition DVD

Best Audio:

Theatrical Dolby Digital 5.1: LaserDisc and Special Edition DVD

Theatrical Dolby Stereo SR: LaserDisc

Theatrical DTS 5.1: DTS LaserDisc

Blu-ray 5.1 new transfer

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

MGM Blu-ray

Best Video:

MGM Blu-ray, better than 2022 Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray due to poor encode and heavy DNR (review)

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

MGM Blu-ray

Best Video:

MGM Blu-ray, better than 2022 Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray due to poor encode and heavy DNR (review)

Salvador poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Twilight Time Blu-ray or MGM NTSC DVD for the original mono mix

  • Shout! Factory 4K only has a stereo downmix (which sounds muffled, as do the surround tracks)

  • Twilight Time Blu-ray has the mono track with seemingly the best fidelity, but its dynamic range has been heavily compressed

  • MoC UK Blu-ray has a proper dynamics and good fidelity, but bizzarely, everything is repeated after a few miliseconds, rendering echoey and metallic

  • MGM NTSC DVD has been denoised and has had a strong EQ applied and sounds muffled as a result, but it retains proper dynamics

  • Koch Media DE BD had poor dynamics and wrong pitch

  • Analog 1986 US LaserDisc sounds poor

Perhaps the digital JP LD would be better.

Salvador poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Twilight Time Blu-ray or MGM NTSC DVD for the original mono mix

  • Shout! Factory 4K only has a stereo downmix (which sounds muffled, as do the surround tracks)

  • Twilight Time Blu-ray has the mono track with seemingly the best fidelity, but its dynamic range has been heavily compressed

  • MoC UK Blu-ray has a proper dynamics and good fidelity, but bizzarely, everything is repeated after a few miliseconds, rendering echoey and metallic

  • MGM NTSC DVD has been denoised and has had a strong EQ applied and sounds muffled as a result, but it retains proper dynamics

  • Koch Media DE BD had poor dynamics and wrong pitch

  • Analog 1986 US LaserDisc sounds poor

Perhaps the digital JP LD would be better.

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

2013 MGM Blu-ray, or 4K Blu-ray if you MUST have the mono mix, 2001 MGM DVD for a purist version with original colors and the international mono mix

Upcoming Release:

Capelight 4K Steelbook and Mediabook announced for 2026

Best Video:

2013 MGM Blu-ray for non AI transfer, 2001 MGM DVD for a purist version with original colors and the international mono mix

Best Audio:

1991 Image Entertainment LaserDisc for the US mono mix, 2001 MGM DVD for the International mono mix

Comparison between the US and International mixes: https://vimeo.com/246332731

Additional Info:

The 4K Blu-Ray and the 2001 MGM DVD have exclusive extras.

Best English-Friendly:

2013 MGM Blu-ray, or 4K Blu-ray if you MUST have the mono mix, 2001 MGM DVD for a purist version with original colors and the international mono mix

Upcoming Release:

Capelight 4K Steelbook and Mediabook announced for 2026

Best Video:

2013 MGM Blu-ray for non AI transfer, 2001 MGM DVD for a purist version with original colors and the international mono mix

Best Audio:

1991 Image Entertainment LaserDisc for the US mono mix, 2001 MGM DVD for the International mono mix

Comparison between the US and International mixes: https://vimeo.com/246332731

Additional Info:

The 4K Blu-Ray and the 2001 MGM DVD have exclusive extras.

The Spy Who Loved Me poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

MGM Blu-ray

Best Video:

MGM Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Original 4-Track Mix: MGM 1990 LaserDisc

General release mono mix: CBS Fox VHS Hi-Fi but time compressed
5.1 remix of 4-track mix: MGM Blu-ray (a lossless version of the remix from the Ultimate Edition DVD)

The 5.1 track on the earlier THX LD/DVD and SE DVDs is not the same as the later remix, and appears to be more faithful the original mix (likely a simple upmix). The UE DVD remix has a lot more surround activity.

Best English-Friendly:

MGM Blu-ray

Best Video:

MGM Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Original 4-Track Mix: MGM 1990 LaserDisc

General release mono mix: CBS Fox VHS Hi-Fi but time compressed
5.1 remix of 4-track mix: MGM Blu-ray (a lossless version of the remix from the Ultimate Edition DVD)

The 5.1 track on the earlier THX LD/DVD and SE DVDs is not the same as the later remix, and appears to be more faithful the original mix (likely a simple upmix). The UE DVD remix has a lot more surround activity.

On Her Majesty's Secret Service poster
4K Streaming
Best English-Friendly:

4K Streaming

Best Video:

4K Streaming

Warner Bros Blu-ray is the best Blu-ray even though it has color and major contrast issues
4K SDR master on streaming seems to be from the same scan and looks like it has less tinkering than the Blu-ray
Caps of 4K SDR master: 007 on Home Media: On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)

Best Audio:

MGM 1991 LaserDisc

Best English-Friendly:

4K Streaming

Best Video:

4K Streaming

Warner Bros Blu-ray is the best Blu-ray even though it has color and major contrast issues
4K SDR master on streaming seems to be from the same scan and looks like it has less tinkering than the Blu-ray
Caps of 4K SDR master: 007 on Home Media: On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)

Best Audio:

MGM 1991 LaserDisc

Edit History

1 edit
Return of the Secaucus Seven (1980) backdrop