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Mildred Pierce (1945)

Best English-Friendly Release

Best Video Release

Best Audio Release

Format

UHD Blu-ray

UHD Tiers

Solid
Criterion

Featured Lists

National Film Registry

Year of Induction: 1996

TSPDT

2024: #997
2023: #990
2022: #990

Criterion Forum

Review

Picture: 9, Audio: 6, Extras: 8

Length

109 mins

Type

Movie

Last Updated

6 days ago

Contributors

Best English-Friendly Release
Best Video Release
Best Audio Release
Format
UHD Blu-ray
UHD Tiers
Solid
Criterion
Featured Lists
National Film Registry

Year of Induction: 1996

TSPDT
2024: #997
2023: #990
2022: #990
Criterion Forum
Review

Picture: 9, Audio: 6, Extras: 8

Length
109 mins
Type
Movie
Last Updated
6 days ago
Contributors

Featured in National Film Registry

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Touch of Evil poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best Video:

MoC 4K Blu-ray and Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray are similar

Best Video:

MoC 4K Blu-ray and Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray are similar

The Sound of Music poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Disney 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Disney 4K Atmos is great, a reference quality track. It's a very slight remix (music seems to be from a better source), but it's completely seamless and faithful to the original, better fidelity than anything since the 1994 30th Anniversary Edition LaserDisc.

All DVDs (and 2010 Blu-ray) sound far worse than the 4K Blu-ray/LaserDisc and have various missing sound cues.

Best English-Friendly:

Disney 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Disney 4K Atmos is great, a reference quality track. It's a very slight remix (music seems to be from a better source), but it's completely seamless and faithful to the original, better fidelity than anything since the 1994 30th Anniversary Edition LaserDisc.

All DVDs (and 2010 Blu-ray) sound far worse than the 4K Blu-ray/LaserDisc and have various missing sound cues.

House of Wax poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2D version: Warner Archive Blu-ray

3D version: Warner Archive 3D Blu-ray

Best Video:

2D version: Warner Archive Blu-ray

3D version: Warner Archive 3D Blu-ray

House of Wax poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2D version: Warner Archive Blu-ray

3D version: Warner Archive 3D Blu-ray

Best Video:

2D version: Warner Archive Blu-ray

3D version: Warner Archive 3D Blu-ray

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

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

2026 Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

2011 Criterion Blu-ray is the best. Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray has heavily filtered audio

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

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

2026 Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

2011 Criterion Blu-ray is the best. Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray has heavily filtered audio

Die Hard poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Fox 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Fox 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

70mm Six-track mix: THX AC3 or DTS LaserDisc

Die Hard poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Fox 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Fox 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

70mm Six-track mix: THX AC3 or DTS LaserDisc

How Green Was My Valley poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Fox Blu-ray

Best Video:

Fox Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Fox Blu-ray mono mix

As noted at Blah-Ray, the mono mix on the Fox Blu-ray, although not perfect, sounds better than the 5.1 remix and at least as good as earlier LaserDiscs, which suffer from being murky.

Best English-Friendly:

Fox Blu-ray

Best Video:

Fox Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Fox Blu-ray mono mix

As noted at Blah-Ray, the mono mix on the Fox Blu-ray, although not perfect, sounds better than the 5.1 remix and at least as good as earlier LaserDiscs, which suffer from being murky.

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1991 Warner Bros LaserDisc (for original mono track)

Additional Info:

1996 Warner Bros 25th Anniversary LaserDisc has isolated music and effects track (incorrectly labeled "music minus vocals") not present on any other release

Best English-Friendly:

Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1991 Warner Bros LaserDisc (for original mono track)

Additional Info:

1996 Warner Bros 25th Anniversary LaserDisc has isolated music and effects track (incorrectly labeled "music minus vocals") not present on any other release

All That Jazz poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Japan Fox Blu-ray

Best Video:

Japan Fox Blu-ray > Criterion Blu-ray

All That Jazz poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Japan Fox Blu-ray

Best Video:

Japan Fox Blu-ray > Criterion Blu-ray

Baby Face poster
HD Streaming
Best English-Friendly:

HD Streaming 

Best Video:

HD Streaming

Baby Face poster
HD Streaming
Best English-Friendly:

HD Streaming 

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HD Streaming

Hairspray poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Stereo: Criterion 4K Blu-ray

5.1: Warner Bros Blu-ray

Hairspray poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Stereo: Criterion 4K Blu-ray

5.1: Warner Bros Blu-ray

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1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Warner Archive Blu-ray

Best Video:

Warner Archive Blu-ray 4K restoration from Original Camera Negative

Best English-Friendly:

Warner Archive Blu-ray

Best Video:

Warner Archive Blu-ray 4K restoration from Original Camera Negative

The Keyhole poster
1080p Blu-ray
Upcoming Release:

Warner Archive Blu-ray

The Keyhole poster
1080p Blu-ray
Upcoming Release:

Warner Archive Blu-ray

Casablanca poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

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Best Video:

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1984 Fox Hi-Fi VHS

Casablanca poster
UHD Blu-ray
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WB 4K Blu-ray

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1984 Fox Hi-Fi VHS

Angels with Dirty Faces poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

WB Blu-ray

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WB Blu-ray

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WB Blu-ray

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WB Blu-ray

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WB Blu-ray

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WB Blu-ray

Captain Blood poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray (caveat: has a slight error)

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Criterion 4K Blu-ray

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Criterion 4K Blu-ray (caveat: has a slight error)

The Adventures of Robin Hood poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

WB Blu-ray

Best Video:

2008 WB Blu-ray (from a 2003 transfer)

Best Audio:

1988 Criterion LaserDisc (Still not great)

Best English-Friendly:

WB Blu-ray

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2008 WB Blu-ray (from a 2003 transfer)

Best Audio:

1988 Criterion LaserDisc (Still not great)

Bright Leaf poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Warner Archive Blu-ray

Bright Leaf poster
1080p Blu-ray
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Warner Archive Blu-ray

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1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Warner Archive Blu-ray

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Warner Archive Blu-ray

Flamingo Road poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Warner Archive Blu-ray

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1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Warner Archive Blu-ray

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1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Warner Archive Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

Warner Archive Blu-ray

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UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

The Criterion 4K Blu-ray has marginally better detail and grain structure than ESC 4K Blu-ray

The ESC France 4K Blu-ray is an SDR grade erroneously presented in HDR, but if your player can force the HDR into SDR it looks very good.

Best Audio:

2011 Criterion Blu-ray has the least tampered with audio of the DVD era, but it's possible the 1993 Criterion LaserDisc or the 1998 Japan LaserDisc are preferable.

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

The Criterion 4K Blu-ray has marginally better detail and grain structure than ESC 4K Blu-ray

The ESC France 4K Blu-ray is an SDR grade erroneously presented in HDR, but if your player can force the HDR into SDR it looks very good.

Best Audio:

2011 Criterion Blu-ray has the least tampered with audio of the DVD era, but it's possible the 1993 Criterion LaserDisc or the 1998 Japan LaserDisc are preferable.

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UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

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Criterion 4K Blu-ray

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Criterion 4K Blu-ray

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Criterion 4K Blu-ray

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Criterion 4K Blu-ray

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Criterion 4K Blu-ray

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UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2025 Sony 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

2025 Sony 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Majority of film (theatrical and extended cuts): 1991 Columbia US VHS (or possibly 1994 Columbia LaserDisc?)

32-second scene (extended cut): 1993 Criterion LaserDisc

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2025 Sony 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

2025 Sony 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

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1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Indicator Blu-ray

Best Video:

Indicator Blu-ray is slightly sharper than Criterion Blu-ray see DVDBeaver caps

Additional Info:

Indicator Blu-ray has more extras than Criterion Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

Indicator Blu-ray

Best Video:

Indicator Blu-ray is slightly sharper than Criterion Blu-ray see DVDBeaver caps

Additional Info:

Indicator Blu-ray has more extras than Criterion Blu-ray

Blue Velvet poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

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Best Video:

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Best Audio:

1993 MGM LaserDisc/2000 Region 1 MGM DVD

Criterion's 2.0 sounds muffled due to noise reduction and EQ.
Plaion's 2.0 lacks bass and has a very bright EQ, more resembling the 5.1 remix. Plaion’s 2.0 doesn't have any filtering unlike the Criterion, see https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.php?p=23831289&postcount=110

Blue Velvet poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

 Criterion 4K Blu-ray or Germany Plaion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray or Germany Plaion 4K Blu-ray - subtle difference in encoding to the Criterion in encoding, trading blows in different shots, with Plaion taking a slight edge with less highlight blocking

Best Audio:

1993 MGM LaserDisc/2000 Region 1 MGM DVD

Criterion's 2.0 sounds muffled due to noise reduction and EQ.
Plaion's 2.0 lacks bass and has a very bright EQ, more resembling the 5.1 remix. Plaion’s 2.0 doesn't have any filtering unlike the Criterion, see https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.php?p=23831289&postcount=110

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UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray is closer to the original DVDs than the 2015 Criterion release, not sure about whether the StudioCanal 4K is like the Criterion 4K/original DVD

Additional Info:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray has FEL Dolby Vision, StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray has MEL

Best English-Friendly:

StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray is closer to the original DVDs than the 2015 Criterion release, not sure about whether the StudioCanal 4K is like the Criterion 4K/original DVD

Additional Info:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray has FEL Dolby Vision, StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray has MEL

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UHD Blu-ray
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Capelight 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

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Capelight 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Capelight 4K Blu-ray has better encode than Criterion 4K Blu-ray

L'Atalante poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Curzon 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Curzon 4K Blu-ray with much better encoding than the Gaumont Blu-ray with the same 4K restoration see caps

Criterion Blu-ray uses an older restoration

L'Atalante poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Curzon 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Curzon 4K Blu-ray with much better encoding than the Gaumont Blu-ray with the same 4K restoration see caps

Criterion Blu-ray uses an older restoration

Farewell My Concubine poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

France Carlotta 4K > Criterion 4K

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

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Modern Times poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

1936 version: Image Entertainment DVD

1954 version: Criterion Blu-ray

Cut info: https://www.nitrateville.com/viewtopic.php?t=31209

Best Video:

1936 version: Image Entertainment DVD

1954 version: Criterion Blu-ray

Best Audio:

2016 Kadokawa Blu-ray

Modern Times poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

1936 version: Image Entertainment DVD

1954 version: Criterion Blu-ray

Cut info: https://www.nitrateville.com/viewtopic.php?t=31209

Best Video:

1936 version: Image Entertainment DVD

1954 version: Criterion Blu-ray

Best Audio:

2016 Kadokawa Blu-ray

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Mildred Pierce (1945) backdrop

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