Criterion

4K encode is low-pass filtered and noticeably so, which was unfortunately par for the course with Criterion 4Ks until sometime in 2024, and the encode is still less than ideal even despite that. Still better than the Criterion and Lionsgate Blu-Ray discs for the Dolby Vision grading alone.

Criterion 4K Blu-ray for 5.1 remix. Original stereo mix on US Image Entertainment LaserDisc/UK Second Sight DVD

Criterion 4K Blu-ray is 2K DI upscale but better encoded than the previous Blu-ray see caps

Criterion 4K Blu-ray, caps

As with other Kurosawa 4K's, Criterion has a less processed master than Toho and BFI.

Criterion NTSC DVD overall. The 4K restoration's track is denoised and sounds muffled, but has a few of moments where it edges out in detail

Audio analysis between the Criterion 4K Blu-ray, BFI Blu-ray and Toho 4K Blu-ray

(still not great)

Criterion 4K Blu-ray is similar but has a short scene where the hum from machinery at the oil rig has been attentuated. It's a decent improvement over the previous disc which had considerable bass reduction.

Criterion 4K Blu-ray second pressing from March 2022 as first pressing has shots in one scene placed in wrong order

The mono on the Criterion is severely filtered resulting in it sounding incredibly muffled. It is nearly as filtered as the 2003 original Universal DVD which had extreme filtering and sounds horribly thin. The 2008 DVD remaster and original Laserdisc analog mastering are mostly left alone. The original LD master is from a worn element but otherwise sounds very natural. The 2008 DVD is the highest quality version we have without the heavy filtering and the defects of the LD master. It isn't perfect but easily the best of the main four sources by a dramatic margin. 

The existing 4K SDR restoration looks excellent, but the Criterion extras are limited and disappointing. The classic Stewart interview commentary from the LD is ported over but given a new mastering. Compared to past releases it has been very slightly noise reduced.

> Carlotta, with debatable color gradings from master (yellow hues).

See nicolas review https://criterionforum.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=842821#p842821

"Carlotta’s encodes were terrible with heavy blocking in the highlights and pervasive chroma noise. Criterion / NexSpec did much better and only occasionally struggles with skies. Grain is finely detailed and it doesn’t look filtered. Grading is debatable and particularly whether all three subsequent films (shot years apart by two cinematographers, one of them being the legendary Néstor Almendros) have roughly the same visual identity. Still, colors are adequately balanced with variations in the (yellowish) hues, there are no tints, black levels and shadow detail is excellent."

But their grade doesn't exceed 100 nits, it's just SDR.

https://slow.pics/c/F3u2viqj which is why those comps match near exactly. The 4K Blu-ray here has been clipped (i.e. all values above SDR range were thrown out), not tonemapped.

Criterion 4K Blu-ray for 5.1 remix. Original stereo mix on UK Second Sight DVD.

Criterion 4K Blu-ray has corrected gamma levels compared to Carlotta. See nicolas review

> Carlotta, with debatable color gradings from master.

See nicolas review https://criterionforum.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=842821#p842821 
"Carlotta’s encodes were terrible with heavy blocking in the highlights and pervasive chroma noise. Criterion / NexSpec did much better and only occasionally struggles with skies. Grain is finely detailed and it doesn’t look filtered. Grading is debatable and particularly whether all three subsequent films (shot years apart by two cinematographers, one of them being the legendary Néstor Almendros) have roughly the same visual identity. Still, colors are adequately balanced with variations in the (yellowish) hues, there are no tints, black levels and shadow detail is excellent."

> Alamode Germany. HDR10 grade on the Germany disc was not approved by the filmmakers, Criterion's SDR only master is the most faithful representation and the Germany disc is not English-friendly

German 4K Blu-Ray has Atmos track

Fox 4K Blu-ray has a less band filtered DTS-HD 5.1 track than the Criterion