Universal

Original 1973 cut: 35mm scans

1978 reissue cut: 1992 Japan CIC Video LaserDisc

The new Universal 4K is AI upscaled https://slow.pics/c/5jD2BjKT and sharpened, see discussion on BR https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=377660&page=9

1995/1997 MCA LaserDisc

While has some mild DNR in a few scenes, the old Universal Blu-ray was an even older VHS master with DNR, so it's still a significant upgrade

2020 Shout! Factory 4K

2020 Shout! Factory 4K slightly better than StudioCanal in HDR10. Similar in DV

35mm mix: 1991 Universal LaserDisc marginally better than StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray. Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray is downmix.

70mm mix: StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray. Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray is remix.

• 1997? Signature Collection LD

• Good: 2017 Arrow and 2016 Shout! Factory Blu-ray have the original audio options.

• the only track on Universal 4K, which is in DTS:X, has a mixing error of around 6dB too low on side channels, otherwise very similar to other 5.1 mixes.

1988 MCA LaserDisc

Slightly better than
Universal 4K Blu-ray with the DTS 2.0

Indicator > France ARTE > Germany Universal caps

Germany Universal Blu-ray has better encoding than US Shout! Factory, but it's more cropped?See caps https://slow.pics/c/cDui4NGF and https://slow.pics/c/JFGZRwhQ

Germany Universal Blu-ray is more dynamic than US Shout! Factory https://slow.pics/c/euldbr8T

(caveat: 3D Blu-ray has misaligned eyes)

Nick_M's 3D version is better than Universal 3D Blu-ray

Universal Region 2 PAL DVD

Universal Region 2 PAL DVD (original Dolby Stereo), Region 1 NTSC is minimally worse

The DTS:X remix is very revisionist with a lot of sound effect changes

R2/R4 DVD DD 4.0

StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray

Theatrical: Arrow 4K Blu-ray or Australian Imprint 4K Blu-ray?

TV Cut: Australia Imprint Blu-ray included in their 4K Blu-ray set?

Spicediver Cut: Germany Plaion Blu-ray included in their Ultimate Edition release

Universal 1998 DVD has the original 70mm 6-track mix in Dolby Digital 5.1

Dolby Stereo: Arrow 4K Blu-ray (5.1 mix is an inferior remix)

OOP Arrow LE has a bonus disc

Excellent new transfer. Except for periodic blocking in highlights, which isn’t too obvious in motion, this is a strong disc. I’d suggest blue as there’s only Atmos sound and the most recent Blu-ray from 2013 was also from a new master and isn’t too bad.

Atmos mix is very bad with many new sound effects added. The old 5.1 is probably derived from the 6-track, with surrounds minimally upmixed. DVD has the 6-track as 4.1, but with more muffled EQ.