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Unofficial Releases Over Studio Releases

Unofficial Releases Over Studio Releases

33 Films

Unofficial Releases Over Studio Releases

33 Films

Movies where, while there exists supposedly "higher quality" home releases, for whatever reason (often studio tomfoolery or sometimes missing scenes or cuts), unofficial releases/scans are deemed superior.

American Graffiti poster
Letterboxd
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Original 1973 cut: 35mm scans

1978 reissue cut: 2011 Universal Blu-ray

Best Video:

Original 1973 cut: 35mm scans

1978 reissue cut: 2011 Universal Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Original 1973 cut: 35mm scans

1978 reissue cut: 1992 Japan CIC Video LaserDisc

Best English-Friendly:

Original 1973 cut: 35mm scans

1978 reissue cut: 2011 Universal Blu-ray

Best Video:

Original 1973 cut: 35mm scans

1978 reissue cut: 2011 Universal Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Original 1973 cut: 35mm scans

1978 reissue cut: 1992 Japan CIC Video LaserDisc

Armageddon poster
Letterboxd
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Theatrical: Disney Blu-ray

Extended: UK/Australia Disney Collector's Edition DVD, alleycat's extended restoration better

Upcoming Release:

4K possibly teased?

Best Video:

Theatrical: Disney Blu-ray

Extended: UK/Australia Disney Collector's Edition DVD, alleycat's extended restoration better

Best Audio:

Cinema DTS

Additional Info:

Extended Cut DVD has extras not on Blu-ray

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

Theatrical: Disney Blu-ray

Extended: UK/Australia Disney Collector's Edition DVD, alleycat's extended restoration better

Upcoming Release:

4K possibly teased?

Best Video:

Theatrical: Disney Blu-ray

Extended: UK/Australia Disney Collector's Edition DVD, alleycat's extended restoration better

Best Audio:

Cinema DTS

Additional Info:

Extended Cut DVD has extras not on Blu-ray

Beauty and the Beast poster
Letterboxd
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Original Theatrical Version: 35mm scans

Later Versions: Disney 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Original Theatrical Version: 35mm scans

DVD, Blu-ray, and 4K Blu-ray are altered

Best Audio:

1992 Disney LaserDisc or 35mm scans for OG stereo mix

Best English-Friendly:

Original Theatrical Version: 35mm scans

Later Versions: Disney 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Original Theatrical Version: 35mm scans

DVD, Blu-ray, and 4K Blu-ray are altered

Best Audio:

1992 Disney LaserDisc or 35mm scans for OG stereo mix

The Empire Strikes Back poster
Letterboxd
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

OG: "4K80" on the high seas

If not, Disney 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

OG: "4K80" on the high seas

Special Editon: "4K97_V" or "D_97_VI" on the high seas. If not, the 4K Blu-rays are generally considered an improvement over the 2011 Blu-rays. (although both restorations are DNR'ed and have issues).

Best Audio:

70mm six-track mix is included in 4K80 (taken from an actual 70mm print)

Best English-Friendly:

OG: "4K80" on the high seas

If not, Disney 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

OG: "4K80" on the high seas

Special Editon: "4K97_V" or "D_97_VI" on the high seas. If not, the 4K Blu-rays are generally considered an improvement over the 2011 Blu-rays. (although both restorations are DNR'ed and have issues).

Best Audio:

70mm six-track mix is included in 4K80 (taken from an actual 70mm print)

Executive Decision poster
Letterboxd
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

US Cut: old Warner Bros DVD (first pressing from 1997, pre 2010), alleycat's preservation better
International Cut (censored): Warner Bros Blu-ray

Best Video:

US Cut: old Warner Bros DVD (first pressing from 1997, pre 2010), alleycat's preservation better
International Cut (censored): Warner Bros Blu-ray

Additional Info:

International Cut changes: https://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=2965833

Best English-Friendly:

US Cut: old Warner Bros DVD (first pressing from 1997, pre 2010), alleycat's preservation better
International Cut (censored): Warner Bros Blu-ray

Best Video:

US Cut: old Warner Bros DVD (first pressing from 1997, pre 2010), alleycat's preservation better
International Cut (censored): Warner Bros Blu-ray

Additional Info:

International Cut changes: https://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=2965833

The Exorcist poster
Letterboxd
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

WB 4K Blu-ray retains the revisionist colors with minor tweaks, has OG mono

Best Video:

WB 4K Blu-ray retains the revisionist colors with minor tweaks, has OG mono

Best Audio:

Theatrical: 1985 WB LaserDisc (mono). 1997 WB DVD has the 1979 70mm reissue remix.

Best English-Friendly:

WB 4K Blu-ray retains the revisionist colors with minor tweaks, has OG mono

Best Video:

WB 4K Blu-ray retains the revisionist colors with minor tweaks, has OG mono

Best Audio:

Theatrical: 1985 WB LaserDisc (mono). 1997 WB DVD has the 1979 70mm reissue remix.

Fantasia poster
Letterboxd
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2010 Disney Blu-ray

Best Video:

2010 Disney Blu-ray see caps

Best Audio:
  • 1991 CAV LaserDisc includes an approximation of the original Fantasound mix in Dolby Surround using the surviving magnetic mixdown, using Stokowski's original mixing notes as a reference. Original aggressive pans and dynamic range are left in tact.

  • The 2000 DVD uses this same mix in discrete 5.0, but with some unnecessary dynamic range compression + a redub of all Deems Taylor audio with Corey Burton.

  • The 7.1 mix on the 2010 Blu-ray sounds poor, having been hit with excessive noise reduction, dynamic range compression, original aggressive pans no longer in tact, and the channel usage no longer resembles Stokowski's original intended sound design. 

Best English-Friendly:

2010 Disney Blu-ray

Best Video:

2010 Disney Blu-ray see caps

Best Audio:
  • 1991 CAV LaserDisc includes an approximation of the original Fantasound mix in Dolby Surround using the surviving magnetic mixdown, using Stokowski's original mixing notes as a reference. Original aggressive pans and dynamic range are left in tact.

  • The 2000 DVD uses this same mix in discrete 5.0, but with some unnecessary dynamic range compression + a redub of all Deems Taylor audio with Corey Burton.

  • The 7.1 mix on the 2010 Blu-ray sounds poor, having been hit with excessive noise reduction, dynamic range compression, original aggressive pans no longer in tact, and the channel usage no longer resembles Stokowski's original intended sound design. 

Heat poster
Letterboxd
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Theatrical Cut: Old Warner Bros DVD or fan restoration

Revised Cut: 2012 Japan Blu-ray for less revisionist colors, 2022 Disney 4K Blu-ray is controversially regraded and too dark overall.

Best Video:

Theatrical Cut: Old Warner Bros DVD or fan restoration

Revised Cut: 2012 Japan Blu-ray for less revisionist colors, 2022 Disney 4K Blu-ray is controversially regraded and too dark overall.

Best Audio:

LaserDisc 2.0 (restores censored dialog). Comparison of 5.1 mixes
For the 5.1: LaserDisc AC3 vs US DVD AC3 vs Japan DVD DTS

Heat poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Theatrical Cut: Old Warner Bros DVD or fan restoration

Revised Cut: 2012 Japan Blu-ray for less revisionist colors, 2022 Disney 4K Blu-ray is controversially regraded and too dark overall.

Best Video:

Theatrical Cut: Old Warner Bros DVD or fan restoration

Revised Cut: 2012 Japan Blu-ray for less revisionist colors, 2022 Disney 4K Blu-ray is controversially regraded and too dark overall.

Best Audio:

LaserDisc 2.0 (restores censored dialog). Comparison of 5.1 mixes
For the 5.1: LaserDisc AC3 vs US DVD AC3 vs Japan DVD DTS

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade poster
Letterboxd
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

35mm scan, Blu-ray, DVD or LaserDisc

Best Video:

Paramount 4K Blu-ray heavily revisionist. Purist option: 35mm scan, Blu-ray, DVD or LaserDisc

Best Audio:

LaserDisc 2.0 matrix stereo, DVD 5.1, Blu-ray 5.1

Additional Info:

The Paramount 4K master is HEAVILY revisionist in that all of the effects and opticals were redone and tweaked with errors and issues. There has been grain management (moments of stagnating grain and haloing) and the encoding isn't great hence the typical Paramount noise in the image. (especially skies) The HDR is a bit bright in the highlights. The Blu-ray is showing its age but does not have any of these digital alterations. It is from the scan done by Laser Pacific and is the highest quality unaltered master we have. The DVD was done by Lowry Digital and had much scrubbing and processing of grain in addition to edge enhancement. The letterbox LaserDisc was the first widescreen release and is very good for its time. There was also a rare SVHS release using the letterbox LaserDisc master.
The 4K Blu-ray audio is seemingly an Atmos remix of the 5.1 found on the Blu-ray which itself is very similar to the DVD 5.1. All are presumably based on the 70mm Dolby six track mix. The Atmos is more processed and moves the sound around more so it is inferior to the older 5.1 iterations. On release, Last Crusade had Dolby 70mm with stereo surrounds, Dolby Stereo SR for 35mm and was mixed in a THX sound theater to ensure the ultimate in technical quality in 1989. The DVD was supposedly made from the 70mm mix and the Blu-ray 5.1 seems to bring that into lossless. This is unconfirmed but each seems to be a healthy and accurate version of the original audio. However, the LaserDisc despite only having matrix PCM stereo is punchier and livelier as a listening experience. Despite not being discrete it arguably sounds better than the 5.1 versions. Some who remember seeing each of the original release versions claim to remember the 35mm Dolby DR as sounding better than the 70mm Dolby.  This is a case where both sound great and it's up to fans to decide which they prefer. Both are essential for any Indy collection and the LaserDisc is very cheap. The VHS hifi seems to be the same 2.0 matrix with format differences so it can also be compared against the DVD and Blu-ray 5.1 versions.

DFIC extensive review: https://youtu.be/evsrJOTIjdA?si=wtdWGxZBfhPYTIeW

Best English-Friendly:

35mm scan, Blu-ray, DVD or LaserDisc

Best Video:

Paramount 4K Blu-ray heavily revisionist. Purist option: 35mm scan, Blu-ray, DVD or LaserDisc

Best Audio:

LaserDisc 2.0 matrix stereo, DVD 5.1, Blu-ray 5.1

Additional Info:

The Paramount 4K master is HEAVILY revisionist in that all of the effects and opticals were redone and tweaked with errors and issues. There has been grain management (moments of stagnating grain and haloing) and the encoding isn't great hence the typical Paramount noise in the image. (especially skies) The HDR is a bit bright in the highlights. The Blu-ray is showing its age but does not have any of these digital alterations. It is from the scan done by Laser Pacific and is the highest quality unaltered master we have. The DVD was done by Lowry Digital and had much scrubbing and processing of grain in addition to edge enhancement. The letterbox LaserDisc was the first widescreen release and is very good for its time. There was also a rare SVHS release using the letterbox LaserDisc master.
The 4K Blu-ray audio is seemingly an Atmos remix of the 5.1 found on the Blu-ray which itself is very similar to the DVD 5.1. All are presumably based on the 70mm Dolby six track mix. The Atmos is more processed and moves the sound around more so it is inferior to the older 5.1 iterations. On release, Last Crusade had Dolby 70mm with stereo surrounds, Dolby Stereo SR for 35mm and was mixed in a THX sound theater to ensure the ultimate in technical quality in 1989. The DVD was supposedly made from the 70mm mix and the Blu-ray 5.1 seems to bring that into lossless. This is unconfirmed but each seems to be a healthy and accurate version of the original audio. However, the LaserDisc despite only having matrix PCM stereo is punchier and livelier as a listening experience. Despite not being discrete it arguably sounds better than the 5.1 versions. Some who remember seeing each of the original release versions claim to remember the 35mm Dolby DR as sounding better than the 70mm Dolby.  This is a case where both sound great and it's up to fans to decide which they prefer. Both are essential for any Indy collection and the LaserDisc is very cheap. The VHS hifi seems to be the same 2.0 matrix with format differences so it can also be compared against the DVD and Blu-ray 5.1 versions.

DFIC extensive review: https://youtu.be/evsrJOTIjdA?si=wtdWGxZBfhPYTIeW

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom poster
Letterboxd
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

35mm scan, Blu-ray, DVD or LaserDisc.

Best Video:

Paramount 4K Blu-ray heavily revisionist. Purist option: 35mm scan, Blu-ray, DVD or LaserDisc.

Best Audio:

Letterbox LaserDisc 2.0 matrix stereo, DVD 5.1, Blu-ray 5.1

Additional Info:

The Paramount 4K master is HEAVILY revisionist in that all of the effects and opticals were redone and tweaked with errors and issues. There has been grain management (moments of stagnating grain and haloing) and the encoding isn't great hence the typical Paramount noise in the image. (especially skies) The HDR is a bit bright in the highlights. The Blu-ray is showing its age but does not have any of these digital alterations. It is from the scan done by Laser Pacific and is the highest quality unaltered master we have. The DVD was done by Lowry Digital and had much scrubbing and processing of grain in addition to edge enhancement. The letterbox LaserDisc was the first widescreen release and is very good for its time.
The 4K Blu-ray audio is seemingly an Atmos remix of the 5.1 found on the Blu-ray which itself is very similar to the DVD 5.1. All are presumably based on the 70mm Dolby six track mix. The Atmos is more processed and moves the sound around more so it is inferior to the older 5.1 iterations. On release Temple of Doom had 70mm, 35mm Dolby Stereo and mono mixes. The mono was for 16mm and other outlets and is presumably close to if not a mixdown of the stereo. It is seemingly the last Lucasfilm title that had a mono mix made. The Dolby Stereo is one of the most aggressive matrix mixes ever made and is still a blast to this day on the letterbox LaserDisc release. It is more aggressive than any of the 5.1 discrete versions which is either due to studios taming the audio later or the 35mm mix being handled a bit differently to the 70mm mix. In terms of releases today, the LaserDisc still sounds better than DVD, Blu-ray or 4K Blu-ray because of this factor.

DFIC extensive review: https://youtu.be/evsrJOTIjdA?si=wtdWGxZBfhPYTIeW

Best English-Friendly:

35mm scan, Blu-ray, DVD or LaserDisc.

Best Video:

Paramount 4K Blu-ray heavily revisionist. Purist option: 35mm scan, Blu-ray, DVD or LaserDisc.

Best Audio:

Letterbox LaserDisc 2.0 matrix stereo, DVD 5.1, Blu-ray 5.1

Additional Info:

The Paramount 4K master is HEAVILY revisionist in that all of the effects and opticals were redone and tweaked with errors and issues. There has been grain management (moments of stagnating grain and haloing) and the encoding isn't great hence the typical Paramount noise in the image. (especially skies) The HDR is a bit bright in the highlights. The Blu-ray is showing its age but does not have any of these digital alterations. It is from the scan done by Laser Pacific and is the highest quality unaltered master we have. The DVD was done by Lowry Digital and had much scrubbing and processing of grain in addition to edge enhancement. The letterbox LaserDisc was the first widescreen release and is very good for its time.
The 4K Blu-ray audio is seemingly an Atmos remix of the 5.1 found on the Blu-ray which itself is very similar to the DVD 5.1. All are presumably based on the 70mm Dolby six track mix. The Atmos is more processed and moves the sound around more so it is inferior to the older 5.1 iterations. On release Temple of Doom had 70mm, 35mm Dolby Stereo and mono mixes. The mono was for 16mm and other outlets and is presumably close to if not a mixdown of the stereo. It is seemingly the last Lucasfilm title that had a mono mix made. The Dolby Stereo is one of the most aggressive matrix mixes ever made and is still a blast to this day on the letterbox LaserDisc release. It is more aggressive than any of the 5.1 discrete versions which is either due to studios taming the audio later or the 35mm mix being handled a bit differently to the 70mm mix. In terms of releases today, the LaserDisc still sounds better than DVD, Blu-ray or 4K Blu-ray because of this factor.

DFIC extensive review: https://youtu.be/evsrJOTIjdA?si=wtdWGxZBfhPYTIeW

Moonwalker poster
Letterboxd
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

OG Version: 1989 US Image Entertainment LaserDisc

2005 Edited Version - Re-Edited and Censored: UK Warner Bros Blu-ray

2005 Edited Version - Uncensored: UK Warner Bros DVD

Film Whisperer's restoration is better

Upcoming Release:

Germany Plaion Blu-ray with uncensored cut and 4:3 version

Best Video:

OG Version: 1989 US Image Entertainment LaserDisc

2005 Edited Version - Re-Edited and Censored: UK Warner Bros Blu-ray

2005 Edited Version - Uncensored: UK Warner Bros DVD

Film Whisperer's restoration is better

Additional Info:

Censorship changes for Blu-ray: https://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=224122

Best English-Friendly:

OG Version: 1989 US Image Entertainment LaserDisc

2005 Edited Version - Re-Edited and Censored: UK Warner Bros Blu-ray

2005 Edited Version - Uncensored: UK Warner Bros DVD

Film Whisperer's restoration is better

Upcoming Release:

Germany Plaion Blu-ray with uncensored cut and 4:3 version

Best Video:

OG Version: 1989 US Image Entertainment LaserDisc

2005 Edited Version - Re-Edited and Censored: UK Warner Bros Blu-ray

2005 Edited Version - Uncensored: UK Warner Bros DVD

Film Whisperer's restoration is better

Additional Info:

Censorship changes for Blu-ray: https://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=224122

Mulan poster
Letterboxd
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2020 Disney 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Digital re-render: 2020 Disney 4K Blu-ray, caveat: no Dolby Vision metadata from 4K streaming

Original theatrical 35mm render: WOWOW HDTV broadcast

Best Audio:

1999 Disney DVD for original theatrical mix

Mulan poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2020 Disney 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Digital re-render: 2020 Disney 4K Blu-ray, caveat: no Dolby Vision metadata from 4K streaming

Original theatrical 35mm render: WOWOW HDTV broadcast

Best Audio:

1999 Disney DVD for original theatrical mix

Pearl Harbor poster
Letterboxd
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Theatrical: Disney Blu-ray

Extended: Vista Series DVD, also Streaming in HD, alleycat's extended restoration better

Best Video:

Theatrical: Disney Blu-ray

Extended: Vista Series DVD, also Streaming in HD, alleycat's extended restoration better

Additional Info:

Extended DVD has extras not on Blu-ray

Pearl Harbor poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Theatrical: Disney Blu-ray

Extended: Vista Series DVD, also Streaming in HD, alleycat's extended restoration better

Best Video:

Theatrical: Disney Blu-ray

Extended: Vista Series DVD, also Streaming in HD, alleycat's extended restoration better

Additional Info:

Extended DVD has extras not on Blu-ray

Pinocchio poster
Letterboxd
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Disney UK Blu-ray or bootleg 35mm scan having less DNR and digital repaint/recomposit

Best Video:

Disney UK Blu-ray or bootleg 35mm scan having less DNR and digital repaint/recomposit

Best English-Friendly:

Disney UK Blu-ray or bootleg 35mm scan having less DNR and digital repaint/recomposit

Best Video:

Disney UK Blu-ray or bootleg 35mm scan having less DNR and digital repaint/recomposit

Raiders of the Lost Ark poster
Letterboxd
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

35mm/70mm scan, Japan WOWOW Broadcast version, letterbox LaserDisc or DVD for purist version, Paramount 4K Blu-ray heavily revisionist

Best Video:

35mm/70mm scan, Japan WOWOW Broadcast version, letterbox LaserDisc or DVD for purist version, Paramount 4K Blu-ray heavily revisionist

Best Audio:

1992 LaserDisc Dolby Surround, DVD 5.1 (70mm mix), 1991 Japan LaserDisc PCM (Dolby Stereo home version)

Additional Info:

The Paramount 4K master is HEAVILY revisionist in that all of the effects and opticals were redone and tweaked with errors and issues. There has been grain management (moments of stagnating grain and haloing) and the encoding isn't great hence the typical Paramount noise in the image. (especially skies) The HDR is a bit bright in the highlights. The color timing and Atmos remix are thankfully taming the excessively overdone terrible Blu-ray in those areas but neither is fully accurate. The Atmos remix sounds lifeless and essentially tames the crazy LFE of the Blu-ray remix that never stopped while also spreading the sound around overhead. The music is absolutely lifeless here. If it weren't for the visual changes it might be possible to regrade the picture master and just live with the encoding noise. As it is, purists will want the LaserDisc, DVD or Japan WOWOW broadcast of the Laser Pacific master which is the same master used for the awful Blu-ray just without the hideous color grading applied.
The DVD was handled by Lowry Digital and is overscrubbed like crazy plus had all sorts of DVD era edge enhancement and other issues. It instigated the digital changes of the boulder rod and snake reflection removals. The ONLY widescreen versions of the film without ANY changes are the 1992 LaserDisc and the 1999 final release VHS.

Audio wise, Raiders is EXTREMELY complex. Like the Star Wars trilogy it had three specific release mixes with variations and differences plus a fourth mix that was not used. The mono mix had unique bits and has never been officially released though you can hear bits of it on the 2003 bonus DVD and in the Raiders in Concert live symphony performances. The Dolby Stereo is roughly what was used on all pre-widescreen editions on VHS, Beta and LaserDisc in the 80's. The best iteration of that is the 1991 Japan LaserDisc reissue with PCM digital sound. This iteration is more of a home version as it doesn't really have much surround. Yet it retains dynamic range unlike the 1985 home video remix of Star Wars' Dolby Stereo track. The 70mm Dolby six track magnetic audio was supposedly used in making the excellent sounding 5.1 made for the DVD release. Before the release the film was mixed in the very short lived VistaSonic process which was Paramount backed. This was dropped very last minute as the system had tons of playback issues and the film was apparently hastily remixed in Dolby formats. When the first letterboxed transfer showed up on the 1992 Paramount LaserDisc release all of a sudden the Dolby Surround encoded matrix track it contained is without question the best sounding mix of Raiders you can find anywhere. It is more aggressive than the Dolby Stereo, more punchy than the DVD 5.1 and even contains a unique different sound effect which indicates it is clearly a different mix. It is unknown if this is the abandoned VistaSonic mix or a new quiet Dolby Surround home mix akin to the 1993 Star Wars Definitive Collection remix. To this day, the LaserDisc Dolby surround is the best sounding version of Raiders you are likely ever to hear. Even though it isn't discrete.
The Blu-ray remix though supervised by Ben Burtt went overboard on making everything aggressive and modernized. The LFE is virtually nonstop even in dialogue scenes. It is a textbook case of revisionist audio desecration. The 4K Blu-ray Atmos merely tames the LFE and reduces impact even more by moving around more elements and adding more processing. Both of these remixes are a crime.

DFIC extensive review: https://youtu.be/evsrJOTIjdA

Best English-Friendly:

35mm/70mm scan, Japan WOWOW Broadcast version, letterbox LaserDisc or DVD for purist version, Paramount 4K Blu-ray heavily revisionist

Best Video:

35mm/70mm scan, Japan WOWOW Broadcast version, letterbox LaserDisc or DVD for purist version, Paramount 4K Blu-ray heavily revisionist

Best Audio:

1992 LaserDisc Dolby Surround, DVD 5.1 (70mm mix), 1991 Japan LaserDisc PCM (Dolby Stereo home version)

Additional Info:

The Paramount 4K master is HEAVILY revisionist in that all of the effects and opticals were redone and tweaked with errors and issues. There has been grain management (moments of stagnating grain and haloing) and the encoding isn't great hence the typical Paramount noise in the image. (especially skies) The HDR is a bit bright in the highlights. The color timing and Atmos remix are thankfully taming the excessively overdone terrible Blu-ray in those areas but neither is fully accurate. The Atmos remix sounds lifeless and essentially tames the crazy LFE of the Blu-ray remix that never stopped while also spreading the sound around overhead. The music is absolutely lifeless here. If it weren't for the visual changes it might be possible to regrade the picture master and just live with the encoding noise. As it is, purists will want the LaserDisc, DVD or Japan WOWOW broadcast of the Laser Pacific master which is the same master used for the awful Blu-ray just without the hideous color grading applied.
The DVD was handled by Lowry Digital and is overscrubbed like crazy plus had all sorts of DVD era edge enhancement and other issues. It instigated the digital changes of the boulder rod and snake reflection removals. The ONLY widescreen versions of the film without ANY changes are the 1992 LaserDisc and the 1999 final release VHS.

Audio wise, Raiders is EXTREMELY complex. Like the Star Wars trilogy it had three specific release mixes with variations and differences plus a fourth mix that was not used. The mono mix had unique bits and has never been officially released though you can hear bits of it on the 2003 bonus DVD and in the Raiders in Concert live symphony performances. The Dolby Stereo is roughly what was used on all pre-widescreen editions on VHS, Beta and LaserDisc in the 80's. The best iteration of that is the 1991 Japan LaserDisc reissue with PCM digital sound. This iteration is more of a home version as it doesn't really have much surround. Yet it retains dynamic range unlike the 1985 home video remix of Star Wars' Dolby Stereo track. The 70mm Dolby six track magnetic audio was supposedly used in making the excellent sounding 5.1 made for the DVD release. Before the release the film was mixed in the very short lived VistaSonic process which was Paramount backed. This was dropped very last minute as the system had tons of playback issues and the film was apparently hastily remixed in Dolby formats. When the first letterboxed transfer showed up on the 1992 Paramount LaserDisc release all of a sudden the Dolby Surround encoded matrix track it contained is without question the best sounding mix of Raiders you can find anywhere. It is more aggressive than the Dolby Stereo, more punchy than the DVD 5.1 and even contains a unique different sound effect which indicates it is clearly a different mix. It is unknown if this is the abandoned VistaSonic mix or a new quiet Dolby Surround home mix akin to the 1993 Star Wars Definitive Collection remix. To this day, the LaserDisc Dolby surround is the best sounding version of Raiders you are likely ever to hear. Even though it isn't discrete.
The Blu-ray remix though supervised by Ben Burtt went overboard on making everything aggressive and modernized. The LFE is virtually nonstop even in dialogue scenes. It is a textbook case of revisionist audio desecration. The 4K Blu-ray Atmos merely tames the LFE and reduces impact even more by moving around more elements and adding more processing. Both of these remixes are a crime.

DFIC extensive review: https://youtu.be/evsrJOTIjdA

Return of the Jedi poster
Letterboxd
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

4K83 for OG version on high seas

Best Video:

4K83 for OG version on high seas

Best Audio:

4K83 has OG mix

Best English-Friendly:

4K83 for OG version on high seas

Best Video:

4K83 for OG version on high seas

Best Audio:

4K83 has OG mix

Robin Hood poster
Letterboxd
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Unrestored: 35mm scans (widescreen) or Disney LaserDisc (1.33:1 open matte)

Restored: Disney Gold Collection DVD (1.33:1 open matte)

Disney Most Wanted Edition DVD and Blu-ray releases are altered

Best Video:

Unrestored: 35mm scans (widescreen) or Disney LaserDisc (1.33:1 open matte)

Restored: Disney Gold Collection DVD (1.33:1 open matte)

Disney Most Wanted Edition DVD and Blu-ray releases are altered

Best Audio:

35mm scans or Disney LaserDisc

Best English-Friendly:

Unrestored: 35mm scans (widescreen) or Disney LaserDisc (1.33:1 open matte)

Restored: Disney Gold Collection DVD (1.33:1 open matte)

Disney Most Wanted Edition DVD and Blu-ray releases are altered

Best Video:

Unrestored: 35mm scans (widescreen) or Disney LaserDisc (1.33:1 open matte)

Restored: Disney Gold Collection DVD (1.33:1 open matte)

Disney Most Wanted Edition DVD and Blu-ray releases are altered

Best Audio:

35mm scans or Disney LaserDisc

Scream poster
Letterboxd
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Theatrical: Paramount 4K Blu-ray
Uncut Director's Cut: Either the Germany Kinowelt DVD, the Japan DVD, the Scandinavian DVD, or the US LaserDisc. Fan preservation is likely better quality.

Best Video:

Theatrical: Paramount 4K Blu-ray
Uncut Director's Cut: Either the Germany Kinowelt DVD, the Japan DVD, the Scandinavian DVD, or the US LaserDisc. Fan preservation is likely better quality.

Best Audio:

2011 Blu-ray/2021 4K Blu-ray

Additional Info:

The 2011 Lionsgate Blu-ray is incredibly poor for every Original Trilogy film; older processed older DVD-era masters with heavy use of DNR, sharpening and edge enhancement with a really dull color grade. The 4K Blu-ray is miles better. The DTS-HD 5.1 across all three films appears to be the same on both the Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray, and they appear to be the untouched theatrical 5.1 mixes. 

The Uncut version has more violence: https://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=256325

Scream poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Theatrical: Paramount 4K Blu-ray
Uncut Director's Cut: Either the Germany Kinowelt DVD, the Japan DVD, the Scandinavian DVD, or the US LaserDisc. Fan preservation is likely better quality.

Best Video:

Theatrical: Paramount 4K Blu-ray
Uncut Director's Cut: Either the Germany Kinowelt DVD, the Japan DVD, the Scandinavian DVD, or the US LaserDisc. Fan preservation is likely better quality.

Best Audio:

2011 Blu-ray/2021 4K Blu-ray

Additional Info:

The 2011 Lionsgate Blu-ray is incredibly poor for every Original Trilogy film; older processed older DVD-era masters with heavy use of DNR, sharpening and edge enhancement with a really dull color grade. The 4K Blu-ray is miles better. The DTS-HD 5.1 across all three films appears to be the same on both the Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray, and they appear to be the untouched theatrical 5.1 mixes. 

The Uncut version has more violence: https://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=256325

Star Wars poster
Letterboxd
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

OG: "4K77" or "D+77" on high seas.

Special Edition: "4K97" or "D+97_IV" on high seas.

Best Video:

OG: "4K77" or "D+77" on high seas.

Special Edition: "4K97" or "D+97_IV" on high seas.

Best Audio:

OG: LaserDisc audio is the best option for the Dolby Stereo mixes (and usually included in fan restorations). There are 16mm/TV rips of the mono mixes.

Special Edition: Cinema DTS or 1997 LaserDisc for the Special Edition.

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

OG: "4K77" or "D+77" on high seas.

Special Edition: "4K97" or "D+97_IV" on high seas.

Best Video:

OG: "4K77" or "D+77" on high seas.

Special Edition: "4K97" or "D+97_IV" on high seas.

Best Audio:

OG: LaserDisc audio is the best option for the Dolby Stereo mixes (and usually included in fan restorations). There are 16mm/TV rips of the mono mixes.

Special Edition: Cinema DTS or 1997 LaserDisc for the Special Edition.

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones poster
Letterboxd
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

High seas for recreated Theatrical Cut or HDTV rip, Disney 4K Blu-ray is a mediocre upscale.

Best Video:

High seas for recreated Theatrical Cut or HDTV rip, Disney 4K Blu-ray is a mediocre upscale.

Best Audio:

Cinema DTS

Best English-Friendly:

High seas for recreated Theatrical Cut or HDTV rip, Disney 4K Blu-ray is a mediocre upscale.

Best Video:

High seas for recreated Theatrical Cut or HDTV rip, Disney 4K Blu-ray is a mediocre upscale.

Best Audio:

Cinema DTS

Showing 20 of 33 films

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