High and Low - R1 vs. R1 (Reissue) vs. R2UK

Lourdes · Post by **Lourdes** » 14 Nov 2007, 22:17

R1's are progressive
R2UK is NTSC>PAL

Original R1 is letterboxed so I resized it.

R1 Top, R1 (Remaster) Middle, R2UK Bottom

Lourdes · Post by **Lourdes** » 14 Nov 2007, 22:19

As per usual better subs on the BFI disc (translation and font) and the audio is definitely better as the Criterion has this sort of background whine. PQ wise it's anamorphic NTSC>PAL vs. a better quality progressive picture but letterboxed and with more cropping. No proper extras on either.

I'd probably take the R2UK for the audio advantage.

There is no perfect release of ANY A.K. film.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 15 Nov 2007, 00:31

UK R2 wins for being anamorphic, shame on Criterion!

Lourdes · Post by **Lourdes** » 15 Nov 2007, 09:42

bradavon wrote:UK R2 wins for being anamorphic, shame on Criterion!

It's one of their early titles I expect they'll redo it at some point with extra slangy subs.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 15 Nov 2007, 15:26

Agreed.

I do find it annoying when contemporary colloquialisms and slang are added to old films. There's always a better alternative.

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 15 Nov 2007, 22:26

The Criterion is cropped badly on the left.

Lourdes · Post by **Lourdes** » 14 Jul 2008, 01:08

Added the new R1, still cropped on the sides but it has more height and it's now anamorphic and better quality. There's also a good disc of extras.
However... the BFI audio is so much better and the subs are a bit better as well. Given that it's NTSC>PAL and has the same runtime (bar those damn Criterion and Janus logos) I might make a custom version. The audio difference is really significant.