We have started a Patreon page with the hopes that
some of our followers would be
willing to donate a small amount to keep DVDBeaver
alive. We are a tiny niche, so your
generosity is vital to our
existence.
We are talking about a minimum of
$0.10 - $0.15 a day, perhaps a
quarter (or more) to those who won't
miss it from their budget. It
equates to buying DVDBeaver a coffee
once, twice or a few times a month.
You can then participate in our
monthly
Silent
auctions,
and have exclusive access to many 'bonus' High Resolution screen captures - both
4K UHD
and
Blu-ray
(see
HERE). |
Search DVDBeaver |
S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r |
directed
by David Lean
U.K. 1946
One of the great translations of literature into film, David Lean's Great Expectations brings Charles Dickens's masterpiece to robust onscreen life. Pip, Magwitch, Miss Havisham, and Estella populate Lean's magnificent miniature, beautifully photographed by Guy Green and designed by John Bryan. |
Posters
Theatrical Release Date: June 1946
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
Comparison:
ITV DVD - REGION FREE
Blu-ray vs. Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Carlton - Region 2 - PAL
1) ITV DVD - REGION FREE Blu-ray - LEFT2) Criterion Region 1 - NTSC - MIDDLE 3) Carlton Region 2 - PAL - RIGHT |
Box Covers |
|
|
|
l |
|||
Distribution |
ITV DVD - REGION FREE Blu-ray |
Criterion Collection Spine # 31 Region 1 - NTSC |
Carlton Region 2 - PAL |
Runtime | 1:58:09 | 1:58:12 | 1:53:30 (4% PAL speed-up) |
Video |
1.33:1
Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 17-20 mb/s 1080P Single-layered |
1.33:1
Original Aspect Ratio |
1.33:1
Original Aspect Ratio |
NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
|||
Bitrate:
ITV DVD
|
NO BITRATE GRAPH YET FOR Blu-ray |
||
Bitrate:
Criterion
|
|
||
Bitrate:
Carlton |
|
||
Audio | English (Dolby Digital mono) | English (Dolby Digital 1.0) |
English (Dolby Digital 1.0) |
Subtitles | English and none | English and none | None |
Features |
Release Information: ITV DVD Aspect Ratio: Edition Details: DVD Release Date: June 23rd, 2008Standard Blu-ray Case Chapters 15 |
Release Information: Criterion Collection Aspect Ratio: Edition Details: DVD
Release Date: March 7, 2000 Chapters 26 |
Release Information: Studio: Carlton UK
Aspect Ratio: Biographies of David Lean, Charles Dickens, John Mills and Valerie Hobson
DVD
Release Date: April 1999 Chapters 13 |
Comments: |
ADDITION: ITV
DVD Blu-ray July 08':
NOTE: These
Blu-ray captures were
obtained directly from the
Blu-ray disc
and are linked to their 1920X1080 counterpart if you are interested
to see.
Firstly, the great news - despite rumors
to the contrary this release, like
The Boys From Brazil and
Black Narcissus,
is REGION FREE and will play on
Blu-ray players
world-wide. I would say, of the three new Blu-ray releases from ITV DVD in the UK, that this has the least prominent improvement over SD. Although the image quality appears about the same at smaller sizes obviously when expanded to an HD system the 1920X1080 resolution is maintained by the Blu-ray, and hence, looks far superior. I toggled back and forth from the Criterion (on a region free player) with this Blu-ray and the differences are immense - even considering we were using two non-compatible output systems. The ITV DVD is quite a bit brighter and doesn't have the extensive flickering contrast of the Criterion (from way back in 2000), but overall I'd say the most noticeable improvement would be in detail. The Blu-ray maintains it at higher levels and this is where the Criterion, and most SD DVDs of older films, look weak. All three still show some dirt and light speckles - it doesn't appear that any have had a 'full' restoration but definitely the Blu-ray 'appears' much smoother and cleaner.
You may note that the Criterion looks a little vertically compressed with faces looking slimmer than the other two editions. ITV may have used the same source as the Carlton so its hard to know which is correct.
NOTE: This is a very old comparison and I don't know that I got exact frame matches on all screen grabs.
There are no extras and, as expected, I noted no vast improvement with the mono audio. Once again though the Blu-ray seemed set at an initially louder level.
Bottom line is that Lean's classic has never looked better for home theater presentation, but those with higher-end viewing systems will notice the superiority the most. We, of course, recommend this release to those concerned with seeing the film in the best possible transfer. It is heads and tails above the SD editions.
***
Similar to the "Oliver Twist" comparison the Criterion disc has a far superior image than the Carlton. It is closer than the Oliver Twist but Criterion still leads the way. It is minutely sharper with more subtle contrast. Most DVD attributes are in Criterion's favor. In the Extras dept. the Criterion gives a nicely restored theatrical trailer as compared to the Carlton's static screen filmographies pages. So pretty much bare-bones for both. Hopefully an edition will come along that has some viable supplements. |
DVD Menus
ITV DVD - Blu-ray
|
(Criterion
R1 - NTSC - Left vs. Carlton R2 - PAL - Right)
|
|
|
|
Screen Captures
CLICK (ONLY) THE FIRST BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE FULL (CROPPED) RESOLUTION
1) ITV DVD - REGION FREE Blu-ray - TOP2) Criterion Region 1 - NTSC - MIDDLE 3) Carlton Region 2 - PAL - BOTTOM |
1) ITV DVD - REGION FREE Blu-ray - TOP2) Criterion Region 1 - NTSC - MIDDLE 3) Carlton Region 2 - PAL - BOTTOM |
|
1) ITV DVD - REGION FREE Blu-ray - TOP2) Criterion Region 1 - NTSC - MIDDLE 3) Carlton Region 2 - PAL - BOTTOMp |
1) ITV DVD - REGION FREE Blu-ray - TOP2) Criterion Region 1 - NTSC - MIDDLE 3) Carlton Region 2 - PAL - BOTTOMp |
|
1) ITV DVD - REGION FREE Blu-ray - TOP2) Criterion Region 1 - NTSC - MIDDLE 3) Carlton Region 2 - PAL - BOTTOMp |
Report Card:
k
Image: |
ITV Blu-ray |
Sound: |
- |
Extras: | Criterion |
Menu: |
Carlton |
Box Covers |
|
|
|
l |
|||
Distribution |
ITV DVD - REGION FREE Blu-ray |
Criterion Collection Spine # 31 Region 1 - NTSC |
Carlton Region 2 - PAL |
DONATIONS Keep DVDBeaver alive:
Mail cheques, money orders, cash to: or CLICK PayPal logo to donate!
Gary Tooze
|
|
Many Thanks...