ADDITION: Legacy 2-disc - September 08': Universal has done a great job here. Is the image improved? - you betcha. With more room for the film (shoving the majority of the supplements onto a second dual-layered disc) it both seems to show more grain and detail. It looks fabulous and the higher bitrate is a testament to that improvement. I can't be sure but black levels may have been marginally boosted to bring up the sharpness - if so - it worked. Audio sounds to be the exact same as previous SD-DVD.

It appears that all the extras are sent over from the Masterpiece Collection and CE (Rear Window Ethics: An Original Documentary -55 minutes - and A Conversation with Screenwriter John Michael Hayes - 13 minutes), PLUS new: a wonderful, professional commentary by John Fawell, author of Hitchcock's Rear Window: The Well-Made Film. He has a gentle manner and talks on a varied number of aspects of the film, Hitch's techniques and the production. This is very much worth listening to. The additional featurette extras (disc 2) are likewise excellent. Many give input, from Scorsese to other prominent directors, in the 25 minute piece Pure Cinema: Through the Eyes of the Master. It is a lot of justifiable praise for the Mr. Hitchcock and most seem genuinely enthusiastic about discussing his style and and creative output. The Hitchcock /Truffaut interview excerpts from 1962 run 16 minutes and are shot to the backdrop of scenes and stills from the film Rear Window. Hitch kind of gives commentary with translations from French (Truffaut and a female translator). This is very appealing and I wished it could have been the entire interview - and most won't want the French dialogue. Breaking Barriers: The Sound of Hitchcock is almost 25 minutes and focuses on the manipulation of audio - orchestral bridges and how it melded with the plots. We are also given an Alfred Hitchcock Presents episode entitled 'Mr. Blanchard's Secret'. It's funny that after watching all the experts talk of him this 26 minute this TV episode was the most delightful ending. Magnificent package. This comes in a nicely appointed bookstyle case (see image below).  

I am so happy that it just wasn't another faux 're-issue' as some had expected. The commentary and improved image make this a must have - the definitive edition, until, of course, it comes to 1080P - which we can hope will be soon.

***


 

ADDITION: Alfred Hitchcock - Masterpiece Boxset edition - after some painstaking deliberation Beaver concludes that the new Masterpiece edition is the best - it has a color scheme similar to the PAL edition with better skin tones (less red- especially Grace) and it is as sharp (or slightly sharper) than its region 1 counterpart. I think the best overall comparison image is the third large one (L.B. sweating). The old NTSC release actually looks contrast boosted next to the new edition (see the Master's face in large capture # 5).  I feel subtitles look much better on the new release. Essentially the new DVD maintains the best of both other releases plus has all the extras. We still feel that the Alfred Hitchcock - Masterpiece Boxset reviewed HERE is still the greatest deal in DVD history to date.

NOTE: Not ALL of the extras are carried over. The original R1 disc has the complete text of the screenplay as a ROM feature. If you have that disc, it's pretty easy to save that folder on your computer, if you want to get rid of the old one. (Thanks unclehulot)

*****

After scrutinizing quite closely I am leaning to the Region 1, although this is a tight race. Colors on the Region 1 are brighter and it is every so slightly sharper. Both edition show some film grain. I prefer the Region 2 subtitles and the Region 2 may have the better contrast. Both have some extras to offer, but again the Region 1 seems to be ahead by a neck. I don't suppose owners of either DVD edition will be too disappointed, but we feel the Region 1 is the definitive to own.

- Gary W. Tooze