It's A Wonderful Life
Kinowelt Germany RC2
Republic Pictures US RC1

The US transfer shows good detail resolution (with some softness here and there, pic#4, pic#5). It sports well balanced contrast and a solid black level. The film is presented in its original aspect ratio of ~1,37:1 and was digitally remastered from the original film negative. Print damage and a few blemishes are present but not distracting (pic#2). The German transfer, mastered from inferior source material, is less detailed and overcontrasted (pic#1), with a zoomed in picture. Reel change spots are visible during the presentation (pic#3). Compression artefacts are present on both transfers, but the US transfer is cleaner, albeit occasional block artefacts can be spotted in the background (pic#5). Both dvds feature the original black and white version in its uncut form. The Artisan 2003 re-release utilizes the transfer from the Republican DVD.