1) Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC TOP
2) Carlton - Region 2 - PAL MIDDLE
3) ITV - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

ADDITION: ITV - Region 'B' Blu-ray - October09: We've already seen reports of disgruntled purchasers who were expecting much more from this 1080P transfer. The trouble with this Blu-ray presentation is that there has been no restoration - digital or film-based. This IS 1080P but the source used was ineffectual in greatly benefitting from the improved resolution, We see much more grain - and this is a good thing - but in, say, Criterion's hands the contrast could have been greatly improved by selectively, and gently, boosting the black levels. The larger this ITV Blu-ray is projected the greater the superiority will be evident over the SD-DVDs. Even 40" systems, though, will see it - but it will be less dramatic than for those who project onto a 120" screen. Detail probably can't get much better - BUT the perception of improved detail with those increased black levels would definitely help the final 'look'. Technically this is only single-layered with the 1.5 hour feature taking up a scant 14 Gig. However, I have no proof that increasing this would dramatically improve the visuals. I'd like to think so - but other black + white HD transfers (see Casablanca, a longer film, at only 15.5 Gig) remains modest on that front. So the title, or print used, requires restoration - and placed in the hands of a competent telcine operator/restoration expert (yes, you know who you are!). I'm certainly not dead-against digital manipulation if it is done with a deft enough hand to help reproduce a closer theatrical viewing. This is our final goal. Were we get upset is the blanketed use of heavy-handed digital techniques that destroy the integrity of the image. I'm not so bothered by the damage that this Blu-ray still reports. Some scrathes appear both on top and under the surface as well as there being plenty of speckles and what appears to be dust/dirt. Depending on what you are looking for - this ITV rendering has far less noise and far more grain than either of the DVDs - but I still think it can look significantly better - if someone is willing to spend the money to do so. Let's hope.

The audio has nothing new to offer. It is not HD/lossless and a linear PCM track would have been the ticket. It remains a bit scattered and dodgy but nothing worse (or better ) than we have heard from the DVD transfers. There are optional English subtitles and my Momitsu has identified it as being, expectantly, region 'B'-locked.

Extras don't greatly advance upon the Criterion with the same adept Marian Keene commentary, 30-minute Art of Film Video featurette via Janus films in SD and the audio-only Lux Radio Theater Adaptation broadcast with Robert Montgomery and Ida Lupino running close to an hour. We also get a short 'On location' piece and photo galleries ('On Set' and 'Posters').

It has the appeal of being the first Hitchcock film to Blu-ray nudging out North By Northwest. But, frankly, disappointing that more has not been done with the print but if you were showing this for a special 'film night' - this would be the edition to choose -especially if you were projecting it on a large screen. This brings the potential audience to a small number - and while I enjoyed my viewing it only reminds me of how much I want to see this looking - and sounding - better. Still one the great older thrillers from 'The Master'.          

Gary W. Tooze