ADDITION: Euro Video Region 2 PAL (2-disc LE) - Dec - 07' - I like this version. I suspect some black/red boosting (see skin tones) but it separates itself from the other editions by showing surprisingly more information in the frame, has less digital artefacts and is slightly darker. Unlike the PAL Roadshow edition - it has no prominent edge enhancement that I can discern but the reddish skins are a bit troubling. I would say sharpness is as good as any, possibly a bit superior. This dual-layered feature disc has strong compression.

Regarding audio - they reserved the 5.1 track for the German DUB and the original English dialogue is relegated to a competent 2.0 channel. No complaints about the sound quality but it has no separated depth obviously. I suspect pitch has been corrected as it sounded acceptable to me in PAL. There are English or German optional subtitle options and the feature has a limited 10 chapter stops.

It comes in a professional-looking sturdy metal case.

Supplements are similar from some of the other releases - importantly the excellent Darabont commentary (although he tends to focus on tech issues a bit) on disc one. On a single-layered disc 2 they have a Making Of... but it is all in German with no English option (for audio or subs). We also have the same Charlie Rose interview, in English and optional German subs. Charlie seemingly knows very little about the film and its awards (does this guy do any research first?). Nice to see Freeman, Robbins and Darabont together though. There are also some storyboard and galleries.

BOTTOM LINE: This is a good SD release and for some may be the best representation of the film but I can't help to suggest that an HD version must be on the horizon somewhere although I have heard no evidence expecting such. 

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ADDITION: Region 4 (Roadshow) - Jan - 05 - I don't mind the image of this Region 4 release. It is brighter and I see some minor indication of edge enhancements (most noticeable on the 4th set of large captures). Contrast has not suffered as black levels are very good.  It shows as much of the frame as its PAL counterpart but is sharper. I wouldn't chose for myself personally as it has very limited extras in relation to the other release and I frown on the lack of subtitles (how hard could that have been to include?). I will give it the nod for image, if only slightly. 

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ADDITION: Region 2 (3 disc) - Oct - 04 - The Carlton has some wonderful extras but the image quality is far from that of the region 1 SE. Softness and reddish skin tones dominate and shadow detail is lacking. It does show that the Region 1 releases are slightly cropped on the top and bottom edges. Some might buy just for the extras - although I assume they are the same as in the Deluxe Limited Edition (with the soundtrack) - I'll find out soon enough. Otherwise the Region 1 SE is the best image!

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Colors on the new edition are slightly different from the original. They are more vibrant and seem to have a brownish hue to them. The new SE is sharper but has that kind of anamorphic dulling (pasty-waxy looking skin tones) that is prevalent with current re-releases. I have no way of knowing which editions colors are more accurate, but suffice they vary little (aside from vibrancy) - so it could be considered negligible. The new SE is cropped significantly on the top edge and marginally so on the left and bottom. The new SE has an additional subtitle option (Spanish). Audio is the same on both editions.

Obviously the biggest differences are in the extras and commentary offered on the new SE. I have heard complaints that the featurettes are real fillers on the SE, but the Darabont commentary is well worth the listen. This alone makes the SE worth replacing the old edition for. I only wish they could re-release without cropping edges - I always wonder when this will end (ex. on a future 'Ultimate SE' will there be even more cropped off?). I guess no one ever complains so they continue - perhaps it makes there production abilities easier. I don't know. Anyway, I'm sure many think I am knit picking, so bottom line - YES - we endorse the new SE!

- Gary W Tooze

NOTE : There is also a 'The Shawshank Redemption (Deluxe Limited Edition)' DVD which is the same 2 disc DVD set packaged along with the movie soundtrack CD, the 96 page book published by the BFI and a movie cell. It is $15.00 more.