ADDITION: Paramount - Region FREE - Blu-ray - June 12': Looks a bit waxy. The Paramount source has frequently had issues for some reason - Europe (Germany) gets The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance first in 1080P. It's a bare-bones edition set for multiple DUBs and subtitle options and the 1.78:1 Blu-ray disc is region FREE. It is dual-layered with a high bitrate and there is subtle improvement in all areas from detail to contrast and depth is more apparent. It's a little brighter, shows a shade more information in the frame  - there is a bit of gloss but there is no noise. Certainly the most film-like outside of the cinema. The Cyril J. Mockridge score as well as "Home on the Range" and "Little Brown Jug" sound solid in lossless. I expect it to come to North America with the duplicate transfer. Recommended!

***

ON THE DVDs: The differences may not add up a dramatic amount, transfer-wise, for most people, but in total they are:

1) Image quality on the Centennial edition is cleaner, smoother and brighter. I never minded the grittiness of the original release, which, because of it's lack of supplements, has slightly better compression (and higher bitrate). It's a less restorted source though. Black levels seem more pronounced on the older release but I suspect some boosting. Both look good but the Centennial gives a better presentation although the cleaning can make it look a bit softer in the captures.

2) The Centennial edition is in 1.78 - filling the screen and shows more information - usually at the bottom of the frame.

3) English audio options are the same but an optional Spanish DUB is added to the Centennial edition.

4) Subtitles are lower on the screen and brighter - slightly different positioning (see sample).

5) The original is coded for region1 - the new release  includes region 4 as well.

6) The Centennial release has many more extras including a commentary with Bogdanovich and archival recorded excerpts from interviews with Ford, Wayne and Stewart. There is also a single-layered disc 2 with a 50-minute long 7-part documentary - The Size of Legends, the Soul of Myth, trailer and some galleries.

7) The Centennial edition is slightly stretched vertically (thinner faces) - or the original edition is compressed (fatter faces).

Well, there you have it. If you are asking me the segmented commentary and documentary are certainly worth it. Bogdanovich is filled with experience to share and Ford is briefly covered along with Wayne and Stewart. The archival interviews of Ford are from the around 1970 and last about 20-minutes.  The documentary goes the whole nine-yards with the informative Richard Schickel, Ford biographer Scott Eyman, author Molly Haskell, producer AC Lyles, Lee Marvin’s widow Pamela and film historian Michael Blake. It's really worth the time. This should probably come out in Blu-ray - the film is so worthy, but I've heard nothing and know of no forthcoming date (so please don't ask). For less than $15 you'd have to say it has strong value and is also dependant on how picky you are about the older transfer.

Gary W. Tooze