The new Criterion is the only release of the five compared that is dual-layered (even the original Criterion was not!). It shows far less digital noise than the German Concorde edition. It is far smoother although some delicate contrast enhancement on the Concorde produces a very appealing image - appearing sharper than the rival Criterion 2-disc edition transfer. It is ironic that this selective black and brightness boosting is usually what Criterion does to often excel above alternate editions. The Concorde looks good but I wouldn't say it is towering above the new Criterion image viewing on my 42" system. The RE-Mastered Criterion has noticeably less speckles and marks. To my ear, audio on the Criterion sounded clearest of the 5 editions - again though with a comparisons to the Concorde we have already identified the sharp, sibilant 's'-sounds on the German PAL edition. The new Criterion is the only release, aside from the Carlton, that offers optional English subtitles.

Where the big bonus comes is in the supplements although the Eder commentary on the feature disc is the same as the one on the original Criterion from 1998. Although it's still strong and shows no sign of staleness upon re-visitation. The second disc has some new, very worthy extras. Crook's Tour (1:20:54) is a feature-length Charters and Caldicott adventure, available for the first time on home video, starring Basil Radford and Naunton Wayne reprising their roles from The Lady Vanishes. The image is also pictureboxed. There is a keen interview (excerpts) - François Truffaut's legendary 1962 audio conversation with Alfred Hitchcock (10:05). It plays (audio only) with images of international Lady Vanishes posters or short scenes from the film. Really quite a valuable addition. Next we have Mystery Train, a new video essay about Hitchcock and The Lady Vanishes by Hitchcock scholar Leonard Leff (33:29). Quite good although we appear to be rehashing some previously known information. Last on the list digitally is a stills gallery of behind-the-scenes photos and promotional art. The transparent keep case includes a liner notes booklet with new essays by critic Geoffrey O'Brien and Hitchcock scholar Charles Barr. Comparing directly to the old Criterion - this is a monumental leap in quality for both the transfer and supplements.

NOTE: A while back we did a comparison with the original Criterion with bare-bones one from The Essential Art House - 50 Years of Janus Films boxset HERE.    

****

Comparing the other 4: I'm amazed at the clarity of the single layered Concorde disc from Germany, easily the best picture quality of the 4 DVDs compared here. I have tried to show them in order of worst --> best. The Platinum disc is pretty bad, although the site that sells it claims that it is the same print as used in the Criterion laserdisc and there is not a better one in existence. If that is the case then all three of the next DVD distributors did varying degrees of restoration. Aside from the sharpness issue the only other mark of distinction is that the Criterion is slightly cropped on the right edge. Audio is preferable on the Criterion as the Concorde has sharp, sibilant 's'-sounds. The times don't indicate any potential "ghosting" problems for any of the editions. The Criterion and its commentary are the winners in the Extras category.

- Gary W. Tooze