ADDITION: ITV - Region 'B' Blu-ray - October09: Unfortunately, this doesn't produce the same impressive increase in video quality as found in ITV's simultaneously released 1080P transfer of Hamlet. While colors aren't anywhere nearly as brilliant as the original Technicolor - I found them a welcome improvement over the boosting of the Criterion DVD (meant to simulate that original appearance). Detail doesn't jump to the defense of the ITV rendering but it has many moments where it looks quite acceptable and even shows some depth. I see les scratches as well. There is some movement in the frame and minor cropping. Colors are the big difference and red SD skin tones return to white. Hopefully the captures give you a good idea of how the Blu-ray looks on your system.

Audio doesn't get an HD rendering where a nice clean LPCM would have seemed appropriate. It's sound about the same as the Criterion mono. There may be minor hiss but nothing distracting to the presentation. Both releases offer optional English subtitles and my Momitsu tells me this disc is region 'B'-locked.

Both editions offer the commentary and some stills galleries. The ITV Blu-ray includes some original color and HD comparison images while the early Criterion had the “Shakespearean Royalty”: A chronology of England’s rulers bit.

Personally, I found the HD visuals a huge enough improvement and those keen on the film and who are capable of playing region 'B' Blu-rays will definitely want to indulge. I have a strong suspicion that we aren't going to see Olivier's Henry V looking better than this anytime soon. 

ON THE CRITERION DVD: This print had some extensive scratches and dust. Frankly I don't like the colors - they look like a Turner colorized print - they seem to be bleeding all over the place in scene changes. In still captures it looks quite good and perhaps I am being overly critical. Great extras, especially for an early Criterion effort. A great film too! I don't see another version of it on DVD anywhere.    

Gary W. Tooze