ADDITION: Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - January 2014': Criterion's transfer is from a new 2K digital restoration and looks very good. The light scratches seen on the SD have been removed. Even the 1940 effects look superb! There is some texture and the 1080P shows more information in the frame - generally on all four edges. Contrast is more layered and detail heightens - often, in close-ups, to very impressive proportions. This is a giant leap beyond Warner's 2004 SD appearing significantly more film-like.

Criterion stay true to form with an authentic linear PCM mono track at 1152 kbps. It sounds clean and consistent with hints of notable bass. Alfred Newman (The Diary of Anne Frank, Bus Stop, Blood and Sand, A Letter to Three Wives, Panic in the Streets etc.) did the score and it plays well against the action and chase scenes. There are optional English subtitles on the region 'A'-locked Blu-ray disc.

Criterion have added some wonderful extras - they have produced a new 20-minute piece on the visual effects in the film with effects expert Craig Barron who identifies some of Foreign Correspondent's thrilling set pieces. Foreign Correspondent was released a year before the U.S. entered World War II. The ending of the film was added at the last minute to bolster anti-isolationist sentiment among American viewers. In a new 25-minute video entitled Hollywood Propaganda and World War II writer Mark Harris is interviewed discussing this film's important role and other Hollywood propaganda films played during the war. Originally broadcast on June 8th, 1972 we get an interview with director Alfred Hitchcock from an episode of The Dick Cavett Show. It runs over an hour! Included is a 25-minute Radio adaptation of the film from 1946, starring Joseph Cotten. Cool is Have You Heard? The Story of Wartime Rumors, a 1942 Life magazine “photo-drama” by Hitchcock. There is also a trailer plus the package contains a liner notes booklet featuring an essay by film scholar James Naremore. The package is Dual-Format containing two DVDs - one with the film and a second with the many extras.

I got so much more out of this film that when I watched it on DVD. It is great to see The Master's film treated so well in the new format with great a/v and substantial supplements. This is strongly recommended!