NOTE: The below Blu-ray and 4K UHD captures were taken directly from the respective discs.

NOTE: The package has been temporarily pulled from shelves because of two editing errors ("1:23:14 John singing different song, and 1:24:43 a 6 second shot of the video control room as The Beatles are going to the Helicopter.") in the 4K version! Criterion has indicated that they will replace the defective 4K discs (email orders@criterion.com) (thanks Leszek Pawlowicz!)

ADDITION: Criterion 4K UHD (February 2022): Criterion have released Richard Lester's "A Hard Day's Night" to 4K UHD. Like the original BD it is advertised as a "New 4K digital restoration, approved by director Richard Lester". Like many 3840 X 2160 transfers we see a wider range of contrast with more pure whites and richer black levels. This package has one 4K UHD disc of the film presented in Dolby Vision HDR and one Blu-ray with the film and special features. It is the exact same 2014 Criterion Blu-ray disc. So, the presentation can be can have parts of the image that look darker and others brighter than the previous digital editions. It looks magnificent with beautifully rendered grain. Hopefully the captures below will give you a good idea. I found it to be a very notable improvement over even Criterion's own 8-year old 1080P.

It is likely that the monitor you are seeing this review is not an HDR-compatible display (High Dynamic Range) or Dolby Vision, where each pixel can be assigned with a wider and notably granular range of color and light. Our capture software if simulating the HDR (in a uniform manner) for standard monitors. This should make it easier for us to review more 4K UHD titles in the future and give you a decent idea of its attributes on your system. So our captures may not support the exact same colors (coolness of skin tones, brighter or darker hues etc.) as the 4K system at your home. But the framing, detail, grain texture support etc. are, generally, not effected by this simulation representation.

The 4K UHD has the commentary featuring cast and crew, created from material produced by Martin Lewis in 2002. It has actors John Junkin, David Janson, and Jeremy Lloyd; cinematographer Gilbert Taylor; associate producer Denis O'Dell; second assistant director Barrie Melrose; assistant editors Pamela Tomling and Roy Benson; and others The Criterion Blu-ray is the exact previously released one as evidenced by the M2TS file dates from April 2014:

Criterion include that same audio commentary on their second disc Blu-ray. In Their Own Voices, a new, 18-minute piece combining 1964, American Tour, interviews with the Beatles with behind-the-scenes footage from the making of the film, and photos and audiio recordings of the Beatles detailing their views on their first movie. “You Can’t Do That”: The Making of “A Hard Day’s Night,” a 1994 documentary by producer Walter Shenson including an outtake performance by the Beatles. It runs over an hour and is hosted by musician Phil Collins, and was made to mark the thirtieth anniversary of A Hard Day's Night and features an outtake performance. Things They Said Today, is a, 36-minute, 2002 documentary about the film featuring Lester, music producer George Martin, screenwriter Alun Owen, and cinematographer Gilbert Taylor and other members of the film's cast and crew. Picturewise runs 27-minutes and is a new piece about Lester’s early work, featuring a new audio interview with the director. It is narrated by Rita Tushingham, and looks at the influence on and impact of the early work of the director. The Running Jumping & Standing-Still Film was made in 1960 and runs 11-minutes. It is Lester’s Oscar-nominated (best live-action short) piece and features Lester, Spike Milligan, Peter Sellers, Graham Stark and Bruce Lacey. Anatomy of a Style is another a new piece, focusing on Lester’s methods with story editor and screenwriter Bobbuie O'Steen and music editor Suzana Peric who deconstruct five of the revolutionary music sequences from A Hard Day's Night. There is also a new 27-minute interview with author Mark Lewisohn (author of Tune In: The Beatles: All These Years.) He discusses The Beatles' career up to A Hard Day's Night. Lastly are both 2000 and 2014 re-release Trailers and the package contains a liner notes booklet with an essay by critic Howard Hampton and excerpts from a 1970 interview with Lester.

Criterion's 4K UHD release of "A Hard Day's Night" provides a magnificent a/v presentation - without question, the best yet. The film never loses its fun - the music is iconic. The film's tone encapsulates The Beatles US visit with the lads infectious lack of seriousness and amusing conversations;

George: "That's not your grandfather!"
Paul: "It is, you know."
George: "But I've seen your grandfather! He lives in your house!"
Paul: "Oh, that's my other grandfather, but he's my grandfather, as well."
John: "How do you reckon that one out?"
Paul: "Well, everyone's entitled to two, aren't they?."