ADDITION: Criterion 4K UHD (March 2023): Criterion have released Michael Curtiz's "Mildred Pierce" to 4K UHD. It appears to be from the same 4K digital transfer (in 3840 X 2160) as the 2017 Blu-ray reviewed HERE. In fact, that exact Blu-ray is included as a second disc in the package, as evidenced by the M2TS dates:

The image improves in the anticipated areas; mostly grain and contrast. The textures are thick, lush and more consistent than the 1080P and black levels become marginally deeper. The entire image is a bit darker ands the more layered contrast gives the perception of improved sharpness / detail. It handily looks the best ever on digital and each system will make the determination of how much that is apparent. The 4K has double the bitrate of the Blu-ray. 

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.

NOTE: 54 more more full resolution (3840 X 2160) 4K UHD captures, in lossless PNG format, for Patrons are available HERE

We have reviewed the following 4K UHD packages to date: Tár (software uniformly simulated HDR), Marathon Man (software uniformly simulated HDR), Dazed and Confused (software uniformly simulated HDR), Three Colors: Blue (software uniformly simulated HDR), Invaders From Mars (software uniformly simulated HDR), Death Wish (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (no HDR), High Plains Drifter (software uniformly simulated HDR), Mystery Men (software uniformly simulated HDR), Silent Running (software uniformly simulated HDR), Dressed to Kill (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Power of the Dog  (software uniformly simulated HDR), Escape From Alcatraz (software uniformly simulated HDR), I, the Jury (no HDR), Casablanca (software uniformly simulated HDR), In the Mood For Love (NO HDR applied to disc), The Werewolf vs. the Vampire Woman  (software uniformly simulated HDR), Blow Out (software uniformly simulated HDR), Night of the Living Dead (NO HDR applied to disc), Lost Highway (software uniformly simulated HDR), Videodrome (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Last Picture Show (software uniformly simulated HDR), It Happened One Night (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Mummy (1932)(software uniformly simulated HDR), Creature From the Black Lagoon (software uniformly simulated HDR), Bride of Frankenstein (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Amityville Horror  (software uniformly simulated HDR), The War of the Worlds (1953) (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Incredible Melting Man  (software uniformly simulated HDR), Event Horizon (software uniformly simulated HDR), Get Carter (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Killing (software uniformly simulated HDR), Killer's Kiss (software uniformly simulated HDR)

Criterion repeated their Blu-ray audio transfer with a linear PCM, in authentic mono. It is 24-bit and flat but carries some pleasing resonance evident in the the iconic Max Steiner (Key Largo, Casablanca, The Caine Mutiny, Bird of Paradise, Beyond the Forest, Pursued etc. etc.) score. There is other music from Johnny Mercer's You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby to Frédéric Chopin's Waltz in E Flat Major (Grand valse brillante.) There are optional English (SDH) subtitles on both discs. The 4K UHD, is region FREE, playable worldwide and the Criterion Blu-ray is Region 'A' in North American and the stand alone BD is Region 'B' in the UK.

There are no extras on the 4K UHD disc. The second disc Blu-ray, is the 2017 one by Criterion with the same extras: "... like the DVD Criterion include Peter Fitzgerald's 2002 TV documentary Joan Crawford: The Ultimate Movie Star, running over 1.5 hours (in HD). It has Anjelica Huston, Diane Baker, daughter Christina Crawford (Author of 'Mommie Dearest'), Judy Geeson, Virginia Grey, Margaret O'Brien, Betsy Palmer and others reminiscing about her acting and character. Criterion include a new, 23-minute, conversation with critics Molly Haskell and Robert Polito and they discuss both the book and Michael Curtiz's 1945 film. I enjoyed seeing a 1/4 hour excerpt from a 1970 episode of The David Frost Show featuring Crawford and a 24-minute Q&A with actor Ann Blyth from 2006, presented by Marc Huestis and conducted by film historian Eddie Muller at the Castro Theatre in San Francisco. There is also a 10-minute segment from a 1969 episode of the Today show featuring Mildred Pierce novelist James M. Cain and a trailer. The package contains a liner notes booklet with an essay by critic Imogen Sara Smith.

Criterion's 4K UHD release of Michael Curtiz's "Mildred Pierce" is similar to their others - the only advancement is in the image resolution and the fine supplements and previous Blu-ray are included. Mildred Pierce, written by James M. Cain, examines both social inequity as well as the ability to achieve, seek and obtain prosperity. Like Imitation of Life it examines the success of an unattached female protagonist with strong maternal devotion to daughters. Themes of this Noir murder mystery involve manipulation, class struggle, and the pratfalls of an obsessive quest for affluence - all uniquely examined from a woman’s perspective - both Mother and daughter. It remains a 'dark cinema' classic with fine performances - a grand Hollywood' story with details like the opening credits washing onto the screen background from the ocean - a immediate destination of an unsuccessful suicide. True noir devotees will want this in its best, most film-like, appearance. This 4K UHD is it.

Gary Tooze