Audio is the same, but the Masters of Cinema Blu-ray is more robust and I could tell in a few scenes via Friedhofer's score. Like the video, this will be unnoticeable to most. Both offer optional English subtitles. The Criterion is Region 'A'-locked.

Criterion, predictably, vault ahead with their supplements that duplicate the 2007 2-DVD set (which is included in the dual-format Blu-ray package.)

I'm thrilled with both Blu-ray sets. The film continues to grow in stature with each subsequent viewing. The Criterion commentary helps build that appreciation. An absolute must-own no matter what side of the pond you reside. Don't miss-out on this one.  

***

ADDITION: Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' Blu-ray - April 2014 - The new Masters of Cinema 1080P looks exceptional. I look forward to comparing it to the upcoming Criterion Blu-ray release due out in May, 2014. The image is a bit lighter, contrast improves with significant layering, there may be a smidgeon of more information the frame. This is a dual-layered transfer with a high bitrate. The visuals carry a pleasing texture - and there is no distracting damage. It looks very appealing.

The audio is a robust linear PCM stereo at 2304 kbps. Hugo Friedhofer (Man in the Attic, Ace in the Hole, Body and Soul, Gilda, The Bishop's Wife) did the score which add significantly to the film, augmenting emotions, playing crisply in the background. Effects have some depth and overall it sounds flawless. There are optional English subtitles 9see sample) on the region 'B'-locked Blu-ray.

Masters of Cinema have some great extras including a new and exclusive 1/2 hour video interview with film scholar Neil Sinyard (author of Directors: The All Time Greats.) He adds a fascinating look at Ace in the Hole. Portrait of a “60% Perfect” Man: Billy Wilder, is an hour-long, 1980, documentary film by Annie Tresgot and Michel Ciment narrating discussion about and with Billy Wilder including such performers as Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon. It is an excellent take on the man showing clips of many of his films. There is also an original theatrical trailer and the package contains a wonderful 32-page full color booklet featuring a new and exclusive essay on the film by critic Emmanuel Burdeau, and rare archival imagery.

This is another super Blu-ray release from the UK producers. As we know the Criterion Blu-ray will be region 'A'-locked - this package is a slam-dunk purchase for those in region 'B'. A very strong recommendation!

***

ADDITION: Paramount - PAL - February 2010: There isn't a lot to choose from visually. Both have the same degree of detail and show a smattering of grain - those more sensitive to the picture-boxing may lean to the Paramount. There doesn't seem to be any heavy cropping by either release. The Paramount has PAL speed-up but the biggest factor for most will be the extensive Criterion supplements. The Paramount, from 2008, offers none at all. 

As far as I am concerned this is in the top 10% of all Criterion releases and we, of course, give a strong endorsement.

***

ON THE CRITERION DVD:  Criterion brings this intense, cynical masterpiece to a wonderful progressive, yet still pictureboxed, transfer to DVD (see our description of 'pictureboxing' in our Kind Hearts and Coronets review). Contrast and detail are at levels that other production companies can only dream of aspiring. This 56 year-old film looks very strong, clean and relatively damage free. Artifacts at are a bare minimum and I have no strong complaints except some very minor, and infrequent, flickering and one damaged scene at around the 42 minute mark. Audio is original mono - clear and consistent - and optional English subtitles are offered.  

The package is stacked with extras - first a sterling commentary by scholar Neil Sinyard. A lot of valuable information is imparted in a timely and professional manner (with a comforting accent). Sharing disc 1 is a 2:21 theatrical trailer.  On disc 2 we have a 1980 documentary (hour long) called Portrait of a "60% Perfect Man": Billy Wilder. It features in-depth interviews with Wilder by film critic Michel Ciment. It is quite revealing about the director - worth watching for sure. There is an excerpt from a 1986 American Film Institute sidebar - it lasts about 24 minutes. I quite enjoyed the 1984 interview with Kirk Douglas by a filmmaker and film scholar by the name of Michael Thomas - Kirk is always so larger than life. It was probably just my system but I couldn't get the audio interview with co-screenwriter Walter Newman to work, but I did enjoy the brief afterword by filmmaker Spike Lee about the film. Also included is a stills gallery and a newspaper-style liner notes (4 large pages) with plenty of photos and 2 essays by film critic Molly Haskell and one by filmmaker Guy Maddin.

A superlative package - fabulous, under spoken film looking magnificent and filled with relevant and viable supplements. Strongly recommended!   

Gary W. Tooze