I don't notice much difference between the audio tracks - the AE is also lossless (DTS-HD Master 5.1) but includes the option for a linear PCM 2.0 channel. Like the Criterion the David Bowie's "Life on Mars" is used at the Funeral Title card and Elton John's "Your Song" is used for the Chapter Six title card. Artificial Eye do not offer optional subtitles - as the Criterion does. The AE Blu-ray is region 'B'-locked.

Artificial Eye does include plenty of extras - many duplicated on the Criterion including the select-scene commentary with von Trier, Anders Refn and Anthony Dod Mantle, the brief interview with Adrian Rawlins, the deleted scene 'In Memory of Katrin Cartlidge' as well as the other deleted, the excerpts from Watson’s audition tape, with commentary by von Trier and extended and the short von Trier Promo Clip. It adds the 17-minute excerpts from the Tranceformer documentary about the director.

Great Blu-ray release and I appreciate the visual differences. Nice to have the option and it adds further value to the Lars von Trier Blu-ray boxset!

***

ADDITION: Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - March 2014': I have no explanation why the new 1080P transfer of Breaking the Waves differs so dramatically from the decade-old DVDs, excepting that Criterion's new 4K digital restoration was supervised by director Lars von Trier. It has a very earthy brown tone, is darker and I occasionally felt it was yellow/golden. It shows more information - mostly on both side edges and clocks-in at about a 2.35:1 aspect ratio. It shows the grain textures very well without looking 'noisy' or displaying artifacts as the SD was prone to. It looks great in-motion and, eventually, I found the color-shift less noticeable.

Daniel tells us in email "For what it's worth, looking at the captures for the new 4K Criterion version, they look the way I remember the theatrical version looking back in 1997 when I first saw the film. It appears to be a great looking transfer." (Thanks Daniel!)

Audio is transferred via a DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround at 2416 kbps. Separations are evident from the frequent wind to more subtle effects. I had forgotten all the great music in Breaking the Waves, if often incomplete songs from the likes of Bob Dylan, Rod Stewart, T-Rex, Leonard Cohen, Elton John (Goodbye Yellow Brick Road), David Bowie, Roxy Music and more. The uncompressed adds a layer of crispness. There are optional English subtitles on the region 'A'-locked Blu-ray disc.

Criterion include the same selected-scene audio commentary, as found on the 2003 Sandrew Metronome DVD. It features von Trier, editor Anders Refn, and location scout Anthony Dod Mantle. It runs 47:14 and the chapter titles are Cutting on Emotion, Primitive Visual Cuts, Mantle's Funeral, Violent Time Cuts, All Bible Bashers at Heart, Rage at Test Screenings, and Directing via Video link. Criterion have a new (May 2013) 10-minute interview with filmmaker and critic Stig Björkman talking about the on-location shooting of Breaking the Waves and observing Lars von Trier at work. There are also new interviews with actors Emily Watson (17-minutes conducted by Criterion in June 2013) discussing the challenges she faced playing the complicated character Bess, and 12-minutes with Stellan Skarsgård from may 2013 discussing the director for the first time on Breaking the Waves a swell as their subsequent collaborations. There is a brief 2004 interview with actor Adrian Rawlins and some excerpts from Watson’s audition tape, with commentary by von Trier. Criterion also have the 2 deleted and 2 extended scenes, with commentary by von Trier as found on the Danish DVD and a deleted scene featuring the late actor Katrin Cartlidge. Lastly are a 17-second Cannes Film Festival promotional clip and a trailer. The package contains a liner notes booklet featuring an essay by critic David Sterritt and an excerpt from the 1999 book Trier on von Trier. The dual-format set has 2 DVDs with all the features of the Blu-ray.

What can be said of Breaking the Waves. It remains a powerful viewing experience and the director's experimentation is still fascinating to behold. It is incredibly emotional and penetrating with memorable performances. The Criterion Blu-ray was like seeing the draining film afresh. The new video extras are much appreciated. Recommend!