On their Blu-ray, Criterion use a similar linear PCM mono track - (24-bit) as the Masters of Cinema. I can't distinguish any difference. There is one significant gunshot with notable depth and a wonderful moody score by Leigh Harline (Isle of the Dead, 23 Paces to Baker Street, The Enemy Below, Pickup on South Street, House of Bamboo, Broken Lance) that comes across authentically flat but clean and supportive. There are also optional English (SDH) subtitles on Criterion's region 'A'-locked Blu-ray.  

On their extras Criterion add some new supplements while keeping everything from their own DVD (aside from the text screen essay on Fuller, poster filmography, and publicity stills); a 1989 20-minute interview from with director Samuel Fuller where the writer-director recounts his experience of making Pickup on South Street and working with Twentieth Century-Fox and producer Darryl F. Zanuck, conducted by film critic Richard Schickel in Paris - and the 11-minute Cinéma cinémas short film, entitled "Fuller" by Andre S. Labarthe and Dominique Rabourdin that originally aired on December 1st,1982, as part of the French television series. In it, director Samuel Fuller discusses the opening scenes of Pickup on South Street. The French subtitles are part of the source material. Also repeated from their DVD are the 40-minutes of Sam Fuller trailers including one for Pickup on South Street.

What is new is a 2021, 36-minute interview with film critic Imogen Sara Smith (author of In Lonely Places: Film Noir Beyond the City) talks about the performances of Richard Widmark, Thelma Ritter, and Jean Peters in Pickup on South Street, as well as the making of the film. It's at her usual excellent level - I really like her work. The Criterion Blu-ray includes a 52-minute radio adaptation of Pickup on South Street that aired on June 21st, 1954, on Hollywood Radio Theater (the Armed Forces Radio Service version of Lux Radio Theatre). The broadcast featured Thelma Ritter reprising her role as Moe, as well as Terry Moore as Candy and Stephen McNally as Skip McCoy. The Blu-ray seems to have the same liner notes with essays by author and critic Luc Sante and filmmaker Martin Scorsese, and, for the Blu-ray edition, a chapter from Fuller’s posthumously published 2002 autobiography, A Third Face: My Tale of Writing, Fighting, and Filmmaking.

Samuel Fuller's Pickup on South Street is one of the essential Noirs and its wonderful to have it in a new, improved 4K restored video transfer from Criterion with new extras. Fans of the 'Dark Cinema' will consider this a 'must-own' package. Richard Widmark, Jean Peters, Thelma Ritter playing the under-seen classes and their struggles - helmed by the great Sam Fuller. What more could we want? Our absolute highest recommendation!

ADDITION: Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray (August 2015): Very appealing Blu-ray transfer from the Master of Cinema for Samuel Fuller's classic Noir - Pickup on South Street. This 1080P has a very high bitrate looks a bit darker than the SDs, show more information on the left and top edge and a shade less on the right and bottom. It looks pretty sweet in-motion. Detail certainly crisps-up in the close-ups and overall I enjoyed the film very much in HD. It remains to be seen if contrast could improve (it can look a shade murky) - I have no word on a Criterion Blu-ray at this time.

Authentic 1.0 channel mono track via an uncompressed linear PCM at 1152 kbps. It exports the film's sound competently. The score by Academy Award-winning composer, conductor and songwriter Leigh Harline and benefits sounding very clean, moody and atmospheric. There are optional English (SDH) subtitles on the region 'B'-locked Blu-ray.

MoC add some great supplements - starting with 32-minutes talking with Kent Jones on Pickup on South Street where he details some of the production history, Fuller influences, and more. From Allerton Films we get 25-minutes with François Guérif (in French with English subtitles) and another French piece (from the Cinéma Cinémas series excerpted on the Criterion DVD) with Sam Fuller talking (burned-in French subtitles) talking about Pickup while chomping on a cigar. There is an original theatrical trailer (in rough shape but 1080P - as are all the video extras) plus the package has a liner notes booklet featuring writing by Samuel Fuller, archival interviews, and photos. Being dual-format a, second disc, DVD is included.

What a fabulous viewing experience I had - as well as indulging in the supplements. I've been in a real Noir phase recently and this was such a welcome HD presentation.

***

ADDITION DVDs (2004): well the Carlotta looks excellent, and at times superior to the Criterion, but overall consistency goes to the Criterion which shows a nice light film grain where the Carlotta is smoother. It's hard to make a definitive statement on which is positively the best, but I lean towards the Criterion - if, for example, you dislike visible film grain, then the Carlotta is the best option. Criterion have brought up the blacks a shade giving the impression of a sharper image, but the differences between the two releases is negligible. On the extras front the Carlotta offers some interesting supplement material, but 3 of the 6 are in French with no English sub option. Personally I am always partial to English subtitles on the feature (even on English language film!) so its the Criterion for me - you may differ, especially if you require/perfer French subtitles.  

NOTE: Vincent did his best but a few of his captures are not exact matches (as indicated). We appreciate his effort.

The Criterion is only slightly superior in the image department. In fact it almost looks like a direct port with the NTSC / PAL being the only real separation. Sharpness may be marginally in Criterion's favor, but I suspect that contrast is the key issue with Criterions nudging out on top. The Criterion's blacks are deeper and it shows more film grain. The Criterion is cropped minutely on the top edge. The Optimum has no subtitles and no Extras - where the Criterion is once again flourishing. Criterion if you can afford (and want the extras) - Optimum if it's on sale!

 - Gary W. Tooze