ADDITION: Shout! Factory - Region 'A' - Blu-ray July 19': Shout! Factory include both 1.85:1 and 1.37:1 aspect ratios in separate transfers on the dual-layered disc. The widescreen gets the more robust treatment and is the only of the two presentations that gets the commentary, plays David Schecter interview and has optional subtitles. This is advertised as a "4K Scan Of The Inter-Positive". It looks significantly different - much richer black levels and deeper colors, there is more information in the frame than the European Blu-rays and character's faces look thinner (The Euro print being horizontally stretched?). On my system it looks like a giant leap over all previous digital versions despite that it can still tend to look rough in patches.

NOTE: We have added 23 more large resolution Shout! Factory Blu-ray captures for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE.  

ADDITION: Elephant Films - Region FREE - Blu-ray August 16': Short story - it looks like the same print - 'the' European one - but is transferred at a higher bitrate (50% higher) than the German BD and, hence, looks better in-motion. Still, probably not at the level of a Universal Blu-ray - but that may be many years away - or never come at all. Unlike the German - you can watch without it reverting to a DUB every chapter stop. I've watched it twice so far - it was enjoyable - as always.

ADDITION: Universal PAL WIDESCREEN EDITION - April 08': Although also single-layered this UK DVD resonates pure pleasure at having this classic finally shown in 'original' widescreen. 

As stated on DVDSavant HERE "The years 1953 through 1955 saw an exhibition transition brought on by CinemaScope. Flat films originally shown 1:37 were matted to 1:66 and finally as wide as 1:85 and called "widescreen." The Universal handouts for 'It Came from Outer Space' say that it is in 'widescreen', which indicates at least 1:66.

So it was shown in widescreen - perhaps as little as 1.5:1 but evidence suggest some degree of scope ratio was utilized in virtually all theatres it was originally shown. The new PAL DVD shows more information on the sides and less on top (removing some of the gaping spaces above character's heads). So composition adheres to widescreen as well.

As for the rest - colors on the Universals' seem to support each other. Light speckles are duplicated. The anamorphicity should make the PAL appear sharper (dependant on the system you watch it on) and there are no extras. They have included some optional English subtitles. It is coded for region's 2, 4 and 5 in the PAL standard. One note: I've seen the film so many times that the PAL speedup (4%) is noticeable in the dialogue - it brings Rex Reason's baritone voice up to an almost believable pitch. :)

I've owned this film in many formats (VHS and LaserDisc as well as these three DVDs) and this is the first time I am seeing it as it was shown theatrically. This UK DVD is not perfect but it's the best of this lot and we encourage fans of the film to indulge - seeing it in original widescreen is like watching the film fresh - and the price is sure right. Recommended!

ON THE NTSC EDITIONS: Short story - for the most part the new Universal image is improved, although slightly cropped. It is brighter (where it should be brighter) and colors are much more consistent. It is less grainy, with less artifacts (see Faith Domergue's face image below). It is far from perfect as they are light speckles throughout. I detected no extreme advancement in the audio department. Extras are disappointingly barren with only a trailer on the new Universal release, but this appears to be in keeping with their standard of limited packages offered at reasonable price tags. Frankly, I wasn't expecting too much more - perhaps a more vibrant image and my fingers were crossed for widescreen (original).

I have championed this film for years, realizing that it is the butt of Mystery Theater 3000 sarcasm-fests. Something about this production hits me right in my childhood-sci-fi fantasy-breadbasket. I have returned to it often and at least now have no need to worry about my way out-of-print Image release getting digital rot. If you like this genre of film - then this is the best ever made - in my opinion.