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Where ITV had a standard Dolby stereo - Criterion remain authentic with a linear PCM mono track at 1152 kbps. This is notable in depth right from the opening with the train sounds and, of course, the Rachmaninoff score is notably tighter, crisper and has exports desirable depth. Fans of the film will notice the difference and the impact of the uncompressed audio on the viewing experience. There are optional English subtitles on the Region 'A'-locked Blu-ray disc.

Criterion include the informative 1995 audio commentary by film historian Bruce Eder, plus some new supplements. Barry Day who did work for The Noel Coward Reader and is author of Coward on Film: The Cinema of Noel Coward. In this October 2011 interview he discusses some intricacies in Brief Encounter. We also get the same A Profile of 'Brief Encounter' that is included on the Carlton and ITV discs. It was made in London in 2000 and features interviews with screenwriter-producer Ronald Neame, actress Margaret Barton, and actress Celia Johnson's daughter Kate Fleming - among others. David Lean: A Self Portrait is an excellent hour-long 1971 Thomas Craven documentary looking at the career of David Lean. It features and extensive interview with the director who discusses his work and approach to filmmaking. There is also a 3-minute trailer and a liner notes booklet in the package featuring essays by Ian Christie, Terrence Rafferty, Farran Smith Nehme, Geoffrey O’Brien, and Kevin Brownlow.

An amazing package - and this is just one film of the boxset. We will cover the rest throughout the week. Lean fans should relish Criterion's impeccable treatment of Brief Encounter on Blu-ray.

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ADDITION: ITV - Region 'B' Blu-ray: There are a few disappointing aspects to this new Blu-ray from ITV in the UK. This looks like it may be the first Blu-ray from that company that is region 'B' locked - making it unplayable on most standard Region 'A' and 'C' Blu-ray players. It is undoubtedly restored, and looks much cleaner, but I have a few issues with the transfer. The feature is only 13 Gig of the single-layered disc and the image quality seems a big inconsistent with contrast appearing much stronger at certain times but more bland in others. In some scenes the ITV Blu-ray seems horizontally stretched (or vertically squished) which may be noticeable to some from the screen grabs below. On the positive very minor grain is present and all the light scratches removed. In toggling back and forth between the hi-def and the Criterion DVD, I'd say that the 1080P image is a bit sharper, less noise and in general terms is simply better (contrast, cleaner, tighter) but is certainly imperfect. I'd say from my expectations that this is somewhat of a disappointment. I'm certain it could still look even better with a Criterion dual-layered Blu-ray transfer. Perhaps one day.

Audio may be marginally improved as well, but I can't make a definitive statement about that. It sounds quite clean with audible dialogue. The Blu-ray also offers optional English subtitles.

Extras are only in PAL but aren't a bad lot at all with 25 minutes of A Profile of Brief Encounter (also found on the Carleton) with historical input from many participants and fans. There is a 3.5 minute 'Restoration Featurette', a Stills Gallery and Theatrical Trailer. There is no commentary or new featurette material.

As I commented, I am a bit disappointed but still believe this to be the best image presently available. As consistently regarded as one of the top 10 British films of all time lets hope a more competent Blu-ray (Criterion?!?) comes along sooner rather than later. 

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ON THE DVDs (written in 2002): Well, it appears as the film progresses the Carlton quality decreases (or the Criterion improves). I don't have any explanation for this, it is just something I observed. The Carlton is darker and less sharp. Criterion for the image all the way. The Criterion commentary is extremely illuminating so it just beats out the nice 25 minute documentary on the Carlton in the Extras department. Overall the Carlton is not a bad disc, especially for the money, its just that the Criterion is great disc. I am glad I saw the documentary on the Carlton and I suppose die-hard fans of the British icon film will want both editions. Who can blame them, but the definitive version is certainly the Criterion. 

- Gary W. Tooze