ADDITION: Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray December 18': This is a very similar release to the 2016 Twilight Time Blu-ray. The Masters of Cinema is more technically roust with a slightly higher video bitrate and this is expressed in the image presentation. It can look a shade darker and minutely crisper - but this might only be noticed by very discerning fans. It is in the 1.85:1 - AVC encoded and a 1080P transfer, It looks very pleasing in-motion. 

Masters of Cinema use a linear PCM 2.0 channel mono track and Frank De Vol's (The Flight of the Phoenix, The Dirty Dozen, Kiss Me Deadly, The Big Knife (1955), What Ever Happened To Baby Jane?, McLintock) memorable score is able to advance the film's tension sounding a bit better in the higher end than the Twilight Time but, possibly, not as deep. There are optional English (SDH) subtitles and the Blu-ray disc is region 'B'-locked.

Extras are, mostly, duplicated with a new addition - while both have the Glenn Erickson commentary found on the 2005 SD edition, the Twilight Time's David Del Valle and Steven Peros commentary with another excellent one by Kat Ellinger. She gives a keen analysis and exports pertinent production details about the stars, director and much more imbuing the film with a higher level of appreciation. We get the 22-minute Hush…Hush, Sweet Joan: The Making of Charlotte, the 13-minute Bruce Dern Remembers piece, Wizard Work short narrated by Cotten, trailers and TV Spots plus an image gallery and the package has a collector's booklet featuring a new essay by Lee Gambin, illustrated with archival imagery.

So, generally, we lose the the isolated score option for the score, but gain a different, and wonderful, commentary, LPCM audio and booklet. All of which contain strong value. I lean to the Masters of Cinema as the definitive Blu-ray release.  

ADDITION: Twilight Time - Region FREE - Blu-ray November 16': The new Twilight Time Blu-ray is a big advancement over the old DVDs. With 6X the bitrate and 1080P resolution - contrast - notably black levels - is superior - bringing out more sharpness, better shadow detail and in-motion it's like seeing the film anew. It's dual-layered with a very high bitrate and in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio (like the last DVD.) Very impressive - especially beside the SD transfers.

Audio is likewise impressive using a DTS-Master 24-bit giving the option of stereo of mono.  The score is also available in an isolated track option.) Effects are minimal but there is depth present. There are optional English (SDH) subtitles and the Blu-ray disc is region FREE - playable world-wide.

We get most of the extras from the 2008 Cinema Classics Collection DVD release including the audio commentary with Film Historian Glenn Erickson - only found on the 2005 SD edition. We get the 22-minute Hush…Hush, Sweet Joan: The Making of Charlotte, the 13-minute Bruce Dern Remembers piece, Wizard Work short narrated by Cotten, trailers and TV Spots, BUT Twilight Time add further value with a new audio commentary with film historians David Del Valle and Steven Peros and it's excellent with a lot of information imparted regarding the production, cast and Aldrich. A very enjoyable listen. Of course, the standard 8-page liner notes by Julie Kirgo is there and this Twilight Time is, like most, limited to 3,000 units.

Great release - this 2 1/4 hour film is much better suited to a dual-layered Blu-ray. The a/v are a revelation for fans of the film and the additional commentary is highly beneficial. Bravo Twilight Time - a must own.

***

ADDITION - 'Cinema Classics Collection' - April 08': Fox has made this the original 1.66:1 ratio DVD (Spherical Panavision), 1.85:1 on this new DVD. What does that mean? - well, we are getting more information on the sides. Why did they do this? I have no idea but it's quite unlike them to tinker with what we perceive is the original aspect ratio (either on the original DVD or this one). Or are we wrong and 1.85 was the original ratio? (NOTE: Glenn Erickson in his review notes the 2005 edition ratio as 1.85 which is incorrect - the old DVD is most definitely 1.66:1).

The new image is a shade brighter (too bright at times), but there are scenes where the older looks superior (sharper) and others where the newer shows some further detail. To be honest I lean towards the old (with a smidgeon more speckles), but the ratio aspect may be a deal breaker for some regardless. We are given the same subtitle and audio options.

To cap it off they have removed Glenn Erickson's wonderful commentary and none of the new supplements is equal to that valued extra in my opinion (which include a 20 minute featurette and 12 minutes of Dern recalling stuff etc.). Strange days indeed.

Bottom line is I don't endorse buying this 'Cinema Classics Collection' individually and although I own the Bette Davis Centenary Celebration Collection, am glad I still have my Studio Classics version of this fine film (and it's less than $10). Let's take more care Fox!