OVERALL: Draw

Between the new 25th Anniversary releases (R1/R2 UK) from Anchor Bay for having a audio commentary, documentary and the German R2 Perfect Collection which loses the commentary track but includes the TV version and a bonus soundtrack CD. Note though that some of the older releases also include the TV version and the R2 Spanish release has the exclusive audio commentary on the TV version but it´s only in Spanish.

There has been much debate and confusion regarding the striking differences between the THX and DIVIMAX transfers. However, it's fair to conclude here that:

Dean Cundey (Director of Photography) personally supervised the THX transfer and it is believed that his aim was to present the film as he would have wanted it to look had he had a big enough budget.

The DIVIMAX transfer has noticeably different colour timings (which many suggest are 'wrong' since they don't match Dean Cundey's colour from his approved THX transfer). The transfer is definitely better in terms of detail, sharpness and image clean-up.

AT THE END OF THE DAY - IT'S YOUR CHOICE - but a wise buyer may want to wait for the inevitable next release from Anchor Bay with additional material from the recently found film reels!

If you'd like to see various comparisons of the transfers, check out the links below:

Pulsing Cinema

There is also a Production Diary for the THX release DVD Review

There are also vanilla releases available from Anchor Bay UK under there Horror Classics label which should be avoided.

Read an exclusive Halloween feature written by Rewind Site Manager Adrian Busby here.

CUTS:

• R0 America- Anchor Bay - Extended Edition - No Cuts. Extended TV Version.
• R0 America- Anchor Bay - THX - No Cuts. Theatrical Version.
• R0 America- Anchor Bay Entertainment - No Cuts. Theatrical Version
• R0 LE America- Anchor Bay Entertainment - No Cuts. Includes the Theatrical Version and the TV Version.
• R0 Germany- Marketing Films - Perfect Collection - No Cuts. Includes the Theatrical Version (87:09 mins - PAL) and the Extended TV Version (100:56 mins - PAL).
• R0 Holland- Indies - No Cuts.
• R0 United Kingdom- Anchor Bay Entertainment - No Cuts.
• R1 AE America- Anchor Bay - 25th Anniversary Edition - No Cuts. Theatrical Version (90:58 mins - NTSC).
• R2 Italy- CVC - No Cuts.
• R2 AE Spain- Selecta Vision/Universal - 25th Anniversary Edition - No Cuts.
• R2 AE United Kingdom- Anchor Bay - 25th Anniversary Edition - No Cuts. Theatrical Version (87:05 mins - PAL).
• R4 Australia- Infogrames - No Cuts. Theatrical Version.

Do you own a release not listed? Then please visit our forums and let us know!

Comparison added by Adrian_Busby on 01/09/01
Comparison last updated by Anthony_DiPaola on 25/09/11

UPDATE LOG:

25/09/11 - Addition of several R1 releases and major comparison clean-up.
30/09/10 - Removed broken link.