Writings > DVD Image Comparisons > Watership Down

Watership Down

Region 1 (USA) - Warner
vs. Region 2/4 25th Anniversary Edition (Australia) - Big Sky Video

Details

Bit Rate

R1 USA

R2/4 Australia

Screen Captures

Example 1

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R1 USA | R2/4 Australia

Example 2

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R1 USA | R2/4 Australia

Example 3

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R1 USA | R2/4 Australia

Example 4

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R1 USA | R2/4 Australia

Example 5

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R1 USA | R2/4 Australia

Example 6

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R1 USA | R2/4 Australia

Comments

Note: I'm aware that some of the images don't match up properly. They were taken back before I had a proper system for ensuring that each version showed exactly the same frame.

This is quite surprising. The Australian release boasts a "remastered print", but in fact it is taken from the exact same source as the US version - witness the exact same print damage on Example 6. The difference lies in the fact that the Australian version has been very heavily filtered. This filtering hurts the clarity, smudging many of the animation outlines. Compression artifacts are also more noticeable on the Australian disc, despite there being less detail to cope with as a result of filtering (and despite a higher bit rate). The source materials are quite grainy and are not in great shape, but treatment such as this was not necessary. It certainly is not deserving of the phrase "remastered".

I have decided to make the audio a draw, because although the US version is surround-encoded and the Australian one is not, in reality it makes little difference. The Australian version also has a higher bit rate, but again there is no perceptible improvement in quality.

Extras-wise, the Australian disc is the clear winner, featuring not only a superb audio commentary with writer/producer/director Martin Rosen and Film Threat editor Chris Gore, but several art galleries and information on "rabbit religion" to boot. The Australian release is again the winner in terms of packaging, since although the quality is not very good, it at least gives customers the option to display the more fitting original theatrical artwork, thanks to a reversible slip.

Overall, therefore, the Australian release is the winner. If you just want to enjoy the film itself with the best possible quality, the US disc is the preferred option. If, however, you want access to the excellent commentary, then you will have to buy the Australian release. It's a tough call, but at the end of the day the Aussie disc wins out.

Summary