Foreign Correspondent (1940) UPDATED

[Brent_Reid]

The Warner DVD is the only one mastered from original pre-print materials.
Apart from the Criterion, all other DVDs have transfers of theatrical prints.
The Criterion DVD and both BDs feature a 2k restoration.

The Scandinavian Future Film/Atlantic DVD note should be simplified to "NTSC-PAL transfer" and added to the Cuts footnotes.

There are many bootleg DVDs of this and Hitch's other American films but not from the companies listed in the current footnote, which should be edited to match the one in the BD comparison.

[James-Masaki_Ryan]

What do you mean by “Preprint”?
What did Criterion use for their transfer?

[Brent_Reid]

"Pre-print" refers to any film element of a lower generation than a theatrical print, so any copy from various stages of duplication from the negative onwards.
These are obviously of a higher quality than any theatrical print made from them, and are usually only available to the original studio which made the film. Rightsholders of films with distribution rights split between different territories usually have/had to make do with transfers of local(ised) theatrical prints, hence displaying projection wear, cigarette burns, etc.

2k restoration: https://www.brentonfilm.com/alfred-hitc ... d-transfer

[James-Masaki_Ryan]

Updated

[Brent_Reid]

Thanks, James, although you haven't noted the German BD has the same 2k restoration. I have seen several folk asking in groups and forums which transfer it has, so it's useful to clarify.

[James-Masaki_Ryan]

And updated again.