The first issue was light years ahead of the print I saw on HBO in the summer of 1980 but nowhere near the quality of todays digital video transfers. It had mono analog audio, no CX encoding or closed captioning and no chapter stops or any extras at all. This was one of my first laserdisc purchases and was one of the reasons that I got into laserdisc collecting.
This second issue retains the same pressing as the first. The only difference is the Jacket which now carries the CBS/FOX logo.
A new transfer which blew the previous one out of the water. Still cropped but with better colors and closed captioning. Still no digital sound, chapter encoding or any extras.
A revelation compared to all previous transfers. Great colors and first widescreen transfer (1.75 x 1) with digital (mono) sound. Originally released in CAV format with 2nd audio commentary and many extras. Gatefold jacket. Discontinued because of producers dislike of some supposedly "demeaning remarks" in the running commentary. Replaced with a CLV version (minus commentary) which is still available, albeit with no extras except a trailer.
First MGM/UA W/S transfer is part of a box set which also includes new W/S transfers of DR. NO and FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE. Colors even better than Criterion effort. First transfer to include stereo over dub of main title music. Analog channels have music and effects tracks isolated. Curiously, the main title sequence is "zoom panned & Scanned" even though this was billed as a W/S transfer. This was corrected in the next pressing.
Same transfer as previously available in box set. Has corrected aspect ratio of main title sequence.
This is the first THX approved Bond laserdisc and it's a knockout!
This time MGM/UA has released what will probably be (until HDTV comes along) the finest transfer of this film yet. It is in CAV spread to four sides with very well chosen side breaks. Colors are spectacular and detail is so good that you can freeze the picture and count the number of pores in Sean Connery’s hand when he looks at his Rolex watch just before the explosion in the pre-title sequence. The title song is still in true stereo and has a little more punch than the previous version. The rest of the film is in mono but it seems livelier than before as well, with lots of deep bass that will give your subwoofer something to do.
This time there is not one but TWO second audio commentaries on the l&r analog channels. The supplements are on sides 5 and 6. Side 5 is in CLV and contains the two documentary features which have previously been released on VHS as well as trailers and TV spots. Also, on the analog tracks are radio spots and an open end interview with Sean Connery. These were taken from a LP source as you can hear some surface noise and a few pops. I bought a tape copy of this material over 10 years ago at a convention but the open end interview only had the responses (you had to guess what the questions were.) This time the questions have been inserted (by John Cork) and the whole thing makes more sense now. Side 6 has over 1,000 stills including behind the scenes shots, collectibles such as posters, toys, games and soundtracks.
There are lots of extra goodies throughout this well assembled box set. The 4 page insert has well documented chapter annotations. The cover has the eye catching derivative poster art. The plastic lined paper disc sleeves have different scenes from the film on both sides. Even the disc labels have the famous gun bbl. logo with the blood progressively washing down, depicted from sides 1-4 (A nice touch!)
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