Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Warner Brothers have reissued The Searchers in 2004, the transfer being stated as 1:1.85 aspect ratio. In this package they are disposing of their old 1997 copies - this has a double sided disc, with a cropped 4:3 version on one side, and, even worse, on the flip side a widescreen version where the vertical image has been significantly cropped (the tops of actors' heads are often lopped off, and the magnificent landscapes are similarly ridiculously framed - to see what you are missing, just flip over to the 4:3 version: the heads and mesas and buttes are seen in full, but of course the horizontal image is severely cropped) - the stated aspect ratio is 1.75:1. Similarly they reissued Stagecoach in 2004, but this is the 1997 version. The Cowboys dates from 1998, and Rio Bravo's transfer is from 2001. I purchased this set primarily for The Searchers and to now find such an inferior transfer is very frustrating. I would suggest potential buyers take care with other Warner Bros. compilations as they too might be deceptive means of dispensing of obsolete DVD transfers.