Joe Karlosi wrote:
Craig, I honestly can't ever recall such craziness as this. Not speaking just for "which is the best DVD", but also for "how many versions of the actual film are there?"

But even if PHANTOM is not unique in this situation, what does that have to do with anything as far as our frustrations in trying to determine the best version of POTO are concerned? Does the fact that perhaps other movies have been as tough change anything?

I guess you gotta accept that what constitutes "best" is a bit subjective. It may be up to the individual to decide that. There's currently only two versions out their. One, a print close to the 25 release based on 16mm "Show-at-home" prints, the other a hybrid of the 29 reissue. The 29 reissue uses different takes and camera angles.

Then it comes down to things like frame-rates, scores, image quality, and tinting.

My feelings are right now, watch the 25 "Show-at-home" print just to see the difference, but the 24 fps Blu-ray version is the best way to see the film. The Milestone DVD has a truly annoying visual defect, if it's corrected in a new HD transfer, my guess is that it will have a slight edge on the Image Blu-ray, but will be the same basic print.

Don't hold your breathe on a restoration of the 25 version, because even it it happens, you'll still want a solid print of the 29.