I bought the single OOP version from Big Lots. When I checked dvdbeaver.com for comparisons, they say that the image on the double sided Jean De Florette/Manon of the Spring is better. They say that the double sided is Anamorphic. But the colors look all wrong, with too much red and brown.

When you look at the single OOP version, a little bit has been chopped off the right side. Even less off the top and bottom. The left side looks the same. But here, the colors look great.

Which do you think is better? Correct OAR with bad colors or Great colors without correct OAR?

I haven't sat down to watch Jean yet ( I really should rectify that this week) but I have sampled Manon. I've owned both these films twice on Ld and 3 times now on dvd. Not only the non anamorphic editions (which you have here), but also the UK R2 PAL issues.
The warmer color timing on the new flipper edition IS a problem. I've never seen the films timed like that before and considering the region of the setting, it just feels all wrong. And yes, it blows out detail.
On the other hand, apart from that aspect the flipper is the first watchable edition of these great films I have ever seen *for a large display*.
If you have a smaller 4:3 display, then the widescreen LD set is the best all around, as it presents the colors more accurately. This is the same master that is used on the dvd you have, but the LD lacks the compression artifacting that is pervasive on the dvd.
I should add that the LD appears to display more of the natural grain in the image, and with that-the finer detail-while the newest dvd appears to have undergone some DNR.

At this point what I would recommend is that you simply pick whatever version is the cheapest in your area, which you seem to have done already, and wait for these films to come on BR/be remastered. I own three different versions, including the French non-subbed discs, and none of them, much to my displeasure, are up to current standards. In fact, they are slightly below acceptable as far as I am concerned.

Pro-B

Since MGM only puts out about 30 catalog releases on the format per year (and that may be way too liberal an estimate) he's going to be waiting a long time for a Bd release.
And even if it did get a release, do you honestly think they are going to go to the trouble and expense of a further re-transfer/mastering? Few of us expected to see a new transfer for the current flipper. We were lucky to get that...even if what it amounts to is two steps forward, one step back.
I would love to see them take another pass at this and finally get it right. Until then though, the current release (on a 9' wide screen) looks like HD compared to all the other releases-including the anamorphic (but smeared as hell) PAL discs.

+1

Too bad this is still an MGM property. It is anyone's guess when they'll finally do these two films justice on home video.

These films are masterpieces IMO. I own two DVD versions (the two MGMs), and from watching them and viewing the DVD Beaver comparisons I agree that both have their problems.

Given these two to choose from however, there's no question that the two-sided double feature disc is superior. It's anamorphic and has a much smoother picture. Not sure what the color scheme is supposed to be exactly, but I agree that the double feature disc is VERY bright and warm, which kills detail in some of the scenes.

On the other hand, the digital artifacting on the old separate releases is absolutely horrible and is enough to kill my recommendation of these alone.

I remember watching the new release and being quite satisfied, but lurking in the back of my mind was a constant, nagging voice saying, "Can you imagine what we might have gotten if Criterion had done these instead?"

Ok if there is another option to watch the films. But I would recommend everyone to watch these films somehow.

I don't care that much about picture/sound quality I guess. For me, the story is the thing.

Movies this good, a grainy VHS on a 3" black and white are better than not watching it at all.

While I agree with you, I can say that if you HAVE seen it (like I did in my college's movie theater for a film class) that you can't help but be disappointed with the current presentations available.

Exactly. MGM has taken two shots at this and done poorly. They should license it out since everyone that wants this movie has purchased it already, and only Criterion is likely to do a decent enough restoration/presentation of it that anyone would double or triple dip on these two films.

Picked up the 2-sided movie set recently from Amazon for $8.99 or so. A bargain for such great movies. It is a pity about the lackluster transfer. I had the OOP single disc of these, and they were some of the worst discs in my collection Image Quality wise... the new release is near the bottom, still. Sigh.

Enjoyable movies none the less. I rewatched them recently with someone who had never seen them (something I had to correct immediately!)

-beebs

I want to get Manon, so I'm gonna get rid of my single movie for the double sided with both movies. Hopefully they do fix the color.