The Criterion disc is less than excellent

as a big fan of the film I've seen it dozens of times. I marveled at the hypnotic pace of the film….i marveled at the hues and colors. My Uncle owned a Repertory house in Seattle, and used to show DOH regularly-since i did not have to pay, i would either see it 2-3 times during a weeks run, or even sit thru 2 showings in a row. i really got to notice its details. I also as an artist have great color memory

While the Criterion disc is perfect in every other way, and is "Director Approved" its color pallete is drained and lifeless.
Surely the film i remember was "Director Approved" also

I have the Paramount disc, which comes far closer to my memories of the film

It is a very good transfer also, except for the 'negative density' spots….aka white specks every now and then

As they arrive at the farm, and the wagons go thru the gate, there is a distinct red hue on everything from the sunset.
This is virtually absent in the Criterion DVD.
The movie had many instances of rich color and visible hues in the lighting……these are gone…...
The fields had a rich golden hue….the Pheasant hunting scene showed late summer, first hints of autumn color
The colors where RICH but not over saturated. Reds do not bloom or exhibit noise.
Now they are ghostly and bland

Finally, at the end where Bill is chased thru the Autumn forest, the colors really made me feel FALL in all its rich glory;
That is also absent from the Criterion disc; We are not talking about over saturation, but rather undersaturation.

As the blood is drained from the film on disc, you can even see Chroma distortion/noise on the girls dresses as they cartwheel down the street after escaping the Girls School

Not really so on the Paramount disc.

In short, I cannot watch the Criterion disc, even thought i own it. I spotted right off on my first viewing that something was wrong with the color…..and color to me played such an enjoyable part of a film i love