Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

White Christmas Blu-ray Movie Review

Paramount has re-released the beloved 1954 film 'White Christmas,' directed by Michael Curtiz and starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, and Rosemary Clooney, to Blu-ray. This 'Diamond Edition' Blu-ray includes a mono lossless soundtrack and several new extras. Additionally, the disc carries over the legacy Blu-ray supplements from the well-reviewed 2010 issue. Notably, this release does not include a new 1080p transfer, but the legacy presentation still looks excellent. Finally, this release originally shipped with a CD soundtrack, but now in 2024 the copy I received from Amazon did not. Your mileage may vary. See below for coverage of new audio and supplemental materials. Also note that the film is also being released on the UHD format in November 2024.

White Christmas Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

This new "Diamond Edition" Blu-ray release of 'White Christmas' appears to contain the same 1080p transfer as the previous 2010 release. That's not a bad thing, because it looked great in 2010 and it still looks pretty solid in 2024. For a full Blu-ray video review, please click here.

White Christmas Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

One of the main reasons to upgrade to this edition of White Christmas is the inclusion of a new lossless mono soundtrack as opposed to the original release's lossy mono presentation. Does it make a massive difference? Well, no, not to the basic ear test, but certainly the lossless encode brings with it a greater efficiency and some slightly better details across the spectrum of elements (dialogue, music and lyrics, scattered support effects, and even some heavier moments like the shelling at the beginning). There is no sonic revelation or revolution here, and nor should there be. But fans will rightly appreciate the improvement in fidelity, however minor it may be, in delivering the absolute best presentation possible. And, for fans of the film and for film (and audio) purists, the lossless mono track is a most welcome addition. Of course, this disc also retains the 5.1 lossless soundtrack from the original release, and interested parties can check out my review of that track by clicking here.

White Christmas Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Probably the chief reason to purchase this new Diamond Edition Blu-ray release of White Christmas is the smattering of new extra content. In addition to new material, the legacy content from the 2010 Blu-ray is also included. See below for coverage of the new content (which is notated) and please click here for reviews of the carryover content. This release also ships with two DVDs that include the film and commentary on one disc and the extras on another disc. This release supposedly ships with a music CD, but the copy I received from Amazon in October 2024 did not include it. Your mileage may vary. Mine did not ship with a slipcover, either. No digital copy is included.

• Audio Commentary: Rosemary Clooney.
• NEW! White Christmas Sing-Along (1080p): Viewers can choose to play the entire film with karaoke lyrics in a Christmas-themed bar at the bottom, or simply select one of several different songs individually. Included for individual selection are White Christmas; The Old Man; Blue Skies; Sisters; The Best Things Happen While You're Dancing; Sisters (Reprise); Snow; I'd Rather See a Minstrel Show; Mandy; Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep; Choreography; Love, You Didn't Do Right By Me; What Can You Do with a General?; The Old Man (Reprise); Gee, I Wish I Was Back in the Army; White Christmas (Finale); and Credits.
• NEW! Classic Holiday Moments: Clips from TV over the years that involve the film. Included are "White Christmas" by Bing Crosby - December 1, 1976 (480i, 4x3, 2:18), "White Christmas" by Bing Crosby Featuring Michael Bublé - December 10, 2012 (1080i, 1.78:1, 4:11), "Silent Night" by Bing Crosby - December 12, 1948 (480i, 4x3, 2:37), "Jingle Bells" by Danny Kaye & Nat King Cole - December 25, 1963 (480i, 4x3, 3:39), and Danny Kaye Reads from 'A Christmas Carol' - December 22, 1965 (480i, 4x3, 7:23).
• NEW! Assignment Children (1080p, 4x3 and 1.78:1, 18:36): A look at the work UNICEF does around the world in a vintage piece hosted by Danny Kaye. Includes an optional introduction with Michael Bublé.
• Backstage Stories from White Christmas
• NEW! Bing Crosby: Christmas Cooner (1080p, 1.78:1, 14:17): A look back at Bing Crosby's career with emphasis on his place as a Christmastime icon.
• Danny Kaye: Joy to the World
• Irving Berlin's White Christmas
• Rosemary's Old Kentucky Home
• White Christmas: From Page to Stage
• White Christmas: A Look Back with Rosemary Clooney
• NEW! Photo Galleries (1080p): Photos do not auto-advance. They are set against themed backgrounds. There is no accompanying music. On-screen text does help viewers identify what they are seeing on the photo (i.e. "Vera Ellen and Rosemary Clooney rehearsing the routine for their introductory number 'Sisters'"). Included are categorized galleries for Rehearsals, Behind the Scenes, Filming, and Publicity Shots.
• Theatrical Trailers

White Christmas Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

White Christmas is a seminal classic that never goes out of style, and it's better than ever with this new Diamond Edition release. While it retains the same 1080p video from the 2010 issue (which is great), it does offer a new lossless mono soundtrack and a nice assortment of new extras. Do note that buying in 2024 is something of a crapshoot as to whether the audio CD and a slipcover will be included. Either way, recommended! Do note that this same Blu-ray is included in the November 2024 UHD which, heads up, looks really great (see a review for that release here).