North by Northwest

Mono. Perfectly mixed, balanced and sounds wonderful in mono. The original release was confirmed to never have had a Perspecta engagement so there was never a multichannel mix of any type discrete of faked.

The "new" (done for 1st DVD) 5.1 mix confines dialogue and effect to center channel mainly and then takes the score masters and throws them in as stereo. This stands out like a sore thumb and alienates the rest of the film from the score. This should have been used as the basis for a brand new fully restored soundtrack release, but no we're still stuck with the damaged one.

It is impossible to go back to the 5.1 after hearing the original mono, those who say the 5.1 is good or fine have never heard the original track. There's nothing to fix there, and even those who cry foul on the score being downmixed...it sounds just the same if not better as it is in the context of the mix and not overpowering.

BTW I'm referring to the mono track on the Criterion CLV release which has digital sound (not featured on the original CAV edition). The later MGM LD supposedly has a cleaner version but the opening titles are in stereo.