Tag Archives: 4K restoration

The 1983 animated film Fire and Ice on 4K SteelBook

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Cover art for the animated film 'Fire and Ice' featuring characters in a fantasy landscape, with a strong warrior holding a weapon, a woman beside him, and other figures in the background, showcasing a dramatic clash between fire and ice themes.
4K SteelBook slipcover (front)
A powerful warrior stands atop a rocky outcrop, holding an axe, with a dramatic sky in the background. A woman and a blond man are crouched beside him, while defeated foes lie at their feet.
4K SteelBook (front)

The 1983 animated film “Fire and Ice“ will get an exclusive 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook release on June 30th via Blue Underground, distributed by MVD Entertainment Group.

The movie was directed and co-created by Ralph Bakshi. Bakhshi is known for his unique hand-drawn animation, which he also brought to the audiences in animated cult classics “Fritz the Cat” (1972), “Wizards” (1977), and “The Lord of the Rings” (1978).

This has received a new 4K restoration, scanned in 16-bit from the original negative. The exclusive 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook will come as a 3-disc set. The tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray include a 2160p video presentation in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision (HDR10-compatible) high dynamic range, along with Dolby Atmos, lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround, and 2.0 stereo sound.

This 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook (pictured further below) is exclusive to the distributor’s MVD Shop.

An illustration featuring two characters embracing against a blue background on the left, and on the right, a scene depicting a muscular warrior with a weapon standing on a rocky terrain surrounded by other characters in a dramatic, colorful setting.
An open DVD case showcasing detailed artwork of warriors in battle, with a focus on their fierce expressions and various weapons, including spears and shields.

The 3-disc set will include the following extras:

Disc 1 (4K UHD Blu-ray) and Disc 2 (Blu-ray):

  • Audio Commentary with Co-Producer/Director Ralph Bakshi
  • NEW! The Art Of Fire And Ice: The Frank Frazetta Legacy with Sara Frazetta
  • NEW! Frank Frazetta’s Fire And Ice with Robert Rodriguez
  • The Making Of Fire And Ice
  • Bakshi On Frazetta
  • Sean Hannon’s Diary Notes
  • Behind-the-Scenes Photo Gallery
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • NEW! Poster & Still Galleries

Disc 3 (Compact Disc):

  • BONUS! FIRE AND ICE Original Motion Picture Soundtrack CD by William Kraft

Further below, after the break, you can find a 4K UHD [2160p] trailer [on YouTube] for this new 4K restoration and the press announcement.

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The 1951 film Alice in Wonderland comes to 4K in May

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Cover art for Disney's 'Alice in Wonderland' featuring a cartoon depiction of Alice holding a tea cup, surrounded by whimsical characters and scenes from the story.
Commissions Earned

The 1951 hand-drawn classic animated film Disney’s “Alice in Wonderland“ is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on May 5th via Disney.

Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, and Hamilton Luske co-directed the film. Also, Jack Kinney was said to have co-directed the film, but remains uncredited (according to IMDb). The movie featured the voice talents of Kathryn Beaumont (as “Alice”), Ed Wynn, Richard Haydn, Sterling Holloway, Jerry Colonna, Verna Felton, J. Pat O’Malley, and Bill Thompson.

The movie has received a new 4K restoration. In fact, here are some details about that.

In celebration of its 75th anniversary, Alice in Wonderland has been meticulously restored and remastered in 4K Ultra HD by the Walt Disney Film Restoration team. Over nine months, artists completed a digital scan of the original nitrate Successive Exposure (SE) negatives, followed by extensive clean-up to address dust, warping, and age-related wear. The team also referenced original production artwork preserved by the Walt Disney Animation Research Library to ensure the restoration remained true to the filmmakers’ original intent, collaborating closely with Walt Disney Animation Studios veteran Michael Giaimo to review every shot and refine color and luminance.
 
“The original animation artists’ work on Alice in Wonderland is stunning, and we’re proud to present it with renewed clarity and vibrancy,” said Kevin Schaeffer, Director of Restoration & Library Management. “This milestone restoration brings new depth and dimension to the film’s imaginative world, offering a vibrant presentation for longtime fans and a new generation of audiences alike.”

The tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray include a 2160p video presentation in a 1.33:1 (4×3) aspect ratio with Dolby Vision (HDR10-compatible) high dynamic range and lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound on a BD-66 disc. It will also feature lossless Dolby Digital Mono sound. The release will come as a 2-disc “combo pack” with its Blu-ray Disc counterpart included, along with a digital code (copy) compatible with Movies Anywhere.

UPDATED: The 4K UHD Blu-ray is now available for preorder at Amazon and Walmart. The bonus material included with the release is listed below.

  • Backstage Disney
    • Through the Keyhole – Kathryn Beaumont Introduction
    • Through the Keyhole: A Companion’s Guide to Wonderland
    • Reference Footage: Alice And The Doorknob
    • Reference Footage: Alice and the Doorknob With Commentary By Kathryn Beaumont
    • Pencil Test: Alice Shrinks
  • Walt Disney Color TV Introduction (1959)
  • Reflections on Alice
  • Operation Wonderland
  • “I’m Odd” Newly Discovered Chesire Cat Song
  • “Thru the Mirror” Mickey Mouse Animated Short
  • One Hour In Wonderland
  • An Alice Comedy: Alice’s Wonderland
  • Trailers
    • 1951 Original Theatrical Trailer
    • 1974 Theatrical Rerelease Trailer
  • 1954 Introduction
  • 1964 Introduction
  • The Fred Waring Show (Excerpt)
  • Deleted Scenes
    • Deleted Scene: Pig And Pepper
    • From Wonderland to Neverland: The Evolution of a Song
    • Deleted Storyboard Concept: Alice Daydreams In The Park
  • Music Videos
    • “Beware The Jabberwock”
    • “Everything Has A Useness”
    • “So They Say”
    • “Beautiful Soup”
    • “Dream Caravan”
    • “If You’ll Believe In Me”

Further below, after the break, you can find the official press release.

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George A. Romero’s Day of the Dead on 4K in June

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Cover art for George A. Romero's Day of the Dead Collector's Edition featuring a zombie holding a gun against a yellow background.
Commissions Earned

The 1985 film “Day of the Dead“ is officially coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray in a 4-Disc “Collector’s Edition” on June 16th via Scream Factory [Shout! Studios].

George A. Romero wrote and directed this modern-day horror classic. It starred Lori Cardille, Terry Alexander, Joseph Pilato, Jarlath Conroy, Anthony Dileo Jr., Richard Liberty, Sherman Howard, and Gary Howard Klar.

The movie has been fully restored. In fact, it has received a 4K restoration for the interpositive. The tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray include a 2160p video presentation in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision (HDR10-compatible) high dynamic range, along with Dolby Atmos, lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround, and 2.0 dual-channel Mono sound. An isolated score-and-sound-effects mix will also be available.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray set is now available for preorder at Amazon. You can also preorder at online retailer GRUV. The 4-disc Collector’s Edition will be a “combo pack” featuring its Blu-ray Disc counterpart included, along with two additional Blu-ray Discs containing bonus material. The release will come in a rigid packaging and include two separate cases for the 4K UHD Blu-ray / Blu-ray and the bonus Blu-ray discs. Some other physical extras will be included, pictured below.

Collector's edition of 'Day of the Dead' featuring a rigid slipcase, new 4K restoration, and archival special features.

Those aforementioned extras are listed below, sorted by disc.

Disc 1 (4K UHD Blu-ray, Feature Film):

  • NEW Audio Commentary With Author Daniel Kraus And Film Critic Drew McWeeny
  • Audio Commentary With Writer/Director George A. Romero, Special Make-Up Effects Artist Tom Savini, Production Designer Cletus Anderson, And Actress Lori Cardille

Disc 2 (Blu-ray, Feature Film):

  • NEW Audio Commentary With Author Daniel Kraus And Film Critic Drew McWeeny
  • Audio Commentary With Writer/Director George A. Romero, Special Make-Up Effects Artist Tom Savini, Production Designer Cletus Anderson, And Actress Lori Cardille

Disc 3 (Blu-ray, Documentary):

  • “World’s End: The Legacy of Day of the Dead” – A Feature Length Documentary About The Making Of Day Of The Dead

Disc 4 (Blu-ray Special Features):

  • NEW Interview With Actor Lori Cardille
  • NEW Interview With Assistant to Tom Savini/Actor Greg Nicotero
  • NEW Interview With Composer And First Assistant Director John Harrison
  • NEW Interview With Founder Of The George A. Romero Foundation Suzanne Romero
  • NEW Interview With Actor John Amplas
  • NEW Interview With 2nd Unit Cameraman Ernest Dickerson
  • NEW Interview With Filmmaker Tina Romero
  • NEW “Monster Mania: Restoring Day Of The Dead‘”
  • NEW “Stink of the Dead” – Featurette
  • Underground: A Look Into The Day Of The Dead Mines
  • Behind-The-Scenes Footage From Special Make-Up Effects Creator Tom Savini’s Archives
  • Wampum Mine Promotional Video
  • Photo Gallery
  • Theatrical Trailers
  • TV Spots

Further below, after the break, you can find the new official trailer and the press release announcement.

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The 1971 film Wake in Fright comes to 4K in June

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Movie poster for 'Wake in Fright' featuring prominent characters, with a dramatic background and a kangaroo silhouette at the bottom.
Movie poster for 'Wake in Fright' featuring Donald Pleasence, Gary Bond, and Chips Rafferty, with a dramatic background and text at the bottom.
Commissions Earned

The 1971 film “Wake in Fright” is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray in Limited Edition set(s) via Arrow Video on June 30th. The releases will be distributed stateside by MVD Entertainment Group.

Ted Kotcheff directed and co-wrote the screenplay adaptation, based on a novel of the same title. The movie starred Donald Pleasence, Gary Bond, Chips Rafferty, Sylvia Kay, Jack Thompson, Al Thomas, Peter Whittle, Nancy Knudsen, and John Meillon.

The movie is presented “here in a definitive 4K restoration.” The tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray include a 2160p video presentation in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision (HDR10-compatible) high dynamic range and lossless Mono sound. Tech specs for the Blu-ray include a 1080p HD video presentation and lossless Mono sound.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray Limited Edition sets are now available for preorder at Amazon. You can also preorder directly via the Arrow Video site or the MVD Shop. The physical extras are pictured below, along with the full list of bonus material further below.

4K Ultra HD Blu-ray box set of the film 'Wake in Fright,' featuring a disc, a booklet, and a colorful cover art.
  • Audio commentary by director Ted Kotcheff and editor Anthony Buckley
  • Audio commentary by Peter Galvin, author of The Making of Wake in Fright
  • Return to the ‘Yabba, a featurette tracking down the film’s Broken Hill locations
  • Take in Fright, an interview with director of photography Brian West
  • Sounds of the Outback, a previously unreleased interview with sound editors Keith Palmer and Eddy Joseph
  • The Cinema’s Great Squeaky Bald Git, an appreciation of actor Donald Pleasence by film historian Kim Newman
  • The Filmmaker and the Film Buff, a discussion between Philippe Mora and Paul Harris
  • Yer Mad, Ya Bastard!, an archive interview with director Ted Kotcheff
  • Not Quite Hollywood, an archive interview with actor Jack Thompson
  • Q&A with Ted Kotcheff from the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival
  • Audio interview with Ted Kotcheff, conducted by Paul Harris
  • Audio interview with composer John Scott, conducted by music historian Daniel Schweiger
  • Alternate scenes from Outback
  • 2009 TV report on the rediscovery and restoration of Wake in Fright
  • Who Needs Art?, a 1971 TV segment with behind-the-scenes footage
  • Chips Rafferty obituary by Ken G. Hall
  • US theatrical trailer and TV spot
  • Foreign Visions of Local Stories, a trailer reel of Australian films helmed by overseas filmmakers
  • Image gallery
  • Collectors’ booklet featuring new writing on the film by Jay Slater, Paul Lê and David Michael Brown plus archive materials
  • Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Jeff Marshall

The Mortal Kombat Kollection comes to 4K in June

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Mortal Kombat Kollection game cover featuring a dragon logo and HDR features.
Cover art for Mortal Kombat Kollection featuring the iconic dragon emblem against a red and black background.
Commissions Earned

The “Mortal Kombat Kollection” is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray in Limited Edition sets on June 30th via Arrow Video. The releases will be distributed stateside by MVD Entertainment Group.

The “kollection” includes the movies “Mortal Kombat” (1995) and “Mortal Kombat: Annihilation” (1997), each debuting on 4K UHD Blu-ray. Paul W.S. Anderson directed Mortal Kombat, which starred Christopher Lambert, Robin Shou, Linden Ashby, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Bridgette Wilson-Sampras, Trevor Goddard, and Talisa Soto. Mortal Kombat: Annihilation was directed by John R. Leonetti. The second film starred Robin Shou, Talisa Soto, James Remar, Sandra Hess, Lynn ‘Red’ Williams, Brian Thompson, Irina Pantaeva, and Chris Conrad.

Each movie has received a new 4K restoration by Arrow Films from the original camera negatives. The director of each film approved the presentations. The tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray include a 2160p video presentation in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio [for each film] with Dolby Vision (HDR10-compatible) high dynamic range, along with lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround and 2.0 stereo sound. The 2-disc set will feature each movie on its own individual 4K disc.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray Limited Edition are now available for preorder at Amazon. Also, you can preorder directly via Arrow Video [US] and at the MVD Shop. The physical extras included with the set(s) are shown and listed below.

A collection of 'Mortal Kombat' films including 'Mortal Kombat: Kollection' and 'Mortal Kombat: Annihilation', displayed with DVD cases, disks, and artwork.

Physical extras:

  • Collectors’ perfect-bound booklet featuring new writing on the films by Simon Ward and John Torrani
  • Reversible sleeves featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Matt Griffin
  • Two double-sided foldout posters featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Matt Griffin

Disc 1 (4K UHD Blu-ray) Mortal Kombat (1995):

  • Brand new audio commentary with director Paul W.S. Anderson
  • Brand new audio commentary with comic book expert and podcast host Dave Baxter
  • Cage Match, a newly filmed interview with actor Linden Ashby
  • Leveling Up, a newly filmed interview with cinematographer John R. Leonetti
  • Quarters to Millions, a newly filmed interview with producer Lawrence Kasanoff
  • The Heavyweight, a newly filmed interview with designer and suit performer Tom Woodruff
  • Mortal Kombat: A Journey Behind the Scenes featurette
  • On-set interview bites with the cast and director and B-roll footage
  • Theatrical trailers
  • Image gallery

Disc 2 (4K UHD Blu-ray) Mortal Kombat: Annihilation:

  • Brand new audio commentary with director John R. Leonetti moderated by filmmaker Gillian Wallace Horvat
  • Brand new audio commentary with comic book expert and podcast host Dave Baxter
  • The Queen of the Night, a newly filmed interview with actor Musetta Vander
  • Techno, Taiko, Orcho, a newly filmed interview with composer George S. Clinton
  • The Man of a Thousand Deaths, a newly filmed interview with stunt performer J.J. Perry, who played Cyrax, Scorpion and Noob Saibot
  • On-set interview bites with the cast and director and B-roll footage
  • Theatrical trailer
  • Image gallery

The 1963 film The Haunting is coming to 4K in May

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Blu-ray cover for 'The Haunting' featuring a woman screaming in a stark design with green and black colors. Text includes 'You may not believe in ghosts but you cannot deny terror.'
Commissions Earned

The original 1963 version of “The Haunting“ will come to 4K UHD Blu-ray on May 26th via Scream Factory (Shout! Studios).

Robert Wise directed the motion picture. It starred Julie Harris, Claire Bloom, Richard Johnson, Russ Tamblyn, Fay Compton, and Lois Maxwell. Its supporting cast included Rosalie Crutchley, Valentine Dyall, Diane Clare, and Ronald Adam.

The movie received a 4K restoration from the original camera negative. The tech specs for the release include a 2160p video presentation in Black & White and a 1.85:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) high dynamic range. The audio will be presented in a lossless format; however, it has yet to be detailed which format(s).

The 4K UHD Blu-ray is now available for preorder at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, GRUV, and Walmart. The release will be a 2-disc “combo pack” with its Blu-ray Disc counterpart included. On that Blu-ray, you will find most of the extras (bonus materials), which are listed below.

  • Audio Commentary with Actor and Writer Tracy Letts and Film Critic Sean – Fennessey
  • Audio Commentary with Dr. Karen Stollznow, Matt Baxter, and Blake Smith of Monster Talk
  • Audio Commentary with Director Robert Wise, Screenwriter Nelson Gidding, and Actors Julie Harris, Claire Bloom, Richard Johnson, and Russ Tamblyn
  • Theatrical Trailer

The 1983 film Blue Thunder is coming to 4K in May

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Movie cover for 'Blue Thunder' featuring a helicopter flying over a city skyline, with the title prominently displayed.
Commissions Earned

The 1983 crime drama “Blue Thunder“ is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray in a Limited Edition on May 5th via Arrow Video, distributed stateside by MVD Entertainment Group.

John Badham directed the movie, which featured a screenplay co-written by Dan O’Bannon and Don Jakoby. The film starred Roy Scheider, Daniel Stern, Warren Oates, Candy Clark, David Sheiner, Joe Santos, and Malcolm McDowell.

It has received a 4K restoration from the original negative. The tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray include a 2160p video presentation in a 2.39:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) high dynamic range, along with lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (remix) surround and (original) 2.0 Stereo sound.

You can now preorder the 4K UHD Blu-ray Limited Edition from Amazon. Also, you can preorder it directly via the Arrow Video website and MVD Shop. Below, you can get a glimpse at the packaging and physical extras included with this set.

Blu-ray box set of the movie 'Blue Thunder' featuring a helicopter on the cover, alongside a disc and a booklet.

The bonus materials and physical extras included with this limited edition set are listed below.

  • Archival audio commentary by director John Badham, editor Frank Morriss, and motion control supervisor Hoyt Yeatman
  • Flight Risk, a brand new interview with director John Badham
  • A Rollercoaster Ride, a brand new interview with actor Candy Clark
  • Catching Up, a brand new interview with actor Malcolm McDowell
  • Ride with the Angels: Making Blue Thunder, an archival three-part documentary from 2006
  • The Special: Building Blue Thunder, an archival featurette from 2006 on the design and construction of the iconic helicopter
  • Archival 1983 promotion featurette
  • Extended scene
  • Theatrical trailer
  • Image gallery
  • Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Chris Skinner
  • Collectors’ booklet featuring new writing on the film by Dennis Capicik and original production notes

Brian De Palma film Hi, Mom! is coming to 4K in May

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Cover art for the film 'Hi, Mom!' featuring Robert De Niro, with vibrant yellow background and characters in a dramatic pose.
Commissions Earned

The 1970 film “Hi, Mom!“ is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray in Limited Edition on May 19th via Radiance Films, distributed stateside by MVD Entertainment Group.

Brian De Palma co-wrote and directed the movie, which starred Robert De Niro. It co-starred Charles Durning, Allen Garfield, Jennifer Salt, Paul Bartel, and Gerrit Graham.

The movie has received a 4K restoration from the original camera negative. The tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray include a 2160p video presentation in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision (HDR10-compatible) high dynamic range and uncompressed Linear PCM Mono sound. The 2-disc set will come as a “combo pack” with its Blu-ray Disc counterpart included. This set will be a limited edition of just 5000 copies total.

You can preorder the 4K UHD Blu-ray now via Amazon, DiabolikDVD, and MVD Shop. The bonus materials included with the release are listed below, along with details about the limited edition’s physical extras.

  • Audio commentary by writer Travis Woods (2026)
  • Interview with critic Ellen E. Jones (2026)
  • Dionysus in ‘69 – an experimental theater production of Euripides’ ‘The Bacchae’, filmed by Brian de Palma (1970, 85 mins)
  • Archival interview with co-writer Charles Hirsch (2018)
  • Trailer
  • Reversible sleeve featuring artwork based on original posters
  • Limited edition booklet featuring new writing by Matt Zoller Seitz
  • Limited edition of 5000 copies, presented in full-height Scanavo packaging with removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings
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