Tag Archives: Maggie Smith

2019 film Downton Abbey comes to 4K in March

Amazon Commissions Earned

The 2019 film “Downton Abbey: The Motion Picture” is finally coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray in both a standard and limited edition 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook release on March 8th via Universal Studios Home Entertainment.  The film, based on the television series [of the same title] created by Julian Fellowes, was directed by Michael Engler and features a cast of Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Jim Carter, Stephen Campbell Moore, Michael Fox, Lesley Nicol, Sophie McShera, Imelda Staunton, Penelope Wilton, and Maggie Smith.

The tech specs for the 4K release include a 2160p video presentation in the 2.39:1 aspect ratio with HDR10 and Dolby Vision forms of high dynamic range and Dolby Atmos sound, on a BD-100 disc.  Both 4K physical releases will come in the form of a “combo pack” with their Blu-ray counterpart and a digital code (copy) of the film included.  You can now find both the 4K UHD Blu-ray and the 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook (pictured below) available for preorder over at Amazon.

The bonus materials set to be included with the releases are listed below.

  • Deleted Scenes
  • Upstairs & Downstairs Cast Conversations
  • The Royal Visit
  • True to the Twenties
  • Welcome to Downton Abbey
  • The Brilliance of Julian Fellowes
  • Downton Abbey Series Recap
  • Feature Audio Commentary with Director Michael Engler

Harry Potter Anniversary 8-Film Collection on 4K

Amazon Commissions Earned

The film Harry Potter and the Sorceror’s Stone will get a 20th Anniversary 8-Film Collector’s Edition 4K UHD Blu-ray box set on November 2nd via Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. The extravagant box set, being released to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the first (2001) film in the franchise, will be packaged in a replica of the “Hogwart’s Express” train (as pictured above). The 8 films in the franchise set to be included with the set are listed below.

  • “Harry Potter and the Sorceror’s Stone” (2001)
  • “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” (2002)
  • “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” (2004)
  • “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” (2005)
  • “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” (2007)
  • “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” (2009)
  • “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1” (2010)
  • “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2” (2011)

The tech specs for the releases should include the previous 2160p video presentations in the original aspect ratios with HDR10 form of high dynamic range and DTS:X sound for each film. This set will come in the form of a “combo pack” meaning that it will also include the Blu-ray Disc counterpart in 1080p HD. All of this spanning across a 17-disc set. It’s unclear if a digital copy of each film will be included or not here, yet, but stay tuned for a possible update on that soon. You can find the 4K UHD Blu-ray Anniversary 8-Film Collector’s Edition set available for preorder now over at Amazon. The bonus materials included with the release are detailed a bit further below, including some physical extras such as a Hogwart’s Express ticket and a 32-page behind-the-scenes collectible booklet.

Downton Abbey movie on Blu-ray in December

dowtown_abbey_bluray– commissions earned –

The 2019 motion picture of Downton Abbey is coming to Blu-ray Disc on December 17th, according to retail sources, via Universal. The film, a continuation of the TV series (of the same title), was directed by Michael Engler. The cast includes Hugh BonnevilleMatthew GoodeTuppence Middleton, Elizabeth McGovern, Imelda StauntonMichelle Dockery, Allen Leech, Kate Phillips, Penelope Wilton, and Maggie Smith. Tech specs for the Blu-ray include 1080p HD video in the 2.39:1 aspect ratio with DTS-HD 7.1 Master Audio sound. There will be two different Blu-ray releases available of the film but both will come in the form of a “combo pack” with a DVD counterpart and a digital code (copy) of the film included. The Blu-ray release of the film will come in a standard form (pictured above) as well as in a Deluxe Limited Edition Blu-ray set form (pictured below). The Deluxe Limited Edition set is now available for preorder over at Amazon and Best Buy. The limited edition box set includes physical extras in the forms of a collectible photo book and recipe cards.

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You can find the standard Blu-ray available for preorder over at Amazon and Best Buy as well. The bonus materials set to be included on the release are listed below.

  • Deleted Scenes
  • Upstairs & Downstairs Cast Conversations
  • The Royal Visit
  • True to the Twenties
  • The Brilliance of Julian Fellowes
  • Downton Abbey Series Recap
  • Feature Audio Commentary with Director Michael Engler

2001 Robert Altman directed film “Gosford Park” on Blu-ray in November

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The 2001 Robert Altman directed film Gosford Park is getting a Blu-ray Disc release on November 27th via Arrow Academy – a label of Arrow Video. This film won an Academy Award for best Screenplay, and its star-studded cast featured Alan Bates, Kristin Scott Thomas, Jeremy Northam, Bob Balaban, Charles Dance, Michael Gambon, Richard E. Grant, Helen Mirren, Clive Owen, Maggie Smith, Emily Watson, and Ryan Phillippe. Tech specs for the release include 1080p video from a brand new 2K restoration (and a 4K scan) with DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio sound. This new restoration was “supervised and approved by director of photography Andrew Dunn” according to Arrow Academy. The title is available for PRE-ORDER now over at Amazon. A list of details regarding the release and bonus materials set to be included can be found below.

  • Brand new 2K restoration from a 4K scan, carried out by Arrow films exclusively for this release, supervised and approved by director of photography Andrew Dunn
  • High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation
  • DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio
  • Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
  • Audio commentary by director Robert Altman, production designer Stephen Altman and producer David Levy
  • Audio commentary by writer-producer Julian Fellowes
  • Brand-new audio commentary by critics Geoff Andrew and David Thompson (author of Altman on Altman)
  • Introduction by critic Geoff Andrew
  • Brand new cast and crew interviews recorded exclusively for this release
  • The Making of Gosford Park archive featurette
  • Keeping Gosford Park Authentic archive featurette
  • Q&A Session with Altman and the cast
  • Fifteen deleted scenes with optional Altman commentary
  • Trailer
  • Reversible sleeves featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Matthew Griffin
  • FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by critic Sheila O’Malley and an archive interview with Robert Altman

1976 Neil Simon written film “Murder By Death” is coming to Blu-ray in December

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The 1976 Neil Simon written film “Murder By Death” featuring a star-studded cast is coming to Blu-ray Disc on December 18th via Shout! Factory (on the Shout Select label). The title’s technical specifications have not fully been detailed aside from including full 1080p video in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio, with no indication of what sound format or mix – although, I’d speculate that it will be a lossless Stereo mix, considering it theatrically had a Mono mix. The film, directed by Robert Moore, included a cast of Peter FalkAlec GuinnessPeter SellersEileen BrennanTruman CapoteElsa LanchesterDavid Niven, Maggie Smith, and James Cromwell. Bonus materials for the release have not yet been detailed, as the title was just announced in the past hour via the distributor on their social media accounts. The title is not yet available for pre-order over at Amazon, but you can pre-order it directly from the Shout! Factory store – where you’ll get it shipped two weeks early (ahead of the release date). Stay tuned for further details regarding this release.

Steven Spielberg film “Hook” with Robin Williams on 4K UHD Blu-ray in October

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The 1991 Steven Spielberg directed film Hook starring Robin Williams is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on October 9th via Sony. Tech specs for the release include full 2160p 4K video with HDR10 form of High Dynamic Range (in a transfer approved by Spielberg) and Dolby Atmos sound. The release will come in the form of a “combo pack” with a Blu-ray Disc and Digital Copy of the film included. UPDATE: The film on 4K is available to PRE-ORDER now both at over Amazon and Best Buy.

Bonus materials set to be included on the release include:

  • ALL-NEW: 11 Never-Before-Seen Deleted Scenes

The release will also include the previous bonus materials from the Blu-ray Disc release. Below, after the break, you can find the official announcement for this release.

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RUMOR: “Hook” starring Robin Williams coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray in November

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If you manage to be looking around Amazon‘s French site using something like Google Translate (or speak French) you might have noticed that they are listing something very cool coming to the 4K UHD Blu-ray format there, and very likely is coming here (Stateside) later this year. Now, keep in mind that this is only a RUMOR at this point, but it would seem that the 1991 Steven Spielberg directed film “Hook” starring the late Robin Williams is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray (there in France) on November 7th via Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. No further info, cover art, or anything is really available now at this point in time. The story will be updated when it develops any further. I’d speculate personally that we could see this sometime before or around the holiday season, here in the United States (and Canada).

EDITORIAL NOTE: As with all RUMORS reported here on the site, I always suggest you take these with a “grain of salt” so-to-speak, and remind you that you should wait until you see us or the studio directly issue an announcement regarding the release to take it as 100% factual. Lastly, thanks to our reader Jason for this news tip via Twitter.