Tag Archives: Robert Duvall

To Kill a Mockingbird is coming to 4K in October

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The 1962 film “To Kill a Mockingbird” is officially coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray on October 11th in a “60th Anniversary Edition” via Universal Studios Home Entertainment.  The film, winner of 3 Academy Awards, directed by Robert Mulligan, starred Gregory Peck, John Megna, Mary Badham, Phillip Alford, Ruth White, Paul Fix, Brock Peters, Frank Overton, Rosemary Murphy, Collin Wilcox, and Robert Duvall.

The tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray include a 2160p Black & White video presentation in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio with HDR10 form of high dynamic range along with DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless surround and lossy DTS 2.0 Mono sound mixes on a BD-100 disc.  Tech specs for the new 60th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray include a 1080p HD Black & White video presentation in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio with DTS-HD MA 5.1 and DTS 2.0 Mono sound mixes on a BD-50 disc.  The releases will come in the form of a “combo pack” with the 4K getting its Blu-ray counterpart, the Blu-ray getting its DVD counterpart, and each including a digital code (copy) of the film.

You cannot yet find the 4K UHD Blu-ray or Blu-ray available for preorder over at Amazon, but stay tuned for an update on that soon.  The bonus materials set to be included with the releases are listed below.

  • TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD: ALL POINTS OF VIEW (NEW) – Delve deep into the impact and legacy of To Kill a Mockingbird in this new documentary as film historians, scholars, and Gregory Peck’s grandson, Christopher Peck, reflect on the message of hope, courage and integrity that are still relevant 60 years after the film was released.
  • FEARFUL SYMMETRY – A feature-length documentary on the making of To Kill a Mockingbird with cast and crew interviews and a visit to author Harper Lee’s home town.
  • A CONVERSATION WITH GREGORY PECK – An intimate feature-length documentary on one of the most beloved actors in film history with interviews, film clips, home movies and more.
  • ACADEMY AWARD® BEST ACTOR ACCEPTANCE SPEECH – Gregory Peck gives a speech at the Academy Awards® after winning for his performance as Atticus Finch.
  • AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE LIFE ACHIEVEMENT SPEECH – Gregory Peck’s speech after receiving the AFI Life Achievement Award.
  • EXCERPT FROM “TRIBUTE TO GREGORY PECK” – Cecilia Peck’s heartwarming farewell to her father given at the Academy in celebration of his life.
  • SCOUT REMEMBERS – Actress Mary Badham talks about her time acting alongside Gregory Peck.
  • FEATURE COMMENTARY WITH DIRECTOR ROBERT MULLIGAN AND PRODUCER ALAN PAKULA
  • ORIGINAL THEATRICAL TRAILER
  • 100 YEARS OF UNIVERSAL: RESTORING THE CLASSICS – Join in on the in-depth look at the film restoration process.

It’s also worth noting that a 4K UHD Blu-ray 60th Anniversary Limited Edition will be available, and is not yet available for preorder.  This limited edition will come with some physical extras listed below.

  • 44-page booklet
  • Four collectible international theatrical poster cards
  • A film strip replica

Below, after the break, you can find the full announcement about the upcoming home video releases of this film to celebrate its 60th anniversary.

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The Godfather films individually on 4K in October

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“The Godfather” films, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, are getting individual 4K UHD Blu-ray releases in both standard (pictured above) and SteelBook forms on October 11th via Paramount Home Entertainment, according to retailers.  This includes “The Godfather“ (1972) and its sequels “The Godfather: Part II“ and “The Godfather: Coda – The Death of Michael Corleone“ (1990/2020).

The first film starred Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Richard S. Castellano, Robert Duvall, John Cazale, Sterling Hayden, John Marley, Diane Keaton, Abe Vigoda, Talia Shire, and Al Martino.  The second film starred Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Robert De Niro, John Cazale, Talia Shire, Bruno Kirby, Gastone Moschin, Michael V. Gazzo, Lee Strasberg, Gianni Russo, Joe Spinell, and Abe Vigoda.  The third film, recut in 2020 from the original version of “The Godfather: Part III” (1990), starred Al Pacino, Diane Keaton, Andy Garcia, Talia Shire, Sofia Coppola, Briget Fonda, George Hamilton, Eli Wallach, Joe Mantegna, and Raf Vallone.

You can find the standard and SteelBook versions of the films all available for preorder now over at Amazon.  For the standard versions, just click their titles further above.  You can find the SteelBooks below with their Amazon preorder links for each.

The releases will each come in the form of just the 4K UHD Blu-ray disc and a digital code (copy) of the film.  No Blu-ray Disc counterparts will be included.  I repeat, no Blu-rays will be included with these releases.  The bonus materials will be only those included on the 4K discs.  I’ll be updating this post later with a full rundown of those contents for each film [disc].

Finally, there will NOT be an individual 4K UHD Blu-ray release of “The Godfather: Part III” but you can find that, as a bonus disc, in the previously released trilogy sets on the format.

The Godfather Trilogy officially comes to 4K in March

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Francis Ford Coppola‘s “The Godfather Trilogy” is officially coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray finally in both a standard release and a “Limited Collector’s Edition” on March 22nd via Paramount Home Entertainment.  This includes the following three films, making up the trilogy:

  • “The Godfather” (1972)
  • “The Godfather: Part II” (1974)
  • “The Godfather Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone“ (1990)

UPDATED: The standard 4K and Limited Collector’s Edition will both come in a 5-disc set will four 4K discs and one Blu-ray, with two housing “bonus materials” — including the “Director’s Cut” and 1990 Theatrical versions of “The Godfather: Part III” (1990) in 4K.  Those two versions are EXCLUSIVE to the 4K sets. You do NOT get those versions with the standard Blu-ray set also being released.  Sorry for any confusion.  I just confirmed this via emailed with Paramount.  Each version will include “The Godfather Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone” for the third film, the new edit done by Coppola and released in 2020.  That limited edition set (pictured below) will also include some physical extras that you’ll see below.  Those include:

“deluxe packaging and includes a hardcover coffee table book featuring stunning photographs, as well as portrait art prints on archival paper.”

The films all have received a new 4K restoration and remaster, as noted below.

“All three films in the epic trilogy have been meticulously restored under the direction of Coppola”

“Newly restored and remastered in Dolby Vision, all three films in the landmark trilogy will be released together with HDR-10 on 4K Ultra HD Digital and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray™ for the first time ever.”

The tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray (both versions of the trilogy) include a 2160p video presentation in the original aspect ratios with HDR10 and Dolby Vision forms of high dynamic range and with lossless 5.1 surround sound.  UPDATE: The audio here will be presented in Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless surround sound as well as restored Mono and Dolby Digital 5.1 surround according to my source at the studio.

You can find the 4K UHD Blu-ray standard trilogy and the Ultimate Collector’s Edition on 4K both available for preorder over at Amazon.

The trilogy (in both versions on 4K) will come with digital codes (copies) of the film.  There also will be loads of new extras exclusive to this new 4K release of the trilogy.  Those are listed below.

“Both 4K Ultra HD sets include new bonus content including an introduction to The Godfather by Coppola, a featurette about the preservation process, photos by acclaimed photographer Steve Schapiro, home movie footage, and comparisons of the new restoration to earlier versions of the films.  A full list of new and legacy bonus content follows:”

NEW BONUS CONTENT:

  • Introduction to The Godfather by Francis Ford Coppola
  • Full Circle: Preserving The Godfather—Paramount Pictures archivists detail the incredible restoration process with archival footage showing the evolution of the film through various home entertainment incarnations as picture and audio technologies make quantum leaps over the decades.
  • Capturing the Corleones: Through the Lens of Photographer Steve Schapiro— In this reflective and frank discussion, special photographer Steve Schapiro shares his unique perspective and cherished memories as a witness to the making of this seminal film.  Commentary on curated archival images makes for a fascinating, never-before-seen addition to the production’s history.
  • The Godfather: Home Movies— An assortment of 8mm home movie footage shot in 1971 offers a candid glimpse into the production of The Godfather.  Shot on location at the Norton family estate on Staten Island’s Emerson Hill, this is the first time it’s been made available to the public.
  • Restoration Comparisons— Before and after highlights showcase extensive picture quality improvements to The Godfather.

LEGACY BONUS CONTENT:

  • The Masterpiece That Almost Wasn’t
  • Godfather World
  • Emulsional Rescue — Revealing The Godfather …when the shooting stopped
  • The Godfather on the Red Carpet
  • Four Short Films on The Godfather
    • The Godfather vs. The Godfather: Part II
    • Cannoli
    • Riffing on the Riffing
    • Clemenza
  • The Family Tree
  • Crime Organization Chart
  • Connie and Carlo’s Wedding Album
  • 2008 Credits
  • Behind the Scenes
    • A Look Inside
    • On Location
    • Francis Ford Coppola’s Notebook
    • Music of The Godfather
  • Nino Rota
  • Carmine Coppola
    • Coppola & Puzo on Screenwriting
    • Gordon Willis on Cinematography
    • Storyboards – The Godfather: Part II
    • Storyboards – The Godfather: Part III
    • The Godfather Behind the Scenes 1971
  • Additional Scenes
  • Galleries
  • Trailers
  • Acclaim & Response
  • Additional Material
  • The Filmmakers
  • The Godfather: Part III—newly remastered and restored versions of the original theatrical cut and Coppola’s 1991 cut (note: these are exclusive to the 4K Ultra HD Collections)

Further below, after the break, you can find the trailer for the upcoming 4K release and the full announcement — hot off the press!!
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Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) on 4K

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The 1978 version of “Invasion of the Body Snatchers“ is officially coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on November 23rd via KL Studio Classics, according to a recent Facebook announcement. The film, based on the novel “The Body Snatchers” (written by Jack Finney) and directed by Philip Kaufman, starred Donald Sutherland, Brooke Adams, Jeff Goldblum, Veronica Cartwright, Art Hindle, and Leonard Nimoy. The movie has been newly restored from a new 4K scan of the original camera negative, which was then approved & color graded by the film’s director (Philip Kaufman).

The tech specs for the release include a 2160p video presentation in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio with HDR10 and Dolby Vision forms of high dynamic range as well as lossless 5.1 surround sound and 2.0 Stereo audio mixes (presumably in DTS-HD Master Audio format), on a BD-100 disc. The release will come in the form of a “combo pack” meaning that it will include its Blu-ray Disc counterpart, featuring the same 4K restoration and audio options (on a BD-50 disc for that).

UPDATE: You can now find the 4K UHD Blu-ray available for preorder over at Amazon.

The bonus materials set to be included on this release are listed below specific to each disc.

4K UHD Blu-ray extras:

  • Audio Commentary by Director Philip Kaufman
  • Audio Commentary by Author/Film Historian Steve Haberman

Blu-ray Disc extras:

  • Audio Commentary by Director Philip Kaufman
  • Audio Commentary by Author/Film Historian Steve Haberman
  • Star-Crossed in the Invasion: Interview with Actress Brooke Adams (9:06)
  • Re-Creating the Invasion: Interview with Screenwriter W.D. Richter (15:43)
  • Scoring the Invasion: Interview with Composer Denny Zeitlin (15:34)
  • Leading the Invasion: Interview with actor Art Hindle (25:04)
  • Writing the Pod: Interview with Jack Finney Expert Jack Seabrook (11:14)
  • Re-Visitors from Outer Space, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Pod – Featurette (16:14)
  • Practical Magic: The Special Effects Pod – Featurette (4:38)
  • The Man Behind the Scream: The Sound Effects Pod – Featurette (12:47)
  • The Invasion Will Be Televised: The Cinematography Pod – Featurette (5:24)
  • TV Spots
  • Radio Spots
  • Theatrical Trailer

“Days of Thunder” races to 4K UHD Blu-ray May

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The 1990 film “Days of Thunder“ starring Tom Cruise will be celebrating its 30th anniversary in style with a 4K UHD Blu-ray release on May 19th, via Paramount. This film was directed by the late Tony Scott and featured a supporting cast of Nicole Kidman, Robert Duvall, Randy Quaid, Cary Elwes, John C. Reilly, and Michael Rooker. It is known, from the artwork (pictured above), that the release will not come with a Blu-ray as typically found on 4K releases and instead will only include a digital code (copy) of the film.

UPDATES: Paramount has confirmed to me that this title is officially coming out on the date mentioned above. This rumor has been confirmed. You can now find the 4K UHD Blu-ray listed for preorder over at Amazon. You can also find the 4K UHD Blu-ray now listed over at retailer Target available for preorder. It’s worth noting that it is stated clearly via Paramount that this has been “newly remastered from a 4K film transfer supervised by producer Jerry Bruckheimer.” Amazon has now posted the rear package art and we now have the tech specs which include video in both HDR10 and Dolby Vision forms of High Dynamic Range with a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 sound mix. The release will include two bonus materials features, on the 4K disc, which are listed below, both previously never included on Blu-ray. However ironically enough, the Trailer for the film, originally on the Blu-ray is not included here.

  • Filmmaker Focus: Days of Thunder
  • Isolated Score

Mini-series Lonesome Dove on Blu-ray Steelbook July

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The 1989 TV mini-series “Lonesome Dove“ is getting a Special Edition Blu-ray Disc Steelbook release on July 9th via Mill Creek Entertainment. The mini-series featured an extraordinary cast of Robert Duvall, Tommy Lee Jones, Danny Glover, Diane Lane, Robert Urich, Frederic Forrest, D.B. Sweeney, Ricky Schroder, Anjelica Huston, Chris Cooper, Barry Corbin, Barry Tubb, and Steve Buscemi. The tech specs for the new Blu-ray will be identical to the 2015 release, including 1080p video in the 1.78:1 aspect ratio and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. This new Special Edition Blu-ray Steelbook is not yet available to pre-order but there is a placeholder page over at Amazon. A digital copy of the mini-series will be included with the Blu-ray. Bonus materials set to be included on the release are listed below.

  • Lonesome Dove – The Making of an Epic – featurette
  • Cast Interviews
  • On Location with Director Simon Wincer
  • Original Sketches and Concept Drawings
  • Interview with Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author Larry McMurtry

Further below, after the break, you can find more pictures of the Steelbook artwork, the trailer for the mini-series, and further details about the upcoming release.

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Apocalypse Now comes to 4K UHD Blu-ray in August

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The 1979 film “Apocalypse Now“ is officially coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on August 27th via Lionsgate in a “40th Anniversary Edition” with a Final Cut of the film. Not only will that version be included but there will also be the original theatrical cut and “Apocalypse Now Redux” Extended Cut – along with the “Hearts of Darkness“ (96 minutes) documentary from 1991. The film, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, starred Martin Sheen, Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall, Frederic Forrest, Sam Bottoms, Laurence Fishburne, Albert Hall, Harrison Ford, Dennis Hopper, and Scott Glenn.

Tech specs for the 4K release include 2160p video, from a 4K restoration of the original negative, presented in the 2.35:1 aspect ratio with both Dolby Vision and HDR10 forms of High Dynamic Range along with Dolby Atmos sound. The release will come as a “combo pack” and include three Blu-ray Discs along with a digital copy of the film. UPDATE: The 4K UHD Blu-ray is now available for pre-order over at retailers Amazon and Best Buy. Stay tuned for an Amazon pre-order listing when it becomes available. Lionsgate has included what appear to be three screenshots in 1920 width (1080p) from this restoration as promotional material. You can watch the teaser trailer on YouTube (also in 1080p HD) if you’d like a better look at the quality but I’m going to include these for readers anyway.

Bonus materials set to be included on the release are very lengthy and span across a total of the 4K UHD Blu-ray disc and THREE Blu-ray Discs. This is going to run rather lengthy so I’m going to include it below after the break. Also further below, after the break, you can find the official trailer for the upcoming theatrical re-release and 4K release as well as the announcement.

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1984 film “The Natural” starring Robert Redford comes to 4K in June

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The 1984 Barry Levinson directed film “The Natural“ starring Robert Redford is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray in a 35th Anniversary release on June 4th, via Sony. The film, nominated for 4 Oscars, featured a supporting cast including Robert Duvall, Glenn Close, Kim Basinger, Wilford Brimley, Barbara Hershey, Robert Prosky, Richard Farnsworth, Joe Don Baker, and Michael Madsen. This 35th Anniversary 4K release will include both the Theatrical (138 minutes) and Director’s Cut (144 minutes) of the film – both on the 4K disc.

Tech specs for the 4K release have not yet been fully detailed it will come with HDR (presumably in the HDR10 variety) and Dolby Atmos sound, as well as the original stereo and 5.1 tracks (for the theatrical cut). The release will come in form of a “combo pack” with a Blu-ray Disc and a digital copy of the film included.

UPDATE: The 4K UHD Blu-ray is now available for pre-order over at Amazon. Bonus materials set to be included on the 4K disc and Blu-ray are listed below.

  • Barry Levinson Intro to the Directors Cut [also on the 4K disc]
  • Theatrical Trailer [also on the 4K disc]
  • Theatrical Version of the Film
  • When Lightning Strikes: Creating The Natural: Pre-Game: A Novelist Steps Up to the Plate, The Line-Up: Assembling the Moviemaking Team, Lets Play Ball: Filming the Show
  • Clubhouse Conversations
  • A Natural Gunned Down: The Stalking of Eddie Waitkus
  • Knights in Shining Armor: The Mythology of The Natural
  • The Heart of The Natural
  • Extra Innings

Further below, after the break, you can find the official announcement regarding this upcoming 4K release.

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Steve McQueen film “Widows” comes to 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray in February

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The 2018 Steve McQueen directed film “Widows” is slated for release on both 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray Disc formats February 5th, 2018 via Fox The film’s cast includes Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, Elizabeth Debicki, Cynthia Erivo, Colin Farrell, Jon Bernthal, Robert Duvall, and Liam Neeson. This film has received mostly positive reviews from critics. In fact, Widows is currently “Certified Fresh” (at time of writing) over at Rotten Tomatoes.

Tech specs for the 4K include 2160p video presented in the 2.39:1 aspect ratio with HDR10 form of High Dynamic Range and Dolby Atmos sound. The technical specifications for the Blu-ray release include 1080p video in the 2.39:1 aspect and Dolby Atmos sound. Each version will come in the form of a “comb pack” with the 4K release getting a Blu-ray, and the Blu-ray getting a DVD, with both include a Digital Copy of the film. You can pre-order either the 4K UHD Blu-ray or Blu-ray of the film over at Amazon. Bonus materials set to be include on both releases are listed below.

  • Widows Unmasked: A Chicago Story
    • Plotting The Heist: The Story
    • Assembling The Crew: Production
    • The Scene Of The Crime: Locations
  • Gallery

Further below, after the break, you can find the official announcement for the upcoming releases of this film.

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