Tag Archives: Robert Wise

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.'
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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 Sound of Music arrives on 4K September 23rd

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The 1965 musical “The Sound of Music“ is officially coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on September 23rd via Disney. The movie is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. Robert Wise directed the film, which starred Julie Andrews, and Christopher Plummer. It co-starred Eleanor Parker, Richard Haydn, Peggy Wood, Charmian Carr, Heather Menzies, Nicholas Hammond, Duane Chase, Angela Cartwright, Debbie Turner, and Kym Karath.

“Lovingly restored by Disney’s award-winning film restoration team, the 4K transfer showcases every mountain peak, every twirl, and every soaring note with stunning clarity and richness. It’s The Sound of Music as you remember it – more vivid, more moving, and more magical than ever.”

The tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray include a 2160p video presentation in a 2.20:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision and HDR10 forms of high dynamic range, accompanied by Dolby Atmos sound. This will be a 3-disc set “combo pack” with its Blu-ray Disc counterpart included for the movie, as well as an additional Blu-ray Disc for extras. Tech specs for the Blu-ray include a 1080p HD video presentation in a 2.20:1 aspect ratio with DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 lossless surround sound. A digital copy of the film will also be included.

Below you can find a video demo showcasing this 4K restoration effort. It’s embedded and hosted on YouTube. There’s no audio. It shows you side-by-side sliding comparisons between the original film source and the final restorative efforts.

UPDATED: The 4K UHD Blu-ray is now available for preorder at Amazon. The bonus materials set to be included on this are shown and listed further below, including three postcards.

Disc 1 (4K UHD Blu-ray):

  • Sing-Along Version
  • Commentary by Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Charmian Carr, Dee Dee Wood & Johannes von Trapp
  • Commentary by Robert Wise

Disc 2 (Blu-ray):

  • Sing-Along Version
  • Commentary by Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Charmian Carr, Dee Dee Wood & Johannes von Trapp
  • Commentary by Robert Wise

Disc 3 (Blu-ray Bonus):

  • The Sound of a City Documentary – Julie Andrews returns to Salzburg, Austria
  • A City of Song – Filming locations in Salzburg, Austria
  • Musical Stages – The songs, the show & the family
  • Vintage Programs – The Sound of Music, Rodgers and Hammerstein, location interviews, and audio interviews
  • Rare Treasures – Julie and Carol at Carnegie Hall: The Pratt Family Singers, The Julie Andrews Hour: Julie Andrews and Maria Von Trapp, Screen Tests, 40th Anniversary DVD Introduction by Julie Andrews, and galleries
  • Publicity – Fox Movietone News – Academy Awards,®, trailers and teasers, TV spots, and radio spots

The Andromeda Strain is coming to 4K in May

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The 1971 film “The Andromeda Strain” will be released via Arrow Video on 4K UHD Blu-ray on May 13th. This will be a limited edition release. The film, directed by Robert Wise, was based on the novel written by Michael Crichton. It starred Arthur Hill, David Wayne, James Olsen, Kate Reid, Paula Kelly, George Mitchell, Ramon Bieri, and Kermit Murdock.

The movie has received a 4K restoration from the original camera negative, by Arrow Films. The tech specs for the 4K release include a 2160p video presentation in the 2.35:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision (or HDR10) and lossless DTS-HD Master Audio mono sound.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray limited edition is now available for preorder at Amazon. You can also preorder directly via Arrow’s website. The bonus materials included with the 4K release are listed below.

  • Audio commentary by critic Bryan Reesman
  • A New Strain of Science Fiction, an appreciation by critic Kim Newman
  • The Andromeda Strain: Making the Film, an archive featurette from 2001 directed by Laurent Bouzereau and featuring interviews with director Robert Wise and screenwriter Nelson Gidding
  • A Portrait of Michael Crichton, an archival featurette from 2001 directed by Laurent Bouzereau and featuring an interview with author Michael Crichton
  • Cinescript Gallery, highlights from the annotated and illustrated shooting script by Nelson Gidding
  • Theatrical trailer, TV spots and radio spots
  • Image gallery
  • Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring writing by Peter Tonguette and select archive material
  • Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Corey Brickley

The Sound of Music Comes to 4K This Year

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The 1965 film “The Sound of Music” will be released on 4K UHD Blu-ray later this year. This release will come from 20th Century Studios (Disney). The movie is celebrating its 60th Anniversary this year. The details about the 4K restoration and upcoming release are listed below, taken from the press release.

With 4K Film Restoration and Worldwide Special Events

Add This to Your List of Favorite Things When The Sound of Music
Arrives All-New in Theaters and on 4K Ultra HD™ Blu-ray Later This Year!

BURBANK, CA (February 20, 2025) – This March 2, 2025 will mark 60 years since the tunes of Rodgers & Hammerstein brought theatrical hills alive with the cinematic treasure The Sound of Music. This year, fans of all ages will experience the heart-warming sights and sing-along sounds of the classic film in a beautifully restored and remastered version to be released in 4K image resolution, courtesy of the precise work endeavored by the Walt Disney Film Restoration team. Over the course of 9 months, the restoration team oversaw digital scanning of preserved film footage and expert clean-up efforts to correct any dirt, warping or other issues encountered. “Our team is honored to care for and re-deliver this classic film to audiences around the world so they can enjoy it in all its originally intended visual and audio glory,” says Kevin Schaeffer, Director, Restoration & Library Management. Weaving artistic skills with innovative technology in a process more delicate than the petals of an edelweiss, the 60th anniversary restoration of The Sound of Music sings with both vibrant color and resounding melody, sharing the cinematic legacy anew for generations to come.

“This enhanced version of The Sound of Music is a testament to the enduring power of this iconic masterpiece. As we enter the 60th year, the restoration will safeguard our beloved classic for generations to come,” says Imogen Lloyd Webber, who oversees the Rodgers & Hammerstein brand as EVP Marketing and Communications for Concord Theatricals and Originals.

“The Walt Disney Company couldn’t be a better partner to bring to life an amazing international celebration of The Sound of Music’s enduring and meaningful impact on culture,” adds Sophia Dilley, EVP of Concord Originals.

In this true-life story, Julie Andrews lights up the screen as Maria, a spirited young woman who leaves the convent and becomes a governess to the seven unruly children of Captain von Trapp (Christopher Plummer). Her warmth, charm and songs soon win the hearts of the children and their father. But when the threat of war rises, Maria is forced to attempt a daring escape with her new family. A five-time Academy Awards®-winning classic, and one of the most successful movie musicals of all time, The Sound of Music features unforgettable Rodgers & Hammerstein treasures like “Edelweiss,” ”My Favorite Things,” “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” and “Do-Re-Mi.”

Watch for future announcements on the rollout of 60th anniversary celebration for The Sound of Music and brush off your do-re-mi skills in the meantime!

Stay tuned for further details about this upcoming 4K UHD Blu-ray release later in the year.

Star Trek Original 4-Movie Collection on 4K September

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A “Star Trek: The Original 4-Movie Collection“ is officially coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on September 7th via Paramount Home Entertainment and CBS Home Entertainment. The 4K set will include the first four films in the original “Star Trek” film franchise remastered in 4K. Those of course are “Star Trek: The Motion Picture” (1979), “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” (1982), “Star Trek III: The Search for Spock” (1984), and “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home” (1986). It should certainly be noted that the second film (“The Wrath of Khan”) will come with both the theatrical cut and the director’s cut.

Tech specs for each film on 4K UHD Blu-ray include a 2160p video presentation with HDR10 and Dolby Vision forms of high dynamic range. It is known that this set will be spanning across an 8-disc set and that it will come in the form of a “combo pack” meaning that it will come with each film’s Blu-ray Disc counterpart (pictured below) as well as a digital copy of each. UPDATE #1: Audio will be presented in Dolby TrueHD 7.1 lossless surround sound for each film, and the first film will get a Dolby 2.0 isolated score sound mix.

These four films all starred a primary cast (crew) of William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, George Takei, Walter Koenig, and Nichelle Nichols. The films were directed by Robert Wise, Nicholas Meyer, and Leonard Nimoy. Nimoy actually directed the last two.

You can now find the 4K UHD Blu-ray set available for preorder over at Amazon. UPDATE #2: Also, individually released remastered versions of each of the four films on Blu-ray Disc will be released on the same date, September 21st. I’ve included each of the four of those below, before the official announcement, after the break. You can now find “Star Trek: The Motion Picture” remastered, “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” (Director’s Cut) remastered, “Star Trek III: The Search for Spock” remastered, and “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home” remastered on Blu-ray Disc individually available for preorder over at Amazon. [NOTE: Amazon Commissions Earned]. Each release will include bonus materials and a digital copy of the film.

And, again, because this set is covering four films the bonus materials run rather lengthy and include lots of previously released extras. So, you can find all that listed below in the official announcement from StarTrek’s website as well as directly via Paramount.

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