A Few Words About A few words about...™ The Natural -- in 4k UHD Blu-ray (1 Viewer)

[Robert Harris]

The Natural, has Robert Redford as famed baseball player Roy Hobbs (1904-1983).

Probably my favorite baseball film, and right up there with Field of Dreams, with its magisterial, heroic, etherial view of history and the sport, partially based upon the novel by Bernard Malamud, with more than a bit of Arthurian legend and the Knights of the Round Table.

The Natural, directed by Barry Levinson, photographed by Caleb Deschanel, and with a score by Randy Newman, is on my short list of perfect films.

Also perfect is the new 4k master, created by Grover Crisp's group at Columbia. While the film isn't large format, and doesn't have a myriad of high frequency information, outside of the original film grain, that grain is magnificent, and forms the basis for a gorgeously velvety image, that veritably drips off the screen.

The Natural is one of the finest 4k releases thus far to hit the format, making use of the HDR technology, and allowing the image to fulfill the wishes of it's creative team, who back in 1984, probably could only dream of seeing something this ravishing on any home video format.

The track has been upgraded to Dolby Atmos, which widens our field of listening, and adds to power of the film.

For those lucky few who may be able to see this film for the first time in Columbia's new 4k format, know that you're in for a treat of the first magnitude.

There are few films I can recommend more.

Image - 5 (HDR10)

Audio - 5 (Dolby Atmos)

Pass / Fail - Pass

Upgrade from Blu-ray - Absolutely!

Very Highly Recommended

RAH

 

[Robert Crawford]

The Natural, has Robert Redford as famed baseball player Roy Hobbs (1904-1983).

Probably my favorite baseball film, and right up there with Field of Dreams, with its magisterial, heroic, etherial view of history and the sport, partially based upon the novel by Bernard Malamud, with more than a bit of Arthurian legend and the Knights of the Round Table.

The Natural, directed by Barry Levinson, photographed by Caleb Deschanel, and with a score by Randy Newman, is on my short list of perfect films.

Also perfect is the new 4k master, created by Grover Crisp's group at Columbia. While the film isn't large format, and doesn't have a myriad of high frequency information, outside of the original film grain, that grain is magnificent, and forms the basis for a gorgeously velvety image, that veritably drips off the screen.

The Natural is one of the finest 4k releases thus far to hit the format, making use of the HDR technology, and allowing the image to fulfill the wishes of it's creative team, who back in 1984, probably could only dream of seeing something this ravishing on any home video format.

The track has been upgraded to Dolby Atmos, which widens our field of listening, and adds to power of the film.

For those lucky few who may be able to see this film for the first time in Columbia's new 4k format, know that you're in for a treat of the first magnitude.

There are few films I can recommend more.

Image - 5 (HDR10)

Audio - 5 (Dolby Atmos)

Pass / Fail - Pass

Upgrade from Blu-ray - Absolutely!

Very Highly Recommended

RAH

RAH, thanks for your review. Are both film versions in 4K/HDR?

 

[Paul Rossen]

RAH, thanks for your review. Are both film versions in 4K/HDR?

No...but I believe the blu ray carries both versions.

 

[Robert Harris]

RAH, thanks for your review. Are both film versions in 4K/HDR?

Yes.

 

[Robert Crawford]

No...but I believe the blu ray carries both versions.

No, I thought it was suppose to be both versions in 4K.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Yes.

Thank you as I patiently wait on my pre-order to ship.

 

[Joe Bernardi]

Preordered. Any idea what the difference is between the theatrical and director's versions?

 

[Robert Harris]

Preordered. Any idea what the difference is between the theatrical and director's versions?

Much of it is a restructured opening. I prefer the theatrical.

 

[Alan Tully]

Being a Brit & not much into sport, I can't quite understand the mythos about Baseball (but I did enjoy playing rounders at my primary school)...but I love this film, it's the fight between good & evil, light & dark, & when Glen Close stands up from the crowd, I get a lump in my throat, & what a great score from Randy Newman (I have the CD). A great looking film, with a new 4K transfer by Sony, I didn't really need to read this review to know it would look the biz.

 

[benbess]

Thanks for this great review. I'll probably pick it up at some point, since I haven't seen it since 1984. From what I remember from 35 years ago, it's a rather subtle and almost dreamy film, with Robert Redford's sometimes almost opaque acting style working to enhance the mystery of the title character, and even the almost mystery of the game of baseball itself.

 

[JohnMor]

Is the inlcuded blu-ray an upgraded transfer or the prior one?

 

[Paul Rossen]

Yes.

No, I thought it was suppose to be both versions in 4K.

I was incorrect. Both versions are in 4K. The Blu-ray is only the theatrical. I too enjoy the theatrical more than the Directors Cut

 

[Robert Crawford]

I was incorrect. Both versions are in 4K. The Blu-ray is only the theatrical. I too enjoy the theatrical more than the Directors Cut

I've never seen the Director's Cut so this will be my first time doing so.

 

[Osato]

I've never seen the Director's Cut so this will be my first time doing so.

Same here. They only released it on dvd which was insulting.

I had a rental vhs tape of this film that I wore out!
Can’t wait to add this one in UHd. It’s a fantastic film.

 

[Mark-P]

All this love for The Natural has convinced me that I need to revisit the fillum. I never made it part of my collection because I wasn’t particularly impressed with it 30+ years ago. Once iTunes upgrades it to 4K I’ll have to pick it up digitally.

 

[Scott Merryfield]

I've never seen the Director's Cut so this will be my first time doing so.

I didn't even know there was a director's cut of this film.

Thanks for the words, RAH. I will put this one on my wish list.

 

[Osato]

I didn't even know there was a director's cut of this film.

Thanks for the words, RAH. I will put this one on my wish list.

pick me out a winner Bobby.

 

[JohnMor]

Is the inlcuded blu-ray an upgraded transfer or the prior one?

No one has any info on whether the included blu is an upgraded transfer?

 

[Osato]

No one has any info on whether the included blu is an upgraded transfer?

I believe it’s the same blu ray as the previous one..

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Natural-4K-Blu-ray/237391/#Review

The included Blu-ray is identical to that released in 2010 and includes the bulk of this package's bonus content.

 

[Osato]

Don’t you know how much I hate losing to the pirates??