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

[Robert Harris]

The Deer Hunter is a 1979 film, directed by Michael Cimino, which won some awards back in the day.

It holds up beautifully.

Shout Factory's new 4k - a pleasant surprise there - is a mixed bag. The master apparently comes from Canal +.

IMHO, someone cranked the HDR a bit high, making the film an unpleasant viewing experience in projection. Compared to
the Blu-ray, which allows far greater latitude in densities, the 4k has an overall higher resolution, and more obvious grain structure.

In projection, the standard Blu-ray is the choice. On an OLED, the 4k has a nicer overall image, but blacks attack, and are too
heavy. I wish I had an answer for this one. Bottom line, I'd probably pass on the 4k.

Definitely not a release for those who cherish projection.

4k Image – 4 - OLED Panel
4k Image - 3.5 - Projection

Audio – 5 (DTD-HD MA 5.1)

Pass / Fail – Pass

Upgrade from Blu-ray - I don't believe so

Very Highly Recommended - as a film - not as a disc

RAH

 

[Robert Crawford]

Something tells me once I get my 4K disc and watch it on my LG OLED that it's going to be a noticeable improvement over my 2012 Blu-ray. At least, that's my hope.

 

[Robert Harris]

Something tells me once I get my 4K disc and watch it on my LG OLED that it's going to be a noticeable improvement over my 2012 Blu-ray. At least, that's my hope.

It's all about the loss of shadow detail.

 

[Robert Crawford]

It's all about the loss of shadow detail.

How come there is a loss of shadow detail?

 

[JohnRice]

It's a very grainy film, and I wonder if the loss of shadow detail is in order to hide some of that grain.

 

[Robert Crawford]

It's a very grainy film, and I wonder if the loss of shadow detail is in order to hide some of that grain.

You're right about it being a very grainy film.

 

[Worth]

Does it come with a blu-ray sporting the new transfer?

 

[battlebeast]

Does it come with a blu-ray sporting the new transfer?

yes

 

[Robert Crawford]

My 4K disc has shipped so I'll be watching this disc next week.

 

[Brian Husar]

Damn it. And I blind preordered it from Shout Factory because they are always good. And it has shipped already so I can’t cancel. Why didn’t Canal + use the master from Universal? Also, how did Universal lose the rights?

 

[Worth]

Damn it. And I blind preordered it from Shout Factory because they are always good. And it has shipped already so I can’t cancel. Why didn’t Canal + use the master from Universal? Also, how did Universal lose the rights?

I don't think they did lose the rights. The film was co-produced by EMI and Universal, and Universal controlled North American distribution. I think they must have okayed the Shout disc and their use of the Studio Canal master, as Universal probably hasn't made a 4K transfer yet.

 

[Robert Harris]

Damn it. And I blind preordered it from Shout Factory because they are always good. And it has shipped already so I can’t cancel. Why didn’t Canal + use the master from Universal? Also, how did Universal lose the rights?

I’d not be overly concerned, as the overall image quality in 4k is superior. The caveat is toward projection, which seems to take a back seat when HDR is graded.

 

[ScottJH]

The UK Studio Canal disc also has Dolby Vision. Is the Shout HDR10 only?

 

[Sam Favate]

I was pleasantly surprised to see my copy arrived early -- this morning. I haven't watched it yet, and as I don't have 4k hooked up to the projector, I should be okay. Thanks for the review, Robert!

 

[lark144]

One more question Mr. Harris, if you don't mind. When you say the Blu-Ray has an edge over the UHD, are you referring to the Universal Blu-Ray that was released way back when, or the Blu-ray included with the 4k disc? Inquiring minds want to know! Thanks.

 

[Robert Harris]

One more question Mr. Harris, if you don't mind. When you say the Blu-Ray has an edge over the UHD, are you referring to the Universal Blu-Ray that was released way back when, or the Blu-ray included with the 4k disc? Inquiring minds want to know! Thanks.

The Shout Blu-ray.

 

[Robert Harris]

The UK Studio Canal disc also has Dolby Vision. Is the Shout HDR10 only?

The Shout 4k came up as Dolby Vision on my OLED.

 

[Lord Dalek]

You're right about it being a very grainy film.

Proving my point once again that Vilmos Zsigmond's films do not lend themselves to 4k.

 

[Colin Jacobson]

Proving my point once again that Vilmos Zsigmond's films do not lend themselves to 4k.

I thought "Close Encounters" looked great in 4K!

 

[Lord Dalek]

I thought "Close Encounters" looked great in 4K!

Yeah it looks good by "Close Encounters standards" (which are pretty low owing to years of blurry smeary masters) but I wouldn't call it a demo disc by any stretch.