A Few Words About A few words about…™ Christopher Nolan Collection — in 4k UHD Blu-ray (1 Viewer)

[Robert Harris]

The new Christopher Nolan Collection — not to be confused with previous Christopher Nolan Collections on Blu-ray — is comprised of seven films.
Each one is a superb entertainment, with the latest, Dunkirk, leading the pack.
Included are crowd favorites, The Dark Knight trilogy — Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, and The Dark Knight Rises;
Inception, Interstellar, and The Prestige.
From a technical perspective, the most interesting are those with multiple aspect ratios — Dunkirk, The Dark Knight, and The Dark Knight Rises.
All of the films are presented in DTS-HD MA 5.1.
With the exception of Batman Begins, for which I found the HDR a bit heavy, but not problematic, all of the films are nicely presented.
All were photographed in 35/4 with the exception of the IMAX sequences in the above noted multiple aspect ratio productions, and the large format work on Interstellar and Inception.
It’s the large format, 65mm, IMAX material that makes this set extremely interesting in 4k, and based...

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[Tino]

Interstellar also had multiple aspect ratios.

I love this set. I did own them all previously on Blu Ray. I bought them all individually for $22.99. To my eyes on my OLED I see a big improvement. Especially with Interstellar.

But I’m sure you’re right. The previous blus were awesome. So whether this set is a must buy or a necessity is up to the individual buyer.

 

[Josh Steinberg]

Possibly, had the original negatives been accessed, things might have been different, but as it is, the new Collection is a wonderful 4k set, that simply isn't a necessity.

I think it was a conscious choice by Nolan to use the color-timed IPs, rather than scanning the negative and recreating the color timing digitally, since he loves the analog workflow.

I thought it was interesting, along those lines, that when Dunkirk was released in IMAX, all of the 15/70 film locations showed prints which had been printed from the original negative (which as you know is rare in the modern era, especially now). However, the digital and laser IMAX locations showed a special DCP that had been created by scanning a timed protection IP that had already been made - rather than scanning the negative directly and doing the color timing digitally.

I think in Nolan's mind, the color-timed IP made in the analog realm is "the movie" and it's apparently more important to him that the digital copies be a presentation of that specific piece of film, rather than their own thing.

 

[Robert Harris]

I think it was a conscious choice by Nolan to use the color-timed IPs, rather than scanning the negative and recreating the color timing digitally, since he loves the analog workflow.

I thought it was interesting, along those lines, that when Dunkirk was released in IMAX, all of the 15/70 film locations showed prints which had been printed from the original negative (which as you know is rare in the modern era, especially now). However, the digital and laser IMAX locations showed a special DCP that had been created by scanning a timed protection IP that had already been made - rather than scanning the negative directly and doing the color timing digitally.

I think in Nolan's mind, the color-timed IP made in the analog realm is "the movie" and it's apparently more important to him that the digital copies be a presentation of that specific piece of film, rather than their own thing.

I believe it’s a bit more complex than that, as digital projection of a IP, can actually allow a more highly resolved imaged that a projected analogue image of the same generation.

Whichever way one goes, things can be superb.

Accessing the IP as a harvest element also reduces cost measurably.

Again, no wrong answer here.

 

[Josh Steinberg]

Again, no wrong answer here.

Agreed!

I can completely understand and respect the logic behind using an IP. Finishing films in the analog realm is a major priority for Nolan, and it makes sense to me that his preference would be to make the digital master from a single, complete film element, rather than using the untimed negative and then using digital tools that Nolan was making a point of not using in the first place to mimic the look of the film.

 

[Wayne_j]

The shots from Dunkirk not shot on IMAX 15/70 were shot on 65mm.

 

[Colin Jacobson]

But I’m sure you’re right. The previous blus were awesome. So whether this set is a must buy or a necessity is up to the individual buyer.

"Dark Knight" is the biggest upgrade, IMO - the original Blu had issues, whereas the 4K is awesome.

The other 2 with IMAX footage are also worth it.

(Not counting "Dunkirk" because the 4K was day/date with the BD, so it seems unlikely anyone reading this right now will need to "upgrade".)

"BB" and "Inception" are the 2 iffy ones, IMO. I prefer the 4Ks but not to the same degree as with "Interstellar" and the 2 other Batmans...

 

[Josh Steinberg]

For the Warner titles like The Dark Knight, is the included BD the same as the original BD release, or is it a new transfer? Warner's Unforgiven UHD quietly included the new transfer on both the UHD and BD, but the new transfer didn't come out as a standalone BD.

 

[gadgtfreek]

Watched Batman Begins

Reminded me some of Harry Potter Year 1 and 2 PQ wise, not always great, but still had some really good scenes and 4K/HDR being the best way I have ever seen it. I really pushed the audio during the police/tumbler chase, man it was great

 

[Colin Jacobson]

For the Warner titles like The Dark Knight, is the included BD the same as the original BD release, or is it a new transfer? Warner's Unforgiven UHD quietly included the new transfer on both the UHD and BD, but the new transfer didn't come out as a standalone BD.

I didn't watch the BD, but I'm 99% sure it's the same.

"Batman Begins" is a different disc - it includes only the movie on Blu-ray One, whereas the original retail version had extras on the movie disc.

"Dark Knight" still has extras on Blu-ray One - and the menus, etc. all looked identical.

So I'd be exceedingly surprised if the "Dark Knight" BD was new...

 

[Ryan Barrett]

I've been very happy with the set so far - one thing that I cannot seem to find any clarity on however is that - the set is advertised as containing the "original theatrical audio mix." Has the sound changed in anyway since the original blurays, or is this simply stating that the DTSHD mixes were considered "original theatrical audio mixes," and that's what has been ported to the 4K discs? Odd thing to advertise in my opinion (not that there is anything wrong with the sound on these discs...I've found them to be fantastic sounding).

 

[Robert Harris]

I've been very happy with the set so far - one thing that I cannot seem to find any clarity on however is that - the set is advertised as containing the "original theatrical audio mix." Has the sound changed in anyway since the original blurays, or is this simply stating that the DTSHD mixes were considered "original theatrical audio mixes," and that's what has been ported to the 4K discs? Odd thing to advertise in my opinion (not that there is anything wrong with the sound on these discs...I've found them to be fantastic sounding).

Makes little sense, as there were reportedly various different mixes being repurposed, inclusive of Dolby Atmos, and IMAX 6-track, for different projects.

Regardless, tracks are superb.

They can also be used to break leases, and clean dust from speakers...

 

[Member 323668]

With the exception of Batman Begins, for which I found the HDR a bit heavy, but not problematic, all of the films are nicely presented.


Possibly, had the original negatives been accessed, things might have been different, but as it is, the new Collection is a wonderful 4k set, that simply isn't a necessity.

Image - 5

Audio - 5 (DTS-HD MA 5.1)

4k - 5

Screening The Dark Knight Trilogy, Inception and The Prestige in 4K yesterday on an 88" Samsung LED backlit LCD display with HDR, I am sorry to say that I am NOT too happy with this release.

Where is the grain?

Take, e.g., Batman Begins: There are actually three HD versions available on disc: Don't forget the first release in the HD DVD format. This was the only version really looking film-like with wonderful original grain structure. The later Blu-ray encode was already significantly DNRed as the new 4K version obviously is. No abomination as Terminator 2 in UHD, but faces tend to be waxy and -due to the lack of grain- texture is really lacking.

As concerns color timing, I found the timing of the original HD DVD and Blu-ray preferrable to the reddish tint of the new version.

As I understand that the production was supervised by Nolan, I have to respect his decision about the usage of DNR and de-graining, but I can not consider this as my definitive version of his masterful pieces of art.

What miracle can be achieved in 4K UHD demonstrate the 4K scans and encodes of "Bram Stoker's Dracula", "The Bridge on the River Kwai" and "Blade Runner" which really showcast the capabilities of reproducing film with beautiful intact and highly-resolved original grain structure, depth and texture.

Unfortunately the Nolan collection is not a showcase presentation to show off these qualities.

 

[Tino]

In your opinion.

 

[Robert Harris]

Screening The Dark Knight Trilogy, Inception and The Prestige in 4K yesterday on an 88" Samsung LED backlit LCD display with HDR, I am sorry to say that I am NOT too happy with this release.

Where is the grain?

Take, e.g., Batman Begins: There are actually three HD versions available on disc: Don't forget the first release in the HD DVD format. This was the only version really looking film-like with wonderful original grain structure. The later Blu-ray encode was already significantly DNRed as the new 4K version obviously is. No abomination as Terminator 2 in UHD, but faces tend to be waxy and -due to the lack of grain- texture is really lacking.

As concerns color timing, I found the timing of the original HD DVD and Blu-ray preferrable to the reddish tint of the new version.

As I understand that the production was supervised by Nolan, I have to respect his decision about the usage of DNR and de-graining, but I can not consider this as my definitive version of his masterful pieces of art.

What miracle can be achieved in 4K UHD demonstrate the 4K scans and encodes of "Bram Stoker's Dracula", "The Bridge on the River Kwai" and "Blade Runner" which really showcast the capabilities of reproducing film with beautiful intact and highly-resolved original grain structure, depth and texture.

Unfortunately the Nolan collection is not a showcase presentation to show off these qualities.

While there may have been grain reduction, grain structure, already fine on modern films, takes on a more velvety look.

I searched for grain, and presumed much was reduced due to the dupe.

 

[OliverK]

I believe it’s a bit more complex than that, as digital projection of a IP, can actually allow a more highly resolved imaged that a projected analogue image of the same generation.

Whichever way one goes, things can be superb.

Accessing the IP as a harvest element also reduces cost measurably.

Again, no wrong answer here.

I watched Batman Begins yesterday and to me this did not look like a new 4k harvest of the IP as this would not explain the very obvious absence of film grain, especially in faces in dark scenes.

Regarding cost reduction I would hope that a multibillion dollar franchise would be reason enough to not cheap out on any one of the three Batman movies but maybe Christopher Nolan also had a say in how things were handled and was happy with an existing digital version of Batman Begins, hard to say.

 

[OliverK]

Screening The Dark Knight Trilogy, Inception and The Prestige in 4K yesterday on an 88" Samsung LED backlit LCD display with HDR, I am sorry to say that I am NOT too happy with this release.

Where is the grain?

Take, e.g., Batman Begins: There are actually three HD versions available on disc: Don't forget the first release in the HD DVD format. This was the only version really looking film-like with wonderful original grain structure. The later Blu-ray encode was already significantly DNRed as the new 4K version obviously is. No abomination as Terminator 2 in UHD, but faces tend to be waxy and -due to the lack of grain- texture is really lacking.

As concerns color timing, I found the timing of the original HD DVD and Blu-ray preferrable to the reddish tint of the new version.

As I understand that the production was supervised by Nolan, I have to respect his decision about the usage of DNR and de-graining, but I can not consider this as my definitive version of his masterful pieces of art.

What miracle can be achieved in 4K UHD demonstrate the 4K scans and encodes of "Bram Stoker's Dracula", "The Bridge on the River Kwai" and "Blade Runner" which really showcast the capabilities of reproducing film with beautiful intact and highly-resolved original grain structure, depth and texture.

Unfortunately the Nolan collection is not a showcase presentation to show off these qualities.

Very interesting post, I will have to pull out my HD-DVD of Batman Begins now. Unfortunately some of my Warner HD-DVD's have some playback issues so I hope that I will still be able to check a few scenes on this one that really stood out to me with regard to the lack of grain structure. I also remembered the HD-DVD to have more of a golden / yellowish hue that I really liked so I was surprised that the UHD version looked more reddish.

With what I have recently seen from them I would have preferred that the Warner Archive collection could have handled the Nolan collection as they seem to have become experts at giving us excellent Blu-rays that are mostly derived from either 2k or 4k IP's - with intact grain structure.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Very interesting post, I will have to pull out my HD-DVD of Batman Begins now. Unfortunately some of my Warner HD-DVD's have some playback issues so I hope that I will still be able to check a few scenes on this one that really stood out to me with regard to the lack of grain structure. I also remembered the HD-DVD to have more of a golden / yellowish hue that I really liked so I was surprised that the UHD version looked more reddish.

With what I have recently seen from them I would have preferred that the Warner Archive collection could have handled the Nolan collection as they seem to have become experts at giving us excellent Blu-rays that are mostly derived from either 2k or 4k IP's - with intact grain structure.

The same group handles Warner and Warner Archive titles.

 

[OliverK]

The same group handles Warner and Warner Archive titles.

True, but what we have here does not look like a new and pristine IP scan as we have recently seen for a number of titles from the Warner Archive collection. Obviously it is not that what we have got is unwatchable but it does not get much higher profile than the films of Christopher Nolan on UHD so I guess I just expected more than what I have seen so far.

Would be great for the Bolan films to be of the kind of quality that we get from Sony with titles like Bram Stokers Dracula or A Few Good Men, both movies that I would certainly not call bigger profile than Batman Begins with regard to how much money they make for their studio on UHD.

 

[Robert Crawford]

True, but what we have here does not look like a new and pristine IP scan as we have recently seen for a number of titles from the Warner Archive collection. Obviously it is not that what we have got is unwatchable but it does not get much higher profile than the films of Christopher Nolan on UHD so I guess I just expected more than what I have seen so far.

Would be great for the Bolan films to be of the kind of quality that we get from Sony with titles like Bram Stokers Dracula or A Few Good Men, both movies that I would certainly not call bigger profile than Batman Begins with regard to how much money they make for their studio on UHD.

Obviously, some of us are more critical of Batman Begins 4K/UHD disc than others so I'll leave it at that.