Press Release Arrow Video Press Release: The Andromeda Strain (1971) Limited Edition (4k UHD) (1 Viewer)

[Ronald Epstein]

Before he created Westworld and Jurassic Park, Michael Crichton first blurred the line between science fiction and science fact with his breakout success The Andromeda Strain. Two years after the novel's publication, Robert Wise (The Haunting) directed the film adaptation, a nail-biting blend of clinically-realized docudrama and astonishing sci-fi visuals that ushered in a new subgenre: the "killer virus" biological thriller.

A government satellite crashes outside a small town in New Mexico - and within minutes, every inhabitant of the town is dead, except for a crying baby and an elderly derelict. The satellite and the two survivors are sent to Wildfire, a top-secret underground laboratory equipped with a nuclear self-destruct mechanism to prevent the spread of infection in case of an outbreak. Realising that the satellite brought back a lethal organism from another world, a team of government scientists race against the clock to understand the extraterrestrial virus - codenamed "Andromeda" - before it can wipe out all life on the planet.

Aided by innovative visual effects by Douglas Trumbull (2001: A Space Odyssey; Silent Running) and an unforgettable avant-garde electronic music score by Gil Mellé (The Sentinel), Wise's suspense classic still haunts to this day, and is presented here in a stunning 4K restoration from the original negative.

Product Features​

4K ULTRA HD LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS

• 4K restoration from the original camera negative by Arrow Films
• 4K (2160p) Ultra HD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
• Original lossless mono audio
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• 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

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https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DYVR29M...-tv&sr=1-40&srs=2901953011&xpid=ZOBK_7pZNHl79

 

[dpippel]

One fo my favorite sci-fi films. I'll be interested to see how this new scan turns out.

 

[JoshZ]

One fo my favorite sci-fi films. I'll be interested to see how this new scan turns out.

I'm assuming it's the same scan Arrow used for their Blu-ray I already have on my shelf. I don't think this is one I need to upgrade to 4K.

 

[Tino]

Terrific film. Ahead of its time. Source novel is great too.

 

[dpippel]

I'm assuming it's the same scan Arrow used for their Blu-ray I already have on my shelf. I don't think this is one I need to upgrade to 4K.

I probably don't either, but I probably will anyway.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Amazon preorder added to top post

 

[Josh Steinberg]

By coincidence, I watched the Arrow Blu-ray earlier this week, which itself was a big improvement over Universal’s earlier Blu-ray. The Arrow BD was based on a 4K scan; presumably, the upcoming disc is from that same scan, reusing the same newer master.

Watching the film, it’s hard to see what would be gained from a 4K disc release. The film is loaded with opticals, split diopter shots (a Robert Wise 70s signature), and soft focus photography. There are many shots in the film which didn’t even appear to have 2K worth of resolution, let alone 4K.

I love the movie but I’m content with what I have.

 

[Neil S. Bulk]

There are many shots in the film which didn’t even appear to have 2K worth of resolution, let alone 4K.

I know this comes up every time an older film is reissued on 4K, but the UHD format offers more than just extra resolution. Better compression and wide color gamut may be even more important than getting two more Ks.

 

[B-ROLL]

I know this comes up every time an older film is reissued on 4K, but the UHD format offers more than just extra resolution. Better compression and wide color gamut may be even more important than getting two more Ks

Besides, who wouldn't want to see Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law's nakey butt in 4k ? ...

 

[Nelson Au]

I probably don't either, but I probably will anyway.

I have the Arrow blu ray as well. Arrow Films is on a roll and has a lot of my money recently for films on 4K I already have from US studios/distributors on blu ray as well 4K. I’m going to pre-order as well!

Besides, who wouldn't want to see Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law's nakey butt in 4k ? ...

I’m watching the Arrow 4K of Lifeforce now, watched first hour last night. I much prefer seeing Mathilda May’s bum.

In looking at that Amazon pre-order, it’s listed at $49.00. A look at Arrow Films UK site lists it at the reduced price of £25 British pounds. That converts to US $31.44. Maybe the pre-order is a temporary place holder price. I’ll check Orbit too, just out of curiosity.

 

[Robert Crawford]

I have the Arrow blu ray as well. Arrow Films is on a roll and has a lot of my money recently for films on 4K I already have from US studios/distributors on blu ray as well 4K. I’m going to pre-order as well!

I’m watching the Arrow 4K of Lifeforce now, watched first hour last night. I much prefer seeing Mathilda May’s bum.

In looking at that Amazon pre-order, it’s listed at $49.00. A look at Arrow Films UK site lists it at the reduced price of £25 British pounds. That converts to US $31.44. Maybe the pre-order is a temporary place holder price. I’ll check Orbit too, just out of curiosity.

People need to remember that when Amazon makes the initial link, it's the MSRP without any discounts. The MSRP for this upcoming release is $49.99. Later on, Amazon will eventually discount that price by about 20-30%.

 

[Nelson Au]

People need to remember that when Amazon makes the initial link, it's the MSRP without any discounts. The MSRP for this upcoming release is $49.99. Later on, Amazon will eventually discount that price by about 20-30%.

Thank you, Robert. You are right, I stand corrected.

I did check Orbit’s site and their pre-order is $32.99. I liked that they shipped Lifeforce with bubble wrap in a box. So they may get my business.

 

[Josh Steinberg]

I know this comes up every time an older film is reissued on 4K, but the UHD format offers more than just extra resolution. Better compression and wide color gamut may be even more important than getting two more Ks.

I agree with that point in general, but my feeling on this specific title is that the Arrow remastered Blu-ray was so good as to eliminate any compression issues. I also don’t think the film uses color in a way that would really make use of the wider color gamut of UHD.

If someone who didn’t own the film at all, or only had the DVD or older Universal BD wanted an upgrade, I’d say, sure, get the 4K. But if someone already has the Arrow BD, my feeling is that going from that BD to this UHD would be a very incremental improvement rather than being a major upgrade - and to me, that speaks to how well done the Arrow BD is to begin with.

 

[Sam Favate]

Is the blu-ray region 1 or region free? I never know with these Arrow releases.

BTW, while Amazon is still at $50, DeepDiscount is nearly $20 cheaper.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Is the blu-ray region 1 or region free? I never know with these Arrow releases.

BTW, while Amazon is still at $50, DeepDiscount is nearly $20 cheaper.

Amazon hasn't discounted the MSRP yet.

 

[compson]

I watched Arrow’s UHD tonight, and it is one good-looking disc. I was particularly impressed by the flesh tones.

A Slant Magazine reviewer, who I’m sure is more knowledgeable than I am, enthused: “Arrow previously released the film on Blu-ray in 2019, and while this 4K UHD edition appears to be using the same 4K transfer, the native 4K presentation, combined with both HDR10 and Dolby Vision, is stunning. The upgrade is remarkable for its intricate color detail, allowing the full scope of Douglas Trumbull’s visual effects to be truly appreciated.”

Stephen Bjork provided a comprehensive assessment at The Digital Bits, calling the disc “a wonderful 4K upgrade.”

 

[Dick]

Besides, who wouldn't want to see Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law's nakey butt in 4k ? ...

It was James Olson's, wasn't it?

 

[B-ROLL]

It was James Olson's, wasn't it?

Technically David Wayne as well and Arthur Hill , butt Olson is on screen longer ...