1776 4K Blu-ray Movie

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1776 4K Blu-ray Movie United States

50th Anniversary Director's Cut | Theatrical on BD / 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital Copy
Sony Pictures | 1972 | 1 Movie, 2 Cuts | 168 min | Unrated | May 31, 2022

1776 4K (Blu-ray Movie)

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Movie rating

7.7
 / 10

Blu-ray rating

Users0.0 of 50.0
Reviewer4.5 of 54.5
Overall4.5 of 54.5

Overview

1776 4K (1972)

The internecine congressional squabbling that led to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Starring: William Daniels, Howard Da Silva, Ken Howard (I), Donald Madden (I), John Cullum
Director: Peter H. Hunt

Musical100%
History28%
ComedyInsignificant

Specifications

  • Video

    Video codec: HEVC / H.265
    Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
    Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
    Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1

  • Audio

    English: Dolby Atmos
    English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
    English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)

  • Subtitles

    English, English SDH, French

  • Discs

    Blu-ray Disc
    Three-disc set (3 BDs)
    Digital copy
    4K Ultra HD

  • Packaging

    Slipcover in original pressing

  • Playback

    Region free 

Review

Rating summary

Movie3.0 of 53.0
Video4.5 of 54.5
Audio4.5 of 54.5
Extras4.0 of 54.0
Overall4.5 of 54.5

1776 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman May 26, 2022

Sony has released 1972's '1776' to the UHD format. New specifications include 2160p/Dolby Vision video and Dolby Atmos audio. The UHD includes two cuts of the film and a new bonus disc includes two more. All of the legacy extras from the 2015 Blu-ray carry over.


John Adams (William Daniels) is fully behind the independence movement, but his fellow delegates in congress aren't quite so ready to go all-in. He laments their focus on trifling matters rather than the elephant in the room and seeks solace in Benjamin Franklin (Howard Da Silva) who advises him that it should be another representative to re-introduce the subject to the body. That man is Virginia's Richard Henry Lee (Ron Holgate) and, with his introduction, so begins the debate. It's hotly contested from both sides, with a number of players coming at it from all directions, including Thomas Jefferson (Ken Howard), a freshman representative from Georgia named Lyman Hall (Jonathan Moore) who personally supports independence but sides with his constituency that says "no." Staunchly against is Pennsylvania representative John Dickinson (Donald Madden). As the debate rages, votes begin to sway and the concept of American independence grows ever closer to reality.

For a full film review, please click here.


1776 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality  4.5 of 5

The included screenshots are sourced from a 1080p Blu-ray disc.

For as elegant and sophisticated the transfer accompanying the Blu-ray may be (see review here) this UHD is its superior, and its superior by a wide margin at that. The picture boasts a substantial gain to sharpness and clarity. Facial close-ups, for example, reveal greatly improved levels of raw detail and intimacy, showcasing hair and pores and other perfections with pinpoint razor definition that makes the Blu-ray looks smooth and flat in comparison. The same truth extends to the period attire, which is here richly revealing and perfectly photogenic, allowing the audience to soak in far more information than the Blu-ray can provide. The 4K resolution boosts overall definition and stability greatly beyond 1080p. Grain management is very good here, too, appearing a little more aggressive yet still very pleasurable and authentic, providing a perfectly complimentary film-like, cinematic experience. Texturally, this is a powerhouse of a transfer. Good old film still has the power to dazzle and delight, and with the 4K horsepower and a properly preserved texturing this one just looks astronomically good.

The colors are beautiful, too. The Dolby Vision grading allows for richer, deeper colors compared to the Blu-ray, yielding substantial expertise in bringing out the richest subtleties and most boisterous examples of color splash alike. The film is awash in a nice blend of handsome bolds tones -- natural greens, blue skies, period clothes -- while also home to some exceptionally presented and preserved neutrals as well, all of which take on a more beautifully deep and accurate appearance compared to the Blu-ray. Colors are extraordinary end to end, including, here, beautifully brilliant whites and superbly deep and accurate blacks. Skin tones are handsome and true, showcasing perfect accuracy and nuance.

Add in the complete absence of any print flaws (there are some softer shots inherent to the source) and freedom from even the slightest of unsightly encode issues, and this is absolutely the best presentation one is going to find of this film for many years to come and easily one of the nicest looking UHDs on the market today.


1776 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality  4.5 of 5

The Dolby Atmos soundtrack is not a radical reworking of the film's natural sound elements. Compared to the Blu-ray's 5.1 lossless track there is not a substantial difference, but the adds to fullness and channel engagement certainly offer a more satisfyingly immersive experience, though detail, clarity, and general audio richness are largely in-line with the past track. Here Atmos is more of a nice to have, really, offering that expanded opportunity for more impressive stage engagement and immersion into the musical numbers. The track does not do anything discrete with the new channels, but the fuller stage presence certainly adds some spice to the proceedings without subtracting from the track's core integrity. Light ambient effects and mild action elements are nicely detailed and positioned. Dialogue, of course, is clear and center positioned for the duration.


1776 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras  4.0 of 5

This three-disc UHD release of 1776 includes all of the legacy Blu-ray features on the bundled Blu-ray which is identical to the 2015 disc. See below for an outline of what's included and please click here for full coverage. Also included on a second Blu-ray disc, and new to this set, is a disc which includes two additional cuts of the film (see below). The UHD disc itself contains two cuts of the film: Director's Cut (2:45:11) and Extended Cut (2:47:52), both in 4K/Dolby Vision.

Blu-ray Disc One:

  • Audio Commentary: Director Peter H. Hunt and Actors William Daniels and Ken Howard (Director's Cut Only).
  • Audio Commentary: Director Peter H. Hunt and Screenwriter Peter Stone (Director's Cut Only).
  • Deleted & Alternate Scenes
  • Screen Tests
  • Theatrical Trailers


Blu-ray Disc Two:

  • 1972 Theatrical Version (1080p, DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, 2:21:38): The picture quality is excellent: filmic, high yield detail, and excellent coloring. It compares very favorably to the legacy Blu-ray release and rates at 4.5/5.0.
  • 1992 LaserDisc Version (480i, window box, Dolby Digital 2.0, 2:57:38): The video quality is on par with what is expected of a LaserDisc. With optional commentary by Director Peter H. Hunt.


1776 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation  4.5 of 5

Fans are in for a treat with this complete package. Not only have video and audio seen substantial gains, but the set includes no less than four cuts of the film (albeit two only on UHD and one looking particularly poor) but this is a set that's hard to beat and it is easily one of the best releases of 2022 so far. Very highly recommended.


Other editions

1776: Other Editions