Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

1776 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

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.

1776 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

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 

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 

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

• 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 

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.