Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Apollo 13 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman October 2, 2023

The Film Vault is back with another pretty extravagantly packaged quartet of titles to complement the four equally lavishly appointed releases they offered last year, 1917 4K, Blade Runner 4K, GoodFellas 4K, and Scarface 4K. Along with design and package contents that are obviously meant to make this new foursome fit in right next to the previous four, like last year's assortment, this year's offerings are split evenly, two apiece, between films coming from either Warner Brothers (2001: A Space Odyssey 4K and The Shawshank Redemption 4K ) or Universal (this film and Jaws 4K).

As with prior Film Vault releases, Apollo 13 has had a number of 1080 releases in Region A, including a 15th Anniversary Edition for which I supplied a Apollo 13 Blu-ray review. Five years later, Ken Brown followed up with his Apollo 13 Blu-ray review of the 20th Anniversary Edition. Finally, just so you get a quorum of reviewers, Martin Liebman contributed a Apollo 13 4K Blu-ray review when Universal brought out its own 4K UHD release for Region A several years ago. As I'm fond of saying, "different reviewers means different opinions" and so you will note some minor variances in scores here and there through the years.

Apollo 13 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Note: Screenshots are sourced from the 1080 disc in this package, which is the20th Anniversary Edition whose review by Ken is linked to above. As with the other Film Vault releases from this "wave" that contain a 1080 version of the film, the 1080 disc in this set played fine in my Region A equipment, for anyone without region free equipment not in Region B who may be considering making a purchase.

Apollo 13 is presented in 4K UHD courtesy of The Film Vault with an HVEC / H.265 encoded 2160p transfer in 2.35:1. Judging from Marty's comments about the Region A 4K release and my experience thus far with The Film Vault, where their technical presentations tend to duplicate prior Region A releases, this would appear to be another instance where there's little if any difference between the two. As Marty mentioned in his review, there are some noticeable improvements in detail levels from the 1080 version, especially in some of the cramped interior spacecraft scenes, which almost require close-ups considering the close quarters. Some of the practical special effects may frankly not have fared as well due to the increased resolution, but even relatively picayune elements like the ice crystals forming in the windows of the vessel have some interesting new detail nuance in this version. I found the biggest difference in this version when compared to the 1080 version to be courtesy of HDR, though, and in fact a lot of this version's non-spacecraft material looked considerably warmer to my eyes, with a kind of summery red flush to the visuals. Contrasting that is the much cooler, icy blue, tonal values of the spacecraft sequences. There are some occasionally curious spikes in grain that don't seem to be tied to opticals or lighting (an early scene with Lovell and child in a bedroom in a good example), but on the whole grain resolution is organic. My score is 4.25.

Apollo 13 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

As Marty mentioned in his review of Universal's own 4K UHD release for Region A, the DTS:X track on this disc is a clear winner all the way, with really beautifully detailed layering and aggressive engagement of all the surround channels. Marty singles out several great examples of midair effects, but I'd also point to some really convincing placement in the side and rear channels that perhaps surprisingly accrue in the confines of the spacecraft, but which add a really almost spooky quality to the breakdown of equipment. James Horner's gorgeously elegiac score also is nicely spacious throughout (you can also hear clear overhead placement of some of the cues, including the opening horn call). Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly. Optional subtitles in several languages are available.

Apollo 13 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

On Disc Supplements

4K UHD Disc

• Feature Commentary with Director Ron Howard


• Feature Commentary with Jim and Marilyn Lovell

1080 Disc offers the 20th Anniversary Edition supplements, and those interested can find more information about these in Ken's review of that release, linked to above.

• Apollo 13: Twenty Years Later (HD; 11:40)


• Lost Moon: The Triumph of Apollo 13 (SD; 58:05)


• Conquering Space: The Moon and Beyond (SD; 48:25)


• Lucky 13: The Astronauts' Story (SD; 12:12)


• Theatrical Trailer (SD; 2:34)


• U Control functionality is available (stop laughing).


• Feature Commentary with Director Ron Howard


• Feature Commentary with Jim and Marilyn Lovell

Packaging and Non Disc Swag

The Film Vault is obviously gearing these releases toward serious collectors, in terms of offering a unified appearance and the same sort of non disc supplements included in each package. The outer box is approximately 9" high by 7 1/8" wide by 1 5/8" deep. The box has an acetate O-ring slipcover branded with both the film title and The Film Vault's logo as well as numbering. This rigid clamshell box is emblazoned with newly commissioned key art and itself features a kind of cool magnetic clasp that opens to disclose a whole host of goodies. A CD sized digipack (in its own slipcover) holds both the 2160 disc and the 1080 disc, there is a rather beautiful if possibly useless exclusive individually numbered crystal display plaque (again with the film's title), four collectible art cards with added film facts (on glossy cardstock), five unique character cards with film quotes (also on glossy cardstock), a reproduction Apollo 13 guest pass, and a double sided poster of the new key art (which is quite striking) and original theatrical poster. All of the preceding are enclosed in another branded envelope. I've uploaded a picture of the packaging under the appropriate tab on the main review interface.

Apollo 13 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

If you didn't pick up any of the Region A releases and especially if you're a collector of deluxe packaging editions of this one, the Film Vault offers another release with secure technical merits and some really gobsmacking swag. Highly recommended.