6.6 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
After being hired by an Arabian oil magnate to decipher a secret message, Oxford professor David Pollock (Gregory Peck) finds himself becoming romantically involved with his employer's attractive companion, Yasmin (Sophia Loren). The duo soon become involved in a deadly chase when they discover just what the secret message relates to.
Starring: Gregory Peck, Sophia Loren, Alan Badel, Kieron Moore (I), John MerivaleRomance | 100% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Drama | Insignificant |
Adventure | Insignificant |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.35:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
4K Ultra HD
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (locked)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Stanley Donen's "Arabesque" (1966) arrives on 4K Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. The supplemental features on the disc include recent audio commentary by critics Howard S. Berger, Steve Mitchell, and Nathaniel Thompson; archival program with composer Henry Mancini; and vintage promotional material for the film. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.
Rub my back
Kino Lorber's release of Arabesque is a 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray combo pack. The 4K Blu-ray disc is Region-Free. However, the Blu-ray disc is Region-A "locked".
Please note that some of the screencaptures included with this article are taken from the 4K Blu-ray and downscaled to 1080p. Therefore, they do not accurately reflect the quality of the 4K content on the 4K Blu-ray disc.
Screencaptures #1-29 are from the 4K Blu-ray.
Screencaptures #32-36 are from the Blu-ray.
Kino Lorber's previous Blu-ray release of Arabesque was sourced from an older master. It was serviceable, but it was pretty easy to identify a range of limitations on it and conclude that the film could and should look better in high-definition. This combo pack release introduces an exclusive new 4K makeover, struck from the original camera negative, that is quite the visual stunner. The 4K makeover is not graded with Dolby Vision or HDR.
Delineation, clarity, and depth range from excellent to outstanding. There are a few sequences with minor density fluctuations -- the group dinner early into the film has them -- but they are better balanced now, so these sequences and the before and after transitions have superior filmic qualities. Also, all footage with bright lighting looks better. On the previous release, this footage revealed harshness, which made some bits appear a bit less organic. Now all footage has a consistently pleasing organic appearance. Grain exposure is improved, and on a larger screen the difference in quality can become very obvious. Select darker areas reveal superior dark and shadow nuances, which is an improvement I expected to see on a new 4K master. Color reproduction is quite simply incredible. All primaries and supporting nuances are set properly, and all visuals are breathtakingly beautiful. Image stability is outstanding. The entire film looks spotless as well.
I sampled various areas of the 1080p presentation. I thought that it looked equally great. If you have a very large screen or project, I suggest going straight to the 4K presentation. But if you cannot play 4K Blu-ray discs, you should know that the Blu-ray gives you solid upgrade in quality as well.
There are two standard audio tracks on this release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. Optional English subtitles are provided for the main feature. When turned on, they appear inside the image frame.
The previous Blu-ray release of Arabesque had only a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track, so I spent quite a bit of time with the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. It is fine. During the big action footage, it does expand the audio field, but I did not think that the same footage was lacking when viewed with the DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track. In fact, I thought that this track was excellent. So, you have options now, and if you prefer the new track, well, stay with it.
4K BLU-RAY DISC
Arabesque is a ridiculous but still quite entertaining old-fashioned spy film that fits somewhere between the outrageous Ken Clark thrillers and some of the less successful James Bond films. I tend to enjoy it, but primarily because I like the chemistry between its two stars, Sophia Loren and Gregory Peck. This combo pack introduces an exclusive, gorgeous new 4K makeover of Arabesque that looks quite incredible in native 4K. I was very impressed with the upgrade in quality. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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