8.6 | / 10 |
Users | 4.7 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Braveheart chronicles the legendary tale of William Wallace, a Scottish rebel who leads an uprising against the cruel English ruler, Edward the Longshanks.
Starring: Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan, Catherine McCormack, Angus MacfadyenAction | 100% |
Adventure | 76% |
Epic | 75% |
History | 46% |
War | 42% |
Period | 41% |
Biography | 20% |
Drama | 14% |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: Dolby Atmos
English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French (Canada): Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
English, English SDH, French, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Three-disc set (3 BDs)
UV digital copy
4K Ultra HD
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (locked)
Movie | 5.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Paramount has released the multi-Oscar winning film 'Braveheart' to the UHD format with striking 2160p/Dolby Vision video and a new Dolby Atmos soundtrack. The release contains no new supplemental content, but this set does carry over all of the previously released extras on the included Blu-ray disc.
The included screenshots are sourced from a 1080p Blu-ray disc. Watch for 4K screenshots at a later date.
Braveheart shines on the UHD format. The film's 12-bit Dolby Vision color enhancement brings the movie to life with spectacular results.
Green grasses, even under the often somewhat overcast skies, are beautifully vivid with a firm, natural shading. Red blood is a constant in battle, and
the fresher blood's vibrancy and the dried blood's red depth are nicely offset and complimentary. Face paints are bold. Gray stone interiors, rock
formations, and worn metal weapons are beautiful variations of gray. Shiny silver armor dazzles. Even in low light, color balance and brilliance are
exceptional. Best of all, black levels are tremendous. Every shadowy corner, each of the film's absorbingly dark interiors are absolutely deep and dense
without any variation to crush or excess brightness. Skin tones are natural and accurate.
Textural efficiency is fantastic. Skin details are rock-solid, very firm and extremely revealing. There are a handful of softer focus shots here and
there, but the accuracy with which pores, hair, war paint, caked-on blood and mud, and other defining characteristics are presented is absolutely
breathtaking. Plaid cloth reveals every fine stitch and fabric texture, frayed edge, blood-soaked and otherwise muddied and soiled piece. Metal armor
and weapons show wear and tear with striking clarity. The image is sharp and well defined across the board, from front-focus characters, structures,
and
sprawling outdoor battlefields to intimate interiors and far and extreme background objects.
Comparing to the previously released Blu-ray, the UHD reveals a substantially more efficient and filmic presentation. Overall sharpness and image
clarity
see a positive across-the-board boost. Armor, clothes, terrain, skin, all of the basics appear much shaper and far more refined, but again it's the
striking Dolby Vision
color palette that's the true highlight. The format brightens the image, considerably, but does so without overemphasizing colors. On the contrary,
they're
much more stable and stout, deep and refined, a significantly higher yield in brilliance and dazzle. Reds and greens are a standout, as is Wallace's
warpaint. Dolby Vision's ability to present with much greater nuance, deeper blacks, and punch is second-to-none. The net result is a transfer that is
unequivocally one of the finest the UHD format has seen. No source deterioration, no encode flaws, refined and filmic grain and detailing, bold colors,
perfect
blacks…UHD just doesn't get much better than this.
Braveheart's new Dolby Atmos soundtrack is nearly as exciting as the accompanying 4K/Dolby Vision picture. The audio is exceptional. It's large, it's clear, it's not lacking in any area. The track plays with plenty of space, superb musical definition and width, and a prominent, but very balanced and effective, low end support to music and combat alike. The music absolutely soars. The clarity and precision, width, depth, and even height are completely immersive, totally clear, just a joyful presentation of the movie's wonderful score that offers ample opportunity for crisp highs and solid lows to present in total harmony. Action scenes are similarly robust, with various thuds, clanks, screams, and a chaotic din enveloping the listener. Elemental balance is terrific and it's easy to become lost in the battle, visually and sonically alike. Atmospheric supports are rich and bring the world to life with uncanny precision, and the sense of perfected space and the track's ability to offer complimentary sounds with precision placement and volume does not go unappreciated. Dialogue is excellent, presenting with a natural front-center locale, top-end clarity, and perfect prioritization.
Braveheart's three-disc UHD set contains all of the extras from the previous Blu-ray release. The UHD disc houses the Mel Gibson
commentary, as does
the included 1080p Blu-ray. That disc also houses the supplement Braveheart Timelines, which is not on the UHD. A UV/iTunes digital copy
code is included with purchase. For convenience, below is a list of what's included on the special features Blu-ray bundled with this set. For a full
supplemental review, please click here.
Braveheart is one of the great movies that has now received a highly desirable UHD release. Picture and sound alike are fantastic, and the carryover supplemental content is very strong. In 2018, it doesn't get much better than this. Braveheart's UHD release earns my highest recommendation.
1995
Sapphire Series
1995
Paramount 100th Anniversary
1995
1995
1995
1995
Sapphire Series
1995
1995
Paramount Re-Issue
1995
Director's Cut
2005
Director's Cut
2004
The Ultimate Cut
2004
Director's Cut
2004
1999
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2000
2010
2003
2011
2010-2013
Red Cliff Part II / Chinese Theatrical Version
2009
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2011
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2017
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