7.9 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
This acclaimed biographical drama presents major events in the life of Mohandas Gandhi (Ben Kingsley), the beloved Indian leader who stood against British rule over his country. Dedicated to the concept of nonviolent resistance, Gandhi is initially dismissed by English officials, including the influential Lord Irwin (John Gielgud), but eventually he and his cause become internationally renowned, and his gatherings of passive protest move India towards independence.
Starring: Ben Kingsley, Candice Bergen, Edward Fox, John Gielgud, Trevor HowardDrama | 100% |
History | 55% |
Period | 53% |
Epic | 47% |
Biography | 35% |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: Dolby Atmos
English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 16-bit)
German: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)
Italian: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)
French: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
Thai: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
Portuguese: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
Spanish=Castilian and Latin American
English, English SDH, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Arabic, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Greek, Hebrew, Icelandic, Korean, Mandarin (Simplified), Mandarin (Traditional), Norwegian, Swedish, Thai, Turkish
Blu-ray Disc
Four-disc set (4 BDs)
Digital copy
4K Ultra HD
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 5.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Sony has released Director Richard Attenborough's timeless 1982 classic 'Gandhi' to the UHD format. The 4K presentation is currently exclusive to the studio's prestigious Columbia Classics Collection boxed set. New specifications include 2160p/HDR video and Dolby Atmos audio. This four-disc set bundles in the pair of Blu-ray discs originally released in 2012. The film proper on UHD is spread across two discs.
The included screenshots are sourced from a 1080p Blu-ray disc.
For its 2160p/HDR UHD release of Gandhi, Sony has split the film across two discs. Disc one runs 1:32:00 while disc two runs 1:39:14. One
might rightly describe both Gandhi the man and Gandhi the UHD with the same adjectives: wondrous, impeccable, flawless. Sony's 2160p/HDR
UHD presentation of the Oscar-winning classic looks better than most movies made in the past few years. The picture is perfectly filmic. Grain is fine
and ever-present, a consistent companion and necessary component in the image that allows it to maintain a picture-perfect cinematic texturing that
only enhances the remarkable clarity and fine-point attention to detail evident in essentially every shot. The picture is jaw-dropping gorgeous in all
areas, but particularly in its total sharpness. Textures appear effortlessly complex and in-depth. It goes well beyond the Blu-ray which does not look at
all poor
but the UHD manages to bring out a sizable increase in both intimate and intricate details and also allow the broader elements to come alive with
newfound definition and vitality. Whether basics like facial details or attire or natural landscapes or city elements, every shot dazzles with both the
clarity
of core components and the supportive details around. Everything is breathtakingly true to the source. This is a prestigious presentation.
The HDR color enhancement is also a major boon for the movie. Tones pop with heretofore unknown natural saturation and clarity. Greens leap off the
screen with every example. The varied skin tones are alive with precision nuance and gentle gradations. Blue skies are expressively rich and relaxing.
Myriads of tones seen on clothes and flowers and buildings find far greater depth and accuracy than the Blu-ray can offer. Whites are a high point,
particularly as they define Gandhi's attire. Whites -- crisp, bright, and pure -- advance well beyond the comparatively creamy look on the Blu-ray,
serving
as a vital
component in bringing the movie to life. Add perfectly defined black levels and the transfer is like the proverbial well-oiled machine. It just works in
perfect harmony one component with another. UHD doesn't get any better than this.
Gandhi's soundtrack is certainly not what one would describe as of the high-energy variety, but Sony's new Dolby Atmos presentation handles the film's mostly modest, but occasionally more demanding, sound needs quite nicely. Dialogue is the most vital component here, and it presents with all of the foundational goodness and attention to detail one expects of a finely engineered track. Atmospheric effects arrive in steady procession, offering detailed and smartly positioned elements, beginning with a smattering of voices emanating from all over the stage in the film's opening minutes. As the film progresses, gentle supports such as singing birds, blowing winds, and other natural elements find perfect engagement and spacial awareness throughout. The overheads gently support here, too, and with a little more definition as the situation warrants, like in recreating the sense of aural hollowness as a train enters a tunnel in the 53-minute mark. The first example of truly expressive sonic output comes in chapter six at the 34-minute mark when music rises and stampeding horses power through the stage, both to fine effect. Generally, music finds excellent spacial awareness, dominant in the front but supported throughout the stage with a mild overhead lift. Likewise, the horses power through with impressive detail and quality low end extension, taking full advantage of the entire stage to put the listener in the middle of the mayhem. The track does not strain sound systems, but the Atmos presentation brings all of its pieces together in great, practically perfect, harmony.
Gandhi contains extras on both bundled 1080p Blu-ray discs and adds a pair of trailers to the second UHD disc. For a few thoughts on the disc
one
extras, please click here. Because the original review did not review the disc two extras, find
below extremely brief synopses and technical specs of each extra. As it ships within the Columbia Classics Collection boxed set,
Gandhi includes a non-embossed slipcover and a Movies Anywhere digital copy code.
Blu-ray Disc One:
Only the eyes can truly behold the majesty that is Gandhi on the UHD format. It's frankly breathtaking, and even this far into the format and after more than a dozen years of Blu-ray/UHD reviewing, a presentation as good as Gandhi still manages to impress and delight. It's absolutely of reference quality start to finish. Text just can't do it justice. The Atmos soundtrack is a treat, too, and while most of the supplements carry over from the previously issued Blu-ray, what's here is plenty good in a support capacity. As it releases in the Columbia Classics Collection, Gandhi earns my highest recommendation.
2013
1987
2014
2012
2004
2008
2013
25th Anniversary Edition
1993
2013
2011
1992
2011
Collector's Edition
2010
2006
65th Anniversary Limited Edition
1957
2009
60th Anniversary Limited Edition
1962
Warner Archive Collection
1940
2011
2014