Gladiator 4K Blu-ray Movie

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Gladiator 4K Blu-ray Movie United States

4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + UV Digital Copy
Paramount Pictures | 2000 | 1 Movie, 2 Cuts | 171 min | Not rated | May 15, 2018

Gladiator 4K (Blu-ray Movie)

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Movie rating

8.6
 / 10

Blu-ray rating

Users4.6 of 54.6
Reviewer4.5 of 54.5
Overall4.5 of 54.5

Overview

Gladiator 4K (2000)

A former Roman General sets out to exact vengeance against the corrupt emperor who murdered his family and sent him into slavery.

Starring: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed (I), Richard Harris (I)
Director: Ridley Scott

Action100%
Adventure77%
Epic65%
History35%
Drama10%

Specifications

  • Video

    Video codec: HEVC / H.265
    Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
    Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
    Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1

  • Audio

    English: DTS:X
    English: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
    English: DTS Headphone:X
    English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
    Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
    French: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
    DTS Headphone:X=DTS MSTR 2.0

  • Subtitles

    English, English SDH, French, Spanish, Korean

  • Discs

    Blu-ray Disc
    Three-disc set (3 BDs)
    UV digital copy
    4K Ultra HD

  • Packaging

    Slipcover in original pressing

  • Playback

    Region A (locked)

Review

Rating summary

Movie4.0 of 54.0
Video5.0 of 55.0
Audio4.5 of 54.5
Extras4.5 of 54.5
Overall4.5 of 54.5

Gladiator 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman May 8, 2018

Paramount has released the multiple Oscar-winning film 'Gladiator' to the UHD format with a 2160/Dolby Vision presentation and a new DTS:X Master Audio soundtrack. The release was previously controversial on Blu-ray, first releasing with a subpar transfer which was replaced in less than a year with a vastly superior re-issue. This release offers no new supplements but does carry over the extensive selection extra content from the previous release.


In the year 180 A.D., the Roman Empire is winding down a war with the stubborn Barbarian Tribes of Germania. Leading the final assault and capping another victory for the Empire was General Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe, State of Play). He's proven his valor in battle yet again and is hailed as the Rome's finest general. His prowess on the battlefield and his humbleness off of it has earned him the respect of Rome's Emperor, Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris). In fact, an ailing Aurelius, who loves Maximus as a son, begs of him one final assignment before the hero returns home to live the simple life with his wife and son he so craves: to serve the Empire as the protector of Rome, rid her of the corruption that has begun even influencing his son, Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix, Signs), and prevent the Empire's inevitable decay. Maximus declines, his humble rejection sited by Aurelius as the reason why the General is exactly what the Empire needs to not only survive, but once again thrive. Commodus receives word of his father's decision to turn the Empire over to Maximus. In a jealous rage, the power-hungry Commodus murders his father and, before his father's wishes can be known, he declares himself heir to the throne and orders the execution of not only Maximus, but of his innocent wife and son. Sent to die a dishonorable death, Maximus barely escapes with his life but returns home to find his wife and son murdered. Giving up on life, Maximus collapses but later awakens as part of a slave caravan. He's sold to a former Gladiator named Proximo (Oliver Reed), and despite Maximus' initial refusal to demonstrate his skills as a fighter, his abilities become well-known once he's forced to defend himself from sharpened blades in the hands of determined foes inside the ring. Winning match after match, Maximus becomes a folk hero known as "The Spaniard," vanquishing his every foe with ease. When Commodus expresses a desire to meet the people's champion, he becomes visibly shaken as he learns the Gladiator's true identity and his ravenous thirst for revenge.

For a full film review, please click here.


Gladiator 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality  5.0 of 5

The included screenshots are sourced from a 1080p Blu-ray disc. Watch for 4K screenshots at a later date.

Gladiator's UHD release is, generally, a splendid one. It's filmic, highly detailed, and nicely colored throughout the film's bleak opening act and brighter sun-drenched second and third. At its best, the image is stellar. No matter the lighting condition, armor, clothes, skin, and terrain are revealed with awe-inspiring complexity. Grain is retained throughout with a healthy, complimentary veneer. Textural efficiency is generally very high. It's not just the basics that impress but also the small scuffs and signs of wear and use and grime on armor and shields (additionally, polished armor and weapons prior to battles shine). Stonework, sand, and leathery armor, too, are intimately revealing and very sharp. That said, the bump in sharpness, clarity, and detail compared to the Blu-ray is not drastic. This UHD is likely sourced from the same master used for the remastered Blu-ray released back in 2010, particularly considering that various (and generally insignificant, but more readily apparent on the UHD than the Blu-ray) splotches, pops, and speckles appear more or less in the same places. The UHD certainly improves on the image in every way, but textural nuances and overall image clarity and definition alike are not leaps-and-bounds improved over the Blu-ray.

Where the UHD does drastically, and positively, distinguish itself from the Blu-ray is in its color presentation. The 12-bit Dolby Vision color enhancement brightens the image, makes it more vibrant and alive, but doesn't sacrifice any given scene's mood or atmosphere. The opening act is still drab and dreary, gray- and blue-dominant but here with much improved color depth and detail. Flames are more punchy, for instance, as archers light their arrows. Flickering candlelight is more intense. The brighter coloring helps improve clarity and visibility, accentuating textures and adding a natural dynamic to the image that the Blu-ray cannot achieve. The add in intensity and accuracy are most obvious, however, later in the film in the more naturally lit scenes when earthen browns and tans appear more true and deep, while regal clothing is significantly more vibrant. Compare a shot at the 1:43:55 mark. The red dress and its golden accents enjoy significantly more depth and brilliance, while Commodus' black-dominant wardrobe manages to be both more brightly lit and revealing deeper, more natural blacks at the same time. Skin tones appear much more brilliant and lifelike as well.

Image shortcomings are few and far between. The aforementioned print wear is clearly visible but generally minimal in intrusiveness. A scene at the 1:11:25 mark (theatrical, as are all the time stamps in this review) is fuzzy and lacking resolution, but the same issue is present on the Blu-ray. The picture sometimes lacks a sense of depth, but overall this is a very positive image, highly detailed and boldly but complimentarily colored, the latter the real driving force in the improvement over the remastered Blu-ray.


Gladiator 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality  4.5 of 5

Gladiator's new DTS:X Master Audio soundtrack delivers a high yield listen. The opening action scene is a sonic extravaganza. Arrows and other projectiles soar with amazing stage traversal and plenty of top end movement; the swooshing, the chaos, the din of battle absolutely takes full advantage of every bit of real estate the DTS:X track affords it. Explosions pack a significant wallop, debris scatters with full-on presence, and listeners are never wanting for additional movement and spacing in battle. Of course the listener will hear only the sounds that the engineers wish them to hear, with some elements heightened and some lowered, rather than the film simply present with a true sense of scale and even authenticity to the battle, but the bottom line is that there is absolutely no shortage of wonderful sonic bliss to be enjoyed. Some of the stylized flashbacks offer an intensive lift to the entire stage, as it spreads out for width, depth, and height alike. Gladiatorial battles are equally intense, with crowd din -- applause, chants, cheers, and jeers -- substantially filling though occasionally a little more front heavy in a handful of shots. A tiger's deep growl, high pitched sword-on-shield clanks, and the other sounds of arena battle lack the sort of absolute fidelity one night expect but such moments never want for greater power or presence. Atmospheric effects are smartly positioned and engage the listener as critical support details that are prominent as necessary and melt into the background as any given scene demands. Dialogue delivery, clarity, positioning, and prioritization are excellent.


Gladiator 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras  4.5 of 5

Gladiator carries over all of the Blu-ray's special features on the pair of included 1080p discs. Included on the UHD are two cuts of the film: Theatrical (2:34:59) and Extended (2:50:56). The UHD does carry over the commentary with Ridley Scott, Pietro Scalia, and John Mathieson (Theatrical) and Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe (Extended), which are also available on Blu-ray disc one. Finally, a UV/iTunes digital copy code is included with purchase. For convenience, below is a list of what's included on the dedicated special features Blu-ray disc two (note that each supplement substantially branches out). For full supplemental reviews, please click here.

  • Visions from Elysium: Topic Portal
  • Strength and Honor: Creating the World of Gladiator
  • Image and Design
  • Abandoned Sequences & Deleted Scenes
  • The Aurellian Archives


Gladiator 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation  4.5 of 5

Gladiator is an excellent film that has aged very well since its theatrical release and its Blu-ray debut many years ago. Paramount's UHD release is of a high quality, featuring a 2160p resolution that modestly boosts the film elements over the excellent Blu-ray, but it's the Dolby Vision color that truly allows the image to soar. The new DTS:X Master Audio soundtrack is by-and-large fantastic, and this three-disc set carries over all of the previously released Blu-ray's extra content. Highly recommended.