Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Harriet 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Justin Dekker February 20, 2024

2019's 'Harriet' makes its 4K UHD debut courtesy of Universal. The film was initially provided a Blu-ray release in January 2020. 'Harriet' tells Tubman's harrowing and heroic story beginning with her origin as a slave in Dorchester County, Maryland. After a daring escape and securing her freedom in Philidelphia, she became the best-known conductor on the Underground Railroad, helping to free 70 slaves and serving in the Civil War. Highlights of the special features include deleted scenes and a commentary with Director/Co-Writer Kasi Lemmons. A Blu-ray disc and a Digital Code are also included.

For an in-depth discussion of the film, please follow the link here to read Mr. Liebman's thoughts in his review of the Blu-ray disc from 2020.

Harriet 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Universal's Harriet looks brilliant in 4K. Mr. Liebman was more than pleased with the 1080p presentation on the 2020 Blu-ray release, and I took a look at that version of the film included here as well. I concur with his assessment of that disc - it looks terrific. But for as strong as that presentation is, the 2160p presentation improves upon it. The overall image appears slightly brighter than that of its Blu-ray counterpart which plays in its favor. Colors are richer and more deeply saturated, providing the natural world a lusher, greener look to trees and grasses, and a more satisfying vibrancy to the reds and greens of the clothes Harriet wears once she is free. Detail levels are also improved. Individual loose threads and tiny holes are perfectly visible in John's tattered jacket when he meets Harriet on his return from the lawyer's office, and the variety of fabrics used in the women's fine dresses yield realistic textures with delicate and amazing precision. Flyaway hairs and facial particulars are also consistently on display. Blacks are handled better, with specific details in the reverend's jacket and Gideon's tie more easily and readily discernable. Harriet's dream sequences are likewise granted a greater sharpness and crispness. Mr. Liebman's sole complaint about the 1080p presentation was a low level of noise that he detected in some exterior night or dark interior shots. As minor as he made them sound, I was not able to spot any such issues with the 4K presentation. It's a healthy and sumptuous transfer. (Please note that all accompanying screenshots are sourced from the included 1080p disc.)

Harriet 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

From the opening moments of the film the viewer is treated to Harriet's incredibly immersive Dolby Atmos 7.1 audio track which springs forth with greater vim and vigor than the Blu-ray's DTS-HD Master Audio track. Music and environmental sounds immediately envelop the audience, followed by a quieter but no less immersive moment between Harriet and her husband under a tree where the bird songs that surround the viewer place us right there among them. This varied sonic experience, from boisterous to quiet, in the film's first few moments is but an indicator of what is to come. Throughout the runtime of the film this intentional and carefully crafted use of the entire sound field continues, with surround speakers only very rarely, if ever falling silent. The track consistently perfectly positions the viewer in the middle of the action, whether it be the bustling streets of Philadelphia, the singing mourners at a funeral, or one of Harriet's frequent "visions". Dialogue is always clear and easily understandable, and is unfailingly properly prioritized. Sound effects are realistically rendered with gunshots and beating horse hooves possessing realistic weight. Music is likewise handled with excellent precision, fidelity, and placement. On the whole, it's one of the most active and immersive Dolby Atmos tracks I've had the opportunity to enjoy. English SDH, French, and Spanish subtitles are also available.

Harriet 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

As the Special Features included here are identical to those found on the 2020 Blu-ray release of Harriet, please follow the link above for a discussion of that material.

Harriet 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Harriet is a beautifully shot and wonderfully acted film that recounts Harriet Tubman's flight to freedom and her relentless and fearless determination to liberate other slaves before and during the Civil War. The film does not dwell, nor does the camera linger, too long on the graphic horrors and atrocities of slavery or war, but their shadow is ever-present. That these two subjects are handled in a gentler but nonetheless effective manner is to the film's credit, as it makes Harriet accessible to a significantly broader audience. But make no mistake, there are well-chosen moments and events that, while brief, remind the viewer - either by word, deed, or both - of the grim reality of this tragic period of US history and the inhuman treatment to which slaves, and those who helped them, were subjected. Cynthia Erivo fully inhabits the role of Harriet Tubman in an Oscar-nominated performance that provides a deep emotional core to the film which is integral to its success. Paired with a top-notch 4K presentation and a consistently immersive Dolby Atmos audio track, Universal's 4K release of Harriet comes Recommended.