Oliver! 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.5

Oliver! 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Sony brings 'Oliver!' to the UHD format with a resplendent new 2160p/HDR video presentation and a Dolby Atmos soundtrack. The two-disc set also includes the film on Blu-ray, which houses several new and returning supplements. At time of writing, this disc is only available as part of the second volume in Sony's prestigious six-film 'Columbia Classics Collection' (Volume 1 released to rave reviews in June 2020). Other films in volume 2 include 'Anatomy of a Murder,' 'Taxi Driver,' 'Stripes,' 'Sense and Sensibility,' and 'The Social Network.' Note that the film has been released to Blu-ray twice before, once by Twilight Time in 2013 and later in 2018 by Sony.

Oliver! 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The included screenshots are sourced from the included and newly restored 1080p Blu-ray disc.

First, it is important to note that the bundled Blu-ray is not the same as Sony's 2018 issue. Not only have new supplements been added, but the 1080p video presentation is sourced from the new restoration used for the 4K disc. Generally, the image is pleasing and far firmer than the original; it's much sharper and colors are deeper and more stable.

Sony brings the beloved classic Oliver! to the UHD format with a stellar new 2160p/HDR UHD presentation that the studio touts as "restored from the original camera negative." Obviously the UHD will show a much bigger jump in excellence from the old Blu-ray, but even compared to the newly restored Blu-ray the improvements are substantial. The picture appears to be as perfect and as finely exacting as the source and its inherent qualities and characteristics, and the UHD format, can provide. It is clear that Sony has done great work to restore this classic fully and beautifully, and the UHD is worlds separated from the legacy Sony Blu-ray and of course a fine upgrade from the restored Blu-ray as well, that disc lacking both the high resolution and HDR color grading.

The new restoration is nothing short of a revelation. While there's still an inherent grit to the picture, an occasional lack of finesse, this is ostensibly a wonderous presentation. It's so far ahead of the 2018 Blu-ray as to render it completely irrelevant. This 2160p texturing is razor sharp and exceptionally well detailed, critical in the film's various environments and set pieces which are extremely complex and lively in their mostly downtrodden appearance. For a grimy and gritty as the movie may be, it's a textural powerhouse on UHD and audiences are going to be spellbound by the level of innate detail evident on faces, tattered clothes, street exteriors, barroom interiors and so many other wonderfully rich environments seen throughout the film. The grain structure is steady and complimentary, a bit more gruff than some but certainly consistent and very flattering and visually appealing. It's a vital component for the movie's tone and texture and it's a stalwart companion throughout.

The HDR color grading is likewise a revelation. While there is something of a downtrodden look to the film, where colors are not always at the peak of vividness and vibrancy, the palette is nevertheless alive in a way it has never been before for home viewing. Saturation and contrast are wonderfully accurate. Bold tones pop and the grimy, earthen supports are stable and serve as prefect background compliments to splashes of intense color, where applicable. Daytime exteriors are obviously highlights but low light interiors and nighttime exteriors thrive with perfect black level depth and density. White balance is greatly improved; the Blu-ray still holds to some blooming effect but it is much less evident -- sometimes negligible at best -- on the UHD. Better, whites transition from somewhat blinding and garish to a more refined tone, intermixed with a hint of blue and gray but appearing much more faithful and easier on the eyes, too. The image appears free of any print faults or encode shortcomings. Fans could not have asked for anything better than this.

Lastly, note that I experienced severe pixilation and an audio dropout at the 25:41 mark. Chapter skipping resolved the issue but rewinding and replaying the scene did not. There was no evidence of dirt or grime on the disc. Cleaning the disc did not resolve the issue; as it is, my copy of the movie is unplayable without manual manipulation to skip through the trouble area.

Oliver! 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Sony brings Oliver! to the UHD format with a new Dolby Atmos soundtrack. The opening overture, playing atop a black screen and allowing the viewer's full focus to be on the audio, presents with a luxurious presentation, one that is decidedly front heavy but still offering some light and balanced surround support (as well as a very subtle but effective top end layer) and a very rich and pleasing bass line. Much holds true for the music throughout. It's very lively, impressively spaced, and perfectly balanced. While the front end dominates, the carryover into the surrounds and top are balanced and firm and the subwoofer, while not prodigious, is prominent to supply a surprisingly rich and deep low end. Environmental fill is well engineered and integrated; the added channels bring some vital ambient stabilization to the experience, including, again, that top layer. Dialogue drives the film and is presented with firm front-center placement.

Note that the Blu-ray only includes DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless audio; no Atmos track is included.

Oliver! 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Oliver!'s UHD disc contains no extras, but the bundled Blu-ray disc includes something of a supplemental hodgepodge, featuring two extras new to this disc, carryovers from the 2018 Sony disc, and several extras from the 2013 Twilight Time release that didn't make it to Sony's last issue. For reviews of carryover content, please click here for the Sony disc page and here for the Twilight Time disc page. As it ships in the Columbia Classics Collection, a slipcover and digital copy code are included with purchase.

• NEW! Audio Commentary: Film Historian Steven C. Smith discusses the film in-depth through a broad array of relevant subjects.
• NEW! Jack Wild Screen Test (1080p, 4x3, 1:26): The young actor, in costume, shows his acting skills in preparation for the film's leading role.
• Original Behind-the-Scenes Featurette (480i, 7:35).
• Meeting Oliver! (1080p, 14:43).
• Meeting Fagin! (1080p, 13:21).
• The Locations of Oliver! (1080i, 4:37):
• Sing-Alongs (1080p, 36:09 total runtime): The musical scenes from the film with karaoke-style lyrics presented across the bottom of the screen. Included are Food Glorious Food, Consider Yourself, Pick a Pocket, I'd Do Anything, Be Back Soon, Who Will Buy?, Reviewing the Situation, and Oom Pah Pah.
• Dance-Alongs (1080p, 12:53 total runtime): Included, following a disclaimer, are instructions for dancing to Food Glorious Food, I'd Do Anything, and Be Back Soon.
• Dance and Sing-Alongs (1080p, 10:13): Combining, now, singing and dancing for the same songs as from above: Food Glorious Food, I'd Do Anything, and Be Back Soon.
• Trailers (1080p): Included are the Theatrical Trailer (1:41), Teaser Trailer (1:41), and Awards Trailer (4:09).

Oliver! 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

This is Oliver! at its very best. Sony can be very proud of this UHD. It looks and sounds marvelous and the bonus content is solid, too. This release earns my highest recommendation.