Phantom of the Opera 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

Phantom of the Opera 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Universal has released the classic 1943 film 'Phantom of the Opera,' starring Gaston Leroux and directed by James Whale, to the UHD format. New specifications include 2160p/HDR video. This set includes both the same English 2.0 lossless track from the 2013 Blu-ray in addition to a new 5.1 lossless presentation. Also included are the same supplements from the 2013 Blu-ray. All of the extras also appear on the UHD disc. Note that, at time of publication, this disc is exclusive to a second volume of the four-film Universal Classic Monsters collection (please click here for more on volume one).

Phantom of the Opera 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The included screenshots are sourced from a 1080p Blu-ray disc.

Universal brings Phantom of the Opera to the UHD format with a 2160p/HDR presentation. The performance gains over the 2013 Blu-ray are evident just seconds into the film with the opening title card. The HDR colors add depth and a very true golden coloring to the letters against a robust, very deep red background that is far richer and more accurate than the Blu-ray. The frame looks much more filmic as well. Gains in both areas are evident throughout the rest of the film. The HDR grading is particularly vital here, not just because the film is in color, but because there's such a bold display of intense colors, and because of an oftentimes necessary series of contrasts. However, there is some obvious black crush in play; look at a nighttime exterior scene around the 27:30 mark for an example. Still, well-lit and bold primaries delight throughout the film for pop and depth, both of which are a clear step forward from the aged Blu-ray. Colors, beyond the soupy blacks, look incredible.

Grain is much more naturally occurring here. On the old Blu-ray, it is splotchy and shows some signs over over-processing. Here, there is a beautiful filmic quality at work. Grain is very even and accurate, giving the film its naturally sharp and desirable cinematic appeal. There has been some clean-up work as well; gone are the more frequent pops and speckles, though to be sure a few remain here and there. There is some edge haloing at times (17:01) which was also an issue with the old Blu-ray. Overall, however, there are major gains here for filmlike definition, overall clarity, picture stability, and raw clarity and detail at the 2160p resolution. Clothes, faces, and ornate furnishings and production design details are beautifully rendered. The picture may not be quite as sharp and rich and lively and perfect as some of the others in the first two Universal Monsters 4K waves, but considering imperfections and all this is a very healthy step forward from the troubled 2013 Blu-ray.

Phantom of the Opera 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Rather than simply maintain the existing 2.0 lossless track (which is also included), Universal has also chosen to bring Phantom of the Opera to the UHD format with a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The new 5.1 track presents music largely with a front-end posture; the opening title sequence, for example, offers trace surround usage but holds along the front with decent width. Clarity is hampered by the source limitations, but it sounds nice and full with appropriate depth at its disposal. The track finds modest reverb and surround engagement in the following operatic scene; one would expect a bit more fullness for a surround remix, but it's decent. Much the same holds true throughout. There's not much in the way of obviously unique features compared to the 2.0 track, but there's a modest sense of fuller immersion. Dialogue is still centered and clear from beginning to end.

This UHD also repurposes the DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono lossless soundtrack from the 2013 Blu-ray. Please click here for a full review.

Phantom of the Opera 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This UHD release of Phantom of the Opera includes all of the legacy extras from the 2013 Blu-ray. All of the extras can be found on the included Blu-ray, which is identical to the 2013 release, and on the UHD disc itself. As it ships in the Universal Classic Monsters boxed set, a digital copy code is included with purchase. For full coverage of the supplemental content, please click here.

• The Opera Ghost: A Phantom Unmasked
• Production Photographs
• Audio Commentary
• Theatrical Trailer
• 100 Years of Universal: The Lot

Phantom of the Opera 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

This is a major step forward from the 2013 Blu-ray, even if the new 2160p/HDR video has its own series of flaws. It still looks very good overall, though. The new 5.1 track doesn't add much but it's nice to have (the 2.0 lossless track is still included). No new extras are included, but all of the legacy 2013 supplements carry over. Recommended.