Stone Cold 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		5.0

Stone Cold 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov April 2, 2026

Craig Baxley's "Stone Cold" (1991) arrives on 4K Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. The supplemental features on the release include an exclusive new program with actor William Forsythe; new scene specific audio commentary by Craig Baxley; archival program with Brian Bosworth; archival program with Lance Henriksen; new program with Sam McMurray; vintage promotional materials for the film; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

The Boz

Note: The text below was first used in our review of Kino Lorber's Blu-ray release of Stone Cold in the summer of 2023.

In 2020, Jonathan Mostow did a very interesting program in which he discusses the genesis of Breakdown, arguably his best film. In this program, Mostow reveals that years ago he was forced to shoot a very bizarre prologue which he was able to junk only after an early screening of Breakdown that made the obvious painfully obvious -- the material in the prologue was ludicrous and utterly incompatible with the rest of his film. Mostow’s description of the entire situation -- from the moment he was told to do the prologue to the moment the people that wanted it done realized that it was ludicrous -- is fascinating because it makes it clear that he and several studio execs were looking at Breakdown and seeing a completely different film. (The program and bits of the prologue Mostow shot and junked can be seen on Australian label Via Vision Entertainment’s release of Breakdown, which is listed here).

Kino Lorber’s Blu-ray release of Craig Baxley’s film Stone Cold has another very interesting new program with Brian Bosworth in which he describes a similar prologue that could have completely altered the personality of the film. According to Bosworth, this prologue would have revealed crucial material about the father of his character, also a cop, and his clash with the brutal bikers, which should have had lasting ripple effects on the drama and action in the rest of the film. Bosworth liked this prologue so much that to this day he remains convinced that with it Stone Cold would have been a vastly superior film. Unfortunately, Baxley, who was not the first director that was contracted to do Stone Cold, and the producers of the film did not agree with Bosworth.

It is impossible to know whether Bosworth might be right without seeing at least a few bits of this prologue, but it is very easy to conclude that with it Stone Cold would have been a very different film. In the program, Bosworth repeatedly suggests that the drama could have had a different resonance, which instantly would have altered the nature of the relationships in Stone Cold. This implies that Bosworth would have liked Stone Cold to be a more realistic film -- not a realistic film, but a more realistic film.

Before I sat down to write this article, I thought quite a bit about Bosworth’s revelations, and I am going to respectfully disagree with him. To be clear, I do not think that while shooting Stone Cold Bosworth was seeing a completely different film, like the studio execs that forced Mostow to do the prologue for Breakdown. Bosworth was very much on the same page with Baxley and some of the best material in Stone Cold was done with him making great suggestions. I gather that Bosworth would have been happier with a much longer film in which the evolution of his character was far more complex.

The crucial problem with the superior film Bosworth wanted to see made is that it would have struggled to legitimize all of the over-the-top behavior and flashy action that are in the current version of Stone Cold. Also, the screenplay would have required a serious makeover because the current story that emerges from it is too thin. This is not a weakness in an unapologetic genre film that takes its action far more seriously than its drama, but a key element of its identity.

As shot, Stone Cold might be the ultimate macho action film. Bosworth plays a suspended Alabama cop that is forced by the FBI to infiltrate The Brotherhood, a brutal biker gang operating in Mississippi, and destroy it from within. His reward is having the suspension terminated. In other words, the cop does not get any opportunities to be the complex character that Bosworth describes.

Bosworth’s main opponents are played by Lance Henriksen and William Forsythe, both looking as authentic as the real bikers that were hired to appear in the film. In another outstanding new program, Henriksen reveals that Forsythe was so much into his character that while they were shooting, he stopped showering and slept with his clothes on.

Stone Cold 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Kino Lorber's release of Stone Cold is a 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray combo pack. The 4K Blu-ray is Region-Free. However, the Blu-ray is Region-A "locked".

Please note that some of the screencaptures included with this article are taken from the 4K Blu-ray and downscaled to 1080p. Therefore, they do not accurately reflect the quality of the 4K content on the 4K Blu-ray disc.

Screencaptures #1-27 are taken from the Blu-ray.
Screencaptures #31-40 are taken from the 4K Blu-ray.

The release presents an exclusive new 4K restoration of Stone Cold, sourced from its original camera negative, on 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray. In native 4K, the 4K restoration can be viewed with Dolby Vision and HDR grades. I chose to view it with Dolby Vision. I also viewed the 4K restoration, in its entirety, in 1080p on the Blu-ray.

I have several releases of Stone Cold in my library. However, I am only going to reference this recent Blu-ray release, also produced by Kino Lorber, which introduced a 2K restoration, sourced from an interpositive.

The new 4K restoration is an all-around terrific, significant upgrade in quality, when viewed in native 4K and 1080p. It produces sharper, better detailed visuals, virtually all of which have a noticeably superior dynamic range. (The improvements in the dynamic range of the visuals are just as significant and easy to appreciate in 1080p). On my system, I could also see meaningful improvements in the density levels of the visuals. Some of the most effective improvements are in the area of color reproduction. On the previous 2K restoration, color balance was again very good. However, I felt that some darker supporting nuances there could have been better. The 4K brings various improvements in precisely these ranges of darker supporting nuances, which is why all of the darker bar/nightclub footage now looks jaw-droppingly gorgeous. (All of the darker footage where primary red and reddish supporting nuances are dominant now looks sensational). Elesewhere, there are other meaningful improvements in terms of saturation as well. The Dolby Vision grade further strengthens many of these improvements, and with the expanded dynamic range of the visuals, the uptick in quality becomes incredibly easy to appreciate. There are no traces of any problematic digital corrections. The entire film looks very healthy as well. All in all, there is zero doubt in my mind that the 4K restoration and its presentation on 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray will be the definitive makeover of Stone Cold on the home video market.

Stone Cold 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

Kino Lorber's previous Blu-ray release of Stone Cold had only a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track, so I chose to revisit the film with the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. However, I also sampled the DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track.

A lot of the action, which is plenty, does sound better with the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. The finale, in particular, has several segments that simply produce more activity now. Interestingly, I thought that even the DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 sounded a little sharper elsewhere in the film. The dialogue is very clear, clean, and easy to follow. So, I think that the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is a great option to have and feel that it will most likely be the one fans of the film will choose.

Stone Cold 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

4K BLU-RAY DISC

• Commentary One - in this exclusive new, scene specific, audio commentary, director Craig R. Baxley shares various bits of information about the different casting choices that were made, the polishing of Brian Bosworth's character, the rock tracks that were composed for and used in Stone Cold (including one by a young and still unknown Sheryl Crow), the action choreography (with some very interesting comments about the shoots in Mississippi), etc.

• Commentary Two - this audio commentary was recorded by critics Mike Leeder and Arne Venema. These gentlemen have recorded numerous audio commentaries for various cult and beloved action films -- many of them Hong Kong action films -- and they usually follow the same format. So, you should expect to hear a lot of interesting observations about the genesis of Stone Cold, cinematic and cultural trends at the time of its production, the careers of its stars and the quality of their performances, the evolution of action films, etc.

BLU-RAY DISC

• Commentary One - in this exclusive new, scene specific, audio commentary, director Craig R. Baxley shares various bits of information about the different casting choices that were made, the polishing of Brian Bosworth's character, the rock tracks that were composed for and used in Stone Cold (including one by a young and still unknown Sheryl Crow), the action choreography (with some very interesting comments about the shoots in Mississippi), etc.

• Commentary Two - this audio commentary was recorded by critics Mike Leeder and Arne Venema. These gentlemen have recorded numerous audio commentaries for various cult and beloved action films -- many of them Hong Kong action films -- and they usually follow the same format. So, you should expect to hear a lot of interesting observations about the genesis of Stone Cold, cinematic and cultural trends at the time of its production, the careers of its stars and the quality of their performances, the evolution of action films, etc.

• Cold as Ice - in this exclusive new program, William Forsythe explains what attracted him to Stone Cold and why it is one of those films that "took it to the edge". Also, Forsythe discusses in great detail how he prepared and evolved into his vicious character (Ice) and the music that helped him stay in the right state of mind (Grateful Dead). Forsythe reveals that there were various serious accidents during the production process as well, including one that left a girl badly injured. (At the end of the program, Forsythe even shares a few interesting bits of information about his only other collaboration with Lance Henriksen on Savage Dawn). In English, not subtitled. (34 min).

• The Boz Goes Hollywood - in this program, Brian Bosworth discusses the end of his NFL career and transition to the film industry, the production of Stone Cold, a prologue he wanted to see kept in the final version of the film, and several experiences he had with Lance Henriksen, William Forsythe, and other cast members. In English, not subtitled. (19 min).

• The Brotherhood - in this program, Lance Henriksen recalls his contribution to Stone Cold, how he was able to convince real bikers/outlaws to participate in it, his interactions with Brian Bosworth and William Forsythe, some of the extremely dangerous work that was done in Arkansas, etc. Also, Henriksen has some great comments about the macho attitude and personality of Stone Cold. In English, not subtitled. (12 min).

• Breaking Free - in this program, Arabella Holzbog recalls how she was cast to play her character in Stone Cold, what it was like to be around real bikers/outlaws, the shooting of the violent footage in key sequences, and her experience of viewing the final version of the film for the very first time with friends. In English, not subtitled. (14 min).

• Playing Straight - in this program, Sam McMurray recalls his time in the South during the shooting of Stone Cold (where picked up a great truck that was sent back to LA), how he prepared and played his comic character, how some of the wild action footage was shot, etc. In English, not subtitled. (9 min).

• TV Spots - presented here are several vintage TV spots for Stone Cold. In English, not subtitled. (4 min).

• Promotional Material - presented here are VHS release and VHS trailer for Stone Cold. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• Additional Promotional Material - presented here is an archival 1-900 challenge contest TV piece promoting Stone Cold. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).

• Trailers - two vintage trailers for Stone Cold.
  
  1. Trailer One. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).
  2. Trailer Two. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).

• Cover - reversible cover with vintage poster art for Stone Cold.

Stone Cold 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

In the summer of 1991, Skid Row released their classic album Slave to the Grind, which ruled the charts and changed perceptions about mainstream hard rock. I have often wondered how Stone Cold would have been received if its soundtrack had a couple of tracks from Skid Row's album, like The Threat and Riot Act, because the film and the album ooze almost identical pure macho energy. In a recent program, Brian Bosworth also wonders how Stone Cold would have turned out if its producers and director Craig Baxley had kept a prologue he really liked. With this prologue, Stone Cold definitely would have been a very different film, but not the superior film Bosworth describes. Despite some obvious flaws, I have always liked it and kept a copy of it in my library, next to Larry Ferguson's Beyond the Law.

This upcoming combo pack is the ultimate release every fan of Stone Cold has been wanting to materialize. It brings an incredible, definitive new 4K restoration on 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray, plus an outstanding exclusive new program with William Forsythe, whom I consider one of the greatest character actors of his generation. I will make sure that it appears on my Top Ten list at the end of 2026. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.