Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		5.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

The Last Picture Show 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman November 1, 2022

Sony has released the classic 1971 film 'The Last Picture Show,' starring Timothy Bottoms and Jeff Bridges, directed by the late Peter Bogdanovich, to the UHD format. At time of writing, this UHD disc (as well as the companion and included Blu-ray) is exclusive to the third volume of the prestigious 'Columbia Classics Collection' boxed set, where five other films are included. The film was previously released to Blu-ray by Criterion in 2010. This set includes a blend of Criterion's extras and other vintage supplements that are new to Blu-ray. Additionally, a new tribute to Director Peter Bogdanovich is included. All extras appear on the Blu-ray disc. Note that not all of the Criterion extras are included. The UHD includes two cuts of the film on two separate discs: the Director's Cut (2:06:19) on one disc and Theatrical Version (1:59:42) on another. New technical specifications include 2160p/Dolby Vision Video and mono lossless audio. Also included for the Blu-ray is new 1080p video sourced from the 4K master and mono lossless audio.

Official synopsis: Released in 1971 to critical acclaim and public controversy, 'The Last Picture Show' garnered eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and was hailed as the most important work by a young American director since Citizen Kane. A surprisingly frank, bittersweet drama of social and sexual mores in small-town Texas, the film features a talent-laden cast led by Jeff Bridges, Cybill Shepherd and Timothy Bottoms. Cloris Leachman and Ben Johnson each won Oscars for their work in supporting roles.

For a few additional thoughts on the film, please see Dr. Svet Atanasov's writing accompanying the Criterion release by clicking here.

The Last Picture Show 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Note: The Included screenshots are sourced from Sony's 4K mastered Blu-ray disc.

Like the companion Blu-ray, Sony's 2160p/Doby Vision UHD release of The Last Picture Show looks nothing short of stunning. The higher resolution beings out the very best the image has to offer, and while the gains are not gargantuan, neither are they trivial. There's a tangible feel for the added sharpness. The picture captures the absolute best in texturing available, offering razor-sharp and very precise work on intimate facial close-ups, clothing materials, and location specifics. The UHD brings out more intricacy and intimacy that even the wonderful Blu-ray cannot quite reach; where this one is exceptionally sharp, the Blu-ray can look mildly soft in direct comparison (though to be sure the Blu-ray looks wonderful in its own right). The grain is much more aggressive here. The picture looks very, very sharp, but also very, very filmic. It's hard to imagine the movie any sharper and more cinematic than this.

The Dolby Vision grading brings new life to the grayscale, beyond even what they excellent SDR Blu-ray can achieve. The UHD manages to bring out a brighter picture overall but one that is better differentiated and defined in the grayscale, with finer and more obvious gradations at work. Whites are brighter and more brilliant here, with eye-popping intensity and purity, while black level depth is remarkable: increasing depth without adding crush. The contrast is wonderful and every shot is a delight. Consider the absence of source and encode problems and this is nothing short of a wonderous presentation for a beloved classic.

The Last Picture Show 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Sony has included a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono soundtrack for The Last Picture Show. The track is sufficient in delivering the film's meager sonic needs. Dialogue is clear and images well to the center, which takes care of the vast majority of the film's audio spectrum. Musical supports don't dazzle or delight, but they do offer solid foundational characteristics for clarity and front side spacing. The track incorporates little sonic touches and details to bring life to the small Texas town, lacking immersion, of course, but doing well to define the space and gently draw the listener into every shot, scene, and sequence. There's nothing of note here, which suits this content just fine.

The Last Picture Show 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Sony's UHD release of 'The Last Picture Show' includes no extras on the UHD discs, but the bundled Blu-ray offers some of the extras from the Criterion release and some that are new to Blu-ray. Coverage of the carryover content can be found by clicking here. Note that not all of the Criterion disc's supplemental content carries over. New content (which is new to Blu-ray, not necessarily newly produced for this disc with the exception of the tribute piece) is marked as such and briefly reviewed below. As it ships in the above-linked "Columbia Classics" boxed set, a slipcover and a digital copy code are included.

• NEW! A Tribute to Peter Bogdanovich (1080p 13:55): Exploring the filmmaker's career with Bogdanovich biographer Peter Tonguette. Of course there is some emphasis on The Last Picture Show and its place in the director's career.
• The Last Picture Show: A Look Back (480i, 1:04:40).
• A Discussion with Filmmaker Peter Bogdanovich (1080p, 12:51).
• Audio Commentary: Director Peter Bogdanovich.
• Location Footage (1080i, 4x3, 6:27): As with the Criterion version, there is no audio.
• NEW! Theatrical Re-Release Featurette (480i, 4x3, 6:03): Discussions include the black and white photography, settings, casting, Bogdanovich's career prior to the film, narratives, and new footage included for the re-release cut.
• Teaser Trailer (1080p, 1:27).
• Theatrical Trailer (1080p, 3:04).

The Last Picture Show 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Sony has absolutely knocked this one out of the park. The picture and sound qualities couldn't be any better on the UHD format, and the supplementary material adds much value to the overall presentation. The Blu-ray, which is also included in the above linked Columbia Classics Collection, is also offers a first-class presentation. However, this UHD is the dominant tour-de-force presentation of a classic. Very highly recommended.