8.4 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 5.0 | |
Overall | 5.0 |
A demented preacher relentlessly torments two small children in the Depression-era Bible Belt in order to get at their dead father's stolen fortune.
Starring: Robert Mitchum, Shelley Winters, Lillian Gish, James Gleason (I), Evelyn VardenDrama | 100% |
Film-Noir | 27% |
Psychological thriller | 24% |
Crime | 4% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.66:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
4K Ultra HD
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 5.0 | |
Video | 0.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 5.0 |
Charles Laughton's "The Night of the Hunter" (1955) arrives on 4K Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. The supplemental features on the release include new audio commentary by novelist and critic Tim Lucas; new program with actress Kathy Garver; new program with filmmaker Ernest Dickerson; trailers; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.
Kino Lorber's release of The Night of the Hunter is a 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray combo pack. The 4K Blu-ray is Region-Free and hosts the new 4K restoration of the film. The Blu-ray has only supplemental features.
Please note that all screencaptures that appear 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.
The release introduces a new 4K restoration of the film that can be viewed with HDR and Dolby Vision. I chose to view it in its entirety with Dolby Vision. I did not do extensive comparisons with HDR. I spent my time comparing how the 4K Blu-ray and Criterion's Blu-ray release from 2010.
First, I see the discrepancy between the aspect ratio as irrelevant. Why? The Night of the Hunter has been screened in 1.66:1 and 1.85:1, plus I think that the film looks equally good in both ratios. So, the framing discrepancy is not an issue for me. Second, I did quite a few comparisons and I think that both presentations -- Criterion's Blu-ray release presents a 2K restoration of the film -- are equally satisfying. For example, on my system, delineation and depth looked equally impressive. The density levels of the visuals were practically identical as well. If I upscale the previous release, there are areas that essentially boast identical qualities. However, there is one area on the native 4K presentation that clearly excels and makes a noticeable difference. It is the dynamic range of the visuals. On my system, I saw darker nuances and some daylight highlights that were better balanced. I think that they affect depth, or the perception of depth, but different viewers will undoubtedly evaluate them differently. Grain exposure is slightly different, but the unique cinematography and strong density levels on the previous release negate the discrepancy. I did not see any age-related imperfections to report in our review. All in all, I liked how The Night of the Hunter looked on my system a lot. I think that when restored and presented right in 4K, black-and-white films can look astonishingly good, and this release offers that type of impressive presentation.
There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.
I viewed the entire film with the DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track and did not encounter any anomalies to report in our review. The sound was clear, sharp, and stable. If there are any meaningful discrepancies between this track and the track that is included on Criteiron's Blu-ray release of The Night of the Hunter, I missed them.
4K BLU-RAY DISC
If you can play 4K Blu-ray discs, you should consider acquiring Kino Lorber's 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray combo pack of The Night of the Hunter. I think that the new 4K makeover that was prepared for this classic film looks very, very good in native 4K. However, keep in mind that the Blu-ray disc does not offer a 1080p presentation of the new 4K makeover, it only has several bonus features. Also, these are not the same bonus features that were included on Criterion's Blu-ray release of The Night of the Hunter from 2010. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
1955
1973
1948
1947
1957
1950
1950
1950
2017
2012
M - Eine Stadt sucht einen Mörder
1931
復讐するは我にあり / Fukushû suru wa ware ni ari
1979
Includes Elia Kazan: Outsider 1982 Documentary
1954
1976
1965
1948
À bout de souffle
1960
1941
1997
1944