The Princess Bride 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

The Princess Bride 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Criterion has released a wonderful new 2160p/Dolby Vision UHD presentation of 'The Princess Bride.' A remastered Blu-ray is also included. The discs both contains DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtracks, and the Blu-ray includes a fine selection of bonus content, much of which is new to Blu-ray/UHD, and some of which carries over from the 2009 MGM Blu-ray.

The Princess Bride 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The included screenshots are sourced from Criterion's new 1080p Blu-ray disc.

Criterion helpfully provides the following information concerning this new Blu-ray/UHD release of The Princess Bride: "The Princess Bride is presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1. The master was created from the 35mm original camera negative, which was scanned in 4K resolution on a Northlight film scanner at Deluxe in Burbank California. It was restored using the 1997 Criterion laserdisc master, supervised and approved by associate producer Steve Nicolaides, as a reference. On the 4K Ultra HD disc, the feature is presented in Dolby Vision HDR (high dynamic range). On the Blu-ray, it is presented in high definition SDR (standard dynamic range).
Colorist: Kevin O'Connor/EFILM digital Laboratories, Hollywood, CA.
Disc mastering: Pixelogic Media."

This rather cursory breakdown offers the viewer a few essential baseline insights into how the image on the screen came about, and what an image it is! First, a few words on the Blu-ray. In short, it looks wonderful. While the scenes in the grandson's room are forcefully grainy, with a very sharp looking field, the movie proper yields a more flattering, filmic look, still with a hint of sharpness to the grain structure but very pleasing and steady. The image boasts rock-solid textural elegance throughout the entirety of the film, whether considering various examples of terrain (grass, rock, and so forth), attire (down to seams and frays), and faces (hairs and freckles). The resolution is so good that one can even see the extra pulley line when the characters climb up the Cliffs of Insanity early in the film. Color depth on the Blu-ray is very good, with punchy and lively tones the norm, good black level depth, impressive whites, and healthy skin tones.

The real treat here is, of course, the UHD disc. Criterion's new 2160p/Dolby Vision UHD presentation of the film is an absolute delight. It takes the high-end characteristics of the Blu-ray and turns the picture into a stunner that absolutely suits the film itself and the film medium in particular. The image is striking for its superior grain management, better than the Blu-ray for density and feel. This is a base for a beautiful image of great cinematic yield, offering exquisite details to every element in the film, from varied terrain (both real and obvious set pieces) to the attire seen throughout the film. The sense of perfect textural composition and tactile intricacy cannot be denied. Faces are a treasure trove of pores, lines, freckles, and hairs, all producing healthy, intimate detail that is super sharp and true to the look of film. Color output is wonderful. The Dolby Vision grading brings out brighter tones, more vivid pop, improved saturation, superior depth and punch, and greater overall accuracy and stability next to the Blu-ray. Whether considering red clothes, blue skies, green grasses, or even gray rocks, the elegant Dolby Vision grading solidifies the color spectrum in all areas. Whites are vivid, blacks are deep and true, and skin tones are perfectly healthy. There are no source flaws or encode artifacts on either disc. Every fan of this film will be delighted with Criterion's work.

The Princess Bride 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The included DTS-HD master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack handles the elements quite nicely. The track is not a surround bonanza, but it makes good use of the back channels as necessary. One of the highlights comes during the Fire Swamp sequence where dense environmental details and quality depth to fires and various elements around the area spring to life with hearty oomph and realistic detail. Listeners will feel consistently immersed here, and elsewhere as well. Clarity in these elements, and others throughout the film, is first-rate. Another is during the "torture" sequence around the 58-minute mark as the heavy water wheel churns and rumbles to punish poor Westley. Musical definition is rich and clear. Its placement satisfies for wide front-end push and healthy surround engagement in support. Action elements, like clanking swords, offer solid foundational clarity. Dialogue is clear and centered for the duration.

The Princess Bride 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Criterion has released The Princess Bride to the UHD format with a slew of new extras while returning a few from the 2009 MGM Blu-ray. Fans will need to keep that old disc to have a full suite of extras for the film. For reviews of the returning content, please click here. Note than this collection ships in a DigiBook presentation case with a handsome purple and gold layout on a canvas-like material. The color glossy booklet inside contains, primarily, two essays: "Let Me Sum Up" by Sloane Crosley and "How It All Happened" by William Goldman.

• Audio Commentary: Director Rob Reiner, Screenwriter William Goldman, Producer Andrew Scheinman, and Actors Billy Crystal and Peter Falk, recorded for the 1997 Criterion LaserDisc. Also available on the UHD disc.
• AudioBook: A reading of Goldman's novel "The Princess Bride," read by Director Rob Reiner, recorded from the 1987 Dove Entertainment audiobook. Also available on the UHD disc.
• True Love (1080p, 14:59): This 2012 extra brings together Reiner, Elwes, and Wright to talk up the film a quarter-century after its release.
• Pure Enchantment (1080p, 17:17): This 2018 Criterion supplement features Columbia University adjunct professor Loren-Paul Caplin talk about the script and Bill Goldman's writing.
• The Tapestry (1080p, 6:26): Criterion's 2018 extra explores the tapestry that William Goldman commissioned to be created, which now hangs in his home.
• Making the Film (1080i/p): Vintage extras found on the 2009 Blu-ray, with the exception of Fairy Tale Reality:
  
  
  • As You Wish
  • "The Princess Bride": The Untold Tales
  • Fairy-Tale Reality (11:54): A 2018 Criterion interview with Art Director Richard Holland who talks up his work on The Princess Bride.
  • Miraculous Makeup
  • Behind the Scenes
  • Cary Elwes Video Diary
• The Art of Fencing
• Fairytales & Folklore
• Trailers and TV Spots (1080i/p): Included are U.S. Trailer (2:16), Foreign Market Trailer (2:19), TV Spot 1 (1:02), TV Spot 2 (0:32), TV Spot 3 (0:32), and TV Spot 4 (0:32).

The Princess Bride 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Simply stated, The Princess Bride is a fabulous movie. It's a movie with just about everything and for everyone. Combining elements of romance, adventure, heroism, and levity, nary a moment passes where the film exudes nothing less than sheer movie magic. With inspired performances; a witty, quotable, and smart script; superb direction; and a memorable score, what's not to like? The Princess Bride's Criterion collection UHD release is befitting the films legend and legacy. The Blu-ray and UHD images are both gorgeous, the 5.1 lossless soundtrack is stellar, and the supplements offer a nice blend of new and returning extras. This release earns my highest recommendation.