Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

The Shawshank Redemption 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman September 22, 2023

The Film Vault is back with another pretty extravagantly packaged quartet of titles to complement the four equally lavishly appointed releases they offered last year, 1917 4K, Blade Runner 4K, GoodFellas 4K, and Scarface 4K. Along with design and package contents that are obviously meant to make this new foursome fit in right next to the previous four, like last year's assortment, this year's offerings are split evenly, two apiece, between films coming from either Warner Brothers ( 2001: A Space Odyssey and The Shawshank Redemption) or Universal (Jaws and Apollo 13).

As with last year's assortment of releases, this year's offering have had prior releases that have been previously reviewed here, and for those wanting plot recaps, reactions, lists of supplements and technical assessments, both Casey Broadwater's The Shawshank Redemption Blu-ray review and Randy Miller III's The Shawshank Redemption 4K Blu-ray review should more than suffice. I would note yet again that per my oft repeated mantra, "different reviewers means different opinions", and so you'll see some varying scores from Casey and Randy, and in fact me as well.

The Shawshank Redemption 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Shawshank Redemption is presented in 4K UHD courtesy of The Film Vault with an HVEC / H. 265 encoded 2160p transfer in 1.85:1. Based on Randy's comments in his review, I'd say this is a more or less identical looking release to Warner Brothers' own stateside 4K UHD offering, including both the pluses and minuses that Randy mentions. I, too, was struck by the almost overbearing blue grading that is very evident for about the first fifteen or so minutes of the film, and which kind of humorously ultimately gets more naturalistic looking once Andy is actually incarcerated. As Randy mentions, the blue grading recurs later in the film and can seem a bit intense at times, but it appears to be a deliberate stylistic choice, because other moments like the tense rooftop showdown somewhat later in the film offer a totally gorgeous, beautifully suffused and natural looking palette. From the sounds of Randy's review, it appears Warner packaged their old 1080 disc, which was framed at 1.78:1, with their 4K UHD release, and as you can see from the screenshots accompanying this review, the 1080 disc in this package* is correctly framed and offers what I consider to be the "1080 version" of some of the grading seen in the 4K UHD disc. While the 4K UHD disc offers some clear if subtle upticks in fine detail levels, even HDR can't quite overcome a few deficits that accrue in that department in the many very dimly lit scenes in the confines of the prison. It's perhaps notable to mention that the 1080 disc, like the 4K UHD disc, features DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 audio, unlike the original Warner Brothers 1080 disc, which sported a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track.

*Note: For those interested, the 1080 disc played fine in my Region A players.

The Shawshank Redemption 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Casey and Randy were satisfied if not blown away with the audio on both the prior 1080 and 4K UHD releases, but I found the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track to supply capable support for what is often an intentionally claustrophobic sound design. Some of the archival audio, as in the track that opens the film, certainly (and understandably) shows (and/or hears) its age, but in terms of dialogue, sound effects and (contemporary) scoring, the track provides excellent fluidity and balance. This is not a hugely "showy" surround affair, and as such a lot of the activity is anchored pretty firmly front and center. Dialogue is always rendered cleanly and clearly. Optional subtitles in a variety of languages are available.

The Shawshank Redemption 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

On Disc Supplements

There are a couple of interesting things to note in this department. First, unlike some other Film Vault releases, the 4K UHD disc does not feature all of the supplements on the included 1080 disc. Also, those keeping track of previous 1080 releases may note that the supplements on this 1080 disc lack the Charlie Rose interview, while adding some storyboards that don't look like they were on prior releases.

4K UHD Disc

• Commentary by Frank Darabont

1080 Disc

• Commentary by Frank Darabont


• Hope Springs Eternal: A Look Back at The Shawshank Redemption (SD; 31:01)


• Shawshank: The Redeeming Feature (SD; 48:16)


• The Sharktank Redemption (SD; 24:45)


• Stills Galleries

  Tim Robbins (HD; 1:04)

  
  

  Morgan Freeman (HD; 00:48)

  
  

  Supporting Cast (HD; 2:00)

  
  

  Tim & Morgan (HD; 00:32)

  
  

  Behind the Scenes (HD; 3:00)

• Storyboards

  Bogs Takes a Fall (HD; 4:32)

  
  

  New Fish Arrive (HD; 4:02)

• Theatrical Trailer (HD; 2:11)

Packaging and Non Disc Swag

The Film Vault is obviously gearing these releases toward serious collectors, in terms of offering a unified appearance and the same sort of non disc supplements included in each package. The outer box is approximately 9" high by 7 1/8" wide by 1 5/8" deep. The box has an acetate O-ring slipcover branded with both the film title and The Film Vault's logo as well as numbering. This rigid clamshell box is emblazoned with newly commissioned key art and itself features a kind of cool magnetic clasp that opens to disclose a whole host of goodies. A CD sized digipack (in its own slipcover) holds both the 1080 and 2160 discs, there is a rather beautiful if possibly useless exclusive individually numbered crystal display plaque (again with the film's title), seven collectible character cards (on glossy cardstock) with film facts, a reproduction of Andy's "buried letter" for red, double sided reproductions of the original theatrical posters and a poster of the new key art (which is quite striking). All of the preceding are enclosed in another branded envelope. I've uploaded a picture of the packaging under the appropriate tab on the main review interface.

The Shawshank Redemption 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

As is discussed in one of the archival supplements included in this set, perhaps just a little strangely The Shawshank Redemption keeps placing surprisingly high on lists of "all time favorite films", and if it is on your personal list, this deluxe edition should keep you happily ensconced in whatever the home theater version of stir is. Technical merits are generally solid, and The Film Vault also throws in some handsomely designed packaging and non disc swag. Highly recommended.