Thunderheart 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		0.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

Thunderheart 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Recommended with no reservations.

Reviewed by Randy Miller III January 14, 2026

Released less than two years after their surprise 2024 Blu-ray edition, Sony Pictures revisits Michael Apted's underrated 1992 film Thunderheart on 4K UHD. Is this quick upgrade a result of the deaths of stars Val Kilmer and Graham Greene last year? More than likely, but fans of this neo-Western will likely enjoy this new disc regardless of intent, as it actually features mild upgrades to the audio and bonus features alongside this format's obvious visual benefits.

For a synopsis and critique of Thunderheart, please see Kenneth Brown's 2024 Blu-ray review linked above. I'm in agreement with Ken's take on the film but have lightly bumped it to a 4/5 rating because I feel that it's a unique film and deserving of even more attention than it's been given over the years. Although I'll certainly admit that the recent deaths of Kilmer and Greene (not to mention co-star Sam Shepard's passing in 2017 and director Apted in 2021) have contributed a bit of subjective emotional weight to my rating, I just find Thunderheart to be solid entertainment that stood out in 1992 and continues to stand out decades later for social and cultural themes that still feel relevant.

Thunderheart 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

NOTE: These screenshots are sourced from the UHD disc but downscaled to 1080p/SDR and should not be considered an accurate representation of the 4K picture quality in terms of detail, color, and brightness levels.

I'd be very surprised if Sony used anything other than the master for their 2024 Blu-ray on this new UHD release, especially based on reviewer Ken Brown's screenshots and description of that disc's merits. Indeed, many of those same adjectives and more can be applied to this 2160p/HDR10/Dolby Vision transfer, which supports Thunderheart's natural palette and era-specific appearance in a tasteful manner from all perspectives. Given the jump in resolution to its native 4K, viewers can except a greater amount of fine detail and textures, particularly on clothing and close-ups, while colors get an appreciable bump into more precise territory too. Somewhat surprisingly, lower-lit scenes seem to benefit the most, as the benefits of HDR10 can be seen on colors and details adjacent to deep shadows. Highlights are more tightly controlled, especially from direct light sources which, along with the deeper black levels, often contributes to a greater sense of depth. Finally, the higher bit rate -- which is afforded by both the more efficient HEVC codec and greater amount of disc space -- contributes to a smoother and more stable image, one that isn't exactly loaded with perceivable film grain but looks authentic to its source. (I don't fully agree that any level of noise reduction was used here as Ken claimed in his Blu-ray review, but it may have appeared that way given the format's lower resolution.) Either way, this is a solid effort indeed... and luckily enough, there are more improvements to come.

Thunderheart 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The default audio track here is (presumably) the exact same DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio remix heard on Sony's 2024 Blu-ray which, as Ken notes in his review of that title, is "merely fine". I completely agree with that sentiment as it's not particularly robust or dynamic and frankly sounds a bit wimpy overall, with an overloaded center channel that doesn't leave much room for convincing width during action scenes or group conversations.

Luckily, Sony has finally seen fit to also include Thunderheart's original theatrical DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio mix as a secondary option, which is exclusive to this 4K UHD edition; it's intended for Dolby Surround playback, but can also be enjoyed in standard stereo if you prefer. Even if I weren't a stubborn purist, I'd probably prefer this track for several reasons: there's a greater amount of left-right separation, dialogue often sounds fuller with a bit more weight, and the surround activity is equally natural and carries just as much support for James Horner's excellent original score. There are some who will stick with the 5.1 remix, whether out of habit or natural preference, and that's perfectly fine. But having the original theatrical mix on board is a big plus in my book, and I hope you'll agree.

Optional English and SDH subtitles are included during the main feature only.

Thunderheart 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This one-disc release ships in a keepcase with different cover artwork than the Blu-ray; a matching slipcover and Digital Copy slip are included, as are a few returning bonus features and one surprising newcomer.

• Audio Commentary - This returning feature-length track was recorded for Sony's 2024 Blu-ray edition and features writer John Fusco, who also co-produced the film along with Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal. It's a solid listen from start to finish, covering most of the usual bases like the writing process, story origins, casting and development, technical specifics, character observations, music, and more, and we also learn a couple other various tidbits like how Fusco recorded a joint audio commentary with late director Michael Apted years ago... but it sadly never saw the light of day. Under the circumstances, this is a pretty good substitute.

• NEW! Archival Interviews with Cast & Crew (11:45) - This collection of upscaled SD archival interviews looks like it was created for a laserdisc or early DVD edition and features numerous participants sharing thoughts during production. In all, we briefly hear from Val Kilmer, Graham Greene, Sheila Tousey ("Maggie Eagle Bear"), John Trudell ("Jimmy Looks Twice"), technical consultant Sonny Richardson, writer John Fusco, producer Jane Rosenthal, and director Michael Apted. Like the 2.0 audio track, this should have made the Blu-ray.

• Theatrical Trailer (2:30) - This rough-looking promotional piece can also be seen here.

Thunderheart 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The late, great Michael Apted's 1992 film Thunderheart still strongly impresses almost 35 years later, as this initially very modest hit has since grown in stature thanks to its unique story, enduring themes, and solid performances. All three of its top-billed have since passed away -- Val Kilmer and Graham Greene, most recently -- and that's surely the reason for Sony Pictures' new 4K edition, which aims to replace their belated Blu-ray released less than two years ago. Normally I'd cry foul but there are also additions to the audio and bonus features, which means that those who can take advantage of UHD benefits should certainly consider this a solid purchase. Recommended.