Phase IV 4K UHD (1974)

[BillyBrown66]

Following a mysterious eclipse-like solar event, scientists begin to notice strange and unexplainable behavioral changes in ants. While initially written off as an unconcerning anomaly, it soon becomes apparent that the creatures have developed advanced intelligence along with the ability to work collectively. Scientists Ernest Hubbs and James Lesko have been transferred to a futuristic lab in a remote part of the Arizona desert in which to study these phenomena. However, when the ants begin to attack and kill both wildlife and humans, Hubbs and Lesko realize that the entire human race might now be at a deadly evolutionary disadvantage to the tiny insects…

The sole feature film directed by acclaimed graphic artist Saul Bass, PHASE IV is a landmark of 1970s science fiction as it blends arresting visuals, photographed by Dick Bush (Sorcerer) along with nature photographer Ken Middleham, with a tense and harrowing animal attack narrative. Starring Nigel Davenport (Chariots of Fire), Michael Murphy (Nashville), and Lynne Frederick (Schizo) and featuring a mesmerizing musical score by electronic music pioneer Brian Gascoigne, Vinegar Syndrome presents PHASE IV on 4K UHD, newly restored from its 35mm original camera negative and at last containing its legendary and never-before-on-video Preview Version, featuring exclusive, extended, and alternate sequences which have remained unseen since 1974!

directed by: Saul Bass
starring: Nigel Davenport, Michael Murphy, Lynne Frederick, Alan Gifford, Robert Henderson, Helen Horton
1974 / 1.85:1
Theatrical Version: 84 min / English Mono
Preview Version (BD only): 89 min / (2) English Mono soundtracks

Additional info:

• 3-disc Set: 4K Ultra HD / Region A Blu-ray x2
• 4K UHD presented in High-Dynamic-Range
• Newly scanned & restored in 4K from its 35mm original camera negative
• The 84-minute Theatrical Version is available on both the UHD and Blu-ray discs
• The 89-minute Preview Version with multiple soundtrack options is included on a Blu-ray disc
• Commentary track for the Theatrical Version with film historian Matthew Asprey Gear
• "Evolutions: The Making of Phase IV" (48 min) - a brand new documentary by Elijah Drenner featuring interviews with Jeffrey Bass, co-star Michael Murphy, screenwriter Mayo Simon, archivist Sean Savage and design historian/Saul Bass biographer Pat Kirkham
• "Formicidae Sinfonia: The Music and Sounds of Phase IV" (15 min) - a brand new featurette with composer Brian Gascoigne and electronic music artist David Vorhaus
• Deleted shots and sequences (2 min)
• Raw footage from Saul Bass' original ending montage sequence (16 min)
• Theatrical trailer
• Still gallery
• Reversible sleeve artwork
• English SDH subtitles

https://vinegarsyndrome.com/collecti...ducts/phase-iv

[brainofj72]

Worth noting:

As the year continues, look forward to Saul Bass' landmark sci-fi masterpiece, PHASE IV on UHD, and presented in multiple cuts for the first time on video

[cybersoga]

This, like Existenz, was released by 101 films on blu-ray in the UK but it doesn't have the best picture quality. looking forward to this.

[DaylightsEnd]

My head just exploded.

I watched the 101 blu ray again only two days ago, and the entire time I was staring at the lackluster blu and the weird grainfield, I was dreaming and drooling at the idea of some competent boutique getting a hold of this title for a uhd release.

Best 4k news of 2024 so far

Way to kick off the New Year!!!!

[BobSimms]

Oh HELL YES.

[ste71]

Oh yes please.

[Kyle15]

Damn NO WAY!! Awesome news. Vinegar Syndrome is killing it.

[BobSimms]

Originally Posted by gerannik

I'm afraid this will be interpositive.

Tell us more.

[cybersoga]

Existenz 4K is from an interpositive but it still looks better than the 101 blu-ray

[Mykill_Myers]

Originally Posted by brainofj72

Worth noting:

As the year continues, look forward to Saul Bass' landmark sci-fi masterpiece, PHASE IV on UHD, and presented in multiple cuts for the first time on video, the incredible Greek art-horror, SINGAPORE SLING on Blu-ray and featuring a brand new 4K restoration of its 35mm camera negative, ...


I'd say "multiple cuts" refers to the Singapore Sling release.

[bergman864]

Originally Posted by Mykill_Myers

As the year continues, look forward to Saul Bass' landmark sci-fi masterpiece, PHASE IV on UHD, and presented in multiple cuts for the first time on video, the incredible Greek art-horror, SINGAPORE SLING on Blu-ray and featuring a brand new 4K restoration of its 35mm camera negative, ...


I'd say "multiple cuts" refers to the Singapore Sling release.

Phase IV does have multiple cuts with the extra footage only ever presented as an extra on home video before. The wording may can be a bit confusing but it'd make complete sense to refer to Phase IV.

[ste71]

I would say it refers to Singapore Sling - I'm happy to get Phase IV in one cut.

[brainofj72]

Does Singapore Sling even have multiple cuts? I’ve never heard of any alternate version.

[DrBabylon]

I'll admit I haven't really payed that much attention to Vinegar Syndrome other than a handful of titles here and there, but recently they have had my full attention!

If they are really doing a cut with the alternate ending, that is truly exciting. People (me) have been asking for this for over a decade now. I bought the 101 Films release solely because it had the alternate ending in HD as a special feature. I then created my own version of the film with the ending editing in. However, a true version on disc, in 4K no less, would be nothing less than amazing!

[Rayjg]

I guess multiple cuts could apply to either film going by the wording. I was hoping VS got access to a full workprint and not just the extended ending since changes were made throughout the film. The added narration being one of them and there are all these little additions before the surreal ending. I guess we'll just have to wait and see

[CelestialAgent]

Originally Posted by cybersoga

This, like Existenz, was released by 101 films on blu-ray in the UK but it doesn't have the best picture quality. looking forward to this.

I hope they include the short films but actually in HD this time.

[Damonstein]

Love this movie so much. So stoked.

[asmodeux21]

"Phase IV" is one of the best films of the 1970s. I'm really excited about the upcoming 4k UHD. I was curious if anyone knows which company has rights to "The Hellstrom Chronicle". I would love to see a remaster of that.

[Rayjg]

Originally Posted by asmodeux21

"Phase IV" is one of the best films of the 1970s. I'm really excited about the upcoming 4k UHD. I was curious if anyone knows which company has rights to "The Hellstrom Chronicle". I would love to see a remaster of that.

I think it’s Paramount since Olive released it. It did go out of print quite a number of years ago.

[the13thman]

Originally Posted by Mykill_Myers

As the year continues, look forward to Saul Bass' landmark sci-fi masterpiece, PHASE IV on UHD, and presented in multiple cuts for the first time on video, the incredible Greek art-horror, SINGAPORE SLING on Blu-ray and featuring a brand new 4K restoration of its 35mm camera negative, ...

I'd say "multiple cuts" refers to the Singapore Sling release.

I would say that too, as much as I want to see the alternative ending of Phase IV playable with the rest of the feature.

My understanding is that out of principle VS will release uncut versions and alternate cuts but they won't reconstruct things out of workprints or do integral fanedits to reinsert deleted scenes.