The Alfred Hitchcock Classics Collection 4K UHD (1954-1963)

[WVbkelley]

highdefwatch.com has over 60 HDR frame shots from Psycho.

[crissrudd4554]

Originally Posted by BNex99

True, the replacement disc was effed up in a different way.

Technically it wasn’t. The 3D version was fixed but the 2D version looked soft but that wasn’t an authoring issue. They added some DNR to the right eye image which is what is used for the 2D version. Yes doesn’t look great to viewers but not “broken” to Universal’s eyes.

[crackedknee]

Originally Posted by FilmFreakosaurus

The soft filtered look seems like a glamour/pro mist filter often used on older actors and young starlets back in the day to make them appear better than real.

I would say it's exactly that. I know I've seen a film print of Vertigo more than once, and I don't remember those specific scenes, but that practice of using the filter had been in place for decades by the time of Vertigo.

And not just Jimmy's (possibly fake) tan, don't forget he was bald on top, and was wearing a toupee. Most often a very good one, but softening the image would disguise any hairline flaws related to that.

[Scottishguy]

Originally Posted by FilmFreakosaurus

The soft filtered look seems like a glamour/pro mist filter often used on older actors and young starlets back in the day to make them appear better than real.

Bingo. And it's looking bloody marvellous on Rear Window.

[bradnoyes]

Originally Posted by Scottishguy

Bingo. And it's looking bloody marvellous on Rear Window.

And I thought Rear Window looked really good, too. Curious to see what you think of Vertigo.

[wildphantom]

Having watched all four, Vertigo is the Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat of the four as expected. Whether you think some of those skin tones look too ripe or not, the image is a sight for sore eyes. Felt a little like I did the first time I watched Wizard of Oz on UHD.

Very pleased with all four movies. They're all fine upgrades, Psycho mono track notwithstanding - which I'll admit I didn't really notice as I wasn't paying enough attention during the most obvious example of the difference in the shower scene. I'm not too hysterical about that mishap, although agree it needs sorting and will welcome a replacement. I'm sure they'll oblige as it's a pretty major oversight seeing as it's advertised as being there in the menu itself. This isn't a case of a misprint on the box or anything.

[litemakr]

You can write to Universal at the link below to notify them of the errors and suggest they issue replacement discs.

https://www.uphe.com/en/contact-support

If anyone has a direct email, please post it.

[Markgway]

Are people here cancelling their Italian sets? I'm not sure what to do? I couldn't watch Psycho without the original mono and The Birds is a bonus disc as far as I'm concerned. So that leaves Rear Window and Vertigo as my reasons for buying. Should I keep the set on order and hope that Universal offer a replacement program for Psycho?

[Mr. Hyphen]

Now the question is should I pick this up now or wait for individual releases?

[The Fallen Deity]

I take it that the BD for Vertigo in the U.K. set is the same one as the original release without the mono mix?

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by Markgway

Are people here cancelling their Italian sets? I'm not sure what to do? I couldn't watch Psycho without the original mono and The Birds is a bonus disc as far as I'm concerned. So that leaves Rear Window and Vertigo as my reasons for buying. Should I keep the set on order and hope that Universal offer a replacement program for Psycho?

For 30 squid my Italian order is staying right where it is. Hell, if they do a replacement and I'm not eligible then I'll just buy the corrected standalone disc, it's not like it'll have cost me any more than ordering this set for £60 (from zoom) first up anyway.

[mpa25]

I know this might be jumping the gun a bit, but what are the odds the other Hitchcock films from the blu-ray Masterpiece/Ultimate Collection eventually get released on 4K UHD? I'm sure a lot rides on the sales success of this set. I'm sure North by Northwest is a no-brainer, but what about Family Plot, Frenzy, The Man Who Knew Too Much, Marnie, Rope, Saboteur, Shadow of a Doubt, Topaz, Torn Curtain, and The Trouble with Harry?

Despite owning Foreign Correspondent, The Lady Vanishes, The Man Who Knew Too Much, Notorious and Rebecca on blu-ray, I regrettably haven't purchased a Universal boxset of any kind yet. There hasn't been a Hitchcock film I've seen that I haven't enjoyed, but I'd prefer not to double-dip at this point if a larger box set of presumably superior quality is on the horizon.

Also, I was extremely disappointed when Hulu pulled Alfred Hitchcock Presents a few months back as there are a ton of episodes I still hadn't watched. Is there any chance we'll ever see this collection on blu-ray and are DVD's really the only way to currently own this classic series?

[Dailyan]

Originally Posted by mpa25

I know this might be jumping the gun a bit, but what are the odds the other Hitchcock films from the blu-ray Masterpiece/Ultimate Collection eventually get released on 4K UHD? I'm sure a lot rides on the sales success of this set. I'm sure North by Northwest is a no-brainer, but what about Family Plot, Frenzy, The Man Who Knew Too Much, Marnie, Rope, Saboteur, Shadow of a Doubt, Topaz, Torn Curtain, and The Trouble with Harry?

Despite owning Foreign Correspondent, The Lady Vanishes, The Man Who Knew Too Much, Notorious and Rebecca on blu-ray, I regrettably haven't purchased a Universal boxset of any kind yet. There hasn't been a Hitchcock film I've seen that I haven't enjoyed, but I'd prefer not to double-dip at this point if a larger box set of presumably superior quality is on the horizon.

There's always a possibility we'll see more Hitchcock UHDs but the remaining Uni-owned films are all in desperate need of new masters so it might be a while.

[The Admiral]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

For 30 squid my Italian order is staying right where it is. Hell, if they do a replacement and I'm not eligible then I'll just buy the corrected standalone disc, it's not like it'll have cost me any more than ordering this set for £60 (from zoom) first up anyway.

Exactly the same here.

[The Admiral]

Originally Posted by mpa25

Also, I was extremely disappointed when Hulu pulled Alfred Hitchcock Presents a few months back as there are a ton of episodes I still hadn't watched. Is there any chance we'll ever see this collection on blu-ray and are DVD's really the only way to currently own this classic series?

One of the many reasons why I despise streaming so much.

[DougCampbell1]

Sooo, are the blus downscales of the 4ks? Seems so with the Psycho standalone.

Nevermind.... Just read on DVDBeaver that they are not. Probably stick with my exising blus and plump for the Psycho standalone..

[Babu93]

Originally Posted by mpa25

I know this might be jumping the gun a bit, but what are the odds the other Hitchcock films from the blu-ray Masterpiece/Ultimate Collection eventually get released on 4K UHD?

I'm not holding my breath. I feel if there were any plans afoot, they wouldn't have released a set of their 4 biggest hitters first. But we can live in hope. If this sells well, they might consider it.

Warner do need to get their finger out with NbNW. I might be biased since it's my favourite film of all time... But jeeez, we needed that on 4K yesterday.

[hoejunter]

Originally Posted by DougCampbell1

Sooo, are the blus downscales of the 4ks? Seems so with the Psycho standalone.

Nevermind.... Just read on DVDBeaver that they are not. Probably stick with my exising blus and plump for the Psycho standalone..

No. Psycho is a new, remastered disc taken from a 4K scan and the other Blus in the set are the old discs.

I don’t know whether to hold out for more Hitchcock on UHD or to bite the bullet and buy the Blu-rays.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by mande2013

Hopefully the eventual standalone releases of Vertigo and Rear Window will included remastered blu-rays, as well. I can't imagine it was a deliberate decision, since they did include a new blu-ray of Pyscho. I doubt it's as if they're trying to say "in your face future proofers".

It's Universal, unless it's a new cut (like Psycho), don't expect them to master a new Blu-ray anytime soon. They'll often re-issue old Blu-rays along with new UHD releases. See The Mummy Trilogy as an example.

Originally Posted by mcvitie

Is the UK set packaged the same as the US?

I think ours is a gatefold Digipak with plastic hubs, whilst the US release is a book style release (with slots for discs).

[chip75]

Originally Posted by hoejunter

I don’t know whether to hold out for more Hitchcock on UHD or to bite the bullet and buy the Blu-rays.

You can the Universal set for around £20 on a good day, so it's well worth it.