Flash Gordon 4K UHD (1980)

[Patsfan123]

Originally Posted by Fang Zei

Could the color differences be explained away by the sdr conversion? Perhaps when viewed in hdr it might look similar color-wise to the old bd.

Originally Posted by Hedji

There are obvious benefits to the 4K, but I do miss the comic book feel of the green.

I watched on my OLED in HDR and the cap is accurate. The color is more saturated in HDR but nothing like the tint of the BD. It seems they did add tints to the original BD that do not appear in the remaster.

For what it's worth I didn't notice reverb on the voices but it is my first time seeing the movie.

[professorwho]

My Standard edition copy arrived today from Amazon, and the disc was loose. Not good, Amazon and/or Mill Creek (who is distributing these 4K releases for Arrow)...

[RedZeppelin]

My pre-order from Best Buy finally arrived yesterday, and I popped it in straight away. It's...glorious. I thought I was going to have to put on sunglasses when Melody stepped out of the car in her red dress. The colors are simply amazing.

The 5.1 track provides plenty of punch, too. I was initially worried that the sound sync was off on the disc and I started to panic, then I remembered how poorly-dubbed the first few scenes are.

[DR Herbert West]

This transfer is glorious. Might be my new favorite disc.

[geomon]

[Weirded Wonder]

Has anyone posted disc specs for the US Arrow release? Asking for a friend.

[Patsfan123]

Originally Posted by Weirded Wonder

Has anyone posted disc specs for the US Arrow release? Asking for a friend.

DISC INFO:

Disc Title:     FLASH GORDON UC UHD
Disc Size:      91,261,827,072 bytes
Protection:     AACS2(v72)
Extras:         Ultra HD
BDInfo:         0.7.5.9 (compatible layout created by DVDFab 11.1.0.5)

PLAYLIST REPORT:

Name:                   00000.MPLS  
Length:                 1:51:29.750 (h:m:s.ms)
Size:                   75,066,605,568 bytes
Total Bitrate:          89.77 Mbps

(*) Indicates included stream hidden by this playlist.

VIDEO:

Codec                   Bitrate             Description     
-----                   -------             -----------     
MPEG-H HEVC Video       79754 kbps          2160p / 24 fps / 16:9 / Main 10 @ Level 5.1 @ High / 4:2:0 / 10 bits / 1000nits / HDR10 / BT.2020
* MPEG-H HEVC Video     88 kbps (0.11%)     1080p / 24 fps / 16:9 / Main 10 @ Level 5.1 @ High / 4:2:0 / 10 bits / 1000nits / Dolby Vision MEL / BT.2020

AUDIO:

Codec                           Language        Bitrate         Description     
-----                           --------        -------         -----------     
DTS-HD Master Audio             English         1595 kbps       2.0 / 48 kHz / 1595 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit)
DTS-HD Master Audio             English         3506 kbps       5.1 / 48 kHz / 3506 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit)
Dolby Digital Audio             English         192 kbps        2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio             English         192 kbps        2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio             English         192 kbps        2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps

SUBTITLES:

Codec                           Language        Bitrate         Description     
-----                           --------        -------         -----------     
Presentation Graphics           English         29.991 kbps                     

FILES:

Name            Time In         Length          Size            Total Bitrate   
----            -------         ------          ----            -------------   
00004.M2TS      0:00:00.000     1:51:29.750     75,066,605,568  89,769 kbps     

CHAPTERS:

Number          Time In         Length          Avg Video Rate  Max 1-Sec Rate  Max 1-Sec Time  Max 5-Sec Rate  Max 5-Sec Time  Max 10Sec Rate  Max 10Sec Time  Avg Frame Size  Max Frame Size  Max Frame Time  
------          -------         ------          --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  
1               0:00:00.000     0:07:47.875     75,966 kbps     133,204 kbps    0:02:48.791     91,877 kbps     0:02:31.916     85,367 kbps     0:02:36.875     395,659 bytes   1,490,931 bytes 0:01:37.583     
2               0:07:47.875     0:10:35.333     80,063 kbps     119,124 kbps    0:16:12.708     87,934 kbps     0:12:13.833     83,794 kbps     0:16:21.708     416,995 bytes   1,386,756 bytes 0:10:18.458     
3               0:18:23.208     0:13:48.666     80,051 kbps     113,906 kbps    0:25:38.750     87,468 kbps     0:19:07.083     83,686 kbps     0:19:07.291     416,935 bytes   1,210,057 bytes 0:18:23.208     
4               0:32:11.875     0:05:34.041     80,032 kbps     103,740 kbps    0:36:47.125     86,932 kbps     0:36:50.875     83,603 kbps     0:33:31.166     416,838 bytes   1,311,815 bytes 0:32:11.875     
5               0:37:45.916     0:06:25.291     80,103 kbps     116,999 kbps    0:42:39.750     89,262 kbps     0:43:00.333     85,027 kbps     0:43:05.625     417,204 bytes   1,158,988 bytes 0:42:59.000     
6               0:44:11.208     0:10:09.791     80,041 kbps     113,654 kbps    0:54:09.166     88,643 kbps     0:54:13.125     83,941 kbps     0:51:09.416     416,885 bytes   1,402,196 bytes 0:44:11.208     
7               0:54:21.000     0:09:03.041     80,183 kbps     113,274 kbps    1:02:35.666     87,454 kbps     1:01:30.250     83,945 kbps     1:01:35.333     417,619 bytes   1,388,547 bytes 0:58:55.125     
8               1:03:24.041     0:07:15.000     79,998 kbps     110,857 kbps    1:07:20.750     87,799 kbps     1:09:51.250     84,084 kbps     1:04:28.666     416,658 bytes   1,054,124 bytes 1:09:46.708     
9               1:10:39.041     0:12:43.875     80,032 kbps     112,942 kbps    1:11:23.375     88,465 kbps     1:13:20.083     84,012 kbps     1:13:20.000     416,833 bytes   1,348,791 bytes 1:10:39.041     
10              1:23:22.916     0:11:38.500     80,107 kbps     112,839 kbps    1:23:23.875     89,944 kbps     1:27:57.625     83,692 kbps     1:27:57.458     417,226 bytes   1,355,893 bytes 1:24:07.708     
11              1:35:01.416     0:07:04.500     80,078 kbps     112,319 kbps    1:37:09.458     92,202 kbps     1:37:13.541     83,814 kbps     1:37:38.875     417,076 bytes   1,367,454 bytes 1:35:01.416     
12              1:42:05.916     0:09:23.833     79,729 kbps     120,242 kbps    1:45:45.375     87,238 kbps     1:43:31.666     85,063 kbps     1:45:47.166     415,258 bytes   1,351,484 bytes 1:45:44.375     

STREAM DIAGNOSTICS:

File            PID             Type            Codec           Language                Seconds                 Bitrate                 Bytes           Packets         
----            ---             ----            -----           --------                --------------          --------------          -------------   -----           
00004.M2TS      4113 (0x1011)   0x24            HEVC                                    6689.71                 79754.1                 66,691,447,872  362,548,981     
00004.M2TS      4117 (0x1015)   0x24            HEVC                                    6689.71                 87.887                  73,492,011      444,345         
00004.M2TS      4352 (0x1100)   0x86            DTS-HD MA       eng (English)           6689.75                 1594.64                 1,333,469,964   7,893,268       
00004.M2TS      4353 (0x1101)   0x86            DTS-HD MA       eng (English)           6689.75                 3506.17                 2,931,927,488   16,581,906      
00004.M2TS      4354 (0x1102)   0x81            AC3             eng (English)           6689.70                 192                     160,553,472     1,045,270       
00004.M2TS      4355 (0x1103)   0x81            AC3             eng (English)           6689.73                 192                     160,554,240     1,045,275       
00004.M2TS      4356 (0x1104)   0x81            AC3             eng (English)           6689.70                 192                     160,553,472     1,045,270       
00004.M2TS      4768 (0x12A0)   0x90            PGS             eng (English)           6689.71                 29.991                  25,079,075      143,716

Looks to be bit for bit identical to the SC disc minus the dubs. The subs are slightly different too.

[guachi]

Does anyone know what the average and maximum light levels on the disc are?

The movie looks great but there were no specular highlights that jumped out at me as being overly bright

[captainsolo]

You can't tell I've waited for a new Flash transfer...

Dear Lord this looks like a dream on disc. It was a dream of mine to see this film at least hopefully someday get a new transfer but I NEVER expected this.

Absolutely stellar. The only thing seeing a 1980 print of this would likely get you is some generational loss, a touch of extra darkness, the proper 1980 feel and very likely a print faded to full pink red. But it does bring up my one point that was the major difference I've noticed starting with the HD master on the Uni Blu-ray and continuing here: the film is now brighter across the board where all the old versions have a darker cast to them which I always felt indicated something closer to how a release print probably looked. The trailer also has a slightly darker film look to it as well.
Has anyone ever noticed this or is it just me? I may be too used to the transfer on the LD/very first Image DVD.

This transfer though...I couldn't stop being wowed. Every aspect of the production is now fully realized to the point where you can easily get distracted by fine detail, the light catching the costumes, the sets, the faces, and all the wonderful charm of the rough optical and bluescreen work. It's so wonderful they didn't tamper with anything and left in all the ringing around the actors, the bleedthrough of models and the few garbage mattes. Spielberg should learn from this in how to make a proper Raiders 4K master. The wires on the Hawkmen were removed but they shouldn't be as visible like the other stuff which always was.
Color timing wise I think everything is spot on and again I found myself marveling at the gradations in light and color I had never seen before-but unlike the garish tones the Uni BD could get. The biggest improvement besides grain being healthy may be that those awful skintones present on the old BD are gone.
The picture is flawless...and I'm only talking about the 1080p Arrow disc.

Thank Flash! the 2.0 Dolby Stereo (the only way to hear this film properly) is on the disc. The 2.0 hdma track is the original mix I love and sounds great. First thing I did was A/B it with my cherished LD copy and the only difference is that the new track is maybe a tad louder in volume-however it has been fully cleaned up where the LD has a tad bit of noise here and there creeping in. I think the new track has some very light high pass filtering after listening to both on my studio monitor cans-but nothing detrimental. The audiophile in me still sides with the LD audio as it has a bit more dynamic range but at the cost of some high end noise.
The Arrow defaults to the 2.0 as it should. Oddly there's no music or audio on the menus at all.

The 5.1 sounds roughly the same as the old Uni US BD but is tweaked a bit as the notes included state. I think it sounds better across the board as the LFE feels more more engaged and they may have massaged a few things here and there in addition. But compared to the 2.0 original mix it is still more of a modern feeling mix where too much of the original flavor is lost-at least to me.
If curious merely check the new 5.1 against the matrixed out 2.0 on your system.

At no time did I encounter any dialogue or voices coming from any rear channels. No idea what some reviewers were having happen on their end.

Going to be digging into all the extras. I'll also be picking up the Arrow UHD to future proof and one day hopefully soon see this in HDR. Though I like the SC package, the cost of the Arrow LE BD set plus the UHD and the ten bucks I paid for the 2 disc CD soundtrack is still less than the SC set plus the Arrow has more extras.

As a package this is stacked but I will admit what I would have wanted for a definitive release would be to have the alternate audio mix with Sam Jones's real voice which popped up on old HBO broadcasts and for completeness's sake the backup mono mix because I'm a geek for mono.

Every time I think I can't like this movie any more than I do...then I come back to it and adore it even more. It manages to strike the perfect balance between a more modern cynicism, a satirical edge, a genuine heart all with the breathless pace of constant perils of the original Alex Raymond strips.

[Agent Kay]

The LD is one of the best ones made for PQ

[utopia]

Sorry if this was asked before and I missed it, but is the bonus blu-ray disk on the 4k version region free or Locked to A?

[KaosPhantom]

Based on Amazon reviews, the UK StudioCanal appears to be faulty. Anyone know if this is the case and whether it was addressed?

[bradnoyes]

Ordered mine from Best Buy on 8/21 and it arrived on 8/24. Watched it last night and it is pretty stunning. I'd never seen it before so I can't compare it to past releases but what I saw was impressive. I'm not sure there's ever been a week with such an incredible line-up of knockout transfers. Between this, Pitch Black, New York Ripper, and House by the Cemetery, my eyes are just about melted.

[MattmanAlpha]

Originally Posted by captainsolo

Thank Flash! the 2.0 Dolby Stereo (the only way to hear this film properly) is on the disc. The 2.0 hdma track is the original mix I love and sounds great. First thing I did was A/B it with my cherished LD copy and the only difference is that the new track is maybe a tad louder in volume-however it has been fully cleaned up where the LD has a tad bit of noise here and there creeping in. I think the new track has some very light high pass filtering after listening to both on my studio monitor cans-but nothing detrimental. The audiophile in me still sides with the LD audio as it has a bit more dynamic range but at the cost of some high end noise.
The Arrow defaults to the 2.0 as it should. Oddly there's no music or audio on the menus at all.

You didn't notice anything weird with the audio on both the 2.0 and 5.1 mixes on this Arrow release? To my ears, the dialog all has a strange, "digitized" quality. Like all of the vocals have been stretched, but with the pitch preserved.

On another thread, someone said it sounds like "reverb" and that the dialog is coming out of all channels.

In any case, I don't remember hearing this on the Universal disc.

[fighthefutureofhd]

i got my copy last week and finally watched it last Thursday (I think). I'll say I'm glad I didn't buy the more expensive set. This is a gorgeous looking 4K, but oh is this movie ever weird. This may be the weirdest big studio movie I've ever seen and I've seen Howard the Duck AND Masters of the Universe. I don't know how I feel about the movie. Everything from the script to the music was odd. I may have to watch it again to see how I feel. I don't feel I wasted 2 hours watching it though, so it's not all bad.

[Rizor]

Got my copy in Monday and was excited to check it out. It's a very good and film like transfer, but I can't say I am wowed by it. If they only released this remaster on 1080p Blu-ray, I think I would've been happy with it as well. Cool they released it in 4K though.

[ROSS.T.G.]

Mine came in with my THC order

[stvn1974]

Got my copy today after an amazon delivery delay. Going to do a first time ever watch of the film later tonight. I am expecting greatness.

[captainsolo]

Originally Posted by MattmanAlpha

You didn't notice anything weird with the audio on both the 2.0 and 5.1 mixes on this Arrow release? To my ears, the dialog all has a strange, "digitized" quality. Like all of the vocals have been stretched, but with the pitch preserved.

On another thread, someone said it sounds like "reverb" and that the dialog is coming out of all channels.

In any case, I don't remember hearing this on the Universal disc.

No, I didn't have anything like that happening in terms of all channels. At least nothing out of the ordinary for older Dolby Stereo matrix which always has leakages and ambiance because it's not discrete. The original mix has always had some reverb around the voices which presumably happened in the looping-plus Sam Jones was re-voiced and so all of Flash's dialogue has a certain hollowness around it. I'll check again but the 2.0 sounds exactly like the Laserdisc audio does. The 5.1 discretely encodes everything but changes some of the level emphasis here and there which I don't like.

Is there a specific moment you notice this more than others? I can check any scenes out. When you play back the 2.0 which decoder do you use? Dolby PLII, PLIIx does a phenomenal job and is a far more advanced decoding algorithm than the original cinema version.

Both tracks on this disc sound properly like the film always has with its own characteristics but I still vastly prefer the 2.0.

[RedZeppelin]

Originally Posted by MattmanAlpha

You didn't notice anything weird with the audio on both the 2.0 and 5.1 mixes on this Arrow release? To my ears, the dialog all has a strange, "digitized" quality. Like all of the vocals have been stretched, but with the pitch preserved.

On another thread, someone said it sounds like "reverb" and that the dialog is coming out of all channels.

In any case, I don't remember hearing this on the Universal disc.

I watched half the movie with the 5.1 track and the other half with the 2.0. I didn't notice anything odd with either one.

I have to say, the display quality on this release has made it my new reference disc. I'll be using this one from now on to demo 4K for non-believers.