The Abyss 4K UHD (1989)

[ghostof82]

I remember buying the soundtrack album the same day I first saw this film in the cinema. When the expanded 2-disc soundtrack came out it seemed fairly miraculous, and now this 4K release of the film is just hugely miraculous, one of those 'pinch me' moments, having waited so long. Having to import it to the UK seems almost fitting, like it was never going to be simple.

God I hope they don't frack this up....

[4Dblu]

WM Pre-Order $24.96 Better Hurry....

[Bobby Boo]

Now down to $24.96 on Amazon.

[bmore007]

Originally Posted by 4Dblu

WM Pre-Order $24.96 Better Hurry....

Walmart do preorder price guarantee?

[SwatDB]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Abyss was never released in anamorphic anywhere. There was an "anamorphic" R6 Chinese DVD...but it was the non-a transfer uprezzed into fake anamorphic (just like what our players are doing).

Case closed.

One more thing, Thanks for the info.

[SwatDB]

Originally Posted by SpacemanDoug

It was also only the special edition, the theatrical cut wasn't included

And even then the US DVD had the altered theatrical cut anyway which is fortunately being rectified with this release, making the first time since I think 1990 that the unaltered theatrical cut (minus the aspect ratio) was being released physically

1990 CBS/FOX VHS (First pressing 5-min credits "Version A"

[thanks to MCMcommunication on YouTube]

[140 min]
1990 CBS/FOX VHS [Second Pressing] and LaserDisc (10-min credits "Version B") [145 min]
2000 Fox DVD (Second Pressing 10-min credits "Version B") [145 min]
2024 Walt Disney Home Entertainment 4K UHD/BD (5-min "Version A") [140 min] in it's intended 2.35/9:1 ratio and correct sound mix unlike the Cinemax HD master from 2014 (which trims the 5.1 track on the end credits to fit the 5-min credits)

[SwatDB]

Originally Posted by SpacemanDoug

"altered theatrical cut" is referring to the closing credits which were lengthened and enlarged on the DVD release, leading to a 145 minute runtime (I believe this was done initially for the 1996 VHS re-release)

it was confirmed to me earlier that the new streaming 4K master runs 140 minutes which means the original theatrical short credits have been restored (previously only seen on the 1990 VHS)

My 1990 pressing has the 10-min credits (large texts) not 5-min credits

[SpacemanDoug]

Originally Posted by SwatDB

1990 CBS/FOX VHS (First pressing 5-min credits "Version A" [thanks to MCMcommunication on YouTube] [140 min]
1990 CBS/FOX VHS [Second Pressing] and LaserDisc (10-min credits "Version B") [145 min]
2000 Fox DVD (Second Pressing 10-min credits "Version B") [145 min]
2024 Walt Disney Home Entertainment 4K UHD/BD (5-min "Version A") [140 min] in it's intended 2.35/9:1 ratio and correct sound mix unlike the Cinemax HD master from 2014 (which trims the 5.1 track on the end credits to fit the 5-min credits)

Wait so the 2014 master had an issue with incorrect music too?

[Bleachigo]

It’s actually streaming on Hulu right now

[Fang Zei]

Originally Posted by Bleachigo

It’s actually streaming on Hulu right now

You beat me to it.

It take it this is from the new master.

[SpacemanDoug]

Saw some samples of the master on Hulu and I found one interesting difference

the framing of the Fox logo has been corrected compared to all past widescreen home video releases and the previous Lowry master

the framing for it is still a bit awkward and tight but is now at least properly centered

[rubystone356]

Originally Posted by SpacemanDoug

Saw some samples of the master on Hulu and I found one interesting difference

the framing of the Fox logo has been corrected compared to all past widescreen home video releases and the previous Lowry master

the framing for it is still a bit awkward and tight but is now at least properly centered

I noticed that at the December 6th screening.

Jacob

[SwatDB]

Originally Posted by SpacemanDoug

Wait so the 2014 master had an issue with incorrect music too?

Only for the End Credits (as it uses the Version B mix with [Pseudopod, Rescurrection, Finale [Part 1] before returning to Bud on the Ledge [Album Version, not the Film Take with different and extended vocals])

If had the capability to send audio clips, for comparison, then I'd come with the result.

My ears hear the same "Version B" mix as on the:

1990 CBS/FOX VHS [1.33:1] (second pressing)
1990 CBS/FOX LD [1.90:1]
2000 Fox DVD [2.35:1]

They simply just trimmed the three numbers away with only the Tail end of Finale [Part 1] being heard in between "Bud on the Ledge" [Album Take] on the 2014 HD "Cinemax" (that being a WEB-DL or an HDTV, am I correct) Transfer.

If you have the versions, mentioned above, I'd be happy to hear the results.

[SpacemanDoug]

Originally Posted by SwatDB

Only for the End Credits (as it uses the Version B mix with [Pseudopod, Rescurrection, Finale [Part 1] before returning to Bud on the Ledge [Album Version, not the Film Take with different and extended vocals])

If had the capability to send audio clips, for comparison, then I'd come with the result.

My ears hear the same "Version B" mix as on the:

1990 CBS/FOX VHS [1.33:1] (second pressing)
1990 CBS/FOX LD [1.90:1]
2000 Fox DVD [2.35:1]

They simply just trimmed the three numbers away with only the Tail end of Finale [Part 1] being heard in between "Bud on the Ledge" [Album Take] on the 2014 HD "Cinemax" (that being a WEB-DL or an HDTV, am I correct) Transfer.

If you have the versions, mentioned above, I'd be happy to hear the results.

I did examine it and I noticed the music does go on a bit longer on the new master, the music still fading after the end Fox logo fades out compared to the Lowry master

At least it's finally corrected

[SwatDB]

Originally Posted by SpacemanDoug

I did examine it and I noticed the music does go on a bit longer on the new master, the music still fading after the end Fox logo fades out compared to the Lowry master

At least it's finally corrected

Ergo, the 2023 4K Master (by Park Road Post Production) retains the "Version A" mix on the 5-min End Credits (could the Atmos or the upcoming 2024 BD with 5.1 (along with 4K UHD) have used the 70mm mix [as I am aware that the DTS-HD MA 2.0 UHD could be (assuming) a downmix of the Atmos rather than using the 35mm Dolby Stereo mix], what is most important is the "Bling" on the End Credits along with the tail-end of Finale [Part 3] music cue [the Bling is also heard on the 1993 Special Edition credits [after Finale (Part 1)] (2023 Master slows down the scrolling of the 5-min credits, rather than using the actual large lettered SE 10-min credits as well as 2023 restoration credits after Fox Logo)]).

Wanna go Transfer battle (Lowry Digital vs. Park Road [co-remastered along with Lightstorm who [I think] saves money with AI upscaling (accompanied with DNR), like Aliens and True Lies rather than film scanning [note Park Road have a Lasergraphics Director 10K Scanner])?

[Shane Rollins]

Originally Posted by SpacemanDoug

"altered theatrical cut" is referring to the closing credits which were lengthened and enlarged on the DVD release, leading to a 145 minute runtime (I believe this was done initially for the 1996 VHS re-release)

it was confirmed to me earlier that the new streaming 4K master runs 140 minutes which means the original theatrical short credits have been restored (previously only seen on the 1990 VHS)

though afaik there weren't any differences with anything in the two versions effects wise, aside from the effects in the extra scenes

From what I can gather, Cameron went back and redid some effects with ILM in 1993. So when you select the TC on any of the old DVDs, you’re getting 1993 effects added into the TC.

AFAIK there’s three TCs: the original one from 1989, a second one where the only changed was the credits, and then the 2000 TC where they integrated the effects from the SE. (I left a post with all the cuts in either the OG True Lies/The Abyss thread or the new one.)

I’m unsure if they were truly attempting to revisit the theatrical cut (ala Star Wars) or whether it was for the sake of improved disc performance and better seamless branching. Either way though, the result was the same and the effects were edited.

So do the 2024 discs have the OG 1989 theatrical cut, or the 2000 TC with the enhanced effects?

[Shane Rollins]

Originally Posted by the13thman

How likely is it that the US version will stack two discs on one side of the case? That's the main reason I'm holding off until the French release.

It could be way worse. One of the Avatars had three discs packed into a two-disc case. The 4K was the floater.

My reaction to that awful decision looked/sounded something like Steve Martin’s meltdown in Planes, Trains And Automobiles.

[Shane Rollins]

Originally Posted by gazza1975

i wonder who will be the first person in the world to actually hold this in their hands - its going to be a miraculous moment

That would be me.

Originally Posted by gazza1975

unless the release is delayed

Originally Posted by James Cameron

That can be arranged.

Originally Posted by gazza1975

i would imagine the discs must be pressed now and getting ready for distribution - i cant put into words how excited i am for this release

These are the only three titles that stand a chance at breaking Blu-ray and 4K records, which currently stand at 8 million for Blu-ray and 3 million for 4K. Perhaps the OG Star Wars movies might be the only other titles I know that have a chance.

Originally Posted by gazza1975

i really hope we get the same menus as we had on the dvd too which were so cool

The worst part about the old DVD (to me) was the clunky authoring. The menus were unnavigable, the disc froze every few seconds, it’s a nightmare. Other than that the picture and sound held up. It actually has great grain structure, which rarely happened on DVD. The sound is great for lossy DD too.

Still, barring some absolute foul-up, this 4K is gonna smoke that DVD.

[Shane Rollins]

So it appears there were two pressings of the 1990 tapes and discs. The first press had the shorter theatrical credits, and the second press had the longer original credits. The 1996 Selections tape I believe had a different credit reel altogether. If I’m not mistaken the 1996 Twentieth Century Fox Selections VHS and the Twentieth Century Fox Widescreen Series VHS were released at the exact same time, but they’re wildly different. The Selections tape was part of a discount line where they would sell catalog titles for $10 or less, which by then The Abyss was. It was part of one of the 1996 drops, although I’m not sure which one and I’m not sure which other tapes were released alongside it. It was the fullscreen (open matte) theatrical cut, although like I said it could’ve had any of three credit reels. (When I get to my computer, where I can copy and paste, I’ll post the info on that tape.)

The Widescreen tape was released as part of possibly the initial drop of four titles in that collection, along with Speed, The Last Of The Mohicans, and a third title I can’t remember. (Possibly True Lies?) Anyway, it has an ad for the collection, a trailer, and a unique documentary at the beginning, followed by the matted widescreen version of the 1993 SE. (The tape is over three hours long, and it’s likely the longest SP tape ever made.)

Two tapes, same date, wildly different content.

[SpacemanDoug]

Originally Posted by Shane Rollins

From what I can gather, Cameron went back and redid some effects with ILM in 1993. So when you select the TC on any of the old DVDs, you’re getting 1993 effects added into the TC.

AFAIK there’s three TCs: the original one from 1989, a second one where the only changed was the credits, and then the 2000 TC where they integrated the effects from the SE. (I left a post with all the cuts in either the OG True Lies/The Abyss thread or the new one.)

I’m unsure if they were truly attempting to revisit the theatrical cut (ala Star Wars) or whether it was for the sake of improved disc performance and better seamless branching. Either way though, the result was the same and the effects were edited.

So do the 2024 discs have the OG 1989 theatrical cut, or the 2000 TC with the enhanced effects?

Never heard any evidence about this

I'm sure the OCN would be conformed to the unaltered theatrical cut anyway