Chinatown 4K UHD (1974) (50th Anniversary Edition)

[lilboyblu]

Originally Posted by HuggyBear73

Great!

Only problem for me much like .. Once Upon a Time in the West ... they'll probably release a standard down the road with OG art on slip. And I'll be forced to buy that too.

Agreed. Already own both on Blu-ray and have the Chinatown slipcover. As much as I would love love love to pick up the 4K Day 1, I may just hold out for a standard release as well.

[Monterey Jack]

Never seen The Two Jakes, but getting both in the same package is a hell of a deal.

[NeoNical]

[Show spoiler]I swear if this was an April Fools joke this is something I will not be recovering from for a long time

Already placed a pre-order on this. I'm convinced this is the greatest film of all time. Saw this one in theaters last week and it was my first rewatch in 5-6 years and it STILL is amazing after all these years.

Coincidentally, I was talking with my friend who went to the screening with me and they asked me if there was a 4K coming last night!

One last thing, for those who haven't read it yet, I HIGHLY recommend reading Sam Wasson's THE BIG GOODBYE: "CHINATOWN" AND THE LAST YEARS OF HOLLYWOOD. Really well done book about the production and it does provide a very interesting thesis as to why it's one of the finest films of all time.

[MifuneFan]

It is interesting that it includes Two Jakes there instead of a BD copy of Chinatown. I think the only time Paramount did something like that was for War of the Worlds, and that's because Criterion had BD rights. Would be funny if Criterion had BD rights to Chinatown this whole time (as has been rumored) and never released it.

[Monterey Jack]

Incidentally, this is the movie that opened the day I was born.

[NeoNical]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

It is interesting that it includes Two Jakes there instead of a BD copy of Chinatown. I think the only time Paramount did something like that was for War of the Worlds, and that's because Criterion had BD rights. Would be funny if Criterion had BD rights to Chinatown this whole time (as has been rumored) and never released it.

If Criterion did have Chinatown, then I think they made a big mistake on not releasing this one.

Even with a regular Blu-ray release, all the extras and video quality that they would put effort into probably would've made this one a good seller for them, even if it were to be in print for a few years. I could easily imagine this being in that batch of Paramount titles that went OOP a few years back. Scalpers and fans would have gone berserk if it even happened.

[harry o]

Saw this classic in the summer of 74 at the Empire cinema in London ( august I think ?) expect a 4k collectors edition in uk if not I'll import.

[MovieBuff647]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

It is interesting that it includes Two Jakes there instead of a BD copy of Chinatown. I think the only time Paramount did something like that was for War of the Worlds, and that's because Criterion had BD rights. Would be funny if Criterion had BD rights to Chinatown this whole time (as has been rumored) and never released it.

Kino Lorber did really have CHINATOWN at one point based on a now-deleted tweet. There was also a rumor about Arrow having the rights, though that could be a UK thing too.

[amputd]

Which Paramount is releasing this? The good one or the bad one? I’m living in Primal Fear it’s the latter one.

[Ryan1973]

Originally Posted by Monterey Jack

Never seen The Two Jakes, but getting both in the same package is a hell of a deal.

Ya I just wish The Two Jakes was also going to be on 4K UHD instead of blu-ray.

[PinkyCarruthers]

Super excited about this. At LAST!!! And the deluxe Paramount Presents treatment -- nice! Hands clasped Paramount doesn't half-arse the transfer.

A little disappointed Two Jakes isn't getting a 4K as well but wonder if it'll be a new scan. The previous Blu looks fine but always room for improvement. Not a great movie by any stretch but there are pleasures to be had and one which I certainly enjoy revisiting from time to time (a lot more than when I initially saw it on release -- I hadn't seen Chinatown yet and it might as well have been in Greek. Even several post-Chinatown viewings later I sometimes find myself getting lost). Also hope the great featurette featuring Jack from the Collector's Edition DVD that was bypassed for the barebones Blu is included here so I can finally toss mine in the thrift-shop donations.

[fvg627]

Hoping this and OUATITW get standard slip releases down the line

[reanimator]

I've seen the 4K streaming version, which is very smoothed over, so my expectations are low. Buying it anyway because, hey -- it's Chinatown.

[dallywhitty]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Would be funny if Criterion had BD rights to Chinatown this whole time (as has been rumored) and never released it.

Sounds like a very Criterion thing to do tbh.

[stvn1974]

Sweet, I thought this was an April Fools joke at first and that I was going to have to cut some people.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by reanimator

I've seen the 4K streaming version, which is very smoothed over, so my expectations are low. Buying it anyway because, hey -- it's Chinatown.

Might end up like the Grease situation, first one on UHD is extremely over processed - dat 70mm audio tho - while the second one, Blu only, looks incredible.

[Pieter V]

Forget it, Jake. It’s Chinatown.”

So ends a film that is widely recognized as one of the greatest in cinema history. The haunting noir classic CHINATOWN celebrates its 50th anniversary this year and Paramount is marking the occasion with a Limited-Edition 4K Ultra HD release on June 18, 2024.

Produced by the legendary Robert Evans, CHINATOWN was originally released on June 26, 1974 and received widespread critical acclaim along with 11 Oscar® nominations, including Best Picture. In 1991, the film was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the United States National Film Registry as being “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant.”

Robert Towne’s brilliant Academy Award®-winning screenplay weaves a tragic and shocking tale of corruption, greed, and the human propensity for evil. Powerhouse performances by Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway and John Huston, a riveting story inspired by real events, vivid imagery, and a stirring score combine to make an unforgettable film that is essential for every cinephile’s collection.

The Limited-Edition Paramount Presents release includes the restored film on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc™ for the first time ever. The exacting restoration was completed using the original camera negative, which was repaired using the latest technology in areas that had been previously damaged. The result is a sparkling 4K Ultra HD presentation that uses more of the best possible source than previous masters and faithfully captures the film’s distinctively dreamy and simultaneously realistic look.

In addition, this release includes extensive new and legacy bonus content (see below), access to a Digital copy of the film, and a bonus Blu-ray™ with the 1990 sequel The Two Jakes, directed by and starring Jack Nicholson and written by Robert Towne.


New bonus content is detailed below:

• A State of Mind: Author Sam Wasson On Chinatown – Sam Wasson, film historian and bestselling author of The Big Goodbye: Chinatown and the Last Years Of Hollywood, on the importance of the film and its legacy. [NEW]
• Chinatown Memories – Legendary producer Hawk Koch shares stories from his time as assistant director on the film.
• The Trilogy That Never Was – Sam Wasson discusses the planned third installment of what would have been a trio of movies featuring the character Jake Gittes.

Additional legacy bonus content:

• Commentary by screenwriter Robert Towne with David Fincher
• Water and Power
• The Aqueduct
• The Aftermath
• The River & Beyond
• Chinatown: An Appreciation
• Chinatown: The Beginning and the End
• Chinatown: Filming
• Chinatown: Legacy
• Theatrical Trailer

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by NeoNical

If Criterion did have Chinatown, then I think they made a big mistake on not releasing this one.

They might have waited for a new master that didn't come for years and years, and now it's pointless.

[BluProofie]

Sounds like it could be a new master and not the one that’s streaming.

[Geoff D]

Never gonna get rid of this beaut, the 4K will go into the case: