Scum 4K UHD (1980) (88 Films) (UK)

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by nicwood

This is one of the bigger disappointments as of late because this label isn’t usually known for potato-grade encoding. The new master is fine and the HDR is solid but it’s very poorly encoded with strong blocking artifacts in normal areas and clipped highlights that bring Criterion’s Walkabout to mind. As the pixel patterns look quite similar, I think that comparison is wholly justified.

I’m not sure how much detail is in the negative and what was captured by the scanner but I suspect a touch of filtering on top as the grain / detail isn’t as crisp and "tight" as I imagine it could look in 4K. Their BD is slightly "better" as it’s not that noisy but then again still not as good as FiM’s encode for Indicator as it breaks down in the highlights and darker areas are a blocky mess.

The Indicator master is 2K and shows its age by now in terms of dynamic range (clipped highlights in particular) but it’s less buzzy, noisy and ultimately more film-like than both of the 88 discs.

I’ll part with the 88 again and will wait for reviews in the future unless Fidelity in Motion’s involvement is confirmed. A real shame that this release had to be messed up at the last step. I know that 88 used this authoring house for several titles as they always use the same type of menu layout but they’ve unquestionably dropped the ball here. The difference from American Pie to Scum can be taken literally.

I didn't rush to pre-order this as I'm verr happy with the Indicator. Usually I'm not one to turn down a 4K of whatever movie but this is one of those times I thought 'do I really need a 4K HDR version of this?', and now I'm doubly glad to have swerved it. Be a shame if 88's encoding started to go downhill.