The Princess Bride 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

Criterion Collection's 4K UHD presentation of "The Princess Bride" is nothing short of spectacular. The film is displayed in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, sourced from a 35mm original camera negative scanned in 4K resolution on a Northlight film scanner. The UHD disc takes the classic film to an unprecedented level with Dolby Vision HDR, delivering brighter tones, improved saturation, and superior depth that surpasses the already excellent SDR Blu-ray. Every element on-screen shines with exquisite detail, from intricate attire to terrain textures, ensuring a true-to-film experience. The grain structure is perfectly managed, maintaining a natural look while providing stunning clarity and richness.

The Dolby Vision grading makes colors pop and renders lifelike skin tones, dark inky blacks, and vivid whites. Notably, the color palette enjoys an extended range, with vibrant, eye-catching hues from lush emerald greens and candy rose reds to realistic cerulean skies. Textural details reach new heights, showcasing finely stitched costumes and every crevice in the rock formations. The HDR implementation ensures dynamic contrast and brightness balance, enriching the image with specular highlights that add realism without blooming artifacts. The inclusion of HDR10+ metadata offers additional compatibility for top-tier home theater setups.

The Criterion release enhances scenes previously marred by grain or blur, presenting them now with remarkable steadiness and detail. From the grandson’s sharply rendered room to the natural-looking outdoor forest scenes, the UHD disc breathes new vitality into this timeless adventure. Faces reveal pores, lines, and freckles with pinpoint accuracy, contributing to an intimate viewing experience. This presentation stands as the definitive way to enjoy "The Princess Bride," proving that meticulous restoration and cutting-edge technology can bring new life to beloved classics while respecting their cinematic roots.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack for "The Princess Bride" offers impressive clarity and depth, faithfully reproducing dialogue and Mark Knopfler's score with excellent fidelity. Dialogue is consistently clear and centered, while the ambient audio effects, such as wind, creaking ropes, and environmental sounds during sequences like the Fire Swamp and the torture scene, broaden the soundstage effectively. The mix, while front-heavy, features a well-extended surround presence with details like trumpet fanfares echoing lightly from the rear channels.

In terms of dynamic range, the track excels with solid channel separation and a balanced tonal quality. Sound effects like clanking swords and popping gas flares are sharp and vivid, adding realism to action scenes. The surround mix is subtle but effective in creating a more immersive experience, with ambient noises like blowing wind and reverberating echoes enhancing the atmosphere. Although the low-end frequencies are not particularly prominent, they provide sufficient weight to complement the visuals.

Notably, the 4K UHD Blu-Ray includes both 5.1 and 2.0 DTS-HD MA tracks in English and German, catering to different listening preferences. While the 2.0 track preserves the original theatrical stereo experience, the 5.1 mix significantly widens the soundstage and improves environmental immersion. The soundtrack exhibits superb acoustical detail in action sequences and a rich, warm presentation of the musical score. This carefully crafted audio presentation makes this release arguably the best sonic representation of "The Princess Bride" to date.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "The Princess Bride" excels in its compilation of both vintage and new bonus features, providing a comprehensive look at the film's enduring legacy. Fans will appreciate the meticulous collection of commentary, interviews, and featurettes that delve into the creation and impact of this beloved classic. The set includes legacy content from earlier editions and introduces new material such as interviews with art director Richard Holland and a program about William Goldman's commissioned tapestry. Additional highlights include an audiobook excerpt narrated by Rob Reiner and a video diary from Cary Elwes, ensuring a rich, immersive experience for enthusiasts.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: By Rob Reiner, William Goldman, Andrew Scheinman, Billy Crystal, and Peter Falk.
• Audiobook Reading: Goldman’s novel read by Rob Reiner.
• True Love: Reiner, Elwes, and Wright reflect on the film.
• Pure Enchantment: Loren-Paul Caplin discusses Goldman's script.
• The Tapestry: Exploration of Goldman's commissioned tapestry.
• Making of the Film: Multiple behind-the-scenes vignettes.
• Fairy-Tale Reality: Interview with art director Richard Holland.
• Miraculous Makeup: Billy Crystal and his makeup artist discuss Miracle Max.
• Behind the Scenes Videos: Five videos with optional commentary.
• Cary Elwes Video Diary: With narration by Robin Wright.
• The Art of Fencing: Focuses on sword fighting techniques.
• Fairy Tales & Folklore: Exploration of fairy tales’ lasting appeal.
• Trailers & TV Spots: U.S. trailer, international trailer, and TV spots.

A timeless classic, "The Princess Bride" fuses adventure, romance, and humor into a universally appealing narrative. The 4K UHD Blu-ray release, boasting a 2160p/Dolby Vision presentation and a remastered Blu-ray, amplifies this experience with pristine visuals and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtracks. The plot unfolds as a young boy, home sick, is regaled by his grandfather with the enchanting tale of Buttercup (Robin Wright) and Westley (Cary Elwes). Their love story is set against the backdrop of conniving Prince Humperdinck's (Chris Sarandon) schemes, a notorious pirate, and a trio of unusual allies: a vengeful swordsman (Mandy Patinkin), a giant (André the Giant), and a cunning Sicilian (Wallace Shawn).

Rob Reiner's adept direction ensures that William Goldman's novel thrives on screen, with superb performances from the entire cast. The film's sharp-witted script and memorable quotes have cemented it into popular culture. Technical contributions by individuals like cinematographer Adrian Biddle and composer Mark Knopfler further elevate the fairy-tale ambiance. The buoyant pacing couples with these technical facets to create an engaging spectacle.

"The Princess Bride" succeeds in delivering a multifaceted viewing experience, melding fantasy, action, and satirical humor without losing its emotional core. The high-definition restoration in the 4K UHD format revitalizes this endearing film, reaffirming its place as a cherished piece of cinematic history, ensuring its magic captivates audiences, whether newcomers or lifelong fans.

"The Princess Bride" makes its Ultra HD Blu-ray debut in a 4K/Blu-ray Combo offering from The Criterion Collection featuring a beautifully restored and faithful video quality. The transfer elevates this beloved classic to new heights, providing an enchanting visual experience with stunning Dolby Vision HDR that faithfully captures the film's original charm. The 5.1 lossless soundtrack is equally impressive, delivering a stellar auditory experience that complements the superb visual restoration.

This release continues the tradition of Criterion’s high standards by including a robust selection of new and returning extras that offer fans a deeper insight into the making of the film. The performances are inspired, the script is both witty and smart, and the direction along with the evocative score coalesce into a piece of sheer cinematic magic. For those who cherish "The Princess Bride" for its blend of romance, adventure, heroism, and humor, this UHD release is an impeccable addition to any collection.

Simply stated, "The Princess Bride" remains a fabulous movie that transcends its fairy tale premise to engage audiences of all ages. Criterion has outdone themselves with this release, carrying over all special features from their previous Blu-ray while presenting the film in an unmatched HDR transfer. For enthusiasts who desire to experience this cult classic in the best possible presentation, this newly released UHD edition comes highly recommended.

Conclusively, for those who enjoy this charming and memorable film and wish to own it in Ultra HD, this new release from The Criterion Collection comes highly recommended.