SPARTACUS 4K ULTRAHD BLU-RAY REVIEW | ANOTHER WINNER FOR THE 4K FORMAT?

[@michaelbradley7595]

There are so many 70mm movies that scream for a 4k restoration. Cleopatra, Ben Hur, Khartoum, Sound of Music, Oklahoma, South Pacific, My Fair Lady, Patton, The Bible and Technirama movies like Auntie Mame, Zulu, Pink Panther and Gypsy would be some good candidates for restoration. Technirama movies were shot two frame horizontally and could easily be reprinted to a perfect 70 mm print called Super Technirama 70. The old Vistavision movies shot the same way without the slight anamorphic squeeze can be printed almost the same way. That is how they got a perfectly acceptable 70mm version of C.B. Demille's Ten Commandments called Super Vistavision. Vertigo is in Vistavision. I almost can't wait to see its 4k restoration. The clarity on the old big format films is often stunning, even on bluray.

[@Danieru-San]

don't forget It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

[@SuckMyJohnson]

I don’t know how Ben hur didn’t get a 4K for its 60th anniversary

[@Shadow-gm9ct]

MGM’s sitting on an 8K scan of 1959 Ben-Hur

[@LILGHETTI]

Definite improvement in terms of video and audio quality jeff! Great review!

[@tracebearly]

Sounds like an incredible improvement for Spartacus. I'm looking forward to (fingers crossed!) a 4k of Ben Hur 🙂.

[@SuperRob-qe5rz]

To be honest with you I thought that Ben Hur should have been in 4k why before this movie

[@Danieru-San]

@@SuperRob-qe5rz i think it's because this is a Kubrick movie. Kubrick deserves only the best

[@dallasguy3306]

Well oh well, I just pre-ordered this on Best Buy. I bought Jaws on your recommendation. And Blues Brothers. You're costing me $! JK. You have a great channel, and you're knowledgeable as hell. I agree with your contention that 4K UHD is really coming on. I don't care how great the films look on Movies Anywhere, Vudu, Google Play or KZbin; nothing beats that physical disk! And it's yours forever, no matter who buys the rights.

[@noeldillabough]

Heh me too, ordered this and blues brothers because of Jeff

[@nationalcoasternews5798]

I’ve spent a couple hundred dollars over the past couple months because of Jeff

[@tellittojoe]

I would love to start seeing some of the classic MGM musicals upgraded to 4k, like Singing in the rain or even My fair Lady

[@tracebearly]

I'd love to see "Meet Me in St. Louis" released on 4k! Or any Rodgers & Hammerstein film...

[@tellittojoe]

@@tracebearly Oklahoma would be amazing because it was filmed in two formats, one being todd-ao. also South Pacific was filmed in the same two formats

[@tracebearly]

@@tellittojoe ... The one I'd love to see, just as a personal preference, would be "The King & I." All those gorgeous sets and costumes... And "Fiddler on the Roof!" Ack, I could go on and on, lol 😉.

[@tracebearly]

@@tellittojoe ... But, yes, both South Pacific and Oklahoma would look (and, hopefully, sound) stunning with a 4k restoration!

[@DangerousDevilOfficial]

Classic film. I bet it will be a great film to see in 4K! This is one of the films that really benefit from the restoration. And I dig seeing these older films cleaned up and watching like this creates a whole new experience. Like re watching the films for the first time! By the way, sound is crisp. But you have some background noise. Sounds almost like rain on my end. Video is also crisp. But your skin looks washed out. Or you look like you may have been sick. Skin is very white. Not meant rude. I think maybe a little post production (if you do post) to sound and color should make those problems disappear. Otherwise a more natural white diffuser on your new lighting will break up that bright white a little more.

[@michaelbradley7595]

2001 is a gorgeous restoration too. Try it.

[@geovannyzuniga6037]

I pre ordered the steelbook Spartacus... I'm glad I did ordered.

[@garyturley2435]

same here now sold out in uk

[@henryconga58]

Awesome video Jeff! Any info on Ben hur in 4k?

[@ElliotCoen]

That steelbook design is so smooth. I'm Spartacus!

[@garyturley2435]

yes i have it pre order

[@jeffreykaufmann2867]

No I'm Spartacus!

[@markgreene1162]

Hey thanks for the review and I appreciate your passion for these older movies. Bring these movies back to life again with these beautiful restorations is a must. It's like history and we need to preserve it so we can always remember and not forget.

[@sleestack13]

Will the regular Blu-ray that comes with this also have the new scan?

[@starman15317]

Yep, it's the Blu Ray from a couple of years ago with the same 4K restoration. Not the old 2009 Blu Ray.

[@sleestack13]

@@starman15317 Thanks! I appreciate both the comment and the information.

[@bronxboroughpresident3608]

I have the remastered blu ray. Is this a huge upgrade over that?

[@atimtg]

Just watched this in 4k on LG OLED and must say very impressed. Didn't notice any film grain either which was hard to believe. 5 star restoration!

[@billfroggatt]

Way to go, Jeff! Another great review about a true classic. I bought the 1991 Spartacus laserdisc that year, since I was a big fan of Kubrick and Kirk Douglas. That version did have the restored footage of the bath scene with Laurence Olivier and Tony Curtis. One story about that scene was that the sound had been trashed. Of course, they brought Curtis in to re-dub his dialogue. However, Mr. Olivier had passed back in 1989. So, who do you think they got to re-dub Olivier's lines? None other than Anthony Hopkins! I'm sure your fans will also enjoy the great acting of the entire cast, especially Charles Laughton and Peter Ustinov, who seem to be in competition with each other as they both steal every scene they are in! The 1991 laserdisc was in the "letterbox" format so Universal was doing the right thing way back then. This laserdisc still looks fine. Yes, I still do have a working laserdisc player. I've never seen a DVD, nor a Blu-ray of Spartacus, so based on your review, I'm sure I'm in for a fantastic treat when I get the 4k version.

[@ThekingEC7]

Wow I had no idea Anthony Hopkins Redubbed Olivier's lines in that scene! I did notice him being thanked in the credits but didn't really pay much attention. Thanks for the info thats fascinating!

[@michaelbradley7595]

Peter Ustinov is wonderful from the first scene where he corrects the slave carrying the parasol.

[@kevindudley9617]

Great review (and the improved audio & lighting helps). Is the restoration used to the 4K UHD release the same one prepared & used for the restored 2015 blu-ray release?

[@robinanwaldt]

Yup.

[@RenePeraza]

Man, oh man... I still love my Stanley Kubrick Bluray boxset collection which includes Spartacus. Not ready to triple dip... but do love this film.

[@southendonseaarts]

These classic 4K films are superb we’re being spoilt, Ben Hur next please and West Side Story

[@tiznip]

Just ordered

[@davidprice6994]

you have just sold me the movie lol great review matey. love these old classics getting the 4K treatment.

[@jamesfromwellington]

Audio sounded great in this video, levels spot on, gain very good, much better than you first video "test" a few days ago. Watching on my projector in daylight so can't comment on the lighting

[@alexanderg1297]

Gladiator 4K review please?

[@blurayffan66]

Great review mate- audio/video all ok. I cannot wait to pick up this 4K release!!! Greetings from Ireland.

[@johnscott4385]

Lighting looks good. As I commented before, the new mike sounds great. Makes it comfortable to listen.

[@bravelygeorge]

Definitely picking this one up!

[@myhometheater7029]

This is on my list for sure!!!! But brother, your microphone is on point! The vocal is so clean in your video!!!!!! The light is good but the vocal is the stand out! Fantastic job on that! If you don’t mind me asking, what microphone are you using? I’m in need of one for my channel!

[@ATOK_]

I hope we get a Bond 4k boxset soon

[@Coverman62]

hi french audio on the 4k bluray? Thanks

[@robinanwaldt]

Depends on the country you purchase it in, I guess. I bought mine in Germany and it only had an English and a German audio track. It might be different in France.

[@wobblercjc869]

Great video!

[@TheEasterFerret]

Scarface would be a great addition to a Universal classics set. I watched that on 4K last night and it's soooo good.

[@jimd385]

Excellent review. Also, nice shirt-I live in Ipswich (U.K.)

[@MercuryCircuit]

Hi. Great review. I've just picked this up with Leon directors cut. Can't wait to watch them both. Home cinema is really becoming good again.

[@atoz6552]

Not sure why the steelbook isn't available on the Canadian BestBuy website 😒

[@thetommyyaya4994]

Jeff, Long ago and far away Sony introduced a new DVD format known as Superbit which crammed a higher bitrate onto a standard DVD. The first title that I saw (not the first Superbit title) was "The Mask of Zorro" which had already seen on DVD. The improvement was truly breath-taking! Now "The Mask of Zorro" has now been released on 4K. I'm expecting that it will not disappoint. Please review!

[@williamglover5579]

The Tommy Yaya, I have several Superbit discs! One that I treasure is “The Patriot.” Love it!

[@donaldsmith7633]

Did you pick up the best buy red steel book of Spartacus

[@atoz6552]

Criterion needs to go 4k!

[@joshuacalkins]

Thanks a lot for the good info. Glad I subscribed. I’ve never seen Spartacus, but now I will.

[@ianculley-morgan3623]

Another great video. Convinced me to buy it.

[@jamesgarrison7397]

Can't wait to pick this one up. Great Lighting and Beard.

[@stewartschuster]

The lighting and sound are great!

[@TheKibbles2005]

I can’t wait for this! Jeff’s reviews are the most reliable on the interwebs.

[@kurntheimmortal]

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! He's just another schlub with a camera.

[@bradleycarreiro6758]

Just used your link for Spartacus as it is 19.99 right now on Amazon! Can’t wait to watch! Thanks!

[@alexf8148]

good classic in native 4k cannot be missed!

[@slartybartfarst55]

Hey there, liking the new lighting, & the new Mic is very clean. Good choices

[@MrVonSchiller]

Finally you have one of those lights where I can see the light circle in your eyes

[@russyoung4528]

Jeff it seems that this steelbook is not a best buy exclusive, HMV UK and Amazon.co.uk have both been selling this steelbook, but a great review

[@Gthemaniac]

Yep have it pre ordered great review thanks. Call me old but my favorite movie ever

[@georgestreng]

Lighting is a huge improvement! I preordered my Steelbook just now ... thanks so much for letting us know how good it is so we know we aren’t wasting our money. 🙂👍

[@zackmekis6673]

Jeff, would love if you touched on the content of the film itself at least a little bit in these reviews. I know it’s not the main focus, but you have a ton of experience with films, so I (and many others I presume) would greatly value your opinion/perspective on the films themselves. Great stuff man, keep it up!

[@JeffRauseo]

It’s a good point! I will be doing it more in future reviews. Thanks for the feedback

[@desuhunachew2805]

where are you been i didn't ser you on the screen.welcome back.

[@JeffRauseo]

Sir do you need medical attention?

[@JJ-nu3we]

Just put in my pre-order on your recommendation!

[@trueCinemaniac]

Really glad to hear Universal is doing a great job with their catalog titles. Can't wait for Back to the Future, praying it's one of the best transfers. The sound and lighting are coming across great, Jeff.

[@norwegianblue2017]

The lighting looks much better now.

[@professorabronsius]

Gracias amigo!!! 🇨🇱💯

[@kevinkoch6900]

Samson and Delilah restored would also be great.

[@Will.the.book.dragon]

Great review. I've got this pre-ordered on Amazon and excited to see this again. I haven't seen this since I was kid good ol 2 vhs set lol.

[@ChristianLehrer]

I was going to buy the 2018 restored release on BluRay. So glad I waited. The 4K standard release is down to $19.95 at Amazon and includes the Blu ray as well. I don't yet have a 4K player yet, but I can enjoy the BluRay and digital copy now and save the 4K disc for later. Thanks for the helpful review!

[@Latnman101]

ordered it in steelbook.

[@bmack0517]

Thank you for the 9.99 link this morning never seen can not wait !

[@pietroscarpa2384]

I saw this movie a couple of weeks ago in 4k and I was blown away by how good it looks and the movie is just great, really nice experience.

[@GA-1st]

This movie had a interesting production history. Kubrick essentially disowned the film. But it's still great. I saw the restored 1991 version in the cinema. It was restored again in 2015. I have the 2002 Criterion DVD and the recent 2019 Blu-ray edition. I look forward to this release...

[@michaelbradley7595]

The reason Kubrick disowned it was that it was so heavily preproduced by Anthony Mann and Douglas before he got on set so that Kubrick just photographed it and did not have complete artistic control over it like his other films. Anthony Mann went on to make Fall of the Roman Empire in 70mm Ultra Panavision which also deserves a 4K restoration. Ultra Panavision Cameras were also used to film Tarantino's Hateful Eight, the same cameras that shot Ben Hur.

[@BlaBla-jj6sh]

It's the least 'Kubrick-y' of all Kubrick films and indeed far more akin in it's approach to the more conventional swords-and-sandals epics of the time. That said, it is certainly one of the better and entertaining ones. It still holds up very good today.

[@michaelbradley7595]

@@BlaBla-jj6sh The reason why it it is the least Kubricky is that most of the movie preproduction was done by director Anthony Mann who did Fall of the Roman Empire. Production was well underway before Kubrick took the reins. Art Direction, Sets, Costume the choice of cinematographer were all done before he even set foot on the set..

[@GA-1st]

@@michaelbradley7595 To be clear, Spartacus was shot in 35mm Super Technirama 70 (blown up to 70mm), not Ultra Panavision 70 (65mm blown up to 70mm)...

[@GA-1st]

@@BlaBla-jj6sh Ustinov won the Oscar, but Laughton deserved it more. And Olivier gave one of his best leading role performances on film IMO. Sadly, the latter two didn't even receive a nom. I guess it's a matter of "oysters and snails"...

[@UnbelievabIeMontages]

Glad I ordered the steelbook, it looks even more awesome on video.

[@HoboTango]

Anyone know which is better, Criterion Spartacus or 4K Spartacus ?

[@jasonladd6400]

The Criterion is the best dvd version, has a ton of extras and commentaries and better scene access than the blu ray. Don't know about the 4k although the blu ray picture quality is stellar (2010 version)

[@4kmoviesdownload2]

A very moving and compelling story of epic proportions. The plot is relentless, propelled by a dazzling screenplay. Kubrick draws some of the greatest performances of the cast, and fills the screen with images that fascinate throughout. Well paced for a movie of this magnitude. 4kmovies co To those who complain of anachronisms and poetic license with historical events, I say to them, 'Remember, it is a movie.' To be truly accurate, the cast would be delivering their lines in Latin and ancient Greek, with English subtitles. Whatever Kubrick might lose with historical inaccuracies, he gains far more in his ability to convey the story to the viewer. Even though it is over forty years old, the film tells us more of the present day than it does of the past.

[@SuperGlanners]

Great insight to a marvellous release of a classic. Thank you. Lighting and sound all good, my friend. 🙂

[@kieronbimpson890]

New lighting looks great. Will you start shooting in 4K soon. 1080 looks great but I have a 4k tv and your videos would look great on it in 4K! Great work on the videos my friend!

[@edwarner504]

We see you and hear you loud and clear!!! 💪🏻👍🏻

[@CaptainCave-t3n]

Dude I scored this today for $10 steelbook bought it blind without knowing the review 😑. Awesome video

[@garyturley2435]

already got the steelbook on pre order with arts cards sold out now

[@koastaats3536]

audio quality is great brother!

[@Defenze]

Just my 2 cents worth here. Jeff you are right, 4K is coming into it's own. The visual clarity and the use of Atmos sound, together will make even the most mundane film look great. By I contend it's not just the 4K process alone that is having it's day. It's the old movies, that are all classics unto themselves, and restore them to modern day quality, such as 4K and Blu-Ray. Many of the movies of the last few decades are simply not as grand and entertaining as these movies made in the 50's, 60"s and the 70". The focus and attention to detail is just now being brought out for a lot of these movies. I only have to point to the last few years of releases in 4K to make my point. "2001 A Space Odyssey" is a perfect example of what the platform can do for a movie. But the movies itself is a stand out movie. "Spartacus", Jaws", "Alien" "Lawrence Of Arabia" all of these by themselves are unbelievable movies. The 4K process only makes what is a great movie already, greater. IMHO.

[@indeans48]

I was just watching the 2015 Blu Ray tonight as part of my annual July Kubrick-fest and always am amazed by the quality. It reminds me of the look of 70mm based on the clarity and grain structure, but seeing as it basically used eight perfs of 35mm per frame that would make sense. Even in 1080p it’s a great restoration and couldn’t imagine how great the true 4K release must be.

[@williamdavis6939]

Just picked it up on Amazon for $9.99!!! Incredible deal for a great movie and awesome release!

[@kitipoomphantukit8750]

Waiting for back to the future

[@andrewattenboroughtwothumb4697]

glad that i picked it up in august last year and one of my favorite movies by Stanley kubrick and worth seeing projected in 4k

[@linejoce4605]

Wow nice steelbook, i will probably be ordering one of them if i still have time left, Spartacus is an interesting piece of art, even though not the finest work of Kubrick since he half rejected that movie. Interesting composition in terms of visual art, original perspective and a good sense of use with lenses make that movie a real classic even if this is not the most personal work of art coming from that director. Greetings from France !

[@xpload32004]

Picture, lighting and sound look so much better Jeff. Looking forward to having 4K uploads one day ;)

[@enriquecabada8841]

for me 2001 restoration on 4k still beats all the others you mentioned and a couple more you should do a video of top 10

[@overportfilms]

Hopefully after scanning te film and creating a 6k backup they also struck a 35mm or 70mm print, as film actually lasts much longer than digital files

[@jimd385]

I just saw that the ‘complete’ Game of Thrones on 4k is available to order

[@renzonovara2728]

www.superherohype.com/tv/483444-game-of-thrones-the-complete-4k-collection-arrives-later-this-year

[@1970jasand]

Digging the audio upgrade! Also I’m definitely picking this 4K up soon

[@michaelbradley7595]

I noticed extra clarity with the overture. Individual instruments are placed more accurately across the soundstage. I have never heard Alex North's score sound this good before. Its a must buy for any true movie collector.

[@indeans48]

Also on the audio, to the best of my understanding 70mm Six track mixes prior to the late 70s (Star Wars and Apocalypse Now being the big titles) were not the same 5.1 configuration we think of now. They were literally just a front sound stage of five speakers behind the screen (L-CL-C-CR-R) and a single “mono” surround. They were probably able to take Stems (music, dialogue, foley, SFX) from the elements in the archive if any were saved and the rest had to be extracted from the 70mm magnetic tracks. For the 1991 restoration they did a Dolby Stereo mix (4.0 surround with the center and single surround encoded into the “stereo” mix) and may have used pieces of that or referenced it for placement in the modern 7.1 and DTS:X remixes. I personally like when studios try to include the original audio mixes, be they primitive surround like West Side Story or the true mono track like Jaws. But looks like that wasn’t the case with Spartacus.

[@indeans48]

Edit: Rewatching the documentary piece again, it sounds like (using my best interpretation) the Audio Engineer doing the restoration basically just tried to recreate the six track mix. The five channel front stage was condensed into just LCR and the single Mono surround was probably artificially expanded to four tracks but still contains the core pieces of the original 1960 mix.

[@SuperRob-qe5rz]

Universal always does a good job on their 4K releases

[@jeffsmith2283]

I have a 55 anniversary restored Blu-Ray . Is it worth an upgrade to the 60 anniversary 4K UHD ? A comparison video would be appreciated. PS. New lighting and sound look great.

[@robinanwaldt]

Seeing as this film was shot on what could be called a 70mm equivalent, the 4K gives the picture more detail, while the regular Blu-ray looks ever so slightly softer in comparison. I haven’t watched the film in its entirety on the regular Blu-ray, but the HDR seems to make the colors even livelier.

[@zenquantum1246]

Hey Jeff, new gear is a step up. Looking & sounding great! @filmsathome #filmsathome

[@daviddrevicky5516]

I just hope Universal gives the 4K Hitchcock box set the same TLC

[@DangerousDevilOfficial]

David Drevicky this is one I would love to pick up!

[@thomasvinelli]

Me to, especially The Birds. The Birds was a horrible blu ray Dnr ed to death.

[@garyturley2435]

bill and teds first film on zavvi 4k to pre order on studio canal label

[@petecap4382]

Don't forget Paramount what they did with Gladiator & Braveheart was top notch

[@funghus4714]

Thanks for your great reviews! They are always very informative and a pleasure to watch. Already preordered @ amazon.de in may.

[@SirTeoHero]

Good lightning and voice quality. But you could use a lot more b-roll footage. Like when you talk about extras on disk, you could show us the menus for extras and so on.

[@davidsidney7457]

Wish Universal would do a 4K restoration of Tremors

[@michaeljw3602]

Definite improvement Jeff, but a little louder would be nice, but thanks as always for your work

[@timmckenzie8025]

Digital codes via Universal do the same thing for me. Bought the 4K physical copies of Phantom Thread, Field of Dreams, Jaws and Blues Brothers. Initially, when I redeemed PT and FOD, it only redeemed in HD. Months later, I check my digital library and they are now in UHD. Jaws and Blues Bros are still in HD only, but knowing Universal, they’ll eventually “fix the glitch”, and I know I’ll probably be able to enjoy it in UHD soon enough.

[@keancv]

**Geoff** many thanks to you. I have a blind buy with Amazon already, good to know I haven't been let down

[@scarpad]

Yep I saw that steelbook and I cancelled my reg version Pre-order. It can sit with my Gladiator and Braveheart steelbook

[@turnda6432]

Can't wait to get the Universal Monsters collection in 4K.

[@MK-ct8hg]

I am very glad to hear UNIVERSAL did the good transfer. I hope they will do the same on BTTF to come soon.

[@pieeater4877]

How I would love a 4k version of Cleopatra but that won't happen now disney have bought Fox ☹️

[@BB-ed4om]

I picked up this and wizard of oz over the weekend. I wasn’t that impressed with the wizard, but this movie blew me away in 4K. It’s light years ahead of the version I watched on tv a few years ago.

[@ThekingEC7]

"I'M NOT AFTER GLORY!! I'M AFTER SPARTACUS!!"

[@Kurtonebay]

Do Battlestar Galactica (1978)