PHE Press Release: It’s A Wonderful LIfe (4K/UHD) Digital Only? (1 Viewer)

Ronald Epstein · Nov 7, 2018

Experience Frank Capra’s Beloved Masterpiece Like Never Before,
Fully Restored from the Original Negative in 4K Ultra HD

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE
On Digital 4K with High Dynamic Range November 20, 2018

Paramount Pictures proudly presents a brand new 4K digital restoration of one of the most beloved films of all time: It’s A Wonderful Life. Starring James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell and Henry Travers, director Frank Capra’s heartwarming classic has made an indelible impact on popular culture and continues to be a cherished part of many families’ holiday traditions.
It’s A Wonderful Life in 4K with High Dynamic Range delivers amazing clarity with sharper and brighter images for a sensational home viewing experience.
The studio spent over a year painstakingly restoring this treasured film, using the original nitrate negative along with two fine grain masters made in the 1940s. Each element was carefully scanned using the very latest technology to both...

Rick Thompson · Nov 7, 2018

Will there also be a Blu-ray made from this new scan?

Ronald Epstein · Nov 7, 2018

Rick Thompson said:
Will there also be a Blu-ray made from this new scan?

I am in the process of getting cover art from Paramount PR. I will ask them that question and get back to you.

Robert Crawford · Nov 7, 2018

You got to be kidding me! Damn, I can see the video presentation complaints now. Of course I say that based on the last time Paramount released this on Blu-ray. If they did some further restoration work as indicated perhaps it will look great on 4K/UHD disc.

Konstantinos · Nov 7, 2018

Rick Thompson said:
Will there also be a Blu-ray made from this new scan?

I'm also curious and will be looking forward to the answer.

By the way, the previous bluray release(s) weren't from the negative?
is it the first time now?

Ronald Epstein · Nov 7, 2018

Talked to Paramount PR. They are working on obtaining artwork. They also have no information on a Blu-ray release.

I would have thought the last restoration for Blu-ray was done in 4k and this is simply a full release on the new format. However, that's just speculation.

As far as I remember, everyone has always complained about the transfer quality of this movie so I would hope some additional touch-ups were done for the 4k release.

Rick Thompson · Nov 7, 2018

At one point, there's a white line running vertically near one of the sides. If they can't get it out, then at least zoom in a little so that defect is off the screen. It wasn't on the DVD.

Ronald Epstein · Nov 7, 2018

Here's the cover. Looks like the same cover that was used on the BD release

No 4k label on this.

I got this directly from Paramount PR, but something tells me this box art is going to be revised.

Mike2001 · Nov 7, 2018

Given their War of the Worlds precedent, what makes you think Paramount will be releasing a disk of any kind?

Shouldn't this be in the streaming forum?

Thomas Neumeier · Nov 8, 2018

Neither in the video nor in the press release a disc is mentioned. What a shame if this is really released as a streaming file only...

Robert Crawford · Nov 8, 2018

Mike2001 said:
Given their War of the Worlds precedent, what makes you think Paramount will be releasing a disk of any kind?

Shouldn't this be in the streaming forum?

Until it's confirmed that it's only a digital release the thread stays here.

Mark-P · Nov 8, 2018

Given a choice between Blu-ray and 4K streaming, I take the latter! I remember the first time I bought this in 1985 as a public domain title. It's come a long way since then.

If I had known this was going to get bumped to 4K, I would have bought it when iTunes had it on sale for $4.99!

Mike2001 · Nov 8, 2018

Robert Crawford said:
Until it's confirmed that it's only a digital release the thread stays here.

Isn’t that what it says in the press release? “On Digital 4K with High Dynamic Range November 20, 2018.” We’ve gotten used to this in studio press releases, with the release going on to say... “and released on 4K UHD Blu-ray and regular Blu-ray two weeks later.” However, that latter part is conspicuously missing here.

Robert Crawford · Nov 8, 2018

Mike2001 said:
Isn’t that what it says in the press release? “On Digital 4K with High Dynamic Range November 20, 2018.” We’ve gotten used to this in studio press releases, with the release going on to say... “and released on 4K UHD Blu-ray and regular Blu-ray two weeks later.” However, that latter part is conspicuously missing here.

This is not a debatable issue, an administrative decision has been stated for the time being.

Keith Cobby · Nov 8, 2018

I'm not optimistic about this or many other older films being released on 4k disc.

2HB · Nov 8, 2018

As we watch this every Christmas Eve without fail I’ll pick this up again if there’s a 4K derived Blu ray as well. I’ve bought just about every version since the original DVD.
If this is only 4K I’d advise anyone who wants the best Blu ray to pick up the German Studio canal release. The picture quality is an improvement on the Paramount, I certainly don’t remember any damage and the audio is lossless rather than Dolby digital.

atfree · Nov 8, 2018

Per RAH on another thread, it appears this will be digital release only, no disc. Paramount sucks.

JQuintana · Nov 8, 2018

I'd be totally cool with digital only, I no longer use discs and would be nice to have a digital copy since my only version is a copy of an old DVD and the NBC version saved on my DVR.

Tino · Nov 8, 2018

atfree said:
Paramount sucks.

They suck so much because they’re offering this classic film in 4K/HDR, Probably for $9.99 if you don’t already own it(which I do and will upgraded to 4K free of charge) to anyone that wants it?? And that sucks????

Jeez people.

JQuintana · Nov 8, 2018

^^^^
This

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