4K Ultra HD – UK Edition – Arrow Films – 143 min ( cinema version) // 155 min (long version) – 28 November 2022
Video format
• Intermediate Master: 4K
• Standard HDR: Dolby Vision
• Ratio: 1.85
Soundtrack
• English DTS-HD MA 5.1
• English DTS-HD MA 2.0
Subtitles
• English
It is brought to the attention of our dear readers as well as the viewing equipment specified and used by each tester of the MaG team, the rendering may differ from one installation to another, whether or not it is calibrated, as well as personal preferences and expectations may influence the rating. Moreover, the images in the article are not representative of the edition tested.
WORK – The hero of class struggle
12th century, England. In the absence of King Richard, the sheriff of Nottingham reigned as a tyrant over the country, assisted by his cousin Guy of Gisbourne, the witch Mortianna and the corrupt bishop of Hereford. On his return to England alongside Azeem, Robin returned to his father's castle. But the latter was killed by the sheriff's men after refusing to join them. Robin swears to avenge his father...
If he should be forgiven for his mevererie and a staging having taken some wrinkles, Robin Hood, prince of thieves remains a big blockbuster of 90s where the Costner/Freeman duo works particularly well. Becoming a classic of the genre over the years, this film adventures with a certain epic breath and unforgettable characters (notably the sheriff of Nottingham performed by Alan Rickman) adapts the original myth with panache.
IMAGE – Branch in Sherwood Forest
As an example, this UHD Dolby Vision transfer from a native 4K restoration reproduces as closely as possible the original capture and artistic will of the work.
The « Large » Silver patina 35 mm is fully present (no DNR filter has been applied), the improvement of fine details (the textile fibers of costumes signed by John Bloomfield, the craze on the faces, the textures of the decorations – shot in studio for those of Jerusalem) is evident all along (even when the softness is naturally linked to the shooting), the colorimetric palette gains in richness with more nuanced browns and luxuriant greens (for a more authentic wooded frame), the contrasts are more elegant thanks to deeper blacks (the witch's cave) and healthier whites (the clouds), and the light sources are otherwise more intense than in the past (the rays of the sun in the woods, the burning torches). Certainly, the prince of thieves has never been so beautiful to look at!
SON – (Everything I Do) I Do It For You
Although powered by Michael Kamen's animated score, the DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack lacks relief and is relatively contained in its period spatialization.
The effects are devoid of body, the explosions like the heavy steps of the horses have no weight (the basses were stolen by the robber to the big heart) and the rear opening, without evoking the omnipresence of the score, is limited to a few arrows as well as to atmospheric atmospheres. However, the dialogues are perfectly clear and there is no record failure to report.
Clean and robust (a serious gain far from being annoyed), the stereo track is well held.
CONCLUSION – Target achieved?
Indisputable for fans, this 4K Ultra HD edition carefully designed by the British publisher Arrow Films (solid features, images with impressive fidelity and uncompressed soundtracks) sets itself the ideal companion to follow Robin Hood in his cape and sword adventures!
Artistic note
7
Video quality
9
Audio quality
7
0
How many GBs is disc 4K?
95 GB