The UHD release of Flash Gordon is brought to us courtesy of Arrow Films. Within the release, there is a booklet that offers some additional information on what measures went into the restoration efforts:
Flash Gordon has been exclusively restored by Studio Canal and is presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.35:1 with 5.1 and stereo 2.0 sound.
The original 35mm camera negative was scanned on an ARRI from the original 35mm negative in 4K 16-bit resolution. The restoration work was extensive, with a great deal of care given to reduce density fluctuation and flicker on the numerous optical and processed shots throughout the film. The restoration was completed in 4K restoration.
The colour grading including HDR Dolby Vision, REC709, and XYZ for DCP. The grading was approved by Director Mike Hodges.
Because work was carried out at such a high resolution, the original “wire work” was clearly visible in some scenes. Mike Hodges made the decision to digitally remove or reduce these instances, given that they did not appear as prominently in the original theatrical prints or home video releases.
The audio was remastered from the original stereo tracks. The 5.1 was remixed and an issue with the LFE channel on the original 5.1 mix was corrected.
This restoration of Flash Gordon has been approved by Mike Hodges
Let’s just say, this release is and will very likely be the release to use when showcasing your 4K setup. Everything from the color palette to the saturation and depth of the visuals just really popped. The colors were much more refined and robust, the finer details of the scene went unblemished, it was simply beautiful.
Audio Quality (4/5):
Bundled with an English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix, the UHD release of Flash Gordon wasn’t all that bad. Sure, I had to bump my volume levels up a notch to hear things better, but the overall presence of the audio mix fell right in place with the experience that I had expected with this release. Offering viewers a more distinct experience than what you could get back when this film originally premiered, but also not really using the full technological benefit of the format. Dialogue was spoken cleanly and clearly and everybody was able to be heard and understood without any issues.
The Packaging (5/5):
Arrow’s 4K release of Flash Gordon is packaged unlike your standard release. First, you have the two-disc amaray case. In that case is the 4K copy of the film, as well as a Blu-ray disc. While you would think that there would be a Blu-ray copy of the movie included with this release, that isn’t the fact. Buy, the Blu-ray disc that is included features a copy of the documentary Life After Flash as well as a pretty sizable set of special features. There is also an art book that’s included that features photos from different areas of the production processes, coupled with some writings about the work that went into the remastering process. There is also a folded poster included that features the same artwork that’s shared throughout the release. Lastly, there is a solid, thicker box that everything goes into to keep it together while on the shelf.
Special Features (5/5):
Man, Arrow Films did NOT disappoint with the supplemental material for this release. Both the UHD and Blu-ray come packed to the top with features that are worth checking out in every right. Included with this release is:
- Disc One (4K UHD)
- Commentaries
- Commentary with Writer-Director Mike Hodges
- Commentary with Actor Brian Blessed
- “Big Kev’s Geek Stuff” Commentary
- Featurettes
- Behind the Scenes of Flash Gordon
- Lost in Space: Nic Roeg’s Flash Gordon
- Flash Gordon Animated Episode
- Flash Gordon Merchandise
- 35th Anniversary Greenroom
- 35th Anniversary Reunion
- Interviews
- Mike Hodges
- Lorenzo Semple, Jr.
- Alex Ross
- Sam J. Jones on His Move into Acting
- Bob Lindenmayer on Deleted Scenes
- Melody Anderson
- Melody Anderson on Her Wedding Dress
- Melody Anderson on Improvisation
- Melody Anderson on Her Hardest Scene
- Brian Blessed
- Brian Blessed proves his point
- Brian Blessed loves dwarfs
- Brian Blessed’s own special effects
- Brian Blessed on Sam as Flash
- Brian Blessed’s raffle
- Brian May
- Brian May on Dino
- Brian May on recording the soundtrack
- Howard Blake on Mickey Mouse
- Renato Casaro
- Galleries
- Storyboards Gallery
- Stills Gallery
- Original Trailer
- Commentaries
- Disc 2 (Blu-ray):
- Life After Flash
- Extended Comic Con Sequence
- Deep Roy Ambition Rap
- Tell Me More about This Man Houdini
- Sam J. Jones Prayer Walk in Full
- Chattanooga Film Festival Script Read
- Lisa Downs Interview
- Topol’s Stamps
- Topol’s Awards
- Topol’s Jordan River Village
- Topol’s Portraits
- Boston Sci-Fi Fest
- Alex Ross Talks Early Art
- Melody’s Paintings Extended
- Private West End Screening
- Kickstarter Video
- Mexico Sequence
- Flash Gordon Starts a Fire
- Brian, Tim, Magda Love Triangle
- Sam and His Wolf
- Brian Gooses Melody
- Deep Roy’s Eastbound & Down
- Rochdale Extended
- The Late, Great Peter Wyngarde Uncut Excerpt
- Trailer
Technical Specs:
Video
Codec: HEVC / H.265 (79.75 Mbps)
Resolution: Native 4K (2160p)
HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Original Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Audio
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
Subtitles
English SDH
Runtime
Original Film: 112 Minutes
Final Thoughts:
As you can see, this release is one hell of an introduction into the 4K UHD format from our friends at Arrow Video. With Flash Gordon they absolutely knocked it out of the park in terms of audio and video presentation, special features, and overall packaging; this release is the must have release for your UHD setup. If you’re looking to grab it, I would definitely recommend it. Flash Gordon is available on 4K UHD today.
