Great review as always. 90s movies are my favorite regarding the look and feel, since most of these were shot on the gorgeous Eastman EXR color negative stock. It was optimized for 35mm prints. The later and current Kodak Vision stocks were/are optimized for digital scanning. These are wonderful too, but the EXR remains my all time favorite color film stock. IMDb confirms it: Cliffhanger was shot on the Eastman EXR 500T 5296. Not sure why they chose such a fast stock, the grainiest of the EXR range, the most fine grain would have been the EXR 50D, but it looks fantastic.
You have such valuable insight into these things True Film and I thank you for sharing your knowledge. That opening in Cliffhanger made me feel decidedly ill in the cinema (twice actually - I like to punish myself!) and even if it had have been the grainiest print ever after that I don't think I'd have noticed. Fabulous film making. John.
@@moviecollector5920 Thank you. Well I am by no means an expert. I am a film buff since forever. I started making Super 8 films at the age of 14. I never touched video after Super 8's official demise in the early 1980s. Only very recently do I find the image quality acceptable. I had the pleasure of working small jobs at the Frankfurt TV station, from 1977 through 1983, including seeing all those fabulous old telecine machines and I accompanied camera teams on the road. I learned a ton about working with those classic 16mm film cameras such as the Arriflex 16S and BL: threading, light metering, lenses.... Only recently did I discover an affordable, good 16mm camera that can be converted to the wider Super16mm frame. Shooting on film is expensive and cumbersome, but the end result is more than worth it. And yep, I did have Derann Super8mm prints, including Die Hard (scope, slightly cropped top and bottom) and Silence of the Lambs (cropped at the sides from 1.85:1, one reel had a gate hair printed in, otherwise fantastic). They are simply outstanding. I had a trusty Bauer T600 projector with a better Isco zoom lens and an anamorphic lens from the same brand. Thanks for reading. P.S. always happy to share my humble knowledge. I am still learning, never too old. I'm Christian BTW. :)
John, based upon your review, I took delivery of the 4k Cliffhanger today and watched the first 20 minutes having finished "47 Meters Down". Agree with everything you said. I'm projecting with a full 4K JVC onto a 150" 2.35 screen. Yes, the helicopter looked great, but most of all, the grain control on the 4K is stellar. I have an Atmos setup and the helicopters sound amazing. Sony seems to be the benchmark for 4k reissues. I paid $17 and this is a steal! Best to you and Susie!
And from what I've heard Robert, the USA release is even better than the UK release. We didn't get the new Dolby Atmos soundtrack for example, probably because there are still a few extra cuts in the UK version of the film and the new track didn't match.
I recently found your channel and absolutely love it. Its refreshing to see videos from a person with experience from the film era. I look forward to future video from you sir. When I was very young I collected and often enjoyed short silent super8 films of my favorite movies.
Thank you Chuck. You'll have to get back into this Super 8 malarkey - it's a real hobby and those films have to be cared for and the projectors nurtured. In other words, it can drive you up the wall at times... but I love it. John.
Love this movie. I also bought this a while ago on 4k discs. I think it looks great. Shame we dont get a Dolby atmos soundtrack like the USA version has. Love this channel and your movie knowledge. I'm hoping for a demolition man 4k release.
It occurred to me that in the UK we got a different cut of Cliffhanger to the USA Bilko. The offending scene was the one with Michael Rooker getting severely beaten up before he manages to tell the baddie "Season's over arsehole!" and chuck him over the cliff. Perhaps that had some bearing on a new Dolby track not being applied. Although I have to say, that scene did seem to be a little more violent that I remember it so maybe we've now got the international cut of Cliffhanger.
Beautiful review of a wholly underrated gem of the 90s. Truly Stallone's best film and I am a huge rocky, rambo, cobra fan etc. Also shows how menacing and brilliant John Lithgow can be as a villain. He bloody chilling in 'Ricochet'.
I see that Blow-Out has just been released on 4K in the USA so that's another John Lithgow villain performance that I'd like to get hold of. A little too expensive to import right now though so I'll have to wait. The 4K of Cliffhanger here is apparently different to the one in the USA. Our has a slight green colour bias which apparently the USA version does not. It's also possible that we got the UK theatrical version whereas the American theatrical version had a more violent beating up of the Michael Rooker character by the chap playing football with Rooker's head. When I recorded this video it didn't occur to me that there would be two versions of the film on 4K so I learned something there. I wouldn't have thought the market was big enough but the UK is the world's number 2 movie market so someone thought they'd sell enough copies of a separately mastered disc. John.
I remember so well the summer of 93. As a teenager i was at the cinema a lot. Jurassic park, Last Action Hero, and Cliffhanger. I am pretty sure i saw this 3 or 4 times, and i am so happy you said it is Stallone's best. 100% it is, and one of the finest US action movies ever. Definitely everyone should get the US 4K. Region free of course and while the PQ is awesome the Atmos soundtrack is one of the best i have heard, especially great if you know the film well. Literally the closest it has ever been to that big screen summer experience in 93.
I didn't know about the US release when I purchased this but we did have a slightly censored version over here. I think it was when Michael Rooker was having ten bells kicked out of him it was deemed too violent and cuts enforced. It looked bloody violent to me on this 4K so maybe it's been let through now but I expect that's why we didn't get the re-worked soundtrack. I always loved the Dolby Stereo Spectral on this one though. John.
@@moviecollector5920 yeah i never saw the violent uncensored cut until the steellbook bluray a couple years back.. The US 4K i have is the full version as well + the awesome Atmos mix so definitely the way to go. I just got it from amazon US last year
I remember seeing this with my girlfriend on a huge screen. It was opening night and the place was sold out. That opening sequence rocked the house with tension and people were actually screaming in fear. Obviously it's a shame the rest of the film is nowhere near as excellent (my personal opinion), but it is a good bit of fun. The laserdisc's surround sound mix was remarkable and still holds up. I personally LOVE laserdis'c PCM sound, which is quite often superior to many of the revisionist remixes given to so many classics. By the way, this film had one of THE best trailers of all time.
Agree on everything you've said there It's Time. But I do think the film is exciting throughout but as you said, the best sequence is the opening. Also, I'm glad it's not only me that thinks the LaserDisc Dolby Stereo soundtracks are sometimes superior to what we get now... and Cliffhanger was a stunner from that original Spectral recording. John.
I agree, laserdisc audio was great. I've read differing opinions but I believe the audio on laserdisc was the same audio that the cinema had but now we get audio that is mixed for a home setup.
I've just put it on to check and it doesn't have Spanish, only French and German. I also checked the standard Blu-ray in the same pack but it's identical in terms of languages and subtitles. The USA 4K UHD Blu-ray is different though and it's possible they have Spanish on that release version so might be worth checking. John.
The opening sequence was problematic for me the first time around in the cinema. The second time around it was even worse! Cinema doesn't come much better than that. It doesn't quite reach the same standard in the home but it's great to have this one in such good quality even if it doesn't carry quite the same impact owing to a comparatively tiny screen. John.
And Midway is pretty terrific too. Le Mans '66 is probably the best in that two for £30 but it may no longer be in it now as the titles seem to come and go. Close Encounters of the Third Kind is exceptional image quality and sometimes that's in the two for £20 deal so worth keeping an eye on their web site. Murder on the Orient Express never seems to be on offer but that's the best picture quality of the lot on my system. Not on everyone's apparently but a lot depends on setup and with Orient Express having been shot on 65mm only a few years ago it bloomin' well should be the best.
Another great review. Incredibly, I hadn't yet caught up with Cliffhanger, so based on your recommendation managed to see and thoroughly enjoyed it today. Without doubt a Stallone masterpiece.
Sorry Ariel Alaniz, I missed your comment when you put it up. I've avoided talking about sound systems too much so far but I will get into it in the future. It is surprising that two different masters were created for this release but I'm sure there's a valid reason. I gave up on upgrading my sound system many years ago and I expect I'll detail why in a future video. To summarize, the size and shape of the room and where we sit to view the projected image means there is no advantage beyond 5.1 and I found that out the hard way. When 6.1 first came to the home market I added a fairly cheap £400 receiver to see what impact it would make. Unfortunately I did not have a third, identical surround speaker nor would I have been able to fit one in place as they're fairly large. So I slapped a JBL Control 1G up there which is a very good little speaker, but it messed up the timbre matching of the system as a whole. The reason for this is that I run THX Ultra and have done for almost 20 years. With the tripole surround speakers and the multidirectional front firing tweeters, the sound is often over powering for all but the largest rooms or a big hall. Height surround is a given with a full THX system as the sound is directed all over the room. I did look at purchasing a couple of identical Kef tripole rears but there's nowhere left to attach them. When it came to a modern amplifier to duplicate what I already have I'd be looking at well over a grand to achieve similar results. However, that's only a bit more than my Pioneer VSA EO6 cost over 20 years ago! I replaced that with a later Pioneer THX Ultra years later. I've never heard another home system that sounds so good but I hope I'm not boasting there. If I am, my apologies.
@@moviecollector5920 if you up grade to atmos wouldn't having the speakers hang from the ceiling not be a problem as their up out of the way and not taking up any floor space?just found ur channel and have spent nost of the day binge watching your vids...huge stalone fan but Rocky would be my favourite followed very closely in secound place to the awesomely silly over the top.
@@hardnine I too love Rocky so I wanted to see if I could generate a reaction with my opening statement. Thank you for reacting! Atmos would be a problem because I'd have to find two matching rear Kef tripole THX speakers but they wouldn't fit in between the beams up on the ceiling and there's no room on the walls either. I'd also have to find a THX Ultra amplifier and I'm sure you've got an idea on how much they cost these days. The sound in there is still the best I've heard outside of a major theatre so there's not really any need to change. But if/when I move we'll hope to have a larger room with a bigger screen so something may change then. Thank you for watching today. Hope you don't get too fed up of me blathering on. John.
I did know parts were filming in Colorado Dmitri. Most of it was the Italian Dolomites which are probably the most beautiful mountains I've ever seen. Only skied there once but the scenery from the top of the central peak there is unsurpassed to this day. John.
@@moviecollector5920 Wow! I did not know that. Did you learn it from the cinema magazine that you usually recomend to your audience? I see you love to skii and travel - adventurous type! I am glad you are not one of those people that go to same places every year.
@@dmitripopov8570 The filming information about Cliffhanger must have come from Empire Magazine back in 1993 because I've always known it was the Dolomites and I think Empire was the only film magazine I ever looked at back then. Our second favourite place in the world has to be Breckenridge. I don't suppose it's quite the same now as it was when we skied there regularly in the 1990s but our filming trip there in 2011 suggested time was changing it a little too substantially. The main street is still an absolute beauty though and I'd like to get over again with my skis soon. And some Super 8 film too - now that would be a lot of fun after all these years. Hope you're having a good time playing with the turtles over there right now! John.
Morning Daniel. This review was a long time ago now but I can recall that a few people commented that the disc that was released in the Americas was different to the one released over here. Ours had a little too much green in the colour byas which didn't correspond to the prints I saw in the cinema, nor the trailer on Super 8 or LaserDisc and DVD. It didn't make any overall difference to the enjoyment though. A great action film and a great 4K release. John.
I saw the premier of Cliff Hanger at the cinema in 1995. Incredible film. Provably my favourite from Stallone. But I must say that the 4K print of 2020 looks quite terrible to my eyes. In comparison the Star War series look much better in 4K discs. Thank you for your review.
There are a couple of variations of the 4K transfer around the world where the graders have applied different curves and colouring. The UK disc has a bit too much green in it but otherwise is very good. Presumably it also has the short piece cut out during the extremely violent beating up of the Michael Rooker character. But the American version has a re-worked Dolby Atmos and the UK does not. Good to hear from you Pablo. My favourite Stallone film. John.
Great review! i haven't watched Cliffhanger in a few year's but i do have it on blu-ray and it is a great action film and i'm going to have to watch it soon.
I'll give you the Renny Harlan thing, but Stallone's best film is and always will be First Blood. that emotional break down in the police station at the end shows you just how well the guy can act.
I'm fixing to get myself one of these, so I came to rewatch your opinion. I was thinking of either this, or The Running Man, and your video just helped me to make up my mind. Unfortunately I can't get them both at the same time. I thought you should know that there's been a steelbook reissue of Cliffhanger, in which they may have corrected the issue with the color that you spoke of here.
It's only a mild green hue Timothy possibly a side-effect of grading the density to match the film prints that resulted in the slight shift to green. It's not something most people would notice and doesn't spoil at all what is a very good 4K disc. I think there were comments on here from purchasers in the USA who told us the release over there was a different grade. This makes sense as there were cuts to one sequence over here to get the film past the British Board of Film Classification. John.
@moviecollector5920 understood. I am somewhat eager to get my hands on this film, it's one of my favorite Stallone films. I saw it when it first came out at the Drive In theater that I'm always telling you about. It made quite an impression, especially the opening sequence.
@@timothymathetes I saw it twice and I really suffered during that opening sequence. I readied for it the second time around and knew that I'd be perfectly okay... but I wasn't. I was worse, much worse.
@moviecollector5920 sorry! I thought I replied to you already 😕. I was going to say that that sounds like a rough experience, and it's a wonder that you like the film after all that. It wasn't like that for me. I felt bad for the guy who kept saying "don't you drop her! "
I would put Rocky and First Blood ahead of Cliffhanger, possibly Demolition Man, but it's definitely one of his best, and criminally under-appreciated. Nice review!
To see that opening sequence on a huge screen in 1993 was a vertigo inducing experience Aaron. I couldn't deal with it at over 50 feet wide in front of me and filling my field of view so to punish myself further I went back again. I suffered even more the second time around. John.
@@moviecollector5920 in spite of how stressful that sounds like it was for you, I am envious! It's a great flick, and John Lithgow's scenery chewing villain is so much fun to watch.
@@aaronbecker7026 Rocky is a better film Aaron but I wanted to see if I could stir things up a bit and Cliffhanger is my favourite Stallone movie and I did manage to generate a bit of a response. John.
Great review, and yes the LD was phenomenal (first saw that film on that formar) The Momentum DVD was good, but the Optimum DVD was said to be dire (think they mistakenly swapped the left and right channels) As for the 4K, I actually imported the Sony US release. Granted it doesn’t have Dolby Vision, but superimposed digital subtitles that the Studiocanal release has, always annoyed me (not to mention the Dolby Atmos track is amazing)😁
Cliffhanger really has to be seen on a huge screen just for that opening sequence. The first time I saw it I struggled during that opening and so I thought I'd be ready for it the second time but alas, I was even worse. I'm much better with heights now though so it probably wouldn't have quite the same effect. The Dolby Stereo was amazing and the opening on that LaserDisc got shown to a lot of people at my house when it was first released. A few of them then went out and bought a LaserDisc player. John.
Cliffhanger had the biggest impact on me of all of them. I didn't care much for First Blood but I expect I'd like it a lot more today. Rocky was a masterpiece. He's starred in some great films. £10 was a bargain Neill. John.
@@moviecollector5920 yes, really happy to have snagged it for £10! You should definitely give First Blood another run, John. It's one of those films that gives so much more as an adult. I think you made that point on Deer Hunter review, that resonated with me. Films like The Godfather, Deerhunter and Bladerunner I found extremely boring as a young teen and then mind-blowing later as an adult. I think some films you just need to have lived a little yourself to really get something out of them & understand the depth. First Blood another one which was enjoyable enough as a teen but has so much more psychological layers watching through my older eyes! Cheers Neill
@@giggsy42 I never fancied First Blood when it was first in cinemas but then years later I was given the job of reviewing the film on Super 8 and I wasn't ecstatic about it. If I had have been that review print would have been bought and paid for and never gone back. Such a shame I didn't snag it for posterity but you can't win 'em all. I will watch it again one of these days. I need to finally watch all three of the first Rambo films again really.
@Movie Collector saw Cliffhanger in the cinema in 93. Bought the widescreen VHS at Virgin Oxford Street in 95 and later the DVD around 2000. So this 4K was a no brainer. Beautiful 4K transfer despite the many negative reviews. Usually agree with you on movies but Sly’s best is either First Blood or Rambo, the (graphically) ultra violent final Rambo movie. Yes, the final Rambo as somehow I cannot count the atrocity they called Last Blood can’t be considered a Rambo movie. As that movie is propably too violent and gory for you I understand your statement though.😊😉
Morning Pieter. I thought I'd state my opinion of Cliffhanger being Mr. Stallone's best film right at the start to generate a response and it succeeded. My recollection of the 4K is that there is slightly too much green in the image but overall it looks so good that who cares? The LaserDisc is probably the most accurate to how the film prints looked and this is borne out by my Super 8 trailer copy. But the definition of the LD isn't anywhere near as good as the 4K so it's academic really. I tried to pressurize Derann into getting the rights for a Super 8 release in 1993 but even though there were apparently a lot of collectors requesting it the boss of Derann didn't think it would be big enough. I dare say the rights would have cost too much if they would have been granted at all. John.
@@moviecollector5920 as always tastes differ, John. Fortunately, right? Cliffhanger is indeed his most realistic and human film I think. Will watch the 4K coming days again to see if it changes my opinion on Stallone’s best😉 Have a great day. Awaiting Sweeney Todd on 4K today so might change plans….again…
@@pieterbalk-ht7kq It wouldn't be good for us if we all held the same opinions about everything Pieter. Some people can't bear it if someone disagrees with them but it's only by talking and communicating that we learn. I've learned from a lot of people in the comments on this channel and I appreciate all of that because I've seen many great films that I would not have seen otherwise. I think I like Cliffhanger the best because of how good it was in the cinema. I don't like heights and so it had a big effect on me. I was even worse the second time when I thought I was prepared for the terror of that opening sequence. I was cold but with sweaty palms. It's amazing that a film can have such an effect but it needs a big screen to do it. I like First Blood and Rocky but Cliffhanger has the best memories for me and it's the one I'd like the most on film if I were to ever be given a choice. John.
@@moviecollector5920 same here with heights and exact same feeling in cinema and now even on my 77” tv screen. If you wanna experience height and sweaty palms again watch 2022’s Fall. Not of Cliffhanger quality but quite gripping when you have fear of heights.
The green tinge you mention worries me and i’ve seen other Studio Canal 4Ks criticised for the same thing. Has anyone compared the US import Sony release?
This was almost four years ago now Chris but I do remember some people leaving comments to tell us that the US release does not have a greenish hue to it. The only reason I'd have picked up on it is because I know the film so well and have the trailer on Super 8 where there is certainly no trace of a green tinge to it. Nor is there on the LaserDisc but I did see this film twice in the cinema and I had no impression of green at either screening. It's still a damned fine 4K disc though and I would be able to adjust that green out of it via the myriad colour alteration options on the video projector if it bothered me too much. John.
I always felt this film was under rated. Would have been interesting if the NC-17 cut ever came out with all the added violence. Curious how the score sounds on this one, ,for the longest time the laserdisc was the best for actual sound. PS.. this film had a great trailer haha
The opening on a huge screen is therapeutic for people like me who don't like heights. Seeing it at the Odeon Leicester Square made me feel quite ill. A great film. John.
It's not a Dolby Atmos and I know people have got rather hung up on Atmos. It was Dolby Stereo Spectral Recording upon original release and it was fantastic then and just as good in this 5.1 DTS format if you've got a massive subwoofer. Apparently it's Atmos on the USA released discs. Sorry for the delay in replying, I missed your comment.
I suspect that's really his best film Stuart but I wanted to stir things up. I think Cliffhanger is one of the best action films of all time though and I will never forget the impact of the opening sequence in the cinema on a huge screen. John.
These movies gives amazing satisfaction to 80s & 90s kids ✅ than ... recent years' VFX overloaded superheroes ! Films ! Human heroism against extreme circumstances !
The BBFC really butchered this movie in the UK with the removal of some of the action scenes. Stallone Impaling the guy with a icicle for example was not on the VHS and DVD version. I believe the later blu ray did restore all the missing footage so it should be the same movie as the US version.
It did seem a little more violent to me this time, particularly the football sequence which sees Michael Rooker take a severe beating before chucking Mr. Nasty off the cliff! John.
I did have quite a few but with a few exceptions they were crap! It's all relative though because they were generally only £5 to £10 at the time so it's amazing some of them have lasted as long as they have. John.
If it's the PAL disc the same as mine Michael I think it's one of the best. Even though I have it on DVD, Blu-ray and 4K I expect I'll still dip into that laserdisc on occasion just to remember the impact the opening had with the surround sound helicopter made back in 1993.
Haven't seen it Mike. The Pioneer PAL is pretty darned good though. Unsurprisingly it can't touch the 4K but it was considered exceptional in its time. John.
I have a question... and you look like the guy that might know the answer. I'm pretty familiar with 35mm workflow... from Steenbeck to print. But what I'm confused about is this... Why are these transfers using the original optical titles? When a negative is cut, presumably there is a clean negative without any optical titles, and those are combined when doing the prints??? I mean, maybe I'm wrong about this. It seems odd to have a neg-cut which have a second generation dupe with optical titles added? Cos it seems that a lot of these transfers suffer in quality when there are optical elements such as titles - in fact, even with dissolves you can see the pictures quality change on the outgoing/incoming shots. Maybe I've answered my own question, and negatives are prepared with all optical effects intact, including opening credits - but it seems a shame.
The completed negative has the opticals within it but it would be possible to re-master if the original camera elements were still extant (finding those elements would probably be an issue now too). I think that is a lot of work for not an awful lot of gain domcoke but it would have been nice if the opening section of Cliffhanger had been re-done so it looked as good as the rest of it. Although the colour is a little different to original release now which may not be preferable to some of us.
Definitely one of my favorite movies with Stallone :) Some other favorites are Lock Up, Over The Top, Cobra, Nighthawks, Demolition Man, Judge Dredd, Rambo (1-4) and Rocky (1-6). But I don't like Rambo: Last blood and Creed 2
@@moviecollector5920 Lock Up is definitely worth watching if u like prison films and Donald Sutherland is excellent as the creepy warden. Escape Plan is also a great one.
I thought the UK release had a little too much green to it but without a 35mm print to judge it against it's hard to know if that was how it looked. I do have the trailer on Super 8 though and that doesn't have the green bias so it seems like the US release may be more accurate but it's all a minor gripe as the 4K here is another wonderful home video. John.
I agree! one of Stallone*s best !! 1 remember watching the Laserdisc. Spectacular cinematography, beautiful to watch..... gorgeous color! IMDb reviews are always rubbish.
Sorry John, the best Stallone movie ever is Paradise Alley, as a avid Stallone fan for over 40yrs I win lol Cliffhanger was great, remember seeing it at the cinema upon release , awesome film.
As an avid Stallone fan then I presume you have the 2x400ft Universal 8 Super 8 release of Paradise Alley then!?!? I saw Cliffhanger twice in the cinema and that opening sequence made me ever more ill the second time around. However big I project it in the home it just doesn't work like a huge cinema screen. I saw if first at the Odeon Leicester Square and then at the National Film Theatre a few months later in NFT1. Treasured memories. 1993 was a great year for movies - one of the best ever. John.
@@moviecollector5920 err yeah I have the super duper version released in a format only dogs can hear lol, seriously tho P.A is my fav stallone film. I just got Nighthawks on Blu-Ray ( import) but anything by Sly in the 80's early 90 was king. Regards Carl.
One of the first I purchased too Neil. Still a great disc today. The opening with the helicopter would have most people thinking it was the latest, greatest sound format but it's only good ol' matrixed four channel Dolby Stereo. John.
Was that 'First Blood' Robert. I think I reviewed the Super 8 feature of that for Film For The Collector/Super 8 Film Review when it was released about 20 years ago but sadly I didn't think to buy the print. I think 'Rocky' is better than First Blood but it would be a boring world if we all thought exactly the same.
The US release of this title has one of the better PQ images to date! As far as US releases are concerned (ya that’s me) Cliffhanger has been handled meticulously! I rank Sony right at the top of the food chain
The UK is very good too but it sounds like I should have imported the US disc as you're not the only person who has told me the US release is even better. A great film whatever and I'm very pleased to have it in such good quality. The sound ain't bad either!!! John.
That's a set of tease trailers on the front of a Star Wars feature from 1999 Bella. The main one you see I think is The Beach... but it's upside down of course as that's how film projectors work. John.
Thanks you remind me of my grandad he taught me all I know about films I did see some 35mm films but when I was older they where slowly moving over to digital prints I do remember a fond memory of when my school took me to Crewe Odeon and I got to see the film room and we got to keep some 35mm film keep up the great videos mate
@@xix94 Good afternoon Bella. I was a physical wreck during that opening scene when I first saw it. I then went to see it again months later when the National Film Theatre screened it and I was even worse the second time around! It does have to be seen on an enormous screen to produce that response though so I'm alright watching it in our home cinema. I hope you've kept that strip of 35mm from your visit to the Crewe Odeon projection box. Those days are largely gone now but there are still a few cinemas projecting film occasionally. I stopped going to cinemas when video projection was taking over and it was so awful by comparison but I'm sure things have improved somewhat since titles such as Prometheus were completely destroyed by low quality video on huge screens. Not that I think Prometheus is a great film by any stretch, but the standard of video projection back then ensured it looked like crap and that didn't help. John.
I never got to see Prometheus on the big screen thank God 😅 Yes I did keep my film that I got from the Odeon The movie that was in the film I got to keep.was titanic 3d I have to say when I sore titanic on the big screen my 👄 was open wide I could not believe how amazing the movie looks on the big screen I will be honest titanic is the only movie I have cried at 😆 Has any movie ever made you cry ? I know I held back the tires when watching schindler's list I love the way you talk about movies reminds me of my grandad he hated it when we went to the cinemas and the curtains where open My grandad first movie experience was back when smoking in the cinemas was allowed and there was always big clouds of smoke in the area 😂
Ah, but I got a response from you and that's what I was aiming for! He's certainly been in some great movies and it would be difficult to pick out the best really but probably Rocky from a critical point of view. Cliffhanger is a load of nonsense really but one of the best action films ever made. John.
renny harlin's best movie is the long kiss goodnight. exorcist 4 was hideous. cliffhanger is damn good. i hope they cleaned up the dirt/specks for the uhd 4K.
It's totally clean nistel SE but I do think they changed the colour bias towards green. I'd rather have a bit of neg dust and keep the colours the same rather than mess about with the colour bias but then I'm a film enthusiast and I love running tangible 'reel' film.
@@moviecollector5920 many thanks for that! i'm getting the u.s. version (amazon uk has a crazy shipping cost, and uk releases have that rating mark on the artwork/front covers, though i bought plenty of uk blurays). if there's a link, i'd buy via your link to amazon.
@@nistelse3859 I'm told the USA version is better. But there are home movie specialists who might be worth getting to know for purchases from America. John Perry of Mondo Chelloveck Movies is often recommending the people he uses so it might be worth checking his channel out and asking his advice: ruclips.net/channel/UCHvv24HJlY_cI25PCfT2U1Q John.
This movie is a classic back in 1993 for Sly Stallone and the USA copy of cliffhanger is far better than the UK version with no dolby atmos only dts hd master audio and the USA copy has dolby atmos,awsome sound with the overheight..HDR10 is brilliant with skin tones and color palet and contrast..
A few people have told me the same thing Kerry. Next time I'm over I'll be bringing home a USA 4K version of this exceptional title. On the home screen that opening doesn't make me ill like it did in the cinema (twice!) but it's so damned good the rest of the film could have been complete tosh and I'd still love it. John.
A lot of enthusiasts only want the original soundtracks so there is a line they have to walk. Also, the cost of creating new sound masters is fairly enormous so it has to be justified. Get a really good Dolby Stereo (ProLogic) or 5.1 system though and you won't be too bothered about the later sound formats. High end HiFi simply makes a big difference. John.
I'm not sure I've actually seen that one James. I might have it though and simply can't remember although that seems unlikely given your opinion of it. Thank you for the pointer. John.
I have Everest on Blu-ray and I think it's terrific but nothing has come close to the Cliffhanger opening on a huge screen in 1993. I was even worse the second time around when we saw it in BFI NFT1. Felt like I was going to fall out of my chair!
All our equipment is different and what looks great on one system may not look quite so great on another. I even have this occasionally myself with a pair of 4K video projectors as results vary greatly. John.
@@mygumybear I remember that I thought the 4K had too much green in it. I was judging that against the PAL LaserDisc and the Super 8 theatrical trailer so it's unlikely the 35mm general release prints were any different to those. A minor gripe though because the overall quality of the 4K is fabulous. I should have taken that one to the BFCC on Saturday to show the opening on the big screen. John.
Is the American release really a different transfer? That seems like an awful lot of trouble for the same film but perhaps there are different rights holding distributors on either side of the Atlantic. You'd have thought there would have been some job sharing for cost saving reasons.
The best in 1993 in my opinon and there were some fantastic ones out that year. I do agree though, one of the best action films ever made. A stunner. John.
I really think Rocky is a far better film it's just that Cliffhanger is such a wonderful action adventure that it may be unsurpassed by anything that went before or after. Made quite an impact in 1993. John.
I'd think most people would have Rocky as Stallone's best movie. I'd also have Cop Land and First Blood up there as well. The opening scene in Cliffhanger is a classic though. Every time I watch it I still expect Stallone to save her.
his best? I'm surprised at this. i found it very corny. the story is good but man, there are some really cringey one-liners and eye-roll action sequences. Rocky is waaaaay better in my opinion. but to each their own.
Exactly why I said it Ricky - to get the opinions of others. I too love Rocky and quite a few more Stallone films. Thanks for putting in your favourite. John.
Great review as always. 90s movies are my favorite regarding the look and feel, since most of these were shot on the gorgeous Eastman EXR color negative stock. It was optimized for 35mm prints. The later and current Kodak Vision stocks were/are optimized for digital scanning. These are wonderful too, but the EXR remains my all time favorite color film stock. IMDb confirms it: Cliffhanger was shot on the Eastman EXR 500T 5296. Not sure why they chose such a fast stock, the grainiest of the EXR range, the most fine grain would have been the EXR 50D, but it looks fantastic.
You have such valuable insight into these things True Film and I thank you for sharing your knowledge. That opening in Cliffhanger made me feel decidedly ill in the cinema (twice actually - I like to punish myself!) and even if it had have been the grainiest print ever after that I don't think I'd have noticed. Fabulous film making.
John.
@@moviecollector5920 Thank you. Well I am by no means an expert. I am a film buff since forever. I started making Super 8 films at the age of 14. I never touched video after Super 8's official demise in the early 1980s. Only very recently do I find the image quality acceptable. I had the pleasure of working small jobs at the Frankfurt TV station, from 1977 through 1983, including seeing all those fabulous old telecine machines and I accompanied camera teams on the road. I learned a ton about working with those classic 16mm film cameras such as the Arriflex 16S and BL: threading, light metering, lenses.... Only recently did I discover an affordable, good 16mm camera that can be converted to the wider Super16mm frame. Shooting on film is expensive and cumbersome, but the end result is more than worth it.
And yep, I did have Derann Super8mm prints, including Die Hard (scope, slightly cropped top and bottom) and Silence of the Lambs (cropped at the sides from 1.85:1, one reel had a gate hair printed in, otherwise fantastic). They are simply outstanding. I had a trusty Bauer T600 projector with a better Isco zoom lens and an anamorphic lens from the same brand. Thanks for reading. P.S. always happy to share my humble knowledge. I am still learning, never too old. I'm Christian BTW. :)
John, based upon your review, I took delivery of the 4k Cliffhanger today and watched the first 20 minutes having finished "47 Meters Down". Agree with everything you said. I'm projecting with a full 4K JVC onto a 150" 2.35 screen. Yes, the helicopter looked great, but most of all, the grain control on the 4K is stellar. I have an Atmos setup and the helicopters sound amazing. Sony seems to be the benchmark for 4k reissues. I paid $17 and this is a steal! Best to you and Susie!
And from what I've heard Robert, the USA release is even better than the UK release. We didn't get the new Dolby Atmos soundtrack for example, probably because there are still a few extra cuts in the UK version of the film and the new track didn't match.
I recently found your channel and absolutely love it. Its refreshing to see videos from a person with experience from the film era. I look forward to future video from you sir.
When I was very young I collected and often enjoyed short silent super8 films of my favorite movies.
Thank you Chuck. You'll have to get back into this Super 8 malarkey - it's a real hobby and those films have to be cared for and the projectors nurtured. In other words, it can drive you up the wall at times... but I love it.
John.
Love this movie. I also bought this a while ago on 4k discs. I think it looks great. Shame we dont get a Dolby atmos soundtrack like the USA version has. Love this channel and your movie knowledge. I'm hoping for a demolition man 4k release.
It occurred to me that in the UK we got a different cut of Cliffhanger to the USA Bilko. The offending scene was the one with Michael Rooker getting severely beaten up before he manages to tell the baddie "Season's over arsehole!" and chuck him over the cliff. Perhaps that had some bearing on a new Dolby track not being applied. Although I have to say, that scene did seem to be a little more violent that I remember it so maybe we've now got the international cut of Cliffhanger.
Beautiful review of a wholly underrated gem of the 90s. Truly Stallone's best film and I am a huge rocky, rambo, cobra fan etc. Also shows how menacing and brilliant John Lithgow can be as a villain. He bloody chilling in 'Ricochet'.
I see that Blow-Out has just been released on 4K in the USA so that's another John Lithgow villain performance that I'd like to get hold of. A little too expensive to import right now though so I'll have to wait.
The 4K of Cliffhanger here is apparently different to the one in the USA. Our has a slight green colour bias which apparently the USA version does not. It's also possible that we got the UK theatrical version whereas the American theatrical version had a more violent beating up of the Michael Rooker character by the chap playing football with Rooker's head. When I recorded this video it didn't occur to me that there would be two versions of the film on 4K so I learned something there. I wouldn't have thought the market was big enough but the UK is the world's number 2 movie market so someone thought they'd sell enough copies of a separately mastered disc.
John.
I remember so well the summer of 93. As a teenager i was at the cinema a lot. Jurassic park, Last Action Hero, and Cliffhanger. I am pretty sure i saw this 3 or 4 times, and i am so happy you said it is Stallone's best. 100% it is, and one of the finest US action movies ever.
Definitely everyone should get the US 4K. Region free of course and while the PQ is awesome the Atmos soundtrack is one of the best i have heard, especially great if you know the film well. Literally the closest it has ever been to that big screen summer experience in 93.
I didn't know about the US release when I purchased this but we did have a slightly censored version over here. I think it was when Michael Rooker was having ten bells kicked out of him it was deemed too violent and cuts enforced. It looked bloody violent to me on this 4K so maybe it's been let through now but I expect that's why we didn't get the re-worked soundtrack. I always loved the Dolby Stereo Spectral on this one though. John.
@@moviecollector5920 yeah i never saw the violent uncensored cut until the steellbook bluray a couple years back.. The US 4K i have is the full version as well + the awesome Atmos mix so definitely the way to go. I just got it from amazon US last year
Really enjoying your reviews. I hope they continue and that you have many more subscribers and hits on your reviews.
I remember seeing this with my girlfriend on a huge screen. It was opening night and the place was sold out. That opening sequence rocked the house with tension and people were actually screaming in fear. Obviously it's a shame the rest of the film is nowhere near as excellent (my personal opinion), but it is a good bit of fun.
The laserdisc's surround sound mix was remarkable and still holds up. I personally LOVE laserdis'c PCM sound, which is quite often superior to many of the revisionist remixes given to so many classics.
By the way, this film had one of THE best trailers of all time.
Agree on everything you've said there It's Time. But I do think the film is exciting throughout but as you said, the best sequence is the opening. Also, I'm glad it's not only me that thinks the LaserDisc Dolby Stereo soundtracks are sometimes superior to what we get now... and Cliffhanger was a stunner from that original Spectral recording.
John.
I agree, laserdisc audio was great. I've read differing opinions but I believe the audio on laserdisc was the same audio that the cinema had but now we get audio that is mixed for a home setup.
Hello, excuse me, I would like to ask you a question, does the bluray 4k contain subtitles, is it Spanish/Castilian?
thank you
I've just put it on to check and it doesn't have Spanish, only French and German. I also checked the standard Blu-ray in the same pack but it's identical in terms of languages and subtitles. The USA 4K UHD Blu-ray is different though and it's possible they have Spanish on that release version so might be worth checking. John.
So do enjoy your casual reviews. Now I'm adding this to my list of must-haves.
It's one of my all-time favourites. Fortunately, the opening doesn't make me physically ill on a smaller screen but in the cinema I was in trouble!
I got to see this in 70mm at the Village theater in Westwood. It moved over to the now demolished Mann National. It looked impressive in both places
The opening sequence was problematic for me the first time around in the cinema. The second time around it was even worse! Cinema doesn't come much better than that. It doesn't quite reach the same standard in the home but it's great to have this one in such good quality even if it doesn't carry quite the same impact owing to a comparatively tiny screen.
John.
Another fine review. Thank you for the tip about 2 for £30 @ HMV. Thankfully, the offer is still on. I bought it along with Midway.
And Midway is pretty terrific too. Le Mans '66 is probably the best in that two for £30 but it may no longer be in it now as the titles seem to come and go. Close Encounters of the Third Kind is exceptional image quality and sometimes that's in the two for £20 deal so worth keeping an eye on their web site. Murder on the Orient Express never seems to be on offer but that's the best picture quality of the lot on my system. Not on everyone's apparently but a lot depends on setup and with Orient Express having been shot on 65mm only a few years ago it bloomin' well should be the best.
Another great review. Incredibly, I hadn't yet caught up with Cliffhanger, so based on your recommendation managed to see and thoroughly enjoyed it today. Without doubt a Stallone masterpiece.
USA transfer was so sharp and HDR was superb. Atmos was a great addition here. Lots of height sound.
Sorry Ariel Alaniz, I missed your comment when you put it up. I've avoided talking about sound systems too much so far but I will get into it in the future. It is surprising that two different masters were created for this release but I'm sure there's a valid reason. I gave up on upgrading my sound system many years ago and I expect I'll detail why in a future video. To summarize, the size and shape of the room and where we sit to view the projected image means there is no advantage beyond 5.1 and I found that out the hard way. When 6.1 first came to the home market I added a fairly cheap £400 receiver to see what impact it would make. Unfortunately I did not have a third, identical surround speaker nor would I have been able to fit one in place as they're fairly large. So I slapped a JBL Control 1G up there which is a very good little speaker, but it messed up the timbre matching of the system as a whole. The reason for this is that I run THX Ultra and have done for almost 20 years. With the tripole surround speakers and the multidirectional front firing tweeters, the sound is often over powering for all but the largest rooms or a big hall. Height surround is a given with a full THX system as the sound is directed all over the room. I did look at purchasing a couple of identical Kef tripole rears but there's nowhere left to attach them. When it came to a modern amplifier to duplicate what I already have I'd be looking at well over a grand to achieve similar results. However, that's only a bit more than my Pioneer VSA EO6 cost over 20 years ago! I replaced that with a later Pioneer THX Ultra years later. I've never heard another home system that sounds so good but I hope I'm not boasting there. If I am, my apologies.
Ariel. That's right the SONY US UHD much better + DOLBY ATMOS remix on top same goes for Léon i will go for the SONY UHD of Léon
@@jimcameron1234 thanks for tip on leon i was v close to buying the studiocannel uk release ..i new about cliffhanger
@@moviecollector5920 if you up grade to atmos wouldn't having the speakers hang from the ceiling not be a problem as their up out of the way and not taking up any floor space?just found ur channel and have spent nost of the day binge watching your vids...huge stalone fan but Rocky would be my favourite followed very closely in secound place to the awesomely silly over the top.
@@hardnine I too love Rocky so I wanted to see if I could generate a reaction with my opening statement. Thank you for reacting!
Atmos would be a problem because I'd have to find two matching rear Kef tripole THX speakers but they wouldn't fit in between the beams up on the ceiling and there's no room on the walls either. I'd also have to find a THX Ultra amplifier and I'm sure you've got an idea on how much they cost these days. The sound in there is still the best I've heard outside of a major theatre so there's not really any need to change. But if/when I move we'll hope to have a larger room with a bigger screen so something may change then.
Thank you for watching today. Hope you don't get too fed up of me blathering on.
John.
John, did you know, this movie was filmed in Colorado. I learned about it many years after I saw it. Wonderful movie! I agree with your every word! )
I did know parts were filming in Colorado Dmitri. Most of it was the Italian Dolomites which are probably the most beautiful mountains I've ever seen. Only skied there once but the scenery from the top of the central peak there is unsurpassed to this day. John.
@@moviecollector5920 Wow! I did not know that. Did you learn it from the cinema magazine that you usually recomend to your audience?
I see you love to skii and travel - adventurous type! I am glad you are not one of those people that go to same places every year.
@@dmitripopov8570 The filming information about Cliffhanger must have come from Empire Magazine back in 1993 because I've always known it was the Dolomites and I think Empire was the only film magazine I ever looked at back then.
Our second favourite place in the world has to be Breckenridge. I don't suppose it's quite the same now as it was when we skied there regularly in the 1990s but our filming trip there in 2011 suggested time was changing it a little too substantially. The main street is still an absolute beauty though and I'd like to get over again with my skis soon. And some Super 8 film too - now that would be a lot of fun after all these years.
Hope you're having a good time playing with the turtles over there right now!
John.
Seems like review from a "Fan" of Stallone 💕💕💕🎵 it's wow 👍 film 📽️ classic ! Action hero film ! Good review too !!!
Yes Nag, I'm a big Stallone fan. He's made so many good films who wouldn't like him? John.
Thnx John. I saw a review on another channel and they bragged about the exceptional picture.
Morning Daniel. This review was a long time ago now but I can recall that a few people commented that the disc that was released in the Americas was different to the one released over here. Ours had a little too much green in the colour byas which didn't correspond to the prints I saw in the cinema, nor the trailer on Super 8 or LaserDisc and DVD. It didn't make any overall difference to the enjoyment though. A great action film and a great 4K release.
John.
Great review my friend. Very disappointed that this didn't come with Dolby Atmos. Where the American version of it did. Never understand it.
No doubt there will be a re-release in the future then Keith and everyone will have to buy it again. Surely not?!?
@@moviecollector5920 thats exactly what will happen.
John would you like to review the Rambo movies in 4K? Especially First Blood which in my opinion is one the best Stallone film along with Rocky.
I hope to get to those Abdul. I don't think Rocky has appeared here in 4K yet though. John.
I saw the premier of Cliff Hanger at the cinema in 1995. Incredible film. Provably my favourite from Stallone. But I must say that the 4K print of 2020 looks quite terrible to my eyes. In comparison the Star War series look much better in 4K discs. Thank you for your review.
There are a couple of variations of the 4K transfer around the world where the graders have applied different curves and colouring. The UK disc has a bit too much green in it but otherwise is very good. Presumably it also has the short piece cut out during the extremely violent beating up of the Michael Rooker character. But the American version has a re-worked Dolby Atmos and the UK does not.
Good to hear from you Pablo. My favourite Stallone film. John.
Great review! i haven't watched Cliffhanger in a few year's but i do have it on blu-ray and it is a great action film and i'm going to have to watch it soon.
I saw it twice at the cinema, countless times on LaserDisc and DVD and now 4K. What a film! John.
I'll give you the Renny Harlan thing, but Stallone's best film is and always will be First Blood. that emotional break down in the police station at the end shows you just how well the guy can act.
I need to see First Blood again Harlequin. I only ever saw it once so perhaps it will come across much better now I'm a couple of years older! John.
@@moviecollector5920 in that case i look forward to the video one of these days. take care
I'm fixing to get myself one of these, so I came to rewatch your opinion. I was thinking of either this, or The Running Man, and your video just helped me to make up my mind. Unfortunately I can't get them both at the same time. I thought you should know that there's been a steelbook reissue of Cliffhanger, in which they may have corrected the issue with the color that you spoke of here.
It's only a mild green hue Timothy possibly a side-effect of grading the density to match the film prints that resulted in the slight shift to green. It's not something most people would notice and doesn't spoil at all what is a very good 4K disc. I think there were comments on here from purchasers in the USA who told us the release over there was a different grade. This makes sense as there were cuts to one sequence over here to get the film past the British Board of Film Classification.
John.
@moviecollector5920 understood. I am somewhat eager to get my hands on this film, it's one of my favorite Stallone films. I saw it when it first came out at the Drive In theater that I'm always telling you about. It made quite an impression, especially the opening sequence.
@@timothymathetes I saw it twice and I really suffered during that opening sequence. I readied for it the second time around and knew that I'd be perfectly okay... but I wasn't. I was worse, much worse.
@@moviecollector5920 that sounds rough. It's a wonder that you like the film after all that.
@moviecollector5920 sorry! I thought I replied to you already 😕. I was going to say that that sounds like a rough experience, and it's a wonder that you like the film after all that. It wasn't like that for me. I felt bad for the guy who kept saying "don't you drop her! "
I would put Rocky and First Blood ahead of Cliffhanger, possibly Demolition Man, but it's definitely one of his best, and criminally under-appreciated. Nice review!
To see that opening sequence on a huge screen in 1993 was a vertigo inducing experience Aaron. I couldn't deal with it at over 50 feet wide in front of me and filling my field of view so to punish myself further I went back again. I suffered even more the second time around. John.
@@moviecollector5920 in spite of how stressful that sounds like it was for you, I am envious! It's a great flick, and John Lithgow's scenery chewing villain is so much fun to watch.
@@aaronbecker7026 Rocky is a better film Aaron but I wanted to see if I could stir things up a bit and Cliffhanger is my favourite Stallone movie and I did manage to generate a bit of a response. John.
I agree that it's a great film, and it deserves more love!
Great review, and yes the LD was phenomenal (first saw that film on that formar) The Momentum DVD was good, but the Optimum DVD was said to be dire (think they mistakenly swapped the left and right channels) As for the 4K, I actually imported the Sony US release. Granted it doesn’t have Dolby Vision, but superimposed digital subtitles that the Studiocanal release has, always annoyed me (not to mention the Dolby Atmos track is amazing)😁
Cliffhanger really has to be seen on a huge screen just for that opening sequence. The first time I saw it I struggled during that opening and so I thought I'd be ready for it the second time but alas, I was even worse. I'm much better with heights now though so it probably wouldn't have quite the same effect.
The Dolby Stereo was amazing and the opening on that LaserDisc got shown to a lot of people at my house when it was first released. A few of them then went out and bought a LaserDisc player.
John.
£10 on Amazon right now, grabbed a copy, was one of my favourites back in the day! I think Cliffhanger, First Blood & Rocky Sly's best films.
Cliffhanger had the biggest impact on me of all of them. I didn't care much for First Blood but I expect I'd like it a lot more today. Rocky was a masterpiece. He's starred in some great films. £10 was a bargain Neill. John.
@@moviecollector5920 yes, really happy to have snagged it for £10! You should definitely give First Blood another run, John. It's one of those films that gives so much more as an adult. I think you made that point on Deer Hunter review, that resonated with me. Films like The Godfather, Deerhunter and Bladerunner I found extremely boring as a young teen and then mind-blowing later as an adult. I think some films you just need to have lived a little yourself to really get something out of them & understand the depth. First Blood another one which was enjoyable enough as a teen but has so much more psychological layers watching through my older eyes! Cheers Neill
@@giggsy42 I never fancied First Blood when it was first in cinemas but then years later I was given the job of reviewing the film on Super 8 and I wasn't ecstatic about it. If I had have been that review print would have been bought and paid for and never gone back. Such a shame I didn't snag it for posterity but you can't win 'em all. I will watch it again one of these days. I need to finally watch all three of the first Rambo films again really.
@Movie Collector saw Cliffhanger in the cinema in 93. Bought the widescreen VHS at Virgin Oxford Street in 95 and later the DVD around 2000. So this 4K was a no brainer. Beautiful 4K transfer despite the many negative reviews.
Usually agree with you on movies but Sly’s best is either First Blood or Rambo, the (graphically) ultra violent final Rambo movie. Yes, the final Rambo as somehow I cannot count the atrocity they called Last Blood can’t be considered a Rambo movie. As that movie is propably too violent and gory for you I understand your statement though.😊😉
Morning Pieter. I thought I'd state my opinion of Cliffhanger being Mr. Stallone's best film right at the start to generate a response and it succeeded. My recollection of the 4K is that there is slightly too much green in the image but overall it looks so good that who cares? The LaserDisc is probably the most accurate to how the film prints looked and this is borne out by my Super 8 trailer copy. But the definition of the LD isn't anywhere near as good as the 4K so it's academic really. I tried to pressurize Derann into getting the rights for a Super 8 release in 1993 but even though there were apparently a lot of collectors requesting it the boss of Derann didn't think it would be big enough. I dare say the rights would have cost too much if they would have been granted at all.
John.
@@moviecollector5920 as always tastes differ, John. Fortunately, right?
Cliffhanger is indeed his most realistic and human film I think. Will watch the 4K coming days again to see if it changes my opinion on Stallone’s best😉 Have a great day. Awaiting Sweeney Todd on 4K today so might change plans….again…
@@pieterbalk-ht7kq It wouldn't be good for us if we all held the same opinions about everything Pieter. Some people can't bear it if someone disagrees with them but it's only by talking and communicating that we learn. I've learned from a lot of people in the comments on this channel and I appreciate all of that because I've seen many great films that I would not have seen otherwise.
I think I like Cliffhanger the best because of how good it was in the cinema. I don't like heights and so it had a big effect on me. I was even worse the second time when I thought I was prepared for the terror of that opening sequence. I was cold but with sweaty palms. It's amazing that a film can have such an effect but it needs a big screen to do it. I like First Blood and Rocky but Cliffhanger has the best memories for me and it's the one I'd like the most on film if I were to ever be given a choice.
John.
@@moviecollector5920 same here with heights and exact same feeling in cinema and now even on my 77” tv screen. If you wanna experience height and sweaty palms again watch 2022’s Fall. Not of Cliffhanger quality but quite gripping when you have fear of heights.
The green tinge you mention worries me and i’ve seen other Studio Canal 4Ks criticised for the same thing. Has anyone compared the US import Sony release?
This was almost four years ago now Chris but I do remember some people leaving comments to tell us that the US release does not have a greenish hue to it. The only reason I'd have picked up on it is because I know the film so well and have the trailer on Super 8 where there is certainly no trace of a green tinge to it. Nor is there on the LaserDisc but I did see this film twice in the cinema and I had no impression of green at either screening. It's still a damned fine 4K disc though and I would be able to adjust that green out of it via the myriad colour alteration options on the video projector if it bothered me too much.
John.
I always felt this film was under rated. Would have been interesting if the NC-17 cut ever came out with all the added violence. Curious how the score sounds on this one, ,for the longest time the laserdisc was the best for actual sound. PS.. this film had a great trailer haha
The opening on a huge screen is therapeutic for people like me who don't like heights. Seeing it at the Odeon Leicester Square made me feel quite ill. A great film. John.
Good review but you didn’t mention sound format. Might be worth talking about sound format on every review
It's not a Dolby Atmos and I know people have got rather hung up on Atmos. It was Dolby Stereo Spectral Recording upon original release and it was fantastic then and just as good in this 5.1 DTS format if you've got a massive subwoofer. Apparently it's Atmos on the USA released discs. Sorry for the delay in replying, I missed your comment.
Rocky has to be stallone’s finest hour.
I suspect that's really his best film Stuart but I wanted to stir things up. I think Cliffhanger is one of the best action films of all time though and I will never forget the impact of the opening sequence in the cinema on a huge screen. John.
These movies gives amazing satisfaction to 80s & 90s kids ✅ than ... recent years' VFX overloaded superheroes ! Films ! Human heroism against extreme circumstances !
Ho ho - I'm still a kid then Nag! John.
The BBFC really butchered this movie in the UK with the removal of some of the action scenes. Stallone Impaling the guy with a icicle for example was not on the VHS and DVD version. I believe the later blu ray did restore all the missing footage so it should be the same movie as the US version.
It did seem a little more violent to me this time, particularly the football sequence which sees Michael Rooker take a severe beating before chucking Mr. Nasty off the cliff! John.
I'm assuming you were never big on collecting VHS movies in there heyday correct?
I did have quite a few but with a few exceptions they were crap! It's all relative though because they were generally only £5 to £10 at the time so it's amazing some of them have lasted as long as they have. John.
Cliffhanger was the first laserdisc that I ever purchased.
If it's the PAL disc the same as mine Michael I think it's one of the best. Even though I have it on DVD, Blu-ray and 4K I expect I'll still dip into that laserdisc on occasion just to remember the impact the opening had with the surround sound helicopter made back in 1993.
I wonder how the Muse Laserdisc transfer looks?
Haven't seen it Mike. The Pioneer PAL is pretty darned good though. Unsurprisingly it can't touch the 4K but it was considered exceptional in its time.
John.
I must say, you’re a real piece of work! 👍
You know all the best lines from these films Jørn.
I have a question... and you look like the guy that might know the answer. I'm pretty familiar with 35mm workflow... from Steenbeck to print. But what I'm confused about is this... Why are these transfers using the original optical titles? When a negative is cut, presumably there is a clean negative without any optical titles, and those are combined when doing the prints??? I mean, maybe I'm wrong about this. It seems odd to have a neg-cut which have a second generation dupe with optical titles added? Cos it seems that a lot of these transfers suffer in quality when there are optical elements such as titles - in fact, even with dissolves you can see the pictures quality change on the outgoing/incoming shots. Maybe I've answered my own question, and negatives are prepared with all optical effects intact, including opening credits - but it seems a shame.
The completed negative has the opticals within it but it would be possible to re-master if the original camera elements were still extant (finding those elements would probably be an issue now too). I think that is a lot of work for not an awful lot of gain domcoke but it would have been nice if the opening section of Cliffhanger had been re-done so it looked as good as the rest of it. Although the colour is a little different to original release now which may not be preferable to some of us.
Definitely one of my favorite movies with Stallone :) Some other favorites are Lock Up, Over The Top, Cobra, Nighthawks, Demolition Man, Judge Dredd, Rambo (1-4) and Rocky (1-6). But I don't like Rambo: Last blood and Creed 2
I haven't actually seen 'Lock-Up'. Looked at the 4K recently but still didn't take the plunge. Sometime soon I think.
@@moviecollector5920 Lock Up is definitely worth watching if u like prison films and Donald Sutherland is excellent as the creepy warden. Escape Plan is also a great one.
@@mirvmn2 Okey dokey, Lock Up is on the list. Got Escape Plan though - Sly and Arnie was too enticing a prospect to miss.
@@moviecollector5920 There's also a sequel, Escape Plan 2 but I didn't enjoy that one. It's not as enjoyable as the first one in my opinion.
@@mirvmn2 I'm not surprised. I enjoyed Escape Plan but a sequel without the pair of them didn't really thrill me that much so I didn't see it... yet.
The US release by Sony has a totally different colour grading which to my eyes, matches previous home releases.
I thought the UK release had a little too much green to it but without a 35mm print to judge it against it's hard to know if that was how it looked. I do have the trailer on Super 8 though and that doesn't have the green bias so it seems like the US release may be more accurate but it's all a minor gripe as the 4K here is another wonderful home video. John.
I agree! one of Stallone*s best !! 1 remember watching the Laserdisc. Spectacular cinematography, beautiful to watch..... gorgeous color! IMDb reviews are always rubbish.
Just the opening sequence alone makes this a great film for me. But I like it all, despite some of the language and excessive violence.
John.
Sorry John, the best Stallone movie ever is Paradise Alley, as a avid Stallone fan for over 40yrs I win lol
Cliffhanger was great, remember seeing it at the cinema upon release , awesome film.
As an avid Stallone fan then I presume you have the 2x400ft Universal 8 Super 8 release of Paradise Alley then!?!?
I saw Cliffhanger twice in the cinema and that opening sequence made me ever more ill the second time around. However big I project it in the home it just doesn't work like a huge cinema screen. I saw if first at the Odeon Leicester Square and then at the National Film Theatre a few months later in NFT1. Treasured memories. 1993 was a great year for movies - one of the best ever.
John.
@@moviecollector5920 err yeah I have the super duper version released in a format only dogs can hear lol, seriously tho P.A is my fav stallone film. I just got Nighthawks on Blu-Ray ( import) but anything by Sly in the 80's early 90 was king. Regards Carl.
I had that laser disk as well one of the first I ever bought well the uk version
One of the first I purchased too Neil. Still a great disc today. The opening with the helicopter would have most people thinking it was the latest, greatest sound format but it's only good ol' matrixed four channel Dolby Stereo.
John.
100% agree that this was the best movie in Stallone’s filmography. Only the original Rambo challenges it.
Was that 'First Blood' Robert. I think I reviewed the Super 8 feature of that for Film For The Collector/Super 8 Film Review when it was released about 20 years ago but sadly I didn't think to buy the print. I think 'Rocky' is better than First Blood but it would be a boring world if we all thought exactly the same.
@@moviecollector5920 yes, the original Rambo, which is a taught thriller versus overblown piece of jingoism. Hard to argue with you on Rocky 1 :)
Watched on new projector. Great picture and the Atmos track is very good. Even the new projector couldn’t help the cringeworthy Stallone dialogue.
You mean you could understand what he was saying Gary? Well done! John.
@@moviecollector5920 Adrienne!
Great review!!
Thank you Leroy.
The US release of this title has one of the better PQ images to date! As far as US releases are concerned (ya that’s me) Cliffhanger has been handled meticulously! I rank Sony right at the top of the food chain
The UK is very good too but it sounds like I should have imported the US disc as you're not the only person who has told me the US release is even better. A great film whatever and I'm very pleased to have it in such good quality. The sound ain't bad either!!!
John.
I honestly like Harlin's The Long Kiss Goodnight more than Cliffhanger.
That is a hugely enjoyable film so I can understand that. I also like Cutthroat Island but don't tell anyone. John.
Cutthroat Island haha, now that is purely guilty pleasure.
What movie plays at the start of your videos
That's a set of tease trailers on the front of a Star Wars feature from 1999 Bella. The main one you see I think is The Beach... but it's upside down of course as that's how film projectors work. John.
Thanks you remind me of my grandad he taught me all I know about films I did see some 35mm films but when I was older they where slowly moving over to digital prints I do remember a fond memory of when my school took me to Crewe Odeon and I got to see the film room and we got to keep some 35mm film
keep up the great videos mate
The scene at the start of cliffhanger always has me sweating because I HATE HIGHTS 😂
@@xix94 Good afternoon Bella. I was a physical wreck during that opening scene when I first saw it. I then went to see it again months later when the National Film Theatre screened it and I was even worse the second time around! It does have to be seen on an enormous screen to produce that response though so I'm alright watching it in our home cinema. I hope you've kept that strip of 35mm from your visit to the Crewe Odeon projection box. Those days are largely gone now but there are still a few cinemas projecting film occasionally. I stopped going to cinemas when video projection was taking over and it was so awful by comparison but I'm sure things have improved somewhat since titles such as Prometheus were completely destroyed by low quality video on huge screens. Not that I think Prometheus is a great film by any stretch, but the standard of video projection back then ensured it looked like crap and that didn't help.
John.
I never got to see Prometheus on the big screen thank God 😅
Yes I did keep my film that I got from the Odeon
The movie that was in the film I got to keep.was titanic 3d
I have to say when I sore titanic on the big screen my 👄 was open wide I could not believe how amazing the movie looks on the big screen
I will be honest titanic is the only movie I have cried at 😆
Has any movie ever made you cry ?
I know I held back the tires when watching schindler's list
I love the way you talk about movies reminds me of my grandad he hated it when we went to the cinemas and the curtains where open
My grandad first movie experience was back when smoking in the cinemas was allowed and there was always big clouds of smoke in the area 😂
Anther fine, if short may I add review John.
It would have been longer if you'd have got the rights and issued the film full-length Ged!!!
You've got to love him!!
It's the quality though GED 🤩👍
Nowhere near his best for me stallones made a fair few classics but definitely a great film
Ah, but I got a response from you and that's what I was aiming for! He's certainly been in some great movies and it would be difficult to pick out the best really but probably Rocky from a critical point of view. Cliffhanger is a load of nonsense really but one of the best action films ever made. John.
renny harlin's best movie is the long kiss goodnight. exorcist 4 was hideous. cliffhanger is damn good. i hope they cleaned up the dirt/specks for the uhd 4K.
It's totally clean nistel SE but I do think they changed the colour bias towards green. I'd rather have a bit of neg dust and keep the colours the same rather than mess about with the colour bias but then I'm a film enthusiast and I love running tangible 'reel' film.
@@moviecollector5920 many thanks for that! i'm getting the u.s. version (amazon uk has a crazy shipping cost, and uk releases have that rating mark on the artwork/front covers, though i bought plenty of uk blurays). if there's a link, i'd buy via your link to amazon.
@@nistelse3859 I'm told the USA version is better. But there are home movie specialists who might be worth getting to know for purchases from America. John Perry of Mondo Chelloveck Movies is often recommending the people he uses so it might be worth checking his channel out and asking his advice: ruclips.net/channel/UCHvv24HJlY_cI25PCfT2U1Q
John.
This movie is a classic back in 1993 for Sly Stallone and the USA copy of cliffhanger is far better than the UK version with no dolby atmos only dts hd master audio and the USA copy has dolby atmos,awsome sound with the overheight..HDR10 is brilliant with skin tones and color palet and contrast..
A few people have told me the same thing Kerry. Next time I'm over I'll be bringing home a USA 4K version of this exceptional title. On the home screen that opening doesn't make me ill like it did in the cinema (twice!) but it's so damned good the rest of the film could have been complete tosh and I'd still love it.
John.
Another great review
Thank you for saying so Andreas.
John.
Please studio's give old back catalog's on 4k with Dolby Atmos or DTS:X please 👍
A lot of enthusiasts only want the original soundtracks so there is a line they have to walk. Also, the cost of creating new sound masters is fairly enormous so it has to be justified. Get a really good Dolby Stereo (ProLogic) or 5.1 system though and you won't be too bothered about the later sound formats. High end HiFi simply makes a big difference. John.
Cop Land is also up there as Stallone's best
I'm not sure I've actually seen that one James. I might have it though and simply can't remember although that seems unlikely given your opinion of it. Thank you for the pointer. John.
@@moviecollector5920 yes you should definitely check it out
Not afraid of heights? Try Everest in 3D.
I have Everest on Blu-ray and I think it's terrific but nothing has come close to the Cliffhanger opening on a huge screen in 1993. I was even worse the second time around when we saw it in BFI NFT1. Felt like I was going to fall out of my chair!
I watched studio canal version of the 4K version and found the remastered copy was not that appealing. The colours were not vibrant.
All our equipment is different and what looks great on one system may not look quite so great on another. I even have this occasionally myself with a pair of 4K video projectors as results vary greatly. John.
@@moviecollector5920 I agree, I played with 4K player and display. I realised the Sony version was more better coloured. I have to get one to check.
@@mygumybear I remember that I thought the 4K had too much green in it. I was judging that against the PAL LaserDisc and the Super 8 theatrical trailer so it's unlikely the 35mm general release prints were any different to those. A minor gripe though because the overall quality of the 4K is fabulous. I should have taken that one to the BFCC on Saturday to show the opening on the big screen. John.
Cliffhanger is highly entertaining, but Stallone’s best? Surely that belongs to Rocky. I’d even place First Blood above Cliffhanger.
Well, it got you talking about it and that was my intention. There's also 'Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot'!!!
John.
The American Columbia release of Cliffhanger is a far better quality transfer and also has a far superior Dolby Atmos audio track.
Is the American release really a different transfer? That seems like an awful lot of trouble for the same film but perhaps there are different rights holding distributors on either side of the Atlantic. You'd have thought there would have been some job sharing for cost saving reasons.
One of the best action movies ever made.
The best in 1993 in my opinon and there were some fantastic ones out that year. I do agree though, one of the best action films ever made. A stunner. John.
Idk, First Blood and Rocky are better imo
I really think Rocky is a far better film it's just that Cliffhanger is such a wonderful action adventure that it may be unsurpassed by anything that went before or after. Made quite an impact in 1993. John.
@Simon Dann He's made a lot of enjoyable movies Simon. Rocky is the one most people prefer but it's Cliffhanger for me.
The first Rocky is better than cliffhanger.
I hoped I'd get a few reactions to that opening statement Dizzy. Well done. I love Rocky too.
John.
@@moviecollector5920 😄
I'd think most people would have Rocky as Stallone's best movie. I'd also have Cop Land and First Blood up there as well. The opening scene in Cliffhanger is a classic though. Every time I watch it I still expect Stallone to save her.
Forgetting Copland
Good point. Need to check that out again. And 'Don't Stop Or My Mom Will Shoot'.
John.
his best? I'm surprised at this. i found it very corny. the story is good but man, there are some really cringey one-liners and eye-roll action sequences. Rocky is waaaaay better in my opinion. but to each their own.
Exactly why I said it Ricky - to get the opinions of others. I too love Rocky and quite a few more Stallone films. Thanks for putting in your favourite. John.