DRACULA (1931) 4K ULTRAHD BLU-RAY REVIEW | UNIVERSAL CLASSIC MONSTERS
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- Опубликовано: 8 сен 2024
- I’m diving into the Universal Classic Monsters “Icons of Horror” 4K set, starting with a 4K review of the amazing DRACULA from 1931!
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#Bluray
#4K
#Dracula
#Horror
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Fun fact: Dracula is the oldest film to date to be released on 4K. Second oldest to date is Frankenstein, third oldest to date is The Invisible Man. This is a very good sign for physical media and the 4K format.
Exceptional. Maybe one day The Lost World from 1925 will get the treatment! Maybe in 2025 for the 100 year anniversary!
Maybe we’ll get Nosferatu on 4K
@@balladofthebroken7569the original negative for nosferatu no longer exists we only have one copy and who knows how many times that was copied. If you’re serious about it the Blu-ray from eureka is the best version with the original music looks as good as any 4k imo not really a reason to upgrade.
I am a sucker for the horror movies of my youth!
At 86, I saw them all. I remember a triple feature at my local theater: "Dracula", "Bride of Frankenstein", and "The Wolf Man".
Where would we be as movie-lovers without these early horror movies?
Thank you, Universal Studios!
That is a fantastic memory! I think Frankenstein and The Wolf Man are my favorites. Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein brings back beautiful memories for me.
I was curious about this after the fantastic 2013 restoration, but it seems there still are plenty of improvements in the jump to 4K. I'm glad that Universal sees the value in releasing black and white films in 4K.
These films will still be in-demand Classics at the end of this century and the next century. These are the Mona Lisa's of Hollywood. Really looking forward to watching all these classic monsters on 4k UHD.
I hope Night of The Living Dead gets this kind of treatment someday.
Only if they get 4k digital releases on major streaming platforms
I foolishly assumed HDR wouldn’t help a black and white movie because of the lack of colors but I guess I was wrong. This is why I watch your videos Jeff. Always learning stuff.
Man, you gotta use your head..of course it will help.
@@joebloggs8636 you know what doesn’t help? Your comment
@@joebloggs8636 no need to be a jerk about it
Dynamic range first of all improves contrast
think of it like this. it's a process to help with better contrasting between high and low lights ... Yes it does help with color timming. But high and low lights is a big part of what it does
Everyone buy these! It lets Universal know we want the sequels!
Yeah and Abbott & Costello meet Frankenstein too.
After 90 years who cares
@@jonathankuelske3971 yeah why should time matter about how good something is ? Wise up !
No one hates the Universal sleeve packaging more than I lol. Back when the first blu ray set for the Universal Monsters came out, mine had a defect where the binding glue was excessively applied. Found half the discs stuck to the inside of the sleeve. I had to straight up tear open the packaging to remove those discs, and use rubbing alcohol to get the glue/paper mess bonded to the DATA SIDE of the discs off. Miraculously the discs still ran, but that scenario couldn’t have happened if they stopped using that packaging.
Great review, I’ve been on the fence about getting the Blu-rays of these but I think I might spring for the 4K set now that they have it. Keep up the great work 😊
I'd love to see the cabinet of Dr. Caligari
Thanks especially for explaining how HDR helps even B&W movies. Many people think only of HDR's "wide color gamut" component & assume that can't help B&W; but HDR also helps with contrast, black levels, etc. Since digital video is naturally in color, even such things as color timing & grading are important on B&W restorations to make sure it transfers as true black, white & gray.
I loved The Wolfman when I was a kid, so I'm anxious to hear your review for that one.
Glad to know they have the better version (the Spanish version) restored on the disc!
Hopefully they come out with creature from the black lagoon that's my favorite of the universal monsters
Yeah we need 4k from that!
Agreed!!!
Just watched this yesterday on my 85 inch Sony 8k tv will say was very impressed by the transfer
This is a revelation to me, as a fan of the classic universal monsters, I had no idea these had come out. Wow.
I think you should do your next b&w 4k review in... B&W!!
Would be a fun change of pace for your highly informative reviews. Just throwing that out. Don't know, but you might be the first doing it.
Just picked up my set today from Best Buy. Excited to start watching tomorrow.
Love this! Please review all these Universal monsters in 4k 🦇
It's amazing what they do with mono tracks these days, Arrow's release of Schlock is a good example.
I have the full set of Alex Ross steelbooks for these Universal monster movies, so I would probably get this set and put the 4K discs into those steelbooks instead.
Thanks for articulating the process and how HDR works for these films. I already have these films and was hesitant to pick up the new 4K releases, but I might have to pick up the new set now.
When it comes to flickering with old movies, there can be several causes. Positives are more prone to it than negatives....so if a positive was scanned, that could be one factor. If the blu-ray seems as though whites are blown, then the digital master could have had too much exposure (which also highlights flicker). Shutters on cinema cameras were also less sturdy and could wear and create some timing issues (where if the shutter is off, odd frames could underexpose). Perhaps all Universal had to do was tone down the exposure for this 4K master, or they could have also used software that interpolates colors/contrast for one frame to the other. Just some thoughts on the technical process of the source and mastering.
The Dracula (english) source material is a 1935 Nitrate lavender positive
All of them look stunning! Thx for reviewing Jeff!
I bought these in the 4K steelbook editions, except for The Invisible Man. It wasn't available from Best Buy, but you can buy it from a different source.
How cool is it that they filmed the English version in the day and the Spanish in the night
I'm so glad you did this movie. I love monster classic and especially dracula
Great to hear the PQ is stellar! I don't usually splurge on steelbooks but for these 4 films I really loved the look of the steelbook art on the Zavvi exclusives and pre-ordered those. Having seen that crappy cardboard packaging I am glad I did so. Like you Jeff I hate those cardboard sleeves. I grabbed the UK versions of Indy 4k and Alfred Hitchcock 4k sets as they didn't have this rubbish packaging (plus the 4k Indy set also included the Blu rays).
Wow, this is a fantastic review. Thank you!
Now these are true gems and classics! A definite pickup!!! I also have the original Blu Ray set with sequels. 🦇🔥🎃🥶💪😎👍😈
UK version of this box set only includes four 4K discs and are stored in proper clip storage. All the extras are on the 4K discs too. Downside is we are paying same for package as you are in the US deformity more content - luckily I have blue ray copies of all Universal monster sets. I look forward to Universal releasing best two classic horrors - the Mummy and Bride of Frankenstein too.
I’ve been waiting for this one. Nice work.
I just for this set here in the UK. Our release comes in a standard 4K case with a slip instead of the packaging everyone seems to hate. However we only get the 4K discs. No 1080p copies.
Thanks Jeff! 😊 You've eased my mind! Pre ordered this set a few weeks back! Good to know its a solid investment! Should these releases sell well I'm hoping we'll see more releases like Bride Of Frankenstein etc! Hopefully at some stage we'll see the Hammer films 🎥 released in a similar fashion. I'll be controversial possibly but Christopher Lee is in my opinion the best screen Dracula! Regards Alan in Dublin
4K Hammer? Yes, please.
Lee is My favorite Dracula but I grew up with him as Dracula during the 60`s . I`m 64 now so when I think of horror I think of Hammer. I would love to see them remaster " Curse Of The Werewolf ".
@@williamjackson6705 He's mine too. I'm 40 but I have an older friend that introduced me to the powerful trio of Lee, Cushing, and Terence Fisher.
Great review, was sitting on the fence with this release, but now I will get a copy.
Great review. Your channel got me into buying and watching these older 4k movies and you are right they usually look amazing.
I agree about the Dracula disc (also the Frankenstein one), which I have as individual releases. It's a way to avoid the sleeve issue, which I agree with you about. I've known these films for a very long time (since you could only see them on TV). It's downright amazing how they look now in the 4K restorations. The 4K editions for these very old b&w films are the way to go, as good as the blu-rays can look--and they are good (THE MUMMY is my personal favorite and I've never seen it look so good)
Really keen on getting this now. Thanks, Jeff!
Thanks for the video Jeff. There's so much stuff coming out this month and I'll buy all of it LOL... the set is my first buy as I have never actually seen any of the original Universal monster movies. I mean I've seen their modern-day remakes but not the originals. The only thing is I'm not a fan of the packaging so I have to buy the individual steelbooks. Anyway I hope all is well with you and the family take care thanks for the video and I look forward to see that one
The DNR is 4kB&W Friendly. It is a sweet spot for 4k. I won't say necessarily any easy process. But one that truly enhances B&W films.
I noticed watching Frankenstein at the end of the film. The people around the building were Frankenstein was been burned. I never thought about all the people standing by the building. The heat would be so intense and the building would have collapsed on top of them
Im 54 and the 4k transfer was so intense. In all my years of watching this film. Never thought about it before. I know they take obvious liberty with Logic.
Imagine Hollywood is not being correct. Next you will tell their me is gambling in Vegas.Shocking!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤪Good Video 😎 I been watching a lot of Chicago Fire
great review good see the classics getting a 4k upgrade
Bride of Frankenstein is the most grainy. It'll be interesting to see how well they handle that one. I wish they would have included BoF in this set instead of Invisible Man, but I'll be waiting for a set that includes the sequels anyway.
Invisible Man in 4K is the best he's ever looked. lol
I've seen the 4K and I have to conclude that it isn't really worth the upgrade from the HD. Sure, it's got a little more clarity/contrast/brilliance, but unless you're really looking for those differences, just go on enjoying the bluray, which they did a superb job on.
Excellent review. Just waiting on my steelbooks to come in the mail tomorrow.
I know what you mean about that feeling that you're scratching the discs by sliding them in and out of the sleeves, but aren't Blu-rays and HD discs supposed to be tougher than the older DVD material. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that in the beginning they promoted that as a selling point for BR discs.
LOL 😄 I remember way back when someone said that you could smear peanut butter on a DVD and it would still play when they were promoting THEM over VHS! LOLOL 😂🤣😂
4K is actually weaker than Blu-ray
Got them all on steelbook. Also the hunt for red October 4k comin Monday
Great review. I've been waiting for this. I love these old eerie horror movies. And very much appreciate the screen comparisons. Thanks.
Great review!! I’m definitely grabbing at least this one at some point
Examples shown are pre-restoration v. post-restoration, not blu ray v. 4k UHD. Flicker is not present on either disc, but is present on DVD.
Thanks Jeff, like a few I was holding off picking this up (already have the Monster Legacy dvd set & blurays) until your review.
Maybe pull that cardboard disc sleeve abomination out, leave it to one side and put the discs in actual slim cases that fit into the set box. Good review, thanks.
I’m considering an 8 disc case for all of them, or like you said 4 slim cases
They certainly look amazing on my 86” LG 4k tv. Big improvement over BluRay.
Why not 100" ?
What's next, 8K ?
They could’ve easily knocked down more audio hiss here and found a better balance on taming the visual grain down a bit. Audio Hiss can be easily knocked down more with Protools audio software….especial during the “silent” moments.
Still amazing in 4k!
The opening title music sounds a lot better because they said they lifted it from the Spanish version.
Its interesting that you mention that flicker effect....I've noticed on some stuff (like the blurays of Poirot from the 90s) that the background has a similar flicker between a greenish and a reddish tint. Occasionally I'll see it on other stuff, but not always. I wonder if it's a related issue or just a problem with my own personal setup.
they are missing so many films in this “ collection”
They did the same thing with the Alfred Hitchcock collection. My blu-ray collection has a ton of them, while the 4K set came with 4 films.
they did it on purpose....they will come out with another 4 movie set with the other ones
True, they used a picture from Bride of Frankenstein on the cover, but that's not on the set. I'm not holding my breath because many of Universal's Monsters never made it to Blu-Ray in the first place and are only on DVD. The main series' were at least accounted for on the last 30-film boxset in 2018
@@SlashManEXE which ones are missing? Alot came from about.
one of my favourite classic horror movies by universal and love the great restoration that was done in 2012 or 2013 worth getting in 4K zavvi has great steel books this is a number 1 catalog title
Jeff, Pick up the Steelbooks! Much better packaging...
I was extremely surprised by the 4K HDR image on "Dracula." I didn't expect to see such an improvement in contrast. It really hit me as Dracula approaches Renfield's body on the floor; the Blu ray was all crushed out, and for the first time I could see what was actually going on without the image being artificially brightened. Even the credit sequence looks better with that wonderful, silvery grain and pure white lettering against the grey background.
I know it’s a long shot but I hope one day they restore the Spanish version
I hate to say this but I have to hold out and hope they do a Legacy Collection on 4K for each series. I had the DVD's, and now have the Blu Rays. The only way I'll rebuy them is for the full collections.
Missing of course is Creature from the Black lagoon and The Mummy and the Bride of Frankenstein-why the Hunchback of Notre Dame was never in any of these collections I don't know?
GREAT Review Jeff.
But since I had got the Blu-Ray 30-Film Collection last year at $69,
Justifying this latest 4K is sadly a pass.
Especially since a lot of the films and features of that previous set sadly haven't been ported over.
Universal definitely blew it in that area.
Along with the packaging of course.
I got the DVDs when they came with their sequels. The other films were in collections of their own. For instance, House of Frankenstein and Frankenstein vs The Wolf Man had one. Son of Dracula and Dracula's Daughter, ect. They all have good extras with them too. I had to pay about 16 bucks or so for each one when they came out, but I quickly collected them all over the year.
Yep, same here. Definite pass. I, too, paid $69 just last year for the 30-film Blu-Ray collection. I just don't see the point in spending another $69 to $99 on a 4K UHD Blu-Ray set with just four of those 30 movies in it, no matter the quality of the movies themselves or the upgrade in visual/sound quality. And, sleeve packaging? Whether it's for 4K UHD Blu-Ray/Blu-Ray/DVD movies, audio CDs or any other form of physical, disc-based media? Yeah, sleeve packaging has a special place in Hell reserved just for it. Hard pass on this set for me, thanks.
Great review, though, Jeff. I always enjoy and appreciate hearing your opinions on movies and Blu-Rays/4K UHD Blu-Rays. Your videos are always well-thought-out, entertaining and informative. Keep up the great work, man, and I hope family life is treating you well! Peace!
I really want this set, but, it's just too darn expensive for only 4 films. They could have at least included all 8 films in 4K from the Universal Essential Blu-ray collection.
I have been watching for awhile. I appreciate your love and knowledge of films. Thank you for all the great reviews, they really help.
Great review, little pricey, might wait tell after Halloween pick it up,see if it drops in price
Nice review. But I’ll wait for the 100 year anniversary release. My blu rays are fine till then. 🧛♂️
Wot? No Atmos? Count me out! Just kidding 😊. This has presented me with a complete dilemma as Bride of Frankenstein is my favorite in the series - thanks!
Spanish Dracula is great, they filmed on the same sets at night during shooting and shot a much more dynamic and less stagey movie than the more well known English cut.
Got the BRs years ago when they were 20$ for the collection - on an HDTV (1280) with a BR player, it looks fine - but upgraded to a 8KTV with a 4K player - the films looked really "out of shape" (of course because the resolution of the screen is way higher) - still all the "defects" mentioned here for the BRs are highly noticeable - might then upgrade these then
Where the Hell is Bride of Frankenstein? It's literally the crown jewel of the franchise!
if universal pictures release a color version of their 4k ultra hd blu-ray /universal classic monsters would be a horror fans
cinema dream come true and about time.
ps: use cd/dvd sleeves to protect your disc collection from the cardboard sleeves and music collection can be purchase from staples etc,etc. excellent horror review.
With a standard LED TV will I really see an improvement over a regular Blu-ray?
Of course, the HDR is great
I usually have issue with Universal 4k movies on 1 of my 4k players. I'm a little afraid to pick this up with that packaging. If it drops to 30, I might jump on it.
I dunno I was waiting for the 4K but the Blu-ray well here in the UK has these 4 Classic Monster Films plus The Mummy, Bride of Frankenstein, The Phantom of the Opera (1943) and The Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) especially since it’s cheaper so I’m really not sure why I should really buy this beyond this video’s reasons? Anyone else in the comments who agrees with this video’s assessment please let me know your reasons and by all means try to convince me
Very nice review!
I got 3 steelbooks of the monster collection, Dracula, Frankenstein, and Wolfman. They were okay ,a little grainy of course. And overall ,all 3 very b grade
Excellent review
Awesome review man 😎
Hello and thanks for the informative reviews..just to ask whether you've reviewed the other two movies in the above 4k set The Wolfman and The Invisible Man..thanks
What is it with Universal and packaging? They rightly treat their legendary back catalogue with care when it comes to 4k upgrading and then make a mess of the packaging. The Hitchcock 4k box is the same. I bought empty cases to put the discs in! A good review!
I've got the 4k set and the blu ray set. I'm not sure if the 4k is a step up from the blu ray set. In my opinion the blu ray set is the best overall package as it has more than double the movies along with a booklet and postcards. The 4k discs have the same extras as the blu rays.
I will have to get the mummy movies since my uncle co wrote 3 or 4 of them. Oh wait, damn No mummy movies?
I thought the Spanish version was an original negative that they found years ago. Why scan it 2k?
Yes The best Dracula ever..Bela Lugosi
I have the blu ray box set and was contimplating this set or not .My question is the blu ray also have the other movies the sequels does set have those? thanks.
4k Casablanca lets go!
Its interesting that hdr smoothes the heavy grain out but i got the restored blu ray box a few years ago and on the disc is the spanish version of dracula which for some reason? Is a much better quality its smoother picture why its the same age and presumably restored at the same time
I’m curious Jeff, if you ran Universal and were releasing a second set of 4, which films would you release?
That's a good topic. For me personally, it'd be Bride of Frankenstein, Phantom of the Opera, The Mummy's Hand, and Dracula's Daughter. After a certain number, you sort of get away from the more iconic titles
@@SlashManEXE Great list, but no love for Creature from the Black Lagoon?
@@Celestialrob Oops that was an easy inclusion. Definitely the most popular of the excluded films, behind maybe Bride of Frankenstein.
@@SlashManEXE interested to hear Jeff's take on this. Though with young kids, he may skip us.
I wonder if Nosferatu is gonna get a UHD release.
How about a show on the top 4k releases rated on the packaging?
sleeves are a deal breaker....I'll get them separately
Frankenstein is the best of the films 😉
Use your amazing connections and find out why they did not release a matching steelbook for The Invisible Man. I bought the other three, they;re actually beautiful. But I’m greatly annoyed there is no Invisible Man steel.
If im watching mono audio movie i always turn More audio
Just got Dracula 4k steelbook via sunrise records Canada exclusive for $25 closer to $20 US wish I could leave a picture of it to show ya they have a website to order as well 👍🇨🇦🇨🇦
I'll just stick with the blu ray
temporary out of stock on amazon damned. Will wait for you to make the full review of the set to see it is worth buying..
If it makes you feel any better, I preordered on Amazon the second they were available, and I still ended up with an email saying my order has been delayed to November 1st.
@@joshparra7334 well nop it does make me feel better hahaha maybe they undervalued the demands on this..
Target b2G1 is coming this weekend. Pepper your angus.
Quick question for You. Are these the Fully Restored Versions???
I HATE cardboard sleeve packaging. But that’s why I have 60 replacement 4K cases
Why creature from The Black lagoon didn't Come? IS it coming?