NOTE: 50 more more full resolution (3840 X 2160) 4K UHD captures, in lossless PNG format, for Patrons are available HERE

We have reviewed the following 4K UHD packages to date: The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (no HDR), High Plains Drifter (software uniformly simulated HDR), Mystery Men (software uniformly simulated HDR), Silent Running (software uniformly simulated HDR), Dressed to Kill (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Power of the Dog  (software uniformly simulated HDR), Escape From Alcatraz (software uniformly simulated HDR), I, the Jury (no HDR), Casablanca (software uniformly simulated HDR), In the Mood For Love (NO HDR applied to disc), The Werewolf vs. the Vampire Woman  (software uniformly simulated HDR), Blow Out (software uniformly simulated HDR), Night of the Living Dead (NO HDR applied to disc), Lost Highway (software uniformly simulated HDR), Videodrome (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Last Picture Show (software uniformly simulated HDR), It Happened One Night (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Mummy (1932)(software uniformly simulated HDR), Creature From the Black Lagoon (software uniformly simulated HDR), Bride of Frankenstein (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Amityville Horror  (software uniformly simulated HDR), The War of the Worlds (1953) (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Incredible Melting Man  (software uniformly simulated HDR), Event Horizon (software uniformly simulated HDR), Get Carter (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Killing (software uniformly simulated HDR), Killer's Kiss (software uniformly simulated HDR), Out of Sight (software uniformly simulated HDR), Raging Bull (software uniformly simulated HDR), Shaft (1971),  (software uniformly simulated HDR), Double Indemnity (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Untouchables (software uniformly simulated HDR),  For a Few Dollars More (no HDR), Saboteur (software uniformly simulated HDR), Marnie (software uniformly simulated HDR), Shadow of a Doubt (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (software uniformly simulated HDR), A Fistful of Dollars (no HDR), In the Heat of the Night (no HDR), Jack Reacher (software uniformly simulated HDR), Death Wish II (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Apartment (no HDR), The Proposition (software uniformly simulated HDR), Nightmare Alley (2021) (software uniformly simulated HDR), Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Godfather (software uniformly simulated HDR), Le Crecle Rouge (software uniformly simulated HDR), An American Werewolf in London (software uniformly simulated HDR), A Hard Day's Night (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Piano (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Great Escape (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Red Shoes (software uniformly simulated HDR), Citizen Kane (software uniformly simulated HDR), Unbreakable (software uniformly simulated HDR), Mulholland Dr. (software uniformly simulated HDR), Invasion of the Body Snatchers (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Hills Have Eyes (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Servant (software uniformly simulated HDR), Anatomy of a Murder (software uniformly simulated HDR), Taxi Driver  (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Wolf Man (1941) (software uniformly simulated HDR), Frankenstein (1931) (software uniformly simulated HDR),  Deep Red (software uniformly simulated HDR),  Misery (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Silence of the Lambs (software uniformly simulated HDR), John Carpenter's "The Thing" (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Cat' o'Nine Tails (software uniformly simulated HDR),  The Bird With the Crystal Plumage (software uniformly simulated HDR), Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (software uniformly simulated HDR), Perdita Durango (software uniformly simulated HDR),  Django (software uniformly simulated HDR),  Fanny Lye Deliver'd (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, (NO HDR applied to disc),  Rollerball (software uniformly simulated HDR),  Chernobyl  (software uniformly simulated HDR), Daughters of Darkness (software uniformly simulated HDR), Vigilante (software uniformly simulated HDR), Tremors (software uniformly simulated HDR), Cinema Paradiso (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Bourne Legacy (software uniformly simulated HDR), Full Metal Jacket (software uniformly simulated HDR),  Psycho (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Birds (software uniformly simulated HDR), Rear Window (software uniformly simulated HDR), Vertigo (software uniformly simulated HDR),  Spartacus (software uniformly simulated HDR), Jaws (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Invisible Man, (software uniformly simulated HDR), Steven Spielberg's War of the Worlds (software uniformly simulated HDR), Lucio Fulci's 1979 Zombie  (software uniformly simulated HDR),, 2004's Van Helsing (software uniformly simulated HDR),  The Shallows (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Bridge on the River Kwai (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Deer Hunter (software uniformly simulated HDR),  The Elephant Man (software uniformly simulated HDR), A Quiet Place (software uniformly simulated HDR), Easy Rider (software uniformly simulated HDR), Suspiria (software uniformly simulated HDR), Pan's Labyrinth (software uniformly simulated HDR),  The Wizard of Oz, (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Shining, (software uniformly simulated HDR), Batman Returns (software uniformly simulated HDR), Don't Look Now (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Man Who Killed Killed and then The Bigfoot  (software uniformly simulated HDR),,  Bram Stoker's Dracula (software uniformly simulated HDR), Lucy (software uniformly simulated HDR), They Live (software uniformly simulated HDR), Shutter Island (software uniformly simulated HDR),  The Matrix (software uniformly simulated HDR), Alien (software uniformly simulated HDR), Toy Story (software uniformly simulated HDR),  A Few Good Men (software uniformly simulated HDR),  2001: A Space Odyssey (HDR caps udated), Schindler's List (simulated HDR), The Neon Demon (No HDR), Dawn of the Dead (No HDR), Saving Private Ryan (simulated HDR and 'raw' captures), Suspiria (No HDR), The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (No HDR), The Big Lebowski, and I Am Legend (simulated and 'raw' HDR captures).

On their 4K UHD, Kino offers the option of DTS-HD Master tracks (24-bit) in dual-mono or a 5.1 surround bump - both in the original English language. "The Taking of Pelham One Two Three" is filled with subway noises and some gunfire. There are modest separations in the surround. The, much-discussed, horn-keyboard etc. score is by David Shire (Farewell, My Lovely, All the President's Men, Showdown, Zodiac, The Conversation) that has been described as "one of the best and most inventive thriller scores of the 1970s".  It adds an effective edge to the viewing experience and it comes through supportively in the lossless. Kino's two discs offers optional English subtitles - Region 'A' for the Blu-ray and, like all 4K UHD, region FREE, playable worldwide.

There are two commentaries on the 4K UHD and Blu-ray discs - one new. Film historians Steve Mitchell and Nathaniel Thompson talk about the New York centricity of the film and its quintessential representation of the city and its citizen's personalities in the 70's. They cover a ton of detail including differences from the book and, as always, are enjoyable to listen to. The second commentary is by brothers Pat and Jim Healy who related some interesting tidbit for the production including information about director Joseph Sargent, cinematographer Owen Roizman, how the motorman was played by James Broderick - actor Matthew’s dad and much more. It's also worthwhile indulging. On the second disc Blu-ray, are interviews with actor Hector Elizondo, editor Gerald B. Greenberg and composer David Shire. They run about 1/2 hour in total. There is also the 'making of' The Taking of Pelham One Two Three - a 6-minute vintage featurette from the 'Point of View' of New York City Transit Policeman, Carmine Foresta, who appears in the film as a train expediter. Lastly are a 'Trailers from Hell' piece with Josh Olson, an image and poster gallery, theatrical trailer, TV Spot and 2 Radio Spots.

Aside from Kino's 4K UHD image quality being somewhat underwhelming the overall package - notably the film and two commentaries make it very desirable. Peter Stone adapted the screenplay from the 1973 novel The Taking of Pelham One Two Three written by Morton Freedgood (under the pen name John Godey.) I thought the 2009 Tony Scott adaptation was enjoyable with Denzel Washington, John Travolta and Luis Guzmán - reviewed on Blu-ray HERE. The original, considered one of 1974's best films, is another level up though. It was also made into a TV movie in 1998 starring Edward James Olmos, Vincent D’Onofrio, and Donnie Walberg - that I have not seen. It's an inventive premise; a group of four gun-toting criminals take 18 passengers, including the conductor and an undercover police officer, hostage on a New York City Subway - car seeking ransom money. The Court Street station in The Taking of Pelham One Two Three was also used for The French Connection, Death Wish, and the 2009 Tony Scott remake. The original has a superb cast with Walter Matthau, Robert Shaw, Martin Balsam etc. and carries the crime-thriller to rarely reached heights. This film is absolutely recommended. A wonderful addition to any film fan's library.

Gary Tooze