ADDITION: Universal 4K UHD (October 2023): Universal's are releasing Jack Arnold's "It Came From Outer Space" to 4K UHD. Firstly, this 2160P transfer does not have the 3D version of the film, however the second disc Blu-ray included (which offers the 3D version) is Universal's 2016 1080P, reviewed HERE, and evidenced by the M2TS files:

We have compared captures below between the Blu-ray and the 4K UHD edition which has High Dynamic Range (HDR10). This film had a restoration back in 2016 described on the 3DFilmArchive website as "All the baked-in vertical alignment issues and reverse stereo shots have finally been corrected and IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE looks better now than it did theatrically in 1953. Dirt and damage clean-up was done by Thad Komorowski. In addition, IT was only the sixth feature to be released with stereo sound and when you hear the original and VERY dynamic 1953 mix (not heard in 63 years) you will be knocked out!. (thanks Bob Furmanek!)

So, like the BD this 4K UHD showcases a rather fuzzy grain through most of the film. It does not look like normal 'wiggling' film grain - it is more static and consistent. I can only presume that was a function of the restoration. It doesn't appear to be digitization although it can look unnaturally smoother. The first 10-minutes of the film exposes this the most and the contrast there is weaker. There are inherent softness issues throughout but also, strange, a handful of very crisp - usually medium distance - sequences. It's definitely not the norm, but on my system it looked like quite an improvement in black levels, a surprising amount of extra information in the frame - generally on all four edges - and detail does appear to marginally rise. I suspect that larger systems may become more aware of the fuzzy grain. I was actually quite happy with the presentation after the first 10-minutes.

NOTE: Unlike the Blu-ray this 4K UHD presentation has no "intermission" delay and title card - see HERE.

It is likely that the monitor you are seeing this review is not an HDR-compatible display (High Dynamic Range) or Dolby Vision, where each pixel can be assigned with a wider and notably granular range of color and light. Our capture software if simulating the HDR (in a uniform manner) for standard monitors. This should make it easier for us to review more 4K UHD titles in the future and give you a decent idea of its attributes on your system. So our captures may not support the exact same colors (coolness of skin tones, brighter or darker hues etc.) as the 4K system at your home. But the framing, detail, grain texture support etc. are, generally, not effected by this simulation representation.

NOTE: 60 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: Don't Look Now , Rosemary's Baby (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Last Wave (no HDR), The Train (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Trial (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Walkabout (software uniformly simulated HDR), Black Magic Rites, The Night of the Hunted (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Rape of the Vampire (software uniformly simulated HDR), Gorgo (software uniformly simulated HDR), Akira Kurosawa's Dreams (software uniformly simulated HDR),  The Man From Hong Kong (software uniformly simulated HDR), One False Move, The Tall T (software uniformly simulated HDR), Cold Eyes of Fear (software uniformly simulated HDR), Rules of the Game (no HDR), The Manchurian Candidate (software uniformly simulated HDR), After Hours, Rain Man (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Changeling (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Night of the Hunter (software uniformly simulated HDR), 12 Angry Men (software uniformly simulated HDR), Branded to Kill (no HDR), Picnic at Hanging Rock (software uniformly simulated HDR), Two Orphan Vampires, The Shiver of the Vampires, Drowning By Number (software uniformly simulated HDR), Serpico (software uniformly simulated HDR), Cool Hand Luke (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Seventh Seal (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Maltese Falcon (software uniformly simulated HDR), Mildred Pierce (software uniformly simulated HDR), Tár (software uniformly simulated HDR), Marathon Man (software uniformly simulated HDR), Dazed and Confused (software uniformly simulated HDR), Three Colors: Blue (software uniformly simulated HDR), Invaders From Mars (software uniformly simulated HDR), Death Wish (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, 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).

On their 4K UHD, Universal use DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround track (24-bit) 'bump' forgoing the 3.0 channel that was on the Blu-ray. This still seemed to emphasize the directional three channel sound (left, center, right) with some reasonably defined separations that add to the viewing experience. "It Came From Outer Space" is filled with various types of aggression (fiery rocket crash into the earth, collapsing mountain ledge, an extensive gun/rifle fire sequence, exploding rocket etc.) and an alien presence indicated by the delightfully nostalgic Theremin, played by Dr. Samuel, used in the score - (un)credited to the trifecta of Henry Mancini (Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation), Herman Stein (This Island Earth) and Irving Gertz (Plunder Road.) It can be dramatic and intense also adding layers of mystery and suspicion. This is an essential part of the film's appeal, imo. Universal have optional English, French or Spanish subtitles - and is, like all 4K UHD, region FREE, playable worldwide. The second disc Blu-ray is also region FREE.

There are extras on the 4K UHD disc - once again duplicating the 2002 DVD which offers a feature commentary with film historian Tom Weaver who does a great job filling in holes in the production including authorship of the script. There is also David J. Skal's 1/2 documentary The Universe According to Universal with Rudy Behlmer, Vincent Di Fate, Bob Burns, David Schecter, Bob Furmanek, Irving Gertz etc. discussing the studio's sci-fi films of the 1950's. There is also a 2D theatrical trailer.

Universal's 4K UHD release of Jack Arnold's "It Came From Outer Space" has the improved image with richer, deeper black levels and the higher resolution. The film has the same titles as the Ray Bradbury book, although the script is based on Bradbury's original film treatment entitled "The Meteor". There were a number of 50's desert-locale alien-related films made; The Black Scorpion, The Monolith Monsters, Tarantula, The Beast with a Million Eyes, Them!, Robot Monster etc. although many lean to It Came From Outer Space as their favorite. The invading alien concept was commonplace presumably relating the era in Hollywood to the theme regarding fear of anti-Communist sentiment where aliens could be a representation of the 'Soviet Red menace'. The subtext of a Cold-War anxiety also can have subjective interpretations notably with 1956's Invasion of the Body Snatchers that shares the 'emotionless human duplicate' story function with It Came From Outer Space. So, no 3D in 4K UHD but a bona fide sci-fi black and white classic with upgraded image. To me... irresistible.   

Gary Tooze