ADDITION: Paramount 4K UHD (September 2023): Paramount are releasing Roman Polanski's "Rosemary's Baby" to 4K UHD. The package includes Paramount's 2021 Blu-ray, as evidence by the dated M2TS files:

We compared the Criterion's 2012 Blu-ray to two early Paramount DVDs HERE. We have included some matched captures from those releases below.

"Rosemary's Baby" has been one of the more problematic appearing transfers in home theatre. The film itself has an inherent softness and the color balance of previous digital editions was always suspect. It was never meant to look crisp and glossy. We accepted the Criterion 1080P as the definitive. Paramount have produced some faux-pas 4K UHD transfers in the past - at times showing DNR / digitization. I am pleased that this HD presentation is free of those unforgivable transfer weaknesses and it clearly takes a leg up in the color balance, contrast and detail does rise. Brighter scenes have deeper black levels and darker scenes look quite dark. In fact, despite our replication captures - the one word I would use to describe the image quality on my system is "dark". Other systems may produce different results. There are some fairly consistent grain textures visible. Overall, I was quite pleased with the image upgrade - and I loved rewatching this classic in 2160P. The higher resolution alone does mean so much. 

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: 44 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 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, Paramount use the odd choice of a Dolby TrueHD 2.0 channel track (puny 16-bit) in the original English language with a descriptive audio option or choice of three European DUBs (French, German, Italian.) The Dolby TrueHD was the same as on their 2021 Blu-ray. "Rosemary's Baby" is filled with various subtle effects. They can impact scenes remaining authentically flat but with minor bass response because of the transfer limitations. Krzysztof Komeda's score is brilliant - haunting and brooding and gains some notable prominence. He has composed a few other Polanski films including The Fearless Vampire Killers, Cul-de-sac and Knife in the Water. The, much-discussed, score - with a mix of musical genres - is a big part of the viewing experience. Mia Farrow hums the wordless lullaby "Sleep Safe and Warm" played during the intro and closing titles. It seems the lesser audio option may have been a missed opportunity - but I admit I loved it nonetheless. The disc offers optional English subtitles - and is, like all 4K UHD, region FREE, playable worldwide. The second disc Blu-ray is also Region FREE.

There are no extras at all on the 4K UHD disc. The second disc Blu-ray, has only the same two featurettes found on the DVD of twenty years ago; Shahrokh Hatami's "Mia & Roman" 23-minutes shot during the making of "Rosemary's Baby". It features footage of Roman Polanski directing the film's cast on set, and the 1/4 hour 'Rosemary's Baby - A Retrospective' with input from producer Robert Evans, production designer Richard Sylbert and director Roman Polanski. There is a new 1/2 minute "Red Band" trailer and a theatrical trailer ending in 'Pray For Rosemary's Baby'.

Paramount's 4K UHD release of Roman Polanski's "Rosemary's Baby" is greatly anticipated by cinema fans. The film was based on Ira Levin's 1967 novel. Discussed for the role, that eventually went to Mia Farrow, were Tuesday Weld, Jane Fonda, Patty Duke, Goldie Hawn and Polanski's fiancée Sharon Tate. Midway through shooting the film, Frank Sinatra, Farrow's husband, served her with divorce papers (via a lawyer) intentionally infront of the cast and crew. "Rosemary's Baby" remains a key psychological horror with multiple themes like anxiety, paranoia, occultism, Catholicism / Satanism / Witchcraft, and even women's lib. It's easy to notice Charles Grodin (in his debut role) as Dr. Hill but keep your eyes peeled and you may see Tony Curtis, Patricia O'Neal, and Sharon Tate (party guest.) I love clues like "The name is an anagram". This is definitely a film you want in the best possible home theatre presentation and despite the lack of new extras - this 4K UHD is it.

Gary Tooze