ADDITION: Kino 4K UHD (September 2023): Kino' have released John Frankenheimer's The Train to 4K UHD. It is cited as "Brand New HDR/Dolby Vision Master – From a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative". We compared a DVD (1999 MGM) to three Blu-rays, Twilight Time, Arrow Video and Kino's 2021 release., HERE. This 4K UHD package includes a second disc Blu-ray but it is not the exact same one as their 2021 edition - having a few more extras and a different transfer, cited asa "Brand New HD Master – From a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative". The 2160P advances in the usual areas - its seems a shade darker and, at time, I thought a bit waxy. But I had to zoom in. I don't believe this has digitization. Contrast is superb. The Train always looks so compelling with long tracking shots, wide-angle lenses and deep focus photography.

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: 42 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 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), 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), Branded to Kill (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Killing (software uniformly simulated HDR), Killer's Kiss (software uniformly simulated HDR.)

On their 4K UHD, Kino offer the option of DTS-HD Master tracks in 2.0 channel (default) or a 5.1 surround bump. Both are 24-bit, in the original English language. There are effects - locomotives (obviously,) and wrecks of such, fires, explosions, Spitfire attacking scene and 'Air Douglas A-26 Invaders - plus a few sneaky separations in the bump. I recommend the original, flat audio option. Dubbing can appear obvious. Maurice Jarre's (The Tin Drum, The Man Who Would Be King, The Damned, The The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man in the Moon Marigolds etc.) score still sounds great and is also available as an isolated option (like all other Blu-rays) in lossless. Kino add optional English subtitles on their Region 'A' Blu-ray disc and optional English subtitles on their 4K UHD disc, which is region FREE, playable worldwide.

There are extras on the 4K UHD disc - the previous audio commentary by director John Frankenheimer add the newer one by Steve Mitchell and Combat Films: American Realism author Steven Jay Rubin, found on the 2021 Blu-ray and there is the option of the isolated score. Mitchell + Rubin laud the film and discuss the deep focus photography to the dialogue about morality, the value of art to it being one of the last great action films to be shot in black and white, and the value of character actors and Burt Lancaster being the only American actor in the film - plus much more. It's great and further ignited my appreciation of John Frankenheimer's The Train. In total, including the second disc Blu-ray, there seems to be most of the previously released extras included on the 2021 Kino adding a 6-minute 1964 Making-of The Train - newly mastered in 2K that has many behind the scenes sequences of the filming. Included is a 'Trailers From Hell' episode with Brian Trenchard-Smith running over 5-minutes, a lengthy theatrical trailer, Teaser, TV Spot, the package has a slipcase, booklet essay by film historian Julie Kirgo (on previous Blu-ray) and reversible art (see below.)

John Frankenheimer's The Train is loosely based on the Rose Valland's fact-based book Le front de l'art published in 1961. Curator of the Jeu de Paume Museum, Mademoiselle Villard (Suzanne Flon), with help from the French Resistance, attempts to thwart priceless modern art masterpieces being stolen and shipped, by train, to Nazi Germany in August 1944. Artworks seen in the film were by Paul Gauguin and Pablo Picasso. Lancaster fired director Arthur Penn after three days of filming in France, requesting Frankenheimer take over. Frankenheimer used this scattered production to his negotiational advantage getting his name made part of the title ("John Frankenheimer's The Train"), totally set removal or input from the French co-director demanded by French tax laws (actually producer Bernard Farrel,) he was given total final cut as well as a Ferrari (see John Frankenheimer: A Conversation With Charles Champlin.) The Kino 4K UHD has this exceptional Frankenheimer-Lancaster film looking and sounding its best and they even add a few extras beyond their 2021 Blu-ray. The two commentaries and isolated score remain. The Train is an excellent WW2 thriller packed with great performances and action. Certainly recommended.

Gary Tooze