Crimson Peak 4K Blu-ray delivers stunning video and reference-quality audio in this excellent Blu-ray release
Young author Edith Cushing discovers that her charming new husband is not who he appears to be.
For more about Crimson Peak 4K and the Crimson Peak 4K Blu-ray release, see Crimson Peak 4K Blu-ray Review published by Jeffrey Kauffman on May 16, 2024 where this Blu-ray release scored 4.0 out of 5.
Arrow is revisiting its rather sumptuously packaged 1080 release of Crimson Peak from several years ago with this new 4K UHD version,
which repeats everything about the previous release other than 2160 video with HDR and Dolby Vision.
For my thoughts on Arrow's 1080 release, those interested can head over to my Crimson Peak Blu-ray review. For those wanting more of a plot summary, I refer you to Martin Liebman's
Crimson Peak Blu-ray review of that version. Marty's
review is also a good source to compare screenshots from the Universal and Arrow releases.
Note: Screenshots are sourced from Arrow's (prior) 1080 release of Crimson Peak. This release does not include a
1080
presentation, which is why the 2K video score above has been left blank.
Crimson Peak is presented in 4K UHD courtesy of Arrow Video with an HEVC / H.265 encoded 2160p transfer in 1.85:1, with HDR / Dolby
Vision. The IMDb lists the Arri Alexa XT and a 2K DI as relevant data points. The hardback book included with this release has the following
information on the transfer:
Crimson Peak is presented in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio with DTS:X Master Audio. The film is presented in 4K resolution in HDR10 and
Dolby Vision.
The DI feature master data was supplied by NBC Universal. The 4K HDR grading was completed by Fidelity in Motion.
Final review and approval by Director Guillermo del Toro was completed at Picture Shop, Toronto.
All audio mixes were remastered by NBC Universal.
This is a pretty gorgeous looking transfer, one that takes the strengths of Arrow's excellent 1080 release and at least marginally improves some fine
detail levels while really going for the gusto vis a vis del Toro's amazing use of gradings courtesy of HDR / Dolby Vision. There
are so many remarkable new highlights in this 4K upgrade that it's a bit hard to know where to begin, but I'd cite both the warm yellows and cool
blues that are repeatedly utilized throughout as prime examples of how much HDR / Dolby Vision can add to both extremes of the spectrum. There's
a really interesting "evolution" evident here from yellow toward more of a sepia and then even a bit more skewed toward orange in several sections
of the first part of the film that really help to show off exactly what high dynamic range can really offer to something as extravagantly colorful as this.
Other "little" items, like the, well, crimson dress Jessica Chastain wears in the scene where she plays the piano have a more vivid presence as well in
this version. I wouldn't argue that shadow detail is hugely improved, but there is at least a bit more information in some of the very darkest scenes,
as in the spooky "explorations" Mia Wasikowska undertakes in various nooks and crannies of the estate. The increased resolution of this version also
brings a better specificity to more "little" items like the breath vapor Wasikowska emits at the opening and the mist in the yellow drenched bathroom
scenes, which now have a less noisy appearance.
This 4K release repeats the excellent audio from Arrow's 1080 release. The DTS:X track provides noticeable engagement of all channels from virtually
the get go,
as the thudding sound effects evident in the opening moments clearly pass overhead and pan from the front to the back of the soundstage. The film
has a rather baroque sound
design, and surround activity is brilliantly handled throughout the presentation. Effects are consistently directional in nature, and placement of
ambient environmental sounds are typically well handled, often supporting an extremely wide sound field. A number of panning effects are also
utilized to great effect. Dialogue, effects and score are all rendered with flawless fidelity and smart prioritization throughout. Optional English subtitles
are available.
Arrow has provided collectors with an unusually handsome package with this release, with a design advertised as being by Crimson Peak
concept artist Guy Davis. In the one element of packaging that may frustrate some folks looking for "standardized" packaging, everything is housed
in a slightly oversized box which
looks like a book. The outer packaging measures 7" tall by 6" wide by approximately 1 1/4" deep. Opening the cover (which opens like the front of
a book) offers up an art card with this release's cover art, a folded mini-poster and four double sided postcards. The main non-disc supplement is
an incredibly beautiful hardback book which features 80 jam packed pages with new essays, an archival interview with Guillermo del Toro, and lots
of photos and original conceptual design illustrations by Guy Davis and Oscar Chichoni.
Arrow has ported over the supplements from the old Universal release, and this release offers the same supplements that were new on Arrow's 1080
release. Marty's review of the Universal
release, linked to above, contains some info on the previously released bonus features. The "new" supplements offered on this release are indicated
by
an asterisk (*):
Audio Commentary by Co-Writer and Director Guillermo del Toro
The House is Alive: Constructing Crimson Peak* (HD; 50:01) is advertised as being a "newly edited" piece which includes
interviews with the cast and crew along with extensive behind the scenes footage.
An Interview with Guillermo del Toro* (HD; 8:36) is listed as "previously unseen", and is in Spanish with English subtitles.
Allendale Hall: Four Featurettes
The Gothic Corridor (HD; 4:07)
The Scullery (HD; 4:25)
The Red Clay Mines (HD; 5:19)
The Limbo Fog Set (HD; 5:43)
A Primer on Gothic Romance (HD; 5:37)
The Light and Dark of Crimson Peak (HD; 7:54)
Hand Tailored Gothic (HD; 8:59)
A Living Thing (HD; 12:12)
Beware of Crimson Peak (HD; 7:52)
Crimson Phantoms (HD; 7:03)
Kim Newman on Crimson Peak and the Tradition of Gothic Romance* (HD; 17:37) features the ebullient critic offering his
assessment of the "genre" proclivities of del Toro.
Violence and Beauty in Guillermo del Toro's Gothic Fairy Tale Films* (HD; 23:37) is a visual essay by Kat Ellinger.
In my oft repeated "different reviewers means different opinions" department, it's interesting to note that Marty gave Crimson Peak 4.5 stars
as a film when he reviewed the Universal Blu-ray release, while Brian Orndorf granted it only 2.5 stars when he
reviewed it during its theatrical exhibition. Even our member reviews on the
listing page for the original Blu-ray release show some disparity, with film ratings varying from 4.5 to 1.5 stars. I kind of fall in between the extremes
with regard to this film — I was never less than interested in the story, even as I wished it had kept some secrets longer and perhaps revealed
other secrets earlier. But the film is a riot of production design virtuosity, filled with the kind of grand and at times disturbing visions that
have
made other del Toro films so memorable. As Kim Newman mentions in one of the new supplements included on this disc, del Toro is a "genre"
filmmaker,
though divining which genre can be a bit of a challenge at times. That's probably true of Crimson Peak more than some of del Toro's
other films, but at least there's plenty to look at while trying to come to that particular conclusion. One way or the other, Arrow has assembled an
incredibly beautiful package here with solid technical merits that take full advantage of HDR/ Dolby Vision in particular. Both appealing on disc bonus
features as well as non-disc swag add to the allure of this release.
Recommended.
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