Disc Reviews
Outland 4K Review
Peter Hyam’s stylish western in space, Outland comes to 4K via Arrow Video.
Sean Connery stars as the federal marshal, William O’Neil, of a deep space mining community, but trouble is afoot when workers start going doo-lally and offing themselves in gloriously absurd and gory fashion. Turns out not all is as sweet as the authorities would have him believe, and he soon finds himself as a lone gunman going against the grain for the greater good, but not without cost. O’Neil finds himself friendless, hunted, and without a family to help support him.
Yes, it’s a western in space. The plot thickens when the assassins come calling and we get a couple of great cat and mouse sections in the film. It’s a gripping and fun sci-fi yarn with Connery doing what he does best. He is backed up by the always reliable Peter Boyle in a much more sinister role, and also a scene-stealing Frances Sternhagen as the one person he can trust. Connery and Sternhagen have a fun and prickly chemistry on screen. And whilst she’s great, Connery himself puts in a strong emotional performance not common of his work. It isn’t often you see Connery tearing up when potentially having the last conversation with his son over video. It’s a subtle performance in a film that, whilst certainly that of cult status, keeps getting rediscovered every decade or so.
Peter Hyams often worked as his own DoP, so it is odd to see him working with Stephen Goldblatt on Outland, but it turns out that whilst Goldblatt grabbed the credit, he primarily worked on the model and effects work, whilst Hyams shot all the footage of the people. But together they have come up with impressive work. Hyams is great at tracking shots through the sets that were built, and the model work filmed using Introvision stands up very well today. The 4K helps bolster the film’s look.
EXTRAS:
There are some new and carry-over extras, but the new stuff is worth shouting about in terms of new interviews. There are brand new interviews with the director, DoP Stephen Goldblatt and visual effects artist William Mesa. All of which are decent enough and cover the main areas (aside from the performances) that fans of the film will want to know about. All three interviews are interesting as you find out how each of them got their start in the business as well as how they fit into the work on set for Outland.
There is a commentary by the director who is passionate about the film and how it all came together. And there is an additional critic commentary.
There are a couple of visual essays as well to help pad out the extras, one on Hyams is interesting, if a bit short, you come away wanting to know more about the man’s work. But, surely that’s a good thing. There is also a reversible sleeve with new artwork, this artwork also appears on the double-sided poster that comes with the set. And as per Arrow Video usual, there is also a booklet with film critic thoughts on the film.
The restoration of the film was taken from an original 35mm camera negative by Arrow Films. Sadly, there is only one English subtitle option.
A pretty decent package then, worth shelling out for. And it’s out now!
Steven Hurst
4K ULTRA HD LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS
• Brand new 4K restoration from the original 35mm camera negative by Arrow Films
• 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray™ presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
• Original lossless stereo 2.0 and DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround audio options
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Archive audio commentary by writer-director Peter Hyams
• Brand new audio commentary by film critic Chris Alexander
• A Corridor of Accidents, a newly filmed interview with writer-director Peter Hyams
• Outlandish, a newly filmed interview with director of photography Stephen Goldblatt
• Introvision: William Mesa on Outland, a newly filmed interview with visual effects artist William Mesa
• No Place for Heroes, a brand new appreciation by film scholar Josh Nelson
• Hollywoodland Outland, a brand new visual essay by film historian Howard S. Berger
• Theatrical trailer
• Image gallery
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Pye Parr
• Double-sided foldout poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Pye Parr
• Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing by film critics Priscilla Page and Brandon Streussnig
Outland is out on 4K Blu-Ray November 3rd