Frank Capra’s 5-time Oscar-nominated film It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) has been fully restored for release on Ultra HD Blu-ray. The 2-disc combo edition will arrive in stores on Oct. 29, 2019, along with a new 2-disc edition on 1080p Blu-ray.
Paramount says they spend over a year “painstakingly” restoring the cinematic masterpiece “using the original nitrate negative along with two fine grain masters made in the 1940s.” The 4k disc is presented in 2160p resolution with High Dynamic Range.
The UHD BD edition includes a 4k Blu-ray with the black-and-white version, Blu-ray with the colorized version, and Digital Copy (we’re waiting to hear which versions the digital codes provide). The 2-disc Blu-ray edition includes the newly remastered black-and-white version as well as a colorized version and Digital Copy.
Special features (new for 4K Ultra HD) include “Restoring a Beloved Classic,” “Secrets from the Vault,” and “It’s A Wonderful Wrap Party” on both the UHD BD and BD editions.
It’s a Wonderful Life is available on Blu-ray for $12.69 or 4k Blu-ray for $19.99 (List: $24.99). Order from Amazon
Awards: It’s a Wonderful Life was nominated for five Oscars including Best Picture, Best Actor in a Leading Role (James Stewart), and Best Director (Frank Capra).
Description: Return to Bedford Falls to experience the life-affirming message of director Frank Capra’s enduringly popular classic all over again when IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE arrives on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray for the first time ever October 29, 2019. Fully restored from the original negative IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE in 4K delivers amazing clarity with sharper and brighter images for a sensational home viewing experience.
Restoration Notes: Paramount spent over a year painstakingly restoring this treasured film, using the original nitrate negative along with two fine grain masters made in the 1940s. Each element was carefully scanned using the very latest technology to both preserve the delicate negative and create the best possible digital image. Fortunately, 13 of the 14 reels of the original negative survived, but portions had begun to deteriorate so the best image was selected from one of the three original sources on a shot-by-shot basis. The result is a more vibrant and detail-rich picture that brings this classic to life like never before.
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