Arrow Video’s beautiful 4K UHD edition of the legendary film True Romance is available now as a limited edition set and a steelbook edition. Featuring “new 4K restorations of both the Theatrical Cut and the Director’s Cut from the original camera negatives by Arrow Films,” and a treasure trove of extras that Arrow is famous for, this set is the definitive presentation of True Romance.
What could be said about the importance of True Romance and its impact on the film industry that hasn’t already been said? You’ve got one of the earliest Quentin Tarantino scripts, directing by Tony Scott, career performances by Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette, and one of the most 90s ensemble casts of all time… including Dennis Hopper, Val Kilmer, Gary Oldman, Brad Pitt, Christopher Walken, Samuel L. Jackson, and James Gandolfini. This star-studded film of drugs, violence, movie magic, and overall weirdness couldn’t have been conceived in any other time and place, making it an important film that’s worthy of any movie buff’s collection.
Arrow’s new transfer of the movie is beautifully done. This movie has never looked so clean and crisp, while still retaining the natural look of the source film. HDR features are tastefully applied, delivering a nice pop to some of the film’s greens and reds without looking revisionist in nature. I don’t remember True Romance being a particularly lovely film to look at in past viewings, but Arrow’s transfer has caused me to rethink that perspective. I’ve simply never seen this movie look better anywhere else.
It wouldn’t be an Arrow release without an impressive set of bonus features. The limited edition version comes with a 60-page booklet with archival and new texts. There’s also a double-sided poster and lobby cards. The features on-disc include classic materials such as separate audio commentaries by Tarantino, Scott, and Slater & Arquette. New interviews round out the set by digging into the costuming, editing, and composing for the film. Several features pay tribute to the life and filmography of the late Tony Scott.
Wonderfully acted and featuring some of the world’s most talented actors in some of their wildest roles, True Romance is a one-of-a-kind film. And Arrow’s amazing 4K UHD edition is a one-of-a-kind way to own it in the highest quality possible.