The Andromeda Strain (1971)

Description

The Andromeda Strain (1971) – 4K Ultra HD Disc Review
“The scoop has landed. The town is dead. The terror has begun.”
Format: 4K Ultra HD (Limited Edition) | ️ Release Date: May 13, 2025
️ Label: Arrow Video | ⏱️ Runtime: 131 minutes | Rated: G
Genres: Sci-Fi • Mystery • Thriller

️ 4K Video – 4.0/5

Arrow’s 2025 release of The Andromeda Strain is sourced from a new 4K scan of the original 35mm camera negative, mastered with Dolby Vision and HDR10.

The presentation is a noticeable upgrade over previous Blu-ray editions, especially Universal’s dated transfer. Color fidelity and contrast benefit greatly from HDR, with bold red, blue, and night vision sequences exhibiting particularly strong tone separation. Saturation levels are consistent, and shadow detail improves even in darker lab scenes.

That said, image sharpness varies throughout due to the film’s age and frequent use of 1970s optical effects (e.g., split screens, overlays, zooms). Grain can be thick and textures a bit soft in spots, especially during effects-heavy transitions. This is faithful to the source, but worth noting for viewers who prefer a squeaky-clean digital look.

Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Disc Type: BD-100
Region: Free

Audio – 4.0/5

Arrow retains the original English LPCM Mono track. It’s clean, hiss-free, and offers solid presence for both dialogue and Gil Mellé’s electronic score, which is eerie and period-authentic.

While obviously lacking spatial dynamics, this mono mix is true to the film’s original theatrical experience, and the restored clarity makes even the quieter sequences easy to follow. No crackle, dropouts, or distortion present.

Subtitles: English SDH

Special Features – 4.0/5

Arrow ports over all the excellent supplements from their 1080p release and includes a collectible booklet.

On-Disc Extras:

• ️ Audio Commentary by Bryan Reesman – Dense with historical and production detail.
• A New Strain of Science Fiction (28 min) – With critic Kim Newman offering insightful analysis of the film’s legacy and themes.
• ️ Making the Film (30 min) – Archival interviews with Robert Wise, Michael Crichton, Nelson Gidding.
• Portrait of Michael Crichton (13 min) – Focuses on the author’s unique contributions to medical and sci-fi narratives.
• Cinescript Gallery – A 192-page shooting script with images, designs, and an appendix, also included as a downloadable PDF.
• ️ Theatrical Trailer (3:18)
• TV Spots (1:50)
• Radio Spots (1:49)
• ️ Image Gallery – Stills, posters, and video art

Final Verdict – 4K Disc Score: 4.0/5

✅ PROS:

• Authentic 4K scan with effective HDR
• Faithful mono audio
• Great supplements, now in HD
• Fascinating story with eerie scientific realism

⚠️ CONS:

• Some image softness from source
• No 1080p Blu-ray included in this edition
• Grainy and visually uneven in spots (especially during optical effects)

BOTTOM LINE:
Arrow’s 4K edition of The Andromeda Strain is a meticulous upgrade that preserves the film’s cold, clinical aesthetic while improving on previous releases. Sci-fi fans and Crichton completists will appreciate the care taken here.

Recommended for genre lovers, archival collectors, and fans of retro techno-thrillers.