In this seven-time Oscar®-nominated film*, things go terribly awry when small-time Minnesota car salesman Jerry Lundegaard (William H. Macy) hires two thugs (Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare) to kidnap his wife so he can collect the ransom from his wealthy father-in-law. Once people start dying, the very chipper and very pregnant Police Chief Marge Gunderson (Frances McDormand) takes the case. Is she up for this challenge? You betcha.

For thoughts on Fargo, please check out our discussion on The Video Attic:

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Video Quality

Shout! Studios presents Fargo with a stellar 2160p transfer in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio sourced from a 4K scan of the Original Camera Negative supervised by Director Of Photography Roger Deakins with Dolby Vision/HDR. The last major upgrade for this film was the remastered Blu-Ray first seen in 2014 courtesy of MGM, but this new release far outpaces that one. For those who are not 4K capable, the included Blu-Ray has been sourced from the same new 4K restoration. While the new Blu-Ray is a standout representation of the film, this 4K UHD presentation is a true beauty and a major win for fans waiting for this one to be given the ultimate presentation.

This disc displays the perfect amount of natural film grain which brings out an abundance of distinct texture in the landscapes, production design, and clothing. This grain resolves without issue as nothing ever appears unnatural, frozen, or spiking throughout the changes in the environment. The transfer is put to the test with the snowy white expanses, and this disc rises to the occasion with the encode only faltering in very brief instances. By and large, this is a formidable viewing experience that looks natural and rarely noisy. This 4K restoration brings out all of the subtle texture you desire. Black levels are exceptional with no blatant crush present, and highlights hold firm under scrutiny. This new master has eliminated nearly all print damage with nary a speck remaining.

The Dolby Vision presentation is not as showy as some features, but it unlocks so much depth and nuance to the hues that make up this world. Seeing as this is a wintery tale, there is not much that is going to pop off the screen, but HDR benefits in ways far beyond the enhancements of certain lighting and clothing choices. We rather have aesthetic accuracy than anything artificially boosted, and we trust this is how Roger Deakins intended for the film to look. The new presentation reaches a level of precision and color detail which previous formats simply could not match. Fans of this all-time classic will be blown away by the quality delivered with this new release.

Audio Quality

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray disc comes with a fantastic pair of audio options with DTS-HD 5.1 and 2.0 Master Audio tracks that show off this material quite well. The iconic score from Carter Burwell sounds magnificent without any signs of damage. The full surround sound presentation finds nuance in the low end when it comes to some musical cues and key violent altercations. Dialogue flows through with pleasing clarity even when sequences are getting more chaotic. Environmental noises such as the chattering of patrons at a bar or the roar of a woodchipper are given a notable place within the mix. Every element of the audio experience comes through with top-notch fidelity. Shout! Studios has provided a welcome audio experience for this one. English SDH subtitles are provided for those who want them.

Special Features

Audio Commentary: Director Of Photography Roger A. Deakins provides an informative commentary track in which he discusses the process of working with the Coen Brothers, memories of the performers, the location shooting, the weather that would not cooperate, and much more. This track is low-key and has some significant stretches of silence, but when he speaks it is interesting.

Minnesota Nice Featurette: A 28-minute piece in which the cast and creative team discuss the experience of making this film, the unique aspects of the characters, the importance of the setting to the narrative, the direction of the Coen Brothers, and more that is pretty entertaining.

Interview with Coen Brothers and Frances McDormand: A 21-minute Charlie Rose interview with the directors and star who discuss the truthfulness of the story, what they bring to filmmaking as creative figures, the casting of the film, the qualities of the characters, and more.

Theatrical Trailer: The two-minute trailer is provided here.

TV Spot: A 33-second TV Spot is provided here.

American Cinematographer Article: A 16-minute text-based article is provided here about the iconic Roger Deakins and his collaborations with the Coen Brothers.

Still Photo Gallery: A collection of photos from the production of the film is provided here.

Final Thoughts

Fargo is one of the best films from one of the best directing teams to have ever provided art for the silver screen. The film is deeply idiosyncratic and hilarious, yet it also never treats the events as trivial. When things begin to fall apart, every decision carries a weight that ripples out and punches you right in the gut. What makes the experience so visceral is the care put into developing these characters as someone you can become invested in for better or worse. Every performance is perfectly finessed to suit this story, and the world that is created here is truly unforgettable. No matter how many times you have seen this one, there is always something new to fall in love with. Shout! Studios has provided the film with a 4K UHD Blu-Ray release that delivers a reference quality A/V presentation and a decent array of special features. Those who have been waiting for this classic to finally hit this premium format should be thrilled by the results. Essential

Fargo is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD + Blu-Ray Combo Pack.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Shout! Studios has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.