Oliver Stone’s Academy Award®-winning* film about the shots heard round the world and the mystery that still surrounds them is one of the most provocative movies of all time. In addition to its box office success, soaring critical acclaim, and awards, it played a major role in the national debate that led to the passage of the 1992 Assassination Materials Disclosure Act.

Packed with a star-studded cast – Kevin Costner (Dances With Wolves), Sissy Spacek (Carrie), Joe Pesci (Goodfellas), Tommy Lee Jones (No Country For Old Men), Kevin Bacon (Mystic River), Laurie Metcalf (Lady Bird), Gary Oldman (The Dark Knight), Jack Lemmon (The Apartment), Donald Sutherland (Invasion Of The Body Snatchers), Walter Matthau (A New Leaf) and so many more – JFK will take you through the looking glass and into one of the most controversial events of our time.

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Video Quality

Shout! Studios presents JFK with a staggering 2160p transfer in its original 2.39:1 aspect ratio sourced from a new 4K scan of the Original Camera Negative with Dolby Vision/HDR. This particular 4K UHD presentation applies to the Director’s Cut of the film which has been approved by Director Oliver Stone. Both cuts of the film are provided on Blu-Ray discs derived from the same new 4K master, meaning even those not 4K UHD capable will find this an improvement from the previous Blu-Ray from Warner Bros. This also marks the first time the theatrical cut is available on Blu-Ray.

One thing to bear in mind when viewing this film is that it has a very deliberate style which does not always allow for a traditionally pristine 4K UHD image, but this transfer makes it the best version itself. The grain can be thick in certain shots, but it resolves favorably given the core aesthetic in a way that never feels clumpy or swarming. We did not notice any jarring digital anomalies such as compression artifacts, banding, or any other such nuisances. Any previous specks of damage or dirt have been cleaned up immensely during the remastering process. The newly recovered detail and clarity will mesmerize thanks to the presence of the natural film grain which has not been nuked away.

The scenes that prove to be more challenging include any flashbook footage of the assassination or the aftermath. The movie uses a combination of Super 8 and 16mm camera setups to achieve the throwback look that is brought to life perfectly here. Many aesthetic detours bring this epic to life, and all are executed with grace. A few shots may look “rough”, but they are the most ideal version – this disc respects the artistic intention of Stone. Even during these moments, the texture on display in the carnage of the autopsy, the clothing, and the production design are unbelievable. The practical effects present with significant clarity, and this presentation will surely unveil new nuances for the viewer.

The Dolby Vision is utilized with great care for increased color output that captures the palette’s depth and nuance. The film features numerous shadowy sequences in smoky offices, which maintains lovely detail in the dark corners. Black levels are first-rate with practically nothing in the way of crush present, and highlights are deftly refined with no evidence of blooming. Lighting is used to inform the suspicious nature of the narrative, and this disc handles every discrete environmental change with ease. Settings radiate during the daytime scenes when the agents are out interviewing witnesses. The new presentation features some characteristics in the lighting and landscapes that leap off the screen with a welcome potency. This presentation is authentic to the original look of the film, and it marks a remarkable effort from the team at Shout! Studios.

Audio Quality

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray disc comes with a DTS-HD 5.1 and 2.0 Master Audio track, both of which bring the film to life in a strong fashion. The opening notes of the John Williams score settle you into the epic journey filled with heightened emotions. There is never a moment when it swallows up competing sounds, and it maintains a careful balance so that dialogue comes through crisp and clear.

The environmental sounds such as the flashback to gunshots and screaming crowds are rendered well alongside everything else. Despite some frenzied moments, this is far from an action film. That being said, the sound is sonically nimble and complex in a way that keeps you on your toes while never wavering with fidelity. There are not any major instances of age-related wear and tear that we observed. Shout! Studios has treated this with the proper care. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided.

Special Features

Disc One & Two (4K UHD & Blu-Ray – Director’s Cut – 3:25:30)

Audio Commentary: Director/Producer/Co-writer Oliver Stone provides a gentle but informative commentary track in which he discusses how he frames real-life moments from history, the motivations behind various decisions, the aesthetic variances from moment to moment, the psychology of the characters, the structure of the film, working with the performers, and much more.

Disc Three (Blu-Ray – Theatrical Cut – 3:08:42)

Audio Commentary: The commentary track from Oliver Stone appears to be the same one from the Director’s Cut but edited to conform to this cut of the film.

Disc Four (Special Features)

One Person Can Make A Difference – Oliver Stone on JFK: A nearly nine-minute new interview with Director/Producer/Co-writer Oliver Stone in which he discusses how this film served as a turning point in his career, the reception to the film, how the feature impacted real-life history, his thoughts on Kennedy, his own conspiracy beliefs, and more.

Brave New Worlds – Editor Hank Corwin on JFK: A new ten-minute interview with Corwin in which he reflects on his relationship with Robert Richardson, meeting Oliver Stone, how he became involved with JFK, inventing different ways to tell a story, how the film challenged him, and more.

Supporting The Vision – Producer Clayton Townsend on JFK: A new nine-minute interview with Townsend in which he discusses his relationship with Oliver Stone, his experiences with the project, the location shooting, research that went into the production, memories of the performers, the pride he has for the movie, and much more.

Recreating The Unthinkable – Special Makeup Effects Artist Gordon J. Smith on JFK: A new eight-minute interview with Smith in which he discusses working with Oliver Stone, recreating horrific historical events, the research that went into the topic, the sculptures that were made, and more.

Stone Bold – Cinematographer Robert Richardson on JFK: A new seven-minute interview with Richardson in which he discusses his relationship with Oliver Stone, his initial thoughts about the script, what he learned about the assassination, the look of the film, and much more.

The Delicate Hands of Time – Dallas Location Manager Patty Doherty Hess on JFK: A new ten-minute interview with Hess in which she discusses working with the city to film important scenes and obstacles that she needed to navigate to make sure things went smoothly.

Deleted/Extended Scenes and Alternate Ending: A 55-minute selection of unused footage is provided here in rough form which provides some interesting moments that were understandably cut for time. There is an option to watch these scenes with commentary by Oliver Stone.

Assassination Update: A 30-minute featurette that explores the declassified files revealed in the ’90s by the ARRB and what was learned from this process.

Meet Mr. X – The Personality and Thoughts of Fletcher Prouty: An 11-minute piece in which you hear from the inspiration for the Donald Sutherland character who reveals a lot of criticisms he has of the CIA and other agencies.

Still Gallery: A collection of behind-the-scenes photos, marketing material, and more.

Theatrical Trailer: A two-and-a-half-minute trailer is provided here.

Final Thoughts

JFK is Oliver Stone bringing all of his tricks into play to craft an American epic that says as much about the filmmaker as it does society. To approach this film looking for truth is a fool’s errand, as Stone has a lot of particular ideas that either make sense or are completely off the reservation, depending on the moment. What he executes beautifully is the notion that the government is not to be trusted without question and the need for critical assessment of complex ideas. The film also, intentionally or not, explores the quicksand that is conspiracy theory culture. There are a lot of theories thrown out, and some of them may even have elements of truth to them, but at the very least you can appreciate them as a work of delicious storytelling.

These stories are brought to life effectively by a dynamite ensemble that works well in this narrative. This movie is a beast, but it keeps you captivated throughout its runtime. Shout! Studio has provided the film with a 4K UHD Blu-Ray release that boasts a fantastic A/V presentation and a worthwhile assortment of special features. This is a classic, and you deserve to have the ultimate presentation. Highly Recommended

JFK (Collector’s Edition) 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.