In this fantasy-adventure, set in a world peopled by creatures of myth and magic, a prince embarks on a quest to find the magical Glaive and then rescue his young bride. Colwyn (Ken Marshall) is the leader of a mythical sword-and-sorcery group in pursuit of “the Beast” that has kidnapped his fiancée, Lyssa (Lysette Anthony).

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Video Quality

Krull has at long last been given a 2160p 4K UHD upgrade with HDR/Dolby Vision that has been restored from the Original Camera Negative and approved by Cinematographer Peter Suschitzky. The included Blu-Ray is derived from the same 4K master, which is undoubtedly an improvement upon any of the numerous Blu-Ray releases from Mill Creek Entertainment dating back to 2014. This 4K UHD disc summons the perfect amount of natural film grain which resolves effortlessly and never fluctuates unnaturally. Throughout the film, you are treated to a dynamic world of unfathomable texture and detail within each inventive environment thanks to this transfer. Fans of the film have never seen it appear so three-dimensional and full of life, even upon its theatrical release.

The UHD disc contains striking, deep colors throughout, especially when it comes to some of the fantastical costumes and the lighting schemes of different locales. Highlights are bolder and offer greater stability without succumbing to blooming. Black levels are deep and allow the picture to reach unbelievable levels of depth and detail in darker environments. Skin tones look natural, and the clarity of the transfer gives you a noble amount of facial detail including character makeup and the distinct deployment of facial hair. Any potential print damage or other such blemishes have been eradicated. The improvements in contrast and overall clarity are astounding, especially when you explore the textures on the costumes. This transfer is a revelation for fans of this classic fantasy picture. Sony has pulled out all of the stops

Audio Quality

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray disc unleashes a new Dolby Atmos track along with a DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track and a DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio stereo track for the purists. The range of audio and subtitle options Sony provides on this disc is unlikely to disappoint anyone. The Atmos track is a tasteful expansion of the 5.1 presentation, fleshing out the overall soundscape with enhanced vitality and a more keenly immersive quality. Dialogue typically stays grounded up front, but activity creeps into the surrounds, rears, and overhead speakers when it comes to the score and various environmental sounds to make the adventure feel more robust and dynamic. The sounds up above are not an assault, but they make themselves known when permeating the room.

The film comes alive when it comes to the music from James Horner, as the gorgeous score surrounds you with the proper care. The low-end response from the subwoofer comes alive during the fight scenes, especially, but there are plenty of elements showing off for this adventure. Directionality is never unpleasant when it comes to environmental effects. Dialogue is crisp and clear without ever getting clipped by the competing elements. For those who choose to go with the original stereo track, you will be treated to a stellar presentation that captures the original artistic intent. Sony makes sure you are covered on all fronts.

Special Features

Sony has provided Krull with a sleek SteelBook featuring artwork that is truly lovely in person. Video of the SteelBook can be found at the top of this review.

Audio Commentaries

- Audio Commentary #1: Director Peter Yates, Actors Ken Marshall & Lysette Anthony and Editor Ray Lovejoy

- Audio Commentary #2: Dubbed a “Behind the Scenes” commentary track, a narrator reads an article from Cinefantastique magazine about the film.

Journey to Krull: A 22-minute featurette narrated by Tom Bosley that delves into the creation of the film and production. This is the most valuable supplement included.

Theatrical Trailer (2:07)

Final Thoughts

Krull is one of those fantasy films from decades past that is not recognized much by the mainstream, but those who caught it at the right time in their lives love it. There is a great creative spark at the center of this one, as the craft elements are fabulous and the performances are solid enough for the genre. The narrative itself is not too groundbreaking, but it holds together fairly well despite some threads not connecting perfectly. The film loses some momentum in a few spots, but overall, it is good fun if you want to go on an out-of-this-world adventure. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has released a 4K UHD Blu-Ray featuring a 5-star A/V presentation and nice special features. Fans of the film will be delighted to have this one finally treated with this level of respect. Recommended

Krull is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD Blu-Ray and Digital.

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

Disclaimer: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment 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.