This spirited Western stars Academy Award®-winner Kevin Kline (1988, Best Supporting Actor, A Fish Called Wanda), Scott Glenn, Academy Award®-winner Kevin Costner (1990, Best Picture and Best Director, Dances With Wolves), and Danny Glover as four unwitting heroes who cross paths on their journey to the sleepy town of Silverado. Little do they know the town where their family and friends live has been taken over by a corrupt sheriff and a murderous posse. It’s up to the sharpshooting foursome to save the day, but first they have to break each other out of jail and learn who their real friends are.

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Video Quality

Silverado has been given a terrific 2160p 4K UHD upgrade with HDR/Dolby Vision that has been restored from the Original Camera Negative. The included Blu-Ray is the same disc that was first released in 2009, an older master in need of some sprucing up. The jump in quality since that release is astounding. This 4K UHD disc retains the ideal amount of natural film grain which resolves effortlessly and never fluctuates wildly. Throughout the film, you are gifted a canvas of unbelievable texture and detail within each environment thanks to this transfer. The frame has never been given so much depth across the sprawling plains.

The introduction of Dolby Vision is a godsend for viewers looking for the utmost accuracy. The UHD disc contains deep, complex colors throughout, even if most of the elements are on the earthy side of the spectrum. There are a few flashy costumes that make an impression, and the skies are impossibly blue. Highlights are contained and offer a respectable stability without veering into blooming. Black levels are deep and allow the picture to tap into an incredible amount of depth and detail in darker environments. Skin tones look weathered yet natural to the locale, and the clarity of the transfer gives you a significant amount of facial detail including stubble and perspiration. Any print damage or other such shortcomings have been eliminated. The refinements in contrast and overall clarity are amazing. This transfer is a homerun across the board. Sony is one of the best in the game these days.

Audio Quality

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray disc provides 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 array of audio and subtitle options Sony provides on this disc is unlikely to displease anyone. One of our favorite aspects of the film is the soaring score from Bruce Broughton, which saturates every speaker with excellent fidelity. Even with the power of this element, dialogue is crisp and clear without ever getting overwhelmed by competing elements. The low-end effects from the subwoofer come alive during the shootouts, especially. Every noise is very distinct, which means we are able to avoid a sonic sludge.

The Atmos track is not an extreme difference from the 5.1 presentation, but it does expand the overall soundscape with enhanced vitality and a more purposefully immersive quality. Dialogue typically stays grounded up front, but activity extends to the surrounds, rears, and overhead speakers when it comes to the music and various environmental sounds to make the tale feel more robust and dynamic. The sounds up above are not distracting, but they make an impact when filling the room with music or in some of the action scenes. Directionality is never an issue when it comes to environmental effects. For those who choose to go with the original stereo track, you will be treated to a top-tier presentation that captures the original artistic intent. Sony has you covered on all fronts with this release.

Special Features

Sony has provided Silverado with a sleek SteelBook featuring artwork that is truly lovely in person. The front artwork features the main characters animated on their horses, and the rear features a silhouette of the four in front of an orange sky. The interior sports a still of the quartet on their horses. Video of the SteelBook can be found at the top of this review.

Audio Commentary: Western historians Frank Thompson, Paul Hutton, and Steve Aaron provide an archival commentary track in which they discuss how this film fits into the Western genre, the classic elements of the narrative, the background and qualities of the ensemble, the shooting locations, and more.

A Return to Silverado with Kevin Costner: A 21-minute archival retrospective featurette in which the actor reflects on his love of the Western genre, the making of this film, the look and style of the feature, memories of his fellow performers, working with Lawrence Kasdan, his initial disappointment with his character, and more that you will not want to miss.

The Making of Silverado: A 37-minute archival featurette in which the cast and creative team discuss the creation of the film, how it tackles the Western genre, the thematic elements, the qualities of the characters, the shooting locations, and more.

Previews

Trailer (2:01)

Final Thoughts

Silverado is a very entertaining and raucous western that brings together many talented people to hit the highlights of the genre with fresh energy. The film does not play things overly seriously, as it leans into more of a popcorn adventure register. Even at over two hours, the film flies by with ideal pacing, humorous characters, and thrilling sequences. If you want a broadly appealing example of the genre, this is the perfect choice to bring newcomers into the fold. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has released a 4K UHD Blu-Ray featuring an excellent A/V presentation and a selection of fun special features. Things don’t get much better if you are a fan of the film. Recommended

Silverado 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.