Paramount Home Media Distribution will celebrate the 30th anniversary of Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction (1994) with a brand new Limited Edition 4K Blu-ray release, which is scheduled to arrive on the market on December 3.
Description: In 1994, writer-director Quentin Tarantino blew away audiences and critics with his brazenly brilliant tribute to hard-crime capers, PULP FICTION. 30 years later, the acclaimed and award-winning film continues to thrill new generations of fans with its infinitely quotable dialogue, superb cast, ingenious plot, and chart-topping soundtrack.
In celebration of the cinematic masterpiece's 30th anniversary, PULP FICTION will return to the big screen in October for special presentations featuring pristine new 35mm prints in select theaters across the U.S.
Hailed for its "combination of gorgeous dialogue, genre-literacy, guns, and gore" (Times UK) as well as its "smart, offbeat, strangely sexy cast" (Chicago Tribune), PULP FICTION became a cultural phenomenon that redefined cinema. The Miramax film took home the Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or, the Independent Spirit Award for Best Feature, the Oscar® for Best Original Screenplay, and dozens of additional awards. The star-studded cast includes John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Amanda Plummer, Maria de Medeiros, Ving Rhames, Eric Stoltz, Rosanna Arquette, Christopher Walken, and Bruce Willis.
PULP FICTION will be presented on both 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray in a new Limited-Edition set that also includes extensive legacy bonus content and access to a Digital copy of the film in a collectible premium slipcase, a new slipcover with pop-up artwork, lobby card reproductions, photography select sheet, and decals.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
DISC ONE - 4K BLU-RAY
Not the Usual Mindless Boring Getting to Know You Chit Chat
Here are Some Facts on the Fiction
Enhanced Trivia Track
DISC TWO - BLU-RAY
Not the Usual Mindless Boring Getting to Know You Chit Chat
Here Are Some Facts on the Fiction
Pulp Fiction: The Facts – Documentary
Deleted Scenes
Behind the Scenes Montages
Production Design Featurette
Siskel & Ebert "At the Movies"- The Tarantino Generation
Independent Spirit Awards
Cannes Film Festival – Palme d'Or Acceptance Speech
hhhmmm. Disappointing bunch of paper. More interesting a major so closely following how the outlier boutiques tarting up their releases with cheap to produce paper "collectibles". Anything in there about QT approving the new master, if indeed it is? Getting a 35mm print re-release with apparently newly struck prints instead of the usual re-presentation theatrical in digital.
Lots of unnecessary crap/junk indeed. However I have not yet upgraded to 4K for this title, and I've become quite fond of the sturdy slip boxes that come from labels like Arrow or Zavvi. I wish more distributors would do this sort of thing (minus the crap), just a nice sturdy box with either a standard, digi or steelbook case inside and possibly a booklet. That's all I need. Plus I do love the artwork for this, solid black with just the logo, and using the original theatrical poster art on the inside case. I pre-ordered mine based on those few things alone.
What an exciting cover! Black?! That's great! The title of the film?! Brilliant! This new cover is so, SO much better than the iconic poster art that rivals the Mona Lisa in terms of artistry and popularity. Am I right or am I right?!
@souptonuts Isn't QT not a fan of 4K? I'm sure I've read quotes or heard him talking about how he thinks people need to see films on 35mm and not bother with things like Blu-ray and 4K. While I agree with him that 35mm is the superior way to see cinema, not all of us have the ability to live in places like Los Angeles with indie theatres have do these kind of screenings, not to mention a lot of us want to own titles for our on personal libraries. I only write this because I get the feeling based on what I recall hearing that QT has no interest in supervising or approving anything for physical media, as none of his 4K titles or past Blu-ray's have had his involvement. This coming from a guy who is still high on the VHS era, which I don't get. I abandoned VHS once laserdisc became more affordable and available in the mid-90's. Who the hell wants pan & scan VHS with poor picture and sound quality is something I'll never understand.
@Sopranogl The original poster artwork is there, but inside the case. I think it's far classier than the previous 4K's with that Steelbook artwork, and where they took the original poster and turned it black and white. I like the minimalist design of the outer box, and I would love it all physical media did this, black box with only the original logo with the inside case with the poster art. But that's just me.
Also, QT approved most if not all transfers and releases of this film:
Original 1995 tapes: Unknown
Original 1995 laserdisc: Unknown
1996 Collector's Edition tapes: Unknown
Criterion Laserdisc: Yes, he oversaw everything
1997 DTS Laserdisc: Unknown
1998 DVD: Unknown
2002 DVD and all DVDs afterwards: Yes, he oversaw everything, and all DVDs afterwards are either both 2002 discs repackaged, or Disc One repackaged
All Blu-rays: Overseen in 2011
All 4Ks: Overseen in 2022
The 2022 4K was sourced from a 4K scan/restoration/master of the OCN. Tarantino supervised everything from the neg leaving the cans to the final discs. He approved everything.
Of note is the diner scene from the end. While it likely takes place around 11:00-11:30 AM in canon time, you can see in real life it was much later in the day when it was shot. Tarantino could've edited that glaring error, but he left it intact. I had a lot of bad discs in my rotation at the time, and seeing how he rolled with a mistake rather than changing it really made my day.
Also, while there are multiple different listings and logos for what the original soundtrack is (I've seen Dolby Stereo, Dolby Stereo Spectral Recording, Dolby Stereo Digital Spectral Recording, and Dolby Digital), the 5.1 tracks on both the Blu-ray and DVD sound amazing, and sound mostly if not entirely like the Dolby Surround Stereo track on the tape I grew up with. Allegedly, the 5.1 track on the 4K was sourced from the OG source as well.
So the 4K, which I love, is approved by Tarantino. Not only is he obsessive about his transfers too, not only does he have a Cameron Clause in his contracts, but he's normal about it.
Aside from the Artisan DVD of Reservoir Dogs (done without his approval), the 4K of Inglourious Basterds (done without his approval), and the 4K of Reservoir Dogs that's back to missing several lines of dialogue (done without his approval), I've never had a problem with a Tarantino release on any format.
While I've heard about him hating 4K, after several years I have yet to see one scintilla of actual proof. I just keep hearing "he hates 4K", "you know he hates 4K", "everybody knows he hates 4K", and the same keeps being said about Tarantino, PTA, Nolan, and a slew of other directors, most if not all of whom have literally overseen a quality transfer of at least one film for the format.
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Back to Tarantino, the US releases I can verify he worked on are...
Reservoir Dogs:
2006 and 2007 DVDs
2007-2022 Blu-rays
Pulp Fiction:
see above
Jackie Brown:
Transfers for all three 1998 VHS tapes
Both 1998 laserdiscs
All DVDs (all DVDs are either both discs of the 2002 DVD or Disc One only)
All Blu-rays (all Blu-rays are the 2011 Blu-ray)
Kill Bill:
All US releases (unknown if he prepared the Japanese DVD of KB1, which has the original NC-17-rated version of the fight scene which is nearly a minute longer and in full color)
Inglourious Basterds:
All DVDs (same disc)
All Blu-rays (same disc)
The Blu-ray in the 4K (literally the old Blu-ray included with the new 4K)
Django Unchained:
All copies
The Hateful Eight:
All copies
Once Upon A Time In Hollywood:
All copies
So he is doing transfers, he is doing whole releases, and he is doing 4Ks. Pulp Fiction was solid the whole way through. Aside from not remastering the standard Blu and leaving a few special features off, it was perfect. (For fun, check out the old UK collector's Blu-ray of PF, it's great.) Reservoir Dogs, despite not having his involvement, was mostly great. The picture was great, and the quality of the sound was great, but the missing lines of dialogue is annoying (this was one of the main reasons he oversaw the 2006 remaster of the film). If any film needs a new 4K, it's Reservoir Dogs. Pulp Fiction's disc is great.
Same extras. Bound to be the same discs as before, not that discs that the discs that just came out two years ago need a makeover. But, this is obviously just for newcomers and die-hard fans who will buy anything and everything related to their favorite films. Though, I can't imagine who paramount or amazon think their audience is offering grade-school swag for such an adult movie. Stickers? Really? At least these appear to be made for the movie, not just stickers of generic seashells they're charging a premium for despite the lack of any necessary licensing fees. I'm talking to you Arrow.
@martydmc12 he's not anti-4K and doesn't care how you watch it at home, he actually said he buys a lot of movies from YouTube. He just hates digital projection and prefer theaters use 35mm
@Shane Rollins Good to know, thank you for the info, much appreciated!
@JurassicBD Agreed, I'm certainly not a fan of all this swag that comes with any release. A nice study cardboard slip box or slipcover, a quality case (or Steelbook), and a detailed booklet about the making of the film or some behind-the-scenes photos is all I need. Don't need no posters, keychains, stickers, or other weird crap that seems quite juvenile if you ask me. And that goes for all genres and releases. I'm buying a movie to watch in the best picture and sound quality possible, and instead of having the theatrical poster the cover art should be the substitute. That's all I think most of us cinephiles really want.
I really like the hardcover slipcase with the opening titles aesthetics and the digipack with the original poster cover. I could care less about the stickers and jack rabbit stuff (I've always thought those things cheapen limited/special/collector's editions). I'd prefer instead a CD with the soundtrack, like StudioCanal sometimes does (Don't Look Now). Now, why no Spanish subtitles? Even Martian subtitles but no Spanish subtitles. It's a pitty 'cause this is one of my best friend's favorite movies and I would've loved buying it as a present for Christmas, but she´s not fluent in English... or Dutch... or Korean. Damn!
@Sopranogl That black cover looks like the DVD Collector's Edition but that one had the logo with the gun and a window into the poster art that was on the actual DVD.
This one looks weird but still better than the steelbook (which felt like it was designed by someone who never watched the movie and only knew about that iconic dancing scene).
Releasing this so soon after the two 4K editions doesn't make sense. The standard 4K was on sale for < $15 a year ago. Anyone dropping $60 on this has to be double dipping so the question is, what's included here other than some paper prints. "extensive legacy bonus content" isn't enticing. This release just doesn't make any sense.
am I correct in thinking that it's a black hardcase and then inside that you have a standard case INCLUDING a slipcover of the original poster artwork? or will it just be the black hardcase with a standard 4k case inside without a slipcover, but the original art?
@chickenlunch It indeed looks like a black hardcase including a slipcover (that opens on the front for the pop-up scene). I'm glad that the slipcover is using the original theatrical poster art, aside from changing the 10 cents to 30th Anniversary.
@martydmc12 this sounds great tbh, I was thinking that the pop aspect was just loose.. something random for the shelf. I'm much happier about ordering this version now! I hope you're correct
Love the original poster art within the simple "bookish" black cover with title, is quite tasteful, but definitely not an upgrade overall. If the transfer is the same as the previous 4K, I'm not buying it again for superfluous fluff.
@chickenlunch If you look at the image closely, you can clearly see that the pop-up is part of the slipcover. If anything I'm more excited about the black sturdy box, but that's just me.
@wimp420 As someone who doesn't already own this on 4k, this feels like the definitive version to own tbh.. for now.. I can't stand the steelbook art, the standard 4k with slip is ok but nothing mega. I also got this new one with 20% off, so made it kind of a no-brainer
I love lobby card reproductions if they are actual reproductions instead of what Arrow sometimes mocks up & calls "Poster Cards" or whatever. I'm surprised to see that the Fiction had lobby cards at all, given its 1994 release.
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