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The Fugitive (1993)
The Fugitive (1993) poster
Letterboxd

3.9

The Fugitive (1993)

Action, Thriller, Drama • 2h 11m

Overview

Wrongfully convicted of murdering his wife and sentenced to death, Richard Kimble escapes from the law in an attempt to find the real killer and clear his name.

Director: Andrew Davis

Cast: Harrison Ford, Tommy Lee Jones, Joe Pantoliano, Jeroen Krabbé, Daniel Roebuck, L. Scott Caldwell, Tom Wood, Ron Dean, Joseph F. Kosala, Andreas Katsulas, Sela Ward, Julianne Moore, Miguel Nino, John Drummond, Tony Fosco, Joseph F. Fisher, James Liautaud, David Darlow, Tom Galouzis, James F. McKinsey, Mark D. Espinoza, John E. Ellis, Gene Barge, Thomas Charles Simmons, Joe Guzaldo, Dick Cusack, Nicholas Kusenko, Joan Kohn, Joe Guastaferro, Andy Romano, Richard Riehle, Thom Vernon, Ken Moreno, Eddie Bo Smith Jr., Frank Ray Perilli, Otis Wilson, Pancho Demmings, Jim Wilkey, Danny Goldring, Nick Searcy, Kevin Crowley, Michael James, Michael Skewes, Ila Cathleen Stallings, Linda Casaletto, Cody Glenn, Cynthia Baker, Johnny Lee Davenport, Mike Bacarella, Bill Cusack, David U. Hodges, Lillie Richardson, Peter J. Caria IV, Monika Chabrowski, Lonnie Sima, Oksana Fedunyszyn, Orlando García, Afram Bill Williams, Bruce L. Gewertz, Jane Lynch, Joseph Rotkvich, Steven Lilovich, Noelle Bou-Sliman, Roxanne Roberts, Alex P. Hernandez, Theron Touché Lykes, Joel Robinson, Greg Hollimon, Cheryl Lynn Bruce, Marie Ware, Bernard McGee, Ann Whitney, Lily Monkus, Willie Lucas, Turk Muller, Ana María Alvarez, Eugene F. Crededio, Maurice Person, Terry Hard, Pam Zekman, David Pasquesi, Brent Shaphren, Stephen A. Landsman, B.J. Jones, Dru Anne Carlson, Margaret Moore, Manny Lopez, John M. Watson Sr., Kirsten Nelson, Juan Ramírez, Neil Flynn, Allen Hamilton, Eric Fudala, Lester Holt, Jay Levine, Sal Richards, Darren W. Conrad, Kevin Mukherji, John-Clay Scott, Suzy Brack, Tighe Barry

Best English-Friendly Release

Best Video Release

Best Audio Release

(by this comparison)
Original Dolby Stereo: Warner Bros LaserDisc 2.0 vs Warner Bros DVD?

The  (2006 or 2013?) Warner Bros Blu-ray 5.1 is similar but higher in LFE.
The atmos/5.1 on the 4K Blu-ray are a new different mix by the director.

Format

UHD Blu-ray

UHD Tiers

Length

131 mins

Type

Movie

Last Updated

3 months ago

Contributors

Best English-Friendly Release
Best Video Release
Best Audio Release

(by this comparison)
Original Dolby Stereo: Warner Bros LaserDisc 2.0 vs Warner Bros DVD?

The  (2006 or 2013?) Warner Bros Blu-ray 5.1 is similar but higher in LFE.
The atmos/5.1 on the 4K Blu-ray are a new different mix by the director.

Format
UHD Blu-ray
UHD Tiers
Length
131 mins
Type
Movie
Last Updated
3 months ago
Contributors

More from Andrew Davis

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Under Siege poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray  see caps

Geoff D impressions 

It's weird. Brightly lit scenes have zero grain. They look plenty detailed and not at all waxy and lifeless, but there's no grain. Darker scenes have a fine layer of it as befits the general rule of thumb with film. Either they shot this on the 50-speed EXR stock of the day - virtually grainless in the right conditions - or it's been expertly 'grain managed'. I say 'expertly' becuz there's no trailing artefacts, no sticky grain that I can see, it's some of the best such treatment I've ever seen. And IF it has been I can only think the edict came down from the director himself.

Best Audio:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray omitted the original 5.1 track for a 2.0 and Atmos.
US DVD has the DD5.1
For Stereo track: Warner Home Video JPN LaserDisc [NJWL-12420]

Under Siege poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray  see caps

Geoff D impressions 

It's weird. Brightly lit scenes have zero grain. They look plenty detailed and not at all waxy and lifeless, but there's no grain. Darker scenes have a fine layer of it as befits the general rule of thumb with film. Either they shot this on the 50-speed EXR stock of the day - virtually grainless in the right conditions - or it's been expertly 'grain managed'. I say 'expertly' becuz there's no trailing artefacts, no sticky grain that I can see, it's some of the best such treatment I've ever seen. And IF it has been I can only think the edict came down from the director himself.

Best Audio:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray omitted the original 5.1 track for a 2.0 and Atmos.
US DVD has the DD5.1
For Stereo track: Warner Home Video JPN LaserDisc [NJWL-12420]

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WB Blu-ray

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WB Blu-ray

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DVD
Best English-Friendly:

WB Forbidden Hollywood Collection: Volume 4 DVD

Upcoming Release:

Warner Archive Blu-ray in Oct

Best Video:

WB Forbidden Hollywood Collection: Volume 4 DVD

Best English-Friendly:

WB Forbidden Hollywood Collection: Volume 4 DVD

Upcoming Release:

Warner Archive Blu-ray in Oct

Best Video:

WB Forbidden Hollywood Collection: Volume 4 DVD

The Unbearable Lightness of Being poster
HD Streaming
Best English-Friendly:

HD Streaming on iTunes or WB DVD

Best Video:

HD Streaming on iTunes or WB DVD

Additional Info:

MGM DVD has a 5.1 remix

Best English-Friendly:

HD Streaming on iTunes or WB DVD

Best Video:

HD Streaming on iTunes or WB DVD

Additional Info:

MGM DVD has a 5.1 remix

Practical Magic poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

WB 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

WB 4K Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

WB 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

WB 4K Blu-ray

Flipped poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

WB Blu-ray

Best Video:

WB Blu-ray

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1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

WB Blu-ray

Best Video:

WB Blu-ray

Lust for Life poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

WB Blu-ray

Best Video:

WB Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

WB Blu-ray

Best Video:

WB Blu-ray

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1080p Blu-ray
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WB Blu-ray

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WB Blu-ray

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1080p Blu-ray
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WB Blu-ray

Best Video:

WB Blu-ray

The Prisoner of Zenda poster
DVD
Best English-Friendly:

Warner Bros DVD

Best Video:

Warner Bros DVD

Additional Info:

New restoration is completed

Best English-Friendly:

Warner Bros DVD

Best Video:

Warner Bros DVD

Additional Info:

New restoration is completed

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UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

WB 4K Blu-ray

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WB 4K Blu-ray

War Dogs poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

WB 4K Blu-ray

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1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Original miniseries cut: WB LaserDisc
Movie re-edit: WB Blu-ray

Best Video:

Original miniseries cut: WB LaserDisc
Movie re-edit: WB Blu-ray

It poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Original miniseries cut: WB LaserDisc
Movie re-edit: WB Blu-ray

Best Video:

Original miniseries cut: WB LaserDisc
Movie re-edit: WB Blu-ray

More Action on Blu-ray

RRR poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Zee5 Streaming has the original Telugu audio and English subtitles (albeit with English portions also overdubbed in Telugu)
Netflix Streaming only has the Hindi dub but better video quality

Upcoming Release:

France Carlotta 4K Blu-ray coming in December

Best Video:

Japan Twin Co. 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Japan Twin Co. 4K Blu-ray has original Telugu Atmos audio

RRR poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Zee5 Streaming has the original Telugu audio and English subtitles (albeit with English portions also overdubbed in Telugu)
Netflix Streaming only has the Hindi dub but better video quality

Upcoming Release:

France Carlotta 4K Blu-ray coming in December

Best Video:

Japan Twin Co. 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Japan Twin Co. 4K Blu-ray has original Telugu Atmos audio

The Incredible Hulk poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Universal 4K Blu-ray 

France M6 4K Blu-ray has Dolby Vision, but is inferior with more washed out colors and inferior encoding plus no hardcoded subtitles for the Portuguese language parts

comparison

Best Audio:

Universal Blu-ray has the original DTS-HD 5.1

For the 7.1 remix, the DTS-X of the Universal is clipped on the front speakers while the Atmos of the M6 is a very tame mixdown.

Best English-Friendly:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Universal 4K Blu-ray 

France M6 4K Blu-ray has Dolby Vision, but is inferior with more washed out colors and inferior encoding plus no hardcoded subtitles for the Portuguese language parts

comparison

Best Audio:

Universal Blu-ray has the original DTS-HD 5.1

For the 7.1 remix, the DTS-X of the Universal is clipped on the front speakers while the Atmos of the M6 is a very tame mixdown.

The Fifth Element poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

StudioCanal UK 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

2020 StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray vs 2017 Sony 4K Blu-ray (20th annivesary) vs 2025 Sony 4K Blu-ray (Luc Besson Box Set). The first two have totally different texture.

  • StudioCanal: More natural looking. Better defined grain. The white balance is rather yellow/orange. Some say it is closer to the original theatrical release.

  • 2017 Sony: More vibrant and impactful. The white balance is rather neutral. While color noise and grain can look busy because it had been sharpened and had micro-contrast boosted.

  • 2025 Sony: Supposedly an improved version of the 2017 release? Shows around 20mbps-higher overall video bitrate. caps

Best Audio:

2025 Sony US 4K Blu-ray has the original 5.1.

The Atmos on the Sony release is reportedly better than StudioCanal's.

Additional Info:

Disc info of the box set discs. This film have recieved multiple encode/versions in different regions over the years. The 2017 Germany4K Blu-ray is encoded differently than the 2017 Sony but not better. Also, the same can be said to 2024 France Gaumont 4K Blu-ray while comparing to the 2020 StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray. The StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray omits all the extras from previous releases, being barebones.

Best English-Friendly:

StudioCanal UK 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

2020 StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray vs 2017 Sony 4K Blu-ray (20th annivesary) vs 2025 Sony 4K Blu-ray (Luc Besson Box Set). The first two have totally different texture.

  • StudioCanal: More natural looking. Better defined grain. The white balance is rather yellow/orange. Some say it is closer to the original theatrical release.

  • 2017 Sony: More vibrant and impactful. The white balance is rather neutral. While color noise and grain can look busy because it had been sharpened and had micro-contrast boosted.

  • 2025 Sony: Supposedly an improved version of the 2017 release? Shows around 20mbps-higher overall video bitrate. caps

Best Audio:

2025 Sony US 4K Blu-ray has the original 5.1.

The Atmos on the Sony release is reportedly better than StudioCanal's.

Additional Info:

Disc info of the box set discs. This film have recieved multiple encode/versions in different regions over the years. The 2017 Germany4K Blu-ray is encoded differently than the 2017 Sony but not better. Also, the same can be said to 2024 France Gaumont 4K Blu-ray while comparing to the 2020 StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray. The StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray omits all the extras from previous releases, being barebones.

The Terminator poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2013 MGM Blu-ray, or 4K Blu-ray if you MUST have the mono mix, 2001 MGM DVD for a purist version with original colors and the international mono mix

Upcoming Release:

Capelight 4K Steelbook and Mediabook announced for 2026

Best Video:

2013 MGM Blu-ray for non AI transfer, 2001 MGM DVD for a purist version with original colors and the international mono mix

Best Audio:

1991 Image Entertainment LaserDisc for the US mono mix, 2001 MGM DVD for the International mono mix

Comparison between the US and International mixes: https://vimeo.com/246332731

Additional Info:

The 4K Blu-Ray and the 2001 MGM DVD have exclusive extras.

The Terminator poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2013 MGM Blu-ray, or 4K Blu-ray if you MUST have the mono mix, 2001 MGM DVD for a purist version with original colors and the international mono mix

Upcoming Release:

Capelight 4K Steelbook and Mediabook announced for 2026

Best Video:

2013 MGM Blu-ray for non AI transfer, 2001 MGM DVD for a purist version with original colors and the international mono mix

Best Audio:

1991 Image Entertainment LaserDisc for the US mono mix, 2001 MGM DVD for the International mono mix

Comparison between the US and International mixes: https://vimeo.com/246332731

Additional Info:

The 4K Blu-Ray and the 2001 MGM DVD have exclusive extras.

Miami Vice poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

88 Films UK Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray upcoming, Director's Final Cut premiering October 3rd; will receive home video release in the future

Best Video:

88 Films UK Blu-ray for both cuts 

Best Audio:

88 Films Blu-ray is missing Michael Mann commentary for the DC found on other BDs

Miami Vice poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

88 Films UK Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray upcoming, Director's Final Cut premiering October 3rd; will receive home video release in the future

Best Video:

88 Films UK Blu-ray for both cuts 

Best Audio:

88 Films Blu-ray is missing Michael Mann commentary for the DC found on other BDs

Popeye poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Paramount 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Paramount Blu-ray

Popeye was mixed for a failed Vistasonic system with 4 discrete tracks (L/C/R/S). That mix has never been released on home video in its original form.

The older 5.1 track appearing on older DVD/BD releases sounds excellent. It appears to be a slight upmix of the original mix, only splitting the surrounds and adding LFE. It sounds close to the old analog LaserDisc, which is likely the original mix in a matrixed form.

The 5.1 included on the UHD is a new remix which significantly differs from previous tracks. There are new foley effects all over the place. Music is jarringly spliced in from different sources. Unlike the old 5.1 which had clearly discrete surrounds, the channels surrounds overlap somewhat with the fronts here.

Details on the new mix from Paramount's former head of restoration: https://youtu.be/P-AmjqViJyE?t=788

The 2.0 tracks on all DVDs/BDs are just downmixes of their respective 5.1 mixes.

Samples

Popeye poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Paramount 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Paramount Blu-ray

Popeye was mixed for a failed Vistasonic system with 4 discrete tracks (L/C/R/S). That mix has never been released on home video in its original form.

The older 5.1 track appearing on older DVD/BD releases sounds excellent. It appears to be a slight upmix of the original mix, only splitting the surrounds and adding LFE. It sounds close to the old analog LaserDisc, which is likely the original mix in a matrixed form.

The 5.1 included on the UHD is a new remix which significantly differs from previous tracks. There are new foley effects all over the place. Music is jarringly spliced in from different sources. Unlike the old 5.1 which had clearly discrete surrounds, the channels surrounds overlap somewhat with the fronts here.

Details on the new mix from Paramount's former head of restoration: https://youtu.be/P-AmjqViJyE?t=788

The 2.0 tracks on all DVDs/BDs are just downmixes of their respective 5.1 mixes.

Samples

The Saint poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best Audio:

Old Paramount Blu-ray

The 4K has lowered dynamic range.

The Saint poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best Audio:

Old Paramount Blu-ray

The 4K has lowered dynamic range.

Ghost in the Shell poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Bandai Japan 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Bandai JP 4K Blu-ray

All 4K releases are sourced from the same mediocre transfer provided by Bandai, with various amounts of tweaks. Japanese disc presents it with the least tinkering.

The best attempt at improving it comes from the German/French releases from KSM/All the Anime, both of which use the same master with HDR regrading (original grade is SDR in HDR container), tasteful regraining and sharpening, in an attempt to breathe some life into the middling transfer, making for an arguably more pleasing viewing experience.

All earlier releases are from an even worse transfer, with significant black crush, with the exception of a Japanese TV airing, which doesn't suffer from that issue, but instead is heavily sharpened and suffers from poor encoding.

Comparisons: JPN UHD, USA UHD, FRA/GER UHD, ITA UHD (tonemapped), JPN UHD, USA UHD, FRA/GER UHD, ITA UHD, ESP UHD (PQ), All 1080p BDs, HDTV, HDTV filtered

Best Audio:

Original matrixed stereo mix: Bandai JP 4K Blu-ray
Most discs include this track with comparable fidelity (which is excellent).

Dolby Atmos remix: Lionsgate US 4K / All the Anime FR 4K
6.1 remix (from Ghost in the Shell 2.0): KSM DE 4K / All the Anime FR 4K

All tracks on the Lionsgate US 4K replace the original ending song with the one heard on the English dub. As the Atmos track on the FR 4K is just a port, it also has this song replaced.

Additional Info:

Japanese 4K includes English dub and subtitles.
French/German 4Ks are not English friendly, with no dub or subtitles.
French disc includes the Atmos track, but the German disc does not.

Best English-Friendly:

Bandai Japan 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Bandai JP 4K Blu-ray

All 4K releases are sourced from the same mediocre transfer provided by Bandai, with various amounts of tweaks. Japanese disc presents it with the least tinkering.

The best attempt at improving it comes from the German/French releases from KSM/All the Anime, both of which use the same master with HDR regrading (original grade is SDR in HDR container), tasteful regraining and sharpening, in an attempt to breathe some life into the middling transfer, making for an arguably more pleasing viewing experience.

All earlier releases are from an even worse transfer, with significant black crush, with the exception of a Japanese TV airing, which doesn't suffer from that issue, but instead is heavily sharpened and suffers from poor encoding.

Comparisons: JPN UHD, USA UHD, FRA/GER UHD, ITA UHD (tonemapped), JPN UHD, USA UHD, FRA/GER UHD, ITA UHD, ESP UHD (PQ), All 1080p BDs, HDTV, HDTV filtered

Best Audio:

Original matrixed stereo mix: Bandai JP 4K Blu-ray
Most discs include this track with comparable fidelity (which is excellent).

Dolby Atmos remix: Lionsgate US 4K / All the Anime FR 4K
6.1 remix (from Ghost in the Shell 2.0): KSM DE 4K / All the Anime FR 4K

All tracks on the Lionsgate US 4K replace the original ending song with the one heard on the English dub. As the Atmos track on the FR 4K is just a port, it also has this song replaced.

Additional Info:

Japanese 4K includes English dub and subtitles.
French/German 4Ks are not English friendly, with no dub or subtitles.
French disc includes the Atmos track, but the German disc does not.

Scarlet poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Sony 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Sony 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Sony 4K Blu-ray has the original theatrical Dolby Atmos mix

Scarlet poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Sony 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Sony 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Sony 4K Blu-ray has the original theatrical Dolby Atmos mix

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The Fugitive (1993) backdrop