Customer Ratings & Reviews

This new edition of The Hunt for Red October is a marked improvement over what I'd previously seen on disc and streaming. An overall dark film, the aid of HDR on the 4K makes the film feel richer than it ever has, especially in the scenes on board the sub. My only real gripe with this release is the lackluster selection of special features.

The Jack Ryan films (and now TV show) are more of a collection of “spy movies” that are loosely tied together by the lead character (named Jack Ryan…lol), his background (marine accident leads him to traction and the CIA) and his need to save the world. Outside of that, we have different interpretations, different plots, different villains and - now - a reboot nearly every other iteration. But…before that…before Jack Ryan became a leading character name…we had the Hunt for Red October. Jack Ryan is here and it’s the movie that introduced us to both the character and (except for those who saw Working Girl or some SNL) Alec Baldwin. Yep, a very young Alec Baldwin is here but is overshadowed by the submarines and by Sean Connery in a commanding performance. Hunt for Red October is a 33 year old film. It splashed onto the scene with a Cold War story a few years after the Berlin Wall fell (which - by and large - symbolized the end of the Cold War). At the time, it felt a bit dated in its story, but captivated with its tense direction, editing and well-acted roles between Connery, Baldwin and Scott Glenn as the American Naval captain of the Dallas (los angeles class submarine). In time, though, the film has become more relevant in its message about how difficult it is to trust while retaining its tense drama and impressive visuals (and - of course - commanding acting). A word about the direction…it’s an amazingly directed film taking a small claustrophobic and dimly lit space and squeezing nail biting, chair grabbing drama out of it. The director, John McTiernan, was coming off of the one-two punch of Predator in 1987 and Die Hard in 1988…he capped off his “action trilogy” with Hunt for Red October. So that’s the film…a classic standout that - if you haven’t seen - you should. It really is that good (especially if you like submarine movies). Now, the 4K transfer. It’s pretty good…but there are some challenges. It isn’t that there are scenes of alternating softness and sharpness. There are, but you have to take into consideration the age of the film and how it was shot AND how it has been preserved over the years. Sometimes, especially effect shots that were created through pre-digital means (like optical printing) just haven’t held up over the years. This leads the visual quality to fluctuate quite a bit…some scenes are razor sharp and astounding to see. Others…look as soft as they did on VHS (I have the VHS and did a comparison to see..). The issue, though, is with some of the sloppiness of the restoration which appears somewhat in some scenes visually but mostly in the audio. At times, the audio booms, pings and zooms around the sound space. At times it is crystal clear with dialogue coming through the main channel. At others…it is not. There are a handful of scenes where it looked like the dialogue got encoded to the wrong channel because you just can’t hear them saying anything…Lips are moving (and if you know the film, you know what they are saying) but sound is drowned out by the effects. The most apparent is near the end where Tim Curry is talking on the hull of Red October as the crew (spoiler) abandons ship. His dialogue got encoded to some channel other than the main dialogue channel and is just washed out. There are other instances throughout as well where this happens. That’s not a restoration issue - that’s a sloppy mastering issue. It’s a shame…because this film really deserves perfection and is that good. Quick note…this is the THIRD time that Red October has been issued on 4K. The first was part of a 5 movie 4K set (all Jack Ryan films). The second was on a steel book. This is the first time it’s in a regular amray black case with an o-ring. The extras and transfer, though, are the same as those other releases. The blu ray included in the set is the same blu ray that has been available throughout the years. So…is it worth the upgrade? Depends…1) do you HAVE a 4k set? If no, than don’t bother. If yes, yea…if you love the film and 2) have you ever seen the film? If not…run, don’t walk. Pick it up.

One of my favorite movies, bought it again because my old copy wore out

Excellent movie, but i’m Partial to these types. Was a little slower than I remember.

good story and cast. if you like military themed movies you will enjoy

I remember well when The Hunt for Red October first came out in theaters. I thought the movie was pretty darn good, portraying a great Tom Clancy book in an exciting way, with well known actors and new, in a way that glamorized the submarine world I had just left the previous year. This movie introduced Alec Baldwin to the world as Jack Ryan, and Sean Connery as a Soviet Captain who wasn't actually the enemy. The remaster seems quite good, both visually and sound-track wise. I watched it on a 92" screen with a UHD front projector and found the presentation to be engaging, the sound was unobtrusive but fully supporting the image, overall the experience was pleasing and surprising how well this movie stands up to the test of time.

This is a good presentation of an excellent movie. This version does not change the original already-great audio track but adds Dolby Vision to the release. Video is a bit mixed. Highlights pop and details are fantastic, but the blacks, while very good, can be crushed at times. All in all of very worthy release of an excellent movie. 7.2.4: LG OLED E865PUA | Oppo UPD-203 | Denon AVR-X4400H | Marantz MM7055 | Paradigm: Monitor 9 v7 (LR), Monitor 3 v7 (C), Atom v7 (S), Monitor Surround 3 v7 (SB), CI H65-R (FRH), Monitor Sub 10, Ultracube 10 v2 (LFE), | Monster Power HTS3600 MK II | Interconnect & Cables: Audioquest | Isolation: SVS, SuperCellAudio, Pangea Audio| Cabinetry & Stands: Bernhardt, VTI, Monoprice

Loved this movie. This was one of the first of Tom Clancy's novels to make it to the big screen. The novel was better than the movie. However, the cinematography, action, and storyline were great in capturing the suspense and action from the novel to the big screen. I've often wondered how Harrison Ford would have done in the role of Jack Ryan in this film (compared to Alec Baldwin). Ford starred in the next two Tom Clancy movies: Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger. Sean Connery, James Earl Jones, Scott Glen, Courtney B. Vance, Fred Thompson, and a host of other big-name notables (e.g., Stellan Skarsgård, Colin Firth, etc.) were great in their roles as well.

If you are a fan of this movie, and own the DVD version released in 1999, this Blu-ray version will provide significant improvement to the picture quality. The DVD version is letterboxed which reduces the image to fill only 60 percent of the screen height. The DVD picture also shows distracting picture noise. The Blu-ray version removes the noise, and provides a more detailed picture, along with filling the screen horizontally. The screen ratio is slightly wider also, which shows more picture information on the sides of the screen not visible on the DVD. Unfortunately, this is a buy-it-again double dip worth owning.

Great movie, but sound jumps up and down can't tell if it is intended or part of the sound track having a problem. It is not just music or action that jumps up and down. One second you can hear a conversation the next you have to turn it up. Then the dark sections of the disc are very muddy on my TV it may just be I have to upgrade the TV.

Looks amazing on 4k. Best that the movie has ever looked. Packaging seems weird. Especially the color scheme, but what is inside is what matters. Excellent movie worth a great transfer and good sound.

This 1990 film still holds up after all these years. Sean Connery, Alec Baldwin and Scott Glen play their roles well. James Earl Jones and Tim Curry are also notable in their smaller parts. The movie stays pretty true to the book. Certainly worth the bargain price I paid @ Best Buy!

This adaptation of Clancy's novel red October is faithful. The only weak point is the performance of Alec Baldwin who does not carry his character's role to the level of Sean Connery or even Sam Neil. In fact every actor out performs Baldwin in this film. If you can excuse this, the film is engaging.

Have always liked this one the best of the Jack Ryan movies. I forgot that this was only PG. Very tense movie with the submarine battles of wits. There is increase detail, however, the transfer is a little dark as can be the case with some 4ks.

Wanted this in 4K . It's better then the blu-ray version. Good upgrade. Reamended. 4K video ''B PLUS Audio A

One of the first Tom Clancy movies made: who actually served in the US submarine service. Imagery is accurate for the most part. Great storyline and top-notch actors.

The Hunt for Red October came out when I was in high school, and it has never looked better. Especially those submarine combat scenes! With both the 4K version and the Blu-Ray version in one steelbook, you can't go wrong.

The movie itself is very good, if you like movies of this type. The 4K updated version is very good as well, just don’t expect Mad Max Fury Road type of picture. Steelbook is great for collectors.

Fantastic movie. Ultra HD blu ray did leave a little to be desired. Picture looked great but audio left a little to be desired.

Great old school movies on 4 k. Exciting, intense and very well modified to 4k surround sound. You'll never tire of watching this movie. RIP Sir Sear Connery. Thank You, i