The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare 4K Ultra HD

"The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare" tells the incredible true story of the first-ever special forces organization formed during WWII by UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill and a small group of military officials including author Ian Fleming (author of James Bond spy novels). The top secret combat unit, composed of a motley crew of rogues and mavericks led by Gus March-Phillipps (Henry Cavill), goes on a daring mission against the Nazis using entirely unconventional and utterly “ungentlemanly” fighting techniques. Ultimately, the task force’s audacious approach changed the course of the war and laid the foundation for the British SAS and modern black ops warfare. (Gary Reber)

Special features include the featurette "The Ministry Of Filmmaking" (HD 24:11), theatrical trailer and a digital copy.

The 2.39:1 2160p HEVC/H.265 Ultra HD HDR10 picture, reviewed on a VIZIO Quantum X P85QX-JI UHD/HDR display, was photographed digitally using the Sony CineAlta Venice 2 camera system and sourced from a 4K master Digital Intermediate. The picture is wonderful. The color palette is perfectly natural with warm and rich hues, Colors are nicely saturated yet never exaggerated. The dated black-and-white news reels appear realistic. Flesh tones are natural throughout. HDR contrast is superb with realistic black levels, dark revealing shadows during numerous night scenes, and bright skies, scenes and white levels, which can be brightly illuminated. Resolution is superb with fine detail exhibited in facial features such as complexions, skin pores, lines, beards and hair; wardrobe and costume fabrics, and object textural detail, which is attributable to a terrific production design that presents the feel of the late 1930s with beautiful set designs, cars and other period objects. This is a captivating picture with a pure realistic color palette. (Gary Reber)

The Dolby Atmos/Dolby TrueHD 7.1-channel soundtrack is dynamic sounding with enveloping atmospherics and powerful sound effects, such as gunfire and explosions. Much of the atmospherics and sound effects are set at sea aboard a fishing boat and on island sets. Foley sound effects are perfectly sync'd with picture. The numerous jazz segments driven by rhythmic drums and an orchestral/choral score is wonderful with superb fidelity and revealing instrumentation that is perfectly balanced forward and spread across the soundstage and into the surrounds in contrast to the other sound elements. The party scene is sonically lively with a wonderful presence throughout the soundfield. The fight scenes and hand-to-hand combat are intense with an overall loud enveloping presence. Deep bass is extended at times to sub-25 Hz frequencies and supportive of the action sequences, which are many and powerful with lots of explosions. Dialogue is often well integrated while, as well, ADR produced.

The Immersive Sound element is comprised of an aggressive and nicely active and powerful orchestra/choral and jazz score, which fully envelops the height layer. Rare is the atmospheric such as the sounds of the creaky fishing boat and subtle wind and the occasional sound effect such as machine gunfire, gunfire whizzes and loud sirens. Still the music's prominent presence in the height layer really enhances the spatial dimensionality of the soundfield.

This is a fun and adventuresome holosonic® spherical surround experience that is dynamic sounding and enveloping with excellent fidelity, articulation, and soundfield directionality. This is a wonderful home theatre showcase. (Gary Reber)