Well, in 1956 one of the most iconic and most loved 50s sci-fi films was released. Of course, this is Forbidden Planet. This is the year of Forbidden Planet's 70th anniversary. For that epic of an anniversary, it deserves something special. Enter Arrow Video with a new 4K release of this 50s sci-fi classic, Forbidden Planet.
Synopsis: In the 23rd century, a United Planets starship is dispatched to the distant planet of Altair IV to determine the fate of an earlier expedition. Warned not to land, Commander John Adams (Leslie Nielsen) does so anyway and discovers Dr. Edward Morbius (Walter Pidgeon), his daughter Altaira (Anne Francis), and a robot named Robby; the only survivors of the former crew, all of whom perished at the hands of an unseen force that also destroyed their ship. Now that unseen force is moving again, but what is it? Where does it come from? And how is it connected to the long dead civilization that once inhabited Altair IV?
50s sci-fi is often thought of as low budjet films with goofy rubber creatures. This is not the cast with Forbidden Planet. For it's time the effects were out of this world great. The sound effects really enhance this film. And what can we say about the debut of Robby the Robot.. Iconic. The film still hold up 70 years later.
The story is not an action packed scifi adventure like some of the others listed above, but it is spectacular nonetheless. It is so amazing seeing Leslie Nielsen, who people in this generation would only think of as the 'comedy guy' in the straight role. Of course, this was his career long before The Naked Gun film changed his acting trajectory.
It has been so long since I have seen Forbidden Planet and to see it again after all these years in 4K was an extreme pleasure. The film has been transferred to 4k in 2160p and is presented in 2.55:1 aspect ratio. The audio track is an English LPCM 1.0 track. There is also the option for English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.
Arrow Video's transfer comes from their new 4K restoration from the original 35mm negative. Forbidden Planet looks so stunningly great it is amazing to me. The reds, purples, greens and blues pop right off the screen. The picture is sharp and clean. I didn't see any damage to this print when screening it. Arrow Video really did a tremendous job with this film.
DISC 1 - FEATURE (4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY)
* 4K (2160p) Ultra HD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
* Restored original lossless mono, restored original Perspecta stereo, and DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio options
* Optional English subtitles for the hard of hearing
* Brand new audio commentary by film historians Kim Newman and Barry Forshaw
DISC 2 - EXTRAS (BLU-RAY):
* Unearthly Aura, a newly filmed appreciation of Bebe & Louis Barron’s pioneering electronic score by historian and composer Neil Brand
* Watch the Skies!: Science Fiction, The 1950s and Us, an archival documentary
* Amazing!: Exploring the Far Reaches of Forbidden Planet, an archival documentary
* Robby the Robot: Engineering a Sci-FiIcon, an archival featurette
* Deleted Scenes
* Lost Footage
* The Invisible Boy, a bonus movie featuring Robby the Robot in his second feature film
* “Robot Client,” an episode of The Thin Man TV series featuring Robby the Robot
* Two excerpts from MGM Parade
* Original Shooting Script
* Theatrical trailer
* Image galleries
The addition of an audio commentary, wonderful featurettes, deleted scenes and lost footage is spectacular. But what I found to be the best of the bonuses would have to be the bonus material featuring Robby the Robot. An episode of The Thin Man series and a full length film The Invisble Boy. Now this is what I call bonus features!
This has to be one of the mos impressive releases from Arrow Video, especially featuring a classic film. In addition to all these on disc bonuses, Arrow Video included, a reversible sleeve featuring original artwork options, Double-sided fold-out poster, reversible sleeve featuring two original artwork options, Collectors’ booklet containing new writing by critics Frank Collins and Johnny Mains and more.Now this is how you celebrate a 70th anniversary of a film.
If you love 50s sci-fi as much as I do, Forbidden Planet needs to be in your home video library. And there is truly no better way to have it than with this 4K UltraHD release. You can order yout copy today at MVD Shop or Amazon.
The 4k of Forbidden Planet is set for release on September 29th, 2026
Out of 4 film reels (being the best) Forbidden Planet receives......
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