“Crocodile Dundee” (1986)
Comedy
Running Time: 141 minutes
Written by: Paul Hogan, Ken Shadie and John Cornell
Directed by: Peter Faiman
Featuring: Paul Hogan, Linda Kozlowski, Mark Blum, David Gulpilil, Michael Lombard and John Meillon
Michael J. “Crocodile” Dundee: “Well, you see, Aborigines don’t own the land.They belong to it. It’s like their mother. See those rocks? Been standing there for 600 million years. Still be there when you and I are gone. So arguing over who owns them is like two fleas arguing over who owns the dog they live on.”
When Crocodile Dundee first hit cinemas in 1986, it was something of a cultural phenomenon. A film that blended fish-out-of-water comedy, light romance, and a celebration of rugged Australian outback life, it went on to become a global smash and introduced the world to Paul Hogan’s laconic charm. Now, decades later, Paramount’s 4K UHD release gives the film a new lease of life for collectors and newcomers alike. The result is an upgrade that is both satisfying and occasionally surprising, though not without limitations that reflect the film’s modest origins.
Video Quality – Native 4K Transfer
The most obvious selling point of this release is the new 4K transfer, sourced from the original camera negative. Shot on 35mm, Crocodile Dundee benefits from the format’s natural grain and earthy palette, and the UHD disc finally allows those details to breathe in a way earlier DVDs and Blu-rays never did.
- Sharpness & Detail:
Close-ups of Mick Dundee’s weathered face show far more nuance than ever before, with every crease and sunburnt line visible. Textures in his leather vest, crocodile-tooth hat, and the lush detail of the outback brush are all noticeably improved. The New York sequences also pop with architectural clarity, from neon-lit streets to the brickwork of downtown buildings. - Color Grading & HDR:
HDR10 has been applied carefully, avoiding the over-saturation that plagues some catalog titles. The warm ochres of the Northern Territory landscapes come alive with greater depth, while the greens of the foliage feel richer and more natural. Night scenes in Manhattan benefit from deeper blacks and a more controlled contrast, though some shots remain a little flat, likely due to the limitations of the original photography. - Grain & Restoration:
Grain is intact and organic, which will please purists. There are occasional moments where the image softens—especially in wide shots or during optical transitions—but these appear to be faithful to the original print rather than signs of digital tampering. Importantly, there’s no heavy-handed DNR, so the film retains its filmic identity.
Overall, the presentation feels authentic, natural, and a substantial improvement over previous Blu-rays.
Audio Quality – DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
The audio track is presented in lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, carried over from the earlier Blu-ray. While it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it does justice to the film.
- Dialogue is consistently clear, which matters in a movie where Paul Hogan’s dry one-liners carry much of the humor.
- The surrounds are modestly active, with environmental ambience in both the outback and New York sequences spreading across the channels for a mild sense of immersion.
- The soundtrack—particularly Peter Best’s score—comes through with more warmth than older DVD mixes, though don’t expect thunderous bass or modern demo-disc standards.
It’s a respectful track that preserves the original intent without unnecessary tinkering.
Special Features
Here lies the weak spot of the release. Fans hoping for a wealth of new extras may be disappointed. The 4K disc itself is barebones, with the supplemental material relegated to the included Blu-ray (essentially the old HD release).
Typical extras include:
- Theatrical Trailer
- Featurettes and interviews (carried over from earlier editions, but none in-depth by today’s standards)
- Promotional material
It’s a shame that Paramount didn’t commission a new retrospective documentary, commentary, or interviews with Paul Hogan and Linda Kozlowski. Given the film’s cultural impact, a contextual look back would have been a real draw.
Packaging & Presentation
The packaging depends on the region, but most editions include standard black UHD cases with the original poster artwork. Collectors may be disappointed at the lack of steelbook or premium collector’s editions—particularly for a title with such global popularity in the 1980s. Subtitles and language tracks vary, but English SDH is included.
The Film Itself – Enduring Charm
Watching Crocodile Dundee in 4K is a reminder of why the film captured audiences in the first place. It’s a light, breezy story that hinges almost entirely on Paul Hogan’s charisma. His performance balances rugged masculinity with affable humor, making Dundee feel both iconic and approachable. Linda Kozlowski’s Sue plays a vital counterpoint, and their chemistry remains believable.
Yes, some cultural humor feels dated, and the gender politics reflect the 1980s more than today’s sensibilities. But there’s an undeniable innocence to the film’s tone—an optimistic belief that good-natured charm can cut through cynicism—that helps it hold up better than many of its contemporaries.
Final Verdict
The 4K UHD release of Crocodile Dundee is the best the film has ever looked at home, delivering a faithful and filmic presentation that respects its origins. While the video transfer shines with detail, texture, and natural color balance, the audio is competent but unremarkable, and the extras are disappointingly slim.
- Video: ★★★★☆ (strong transfer, authentic presentation)
- Audio: ★★★☆☆ (serviceable, faithful to source)
- Extras: ★★☆☆☆ (barebones, little effort put in)
- Film: ★★★★☆ (light, charming, still enjoyable)
For fans of the film or collectors of ’80s classics, this 4K upgrade is worth owning despite the lack of supplemental material. It’s not a reference disc, but it’s a respectful and worthwhile way to revisit one of the most unlikely global blockbusters of its era.
spryfilm.com 