Westworld (1973) (4K UHD Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Arrow
Release Date: February 24, 2026
Rating: R
Film: 3.5/5
 
Plot
Westworld (1973), written and directed by Michael Crichton, is set in a futuristic adult theme park where guests can live out Wild West fantasies among lifelike androids. When the park's robots begin malfunctioning due to a mysterious virus, the android gunslinger (Yul Brynner) turns deadly, hunting down guests in a relentless, emotionless pursuit. A pair of vacationers—John (James Brolin) and Peter (Richard Benjamin)—must fight to survive as the park's high-tech safety systems fail and the line between fantasy and lethal reality blurs.
 
My Thoughts
The film was made on a modest budget and relies on the strong story by Crichton. It's not as polished as the HBO show, but that's OK—the film's lean, efficient narrative and creeping dread still make it a compelling sci-fi thriller. Yul Brynner shines as the villain with his cold, unblinking stare and methodical pursuit creating one of cinema's most iconic android killers. In many ways, the third act reminds me of The Terminator and makes me wonder if James Cameron used this movie as inspiration for his breakout film 11 years later—the relentless hunter, the isolated chase through a crumbling facility, the sense of unstoppable mechanical doom all feel like clear precursors.
 
The movie holds up as a tense, thought-provoking cautionary tale about technology and hubris, even if some effects and pacing show their age. At 88 minutes it's compact and never wastes time, delivering solid entertainment with a sharp edge.
 
The film has been restored by Arrow Films and is presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.39:1 with newly restored 4-channel stereo, stereo 2.0 and mono mixes as well as a legacy 5.1 remix. The film is presented in 4K resolution in HDR10 and Dolby Vision on the 4K UHD release. The original 35mm camera negative was scanned at 4K / 16 bit resolution at Warner Bros. Motion Picture Imaging. The film was restored in 4K resolution and color graded at Duplitech. All materials sourced for this new master were made available by Warner Bros. QC review was completed by Pixelogic. Audio restoration was completed by Þorsteinn Gíslason.
 
The video quality is quite good given the source material with details coming through in the park's dusty streets, the gunslinger's smooth face, and the control room's blinking consoles; HDR10/Dolby Vision adds punch to the desert reds and indoor fluorescents, with improved contrast and natural grain that makes the 1973 photography feel cinematic rather than dated. A few soft opticals and minor noise remain, but this is probably the best the film has looked since its 1973 theatrical release.
 
I sampled the original mono audio track (which I found to be a bit harsh on the ears) and the legacy DTS-HD MA 5.1 remix, which I preferred despite its lack of great dynamic range. The 5.1 track offers a decent surround sound experience given the age of the film—gunshots and footsteps have nice directional placement, the park's ambient sounds fill the room, and the score has reasonable separation—though it stays relatively restrained compared to modern mixes.
 
 
 
Video 9/10
Audio 8/10  (DTS-HD MA 5.1)
 
Special Features:

• Commentary by Daniel Kremer
• Cowboy Dreams
• At Home on the Range
• HollyWorld: Producing Westworld
• Sex, Death and Androids
• On Location with Westworld
• Beyond Westworld
• Theatrical Trailer
• Image Gallery

 

 
Conclusion
Arrow Video has been doing an outstanding job at restoring older films and this is no exception. This sci-fi classic boasts strong video that’s complimented by a solid audio offering. It’s smart, suspenseful entertainment that established Crichton in Hollywood for much bigger success such as the TV hit ER and of course, Jurassic Park. Brynner’s relentless killer and Crichton’s ideals still hold power over 50 years later. Recommended.
 
 
Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS3100 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
(I utilized Portrait Displays' Calman color calibration software)
Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 110” 2.35:1 Screen
Trinnov Altitude 16 Audio/Video Processor
ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
Zidoo UHD8000 Media Player
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
System Controller: URC MX-990
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
Dual Rythmik FV15HP2
Mini DSP HD
Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner

[Paul Heroy]

Thanks for the review, David. I can't recall for sure if I ever saw this completely. I feel like maybe I saw parts on HBO long ago or something like that. Definitely not one I'm spending $35-40 to buy, though, and it's too bad that a digital version is only out in 1080p b/c I'd do a rental.

I saw the 1st season of the recent series and thought it was pretty good, then didn't follow up when the early S2 reviews were not inspiring.

[Barry]

I love that we discuss not just the most latest movies but many of the great movies of the past. these old movies should never be forgotten. Well, let me rethink that. I also saw a Futureworld and maybe that should be forgotten.

[David Vaughn]

Thanks for the review, David. I can't recall for sure if I ever saw this completely. I feel like maybe I saw parts on HBO long ago or something like that. Definitely not one I'm spending $35-40 to buy, though, and it's too bad that a digital version is only out in 1080p b/c I'd do a rental.

I saw the 1st season of the recent series and thought it was pretty good, then didn't follow up when the early S2 reviews were not inspiring.

Sadly, as disc sales go down, prices are going to go up in the long run (basic supply and demand). Currently, there are only a couple of fabricators left in the world making physical discs and they are charging the studios more for pressings, which in turn, drives up prices. Furthermore, there aren't as many retail outlets selling discs and that has raised prices as well. In the past, I would love going through the "bargain bin" at retailers and would occasionally find a diamond in the rough for less than $5

[Barry]

Sadly, as disc sales go down, prices are going to go up in the long run (basic supply and demand). Currently, there are only a couple of fabricators left in the world making physical discs and they are charging the studios more for pressings, which in turn, drives up prices. Furthermore, there aren't as many retail outlets selling discs and that has raised prices as well. In the past, I would love going through the "bargain bin" at retailers and would occasionally find a diamond in the rough for less than $5

You are so right.

Years ago, in our neighborhood there was a blockbuster and a Hollywood video. They often had used discs on sale, four for $20. The packaging however, looked very new. And I didn’t care about used discs. It was a great way to get DVDs. Now I am buying only 4K‘s, and some of them are expensive. But I must confess I love having the physical medium. I get a better picture, much better sound, and I get to keep the movie forever.

A good  example of this is a movie I like and not too many other people did. Steve Martin did a movie called ‘Pennies from Heaven.” it was based on a British TV show. the movie was relatively unique, having Steve Martin and Bernadette peters, dancing and singing into old recordings, while, having a plot. It was not very popular. you won’t find this streaming, or on cable,  and you won’t find it on Blu-ray. But I do have it on DVD.

I should also mention that as a James Bond fan, I am glad we have our discs. the last few bond movies, featuring Daniel craig, have been censored in order to get the PG-13 rating. That’s right they have taken out scenes in America to get a better rating. These scenes are on the 4K discs. and we have also gotten a mountain of directors cut movies, finally showing a movie the way the director wanted it. this includes apocalypse now, Aliens, Blade Runner, Dark City and Superman Donner edition

[SRW1000]

Thanks for the review, David.  Glad to see that Arrow has done another great job on an older movie release.

I'll be picking this one up.

[Paul Heroy]

Good point David about the reduced capacity in production and retail having a real effect on pricing. 

I've mentioned before but physical media, while great in a lot of ways, just takes up space that a lot of people aren't willing to devote a lot to. I've a problem in that I have 3000-ish CDs, several hundred LPs, and several hundred 4K / BD titles. I'm about out of storage room and at the point where stuff has to leave for new acquisitions to have a spot to go. Or box up some of it, which I've recently done for some CDs since I have those on a server anyway. In a couple of months I hope to start a BD ripping project too. (Since as discussed elsewhere I now have an 8 bay NAS with drives begging to be used. )

[David Vaughn]

Good point David about the reduced capacity in production and retail having a real effect on pricing.

I've mentioned before but physical media, while great in a lot of ways, just takes up space that a lot of people aren't willing to devote a lot to. I've a problem in that I have 3000-ish CDs, several hundred LPs, and several hundred 4K / BD titles. I'm about out of storage room and at the point where stuff has to leave for new acquisitions to have a spot to go. Or box up some of it, which I've recently done for some CDs since I have those on a server anyway. In a couple of months I hope to start a BD ripping project too. (Since as discussed elsewhere I now have an 8 bay NAS with drives begging to be used. )

I'm about to do the same with my movie collection. I have WAY too many movies and the stacks are growing in too many places. I'm going to go through and put the "B" titles into storage boxes and put them in the garage or attic. They are all the server at this point anyway.

Good luck with the ripping project! Do what I did...put 2 disc drives in your computer and rip two at a time

[bmoney]

NAS is the best thing I’ve added to the HT hands down 

[Barry]

In viewing Westworld. I learned one important lesson: Never go to any amusement park designed by Michael Crichton! No Cowboys or dinosaurs for me!:o

I mentioned that they don’t make movies like they used to. this is a great example. first off they used to use film.

 But…
There used to be dozens of “summer blockbusters” every year. every week a couple were coming out. This is no longer true, we get many fewer new films in the theatres.


Westworld was a very original film and was therefore unique. Today there are too many sequels and remakes and very few films seems new or fresh. Look at the ‘biggies’ coming out, “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” “Spider-man,” “Mandelorian,” “Supergirl,” few are original.


The pacing is different. Westworld begins slow and deliberate, and as they develop the characters, the plot is slowly developed. In my opinion if they were making the movie today the first 20 minutes of this one would’ve been cut or condensed to five minutes. Now, this by itself doesn’t make the movie better. It just makes it different. 

[SRW1000]

Westworld was a very original film and was therefore unique. Today there are too many sequels and remakes and very few films seems new or fresh. Look at the ‘biggies’ coming out, “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” “Spider-man,” “Mandelorian,” “Supergirl,” few are original.

I agree that we're getting lots, or even too many, remakes and sequels, but there are still original films coming out.  Project Hail Mary was a huge success (can't wait for that to come out on disc) and there are other recent original movies, such as Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die, Send Help, Mercy, Hoppers, GOAT, Nirvana:  The Band - The Show - The Movie (review is in process on this one), Solo Mio, They Will Kill You, You, Me & Tuscany, The Breadwinner, and many others.

Here's a link for what's coming out this summer, I'm guessing at least half are original:  2026 Summer Movie Releases: Full Calendar

Now, whether or not they're good is a whole different matter.  But there are some fresh ideas sprinkled in there, and hopefully they won't get overlooked by the general movie-going public.  Many of these are horror movies, which is likely due to the fact that they're cheap to produce, don't need movie star power and the costs that go with them, and can be made quickly.  Since they are so inexpensive it's easier to gamble on them with original ideas and also more likely that the hit the screen with the filmmaker's original vision.