Saboteur 4K UHD Screenshots (Patreon)

Video

Miles ahead of the previous Blu-ray, Universal performs a fine restoration for this UHD. It isn't perfect and does suffer noticeable ringing. In spots, grain proves sticky, like wandering mosquito noise as people pass by. Neither is severe, especially considering the rest, which is nearly all positive.

Precise, sharp, and resolved, Saboteur carries the hallmarks of a true 4K scan. Tiny grain resolves easily via the encode, peppering the screen with lavish detail. Pinpoint texture is common whether up close or in the medium shots. Per the norm for the era, dissolves and composite shots suffer resolution loss, a minimal fault when considering the total time. Splotchy spots, possibly heavy repair locations, show up in various points. Look at the baby around 25:00; highlights on her arms and degrade to mush.

Older B&W catalog efforts usually hold back on the HDR. That's not Saboteur. Light sources show intense brightness; range dazzles, as does the smooth, varied gray scale. Black levels elegantly hit the purest depth.

Audio

DTS-HD mono serves the material well. There's enough precision in the dialog, slightly scratchy, if acceptable for the age. The score tops off at a reasonable, stable pitch. Limited as the '40s era sound is, Saboteur offers a fine example for such catalog releases.