Overview: Rock star Prince makes a spectacular feature film debut in this highly autobiographical blockbuster that won both an Oscar® and a Grammy®. Headstrong, vulnerable young musician The Kid (Prince) struggles with his own inner demons and with his alcoholic father who beats his mother.

But the madness infects his music, fueling a sound that transforms the struggling young rocker into a star.

4K UHD Blu-ray Verdict: Warner Bros. Entertainment is expanding their 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray catalog offerings this month with the release of the highly-anticipated Purple Rain (4K Ultra HD + Digital) in the expansive 4K Ultra HD video format this June 25th, 2024.

For my money, this Purple Rain (4K Ultra HD + Digital) sharpness takes a fairly large step forward from others in their 4K Ultra HD catalog and even comes with HDR (High Dynamic Range) for the complete 4K Ultra HD experience, of course.

So, what we have is Purple Rain presented to us as a one-disc with a sheet for a Digital HD Copy. Other stand out points you should know are: Codec: HEVC / H.265 (54.90 Mbps), Resolution: Native 4K (2160p), HDR: HDR10, Aspect ratio: 1.85:1, and Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1

Featuring Dolby Vision and HDR10 for brighter, deeper, and way more lifelike colors, as with most all 4K UHDs, everything that we watch features these qualities - but somehow, this film gloriously shines within them all.

Noticeably crisp with the overall clarity receiving an obvious boost here on this release, what is more is that it is enjoyably noticeable. For as well as some new nuances to the somewhat drab palette courtesy of Dolby Vision, we also get to witness sudden bright pops of color, which makes the eyes draw in, for sure.

As for the audio, well we get the choice of: English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit) and English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit).

And that was what stood out for me, the 4K’s new DTS-HD 5.1 MA mix, which differs from both earlier Blu-rays. The film’s audio was also restored from the original Dolby Stereo (LCRS) archived 35mm magnetic film source elements containing the separate dialogue, music, and effects (DME) tracks. These restored elements along with the 20th anniversary’s 5.1 multi-channel print master were used to complete a newly remastered 5.1 presentation for the film.

Thus, the result is, as expected, an incredibly rich and vibrant sound stage ... at least during the film’s numerous high-octane musical performances, which absolutely come alive in the main three channels and occasional spill over into the rears for a convincing you-are-there concert atmosphere.

Overall, this is a very strong 4K HDR Blu-ray presentation, and, for the most part, the audio track remains fairly similar to its DTS-HD counterpart; with much of the action occupying the surrounds with outstanding directionality and placement where effects flawlessly pan between the sides and rears.

As for the film itself, well, and telling it like it is, when this movie first came out back in 1984, Prince was one of the hottest acts around. Everyone wanted to see this movie, which was not much more than a extended music video. The acting was pretty bad, but what can you expect from musicians acting on the big screen for the first time?

Despite that, it was still a very entertaining film! Morris Day and Jerome Benton provide some all time classic comedy, especially their rendition of The Password, which will make you think of Abbott & Costello doing their Who’s on first baseball routine!

Apollonia (who went by a single name then) provided some beautiful beats, but also possessing a beautiful body, meant we were also brought forth some brief nudity from her. And, of course, my oh my, the soundtrack of the album/film is one of the best Prince ever recorded.

As we all know, Prince later on had a fallout with Warner Bros. and changed his name, but at this particular time in his career, he was at the top of his game and this film is the most perfect homage to a musical genius, a man taken too soon from us.

This movie is directed by Albert Magnoli (Street Knight) and stars Prince (Graffiti Bridge), Apollonia Kotero (Black Magic Woman), Clarence Williams III (Deep Cover), Morris Day (Forgetting Sarah Marshall) and Jerome Benton (Under the Cherry Moon).

The story line for this picture is pretty good and has dynamic circumstances, characters and music that align perfectly with the plot. The concert scenes, purification sequence and the motorcycle are legendary. Prince’s mannerisms and body language are classic and absolutely must see television.

Which all goes to prove that now Warner Bros. have released this film on the magnificent 4K platform, we can all indulge ourselves within the wondrous purple world of the great one all over again.

The Purple Rain 4K UHD Disc includes the following previously released special features:

Commentary by director Albert Magnoli, producer Robert Cavallo and cinematographer Donald E. Thorin
First Avenue: The Road to Pop Royalty - featurette
Let’s Go Crazy – music video
Take Me with U – music video
When Doves Cry – Music Video
I Would Die 4 U/Baby I’m a Star – music video
Purple Rain – music video
Jungle Love – music video
The Bird – music video
Sex Shooter – music video

Celebrating the 40th anniversary of its theatrical release, Purple Rain, the iconic 1984 film starring Prince in his film acting debut, will be available for purchase on 4K Ultra HD Disc and Digital for the first time on June 25. Purple Rain will be available to purchase on June 25 on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc from online and in-store at major retailers and available for purchase Digitally from Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, Google Play, Fandango at Home and more.

Purple Rain stars music icon Prince in his first film role as The Kid, alongside Apollonia Kotero, Morris Day, Olga Karlatos and Clarence Williams III.

The film was directed by Albert Magnoli from a screenplay by Magnoli and William Blinn and was produced by Robert Cavallo, Joseph Ruffalo and Steven Fargnoli. The original songs were composed and produced by Prince.

Purple Rain won the Academy Award® for Best Original Song Score (Prince), the Grammy Award® for Best Album of Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or Television Special (Prince and the Revolution), and the NAACP Image Award® for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture (Prince).