James Cameron’s The Abyss 4K UHD release details and trailer

More info on that complicated 4K UHD release for Cameron’s The Abyss

Dec 31, 2023

2–3 minutes

4K, 4K UHD, Ed Harris, Home Entertainment, James Cameron, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Michael Biehn, The Abyss, The Abyss 4K UHD, The Abyss 4K UK

While the release of this is a little complex (at the moment) in the UK, and The Abyss even had a recent cinema 4K release for James Cameron‘s underwater exploration elsewhere, if you’re a fan and in the UK… you’re going to have to pick up this as an import due to a cut scene censors issue, but we do have some fun details to share!

While the scene in question is a rat in breathing fluid/breathing underwater, and was unharmed in real life, Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment didn’t want it cut for the 4K release, even though Disney were reportedly happy – so, why an issue in the UK? That comes down to the BBFC as it’ll require a new certificate, but without that change we won’t (so far) see it available on these shores.

Originally released back in 1989, The Abyss finds Cameron enjoying technical fun as he was diving [literally] into new underwater cinematography, something he – of course – broke ground with and puts The Abyss in a really unique place in modern film history. Just below we’ve got a look at that trailer and the extras you can expect, even if you’re picking it up from across the sea:

In this underwater sci-fi adventure written and directed by James Cameron, a nuclear sub mysteriously sinks and a private oil rig crew, led by foreman Bud Brigman (Ed Harris), is recruited to join a team of Navy SEALs on a search and rescue effort. The group soon finds themselves on a spectacular life-and-death odyssey 25,000 feet below the ocean’s surface, where they find a mysterious force that could either change the world—or destroy it. The Abyss also stars Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and Michael Biehn.

BONUS FEATURES (NEW):

Deep Dive: A Conversation with James Cameron – An exclusive new sit-down with James Cameron as he revisits the origin of the project and addresses some of the myths behind the production.
The Legacy of The Abyss – Discover the lasting legacy of The Abyss with stories from James Cameron and the crew about how and why the film continues to have an impact on filmmaking today.

ADDITIONAL BONUS:

Under Pressure: Making The Abyss – The original documentary about the infamous production of The Abyss, with candid commentary by the actors and crew.
Archives
- Deepcore Timelapse – Watch this production timelapse of the Deepcore set being created.
- Videomatics Montage – Watch a montage of behind-the-scenes production videomatics.
- Montana Bridge Flooding – See behind-the-scenes footage of the Montana bridge flooding.
- Engine Room Flooding – See behind-the-scenes footage of the engine room flooding.
- Surface Shoot Montage – Watch a behind-the-scenes montage of the surface shoot.
- Crane Crash Shoot – Check out behind-the-scenes footage of the crane crashing sequence.
- Visual Effects Reel – Watch a reel of visual effects progressions to see how they were developed for the film.
- Miniature Rear-Projection – Watch behind-the-scenes footage of how production used rear-projection techniques on miniatures.
- Motion Control Timelapse – Watch this production timelapse of the motion control technology being used.
- Teaser Trailer
- Main Trailer
- Reviews Trailer
- Still Gallery – Presented here are extras as they appeared in the “Imaging Station” on the Special Edition DVD release of The Abyss, along with the trailers. Since their original presentation has been preserved, resolution and clarity will vary from element to element.

The Abyss on 4K UHD can be picked up here: https://amzn.to/3S0DWqh

12 responses to “James Cameron’s The Abyss 4K UHD release details and trailer”

Lin Mae

Jan 1, 2024 at 9:54 pm

Thank goodness it won’t be coming to the UK! Cannot see a rat safely breathing in liquid. Oh, the horror!

Thank goodness there is not plenty of depravity, violence – graphic violence – and other awful stuff on our screens. How the censors protect our feeble British minds…

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1. Dan Bullock
  
  Jan 1, 2024 at 10:55 pm
  
  It is a very bizarre BBFC reclassification reason, and more pointless when folks can pick it up anywhere! Strange world.
  
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Amanda Thrasher

Jan 2, 2024 at 12:04 am

This is my most favorite movie of all time. I wished there was a second one.

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1. Dan Bullock
  
  Jan 9, 2024 at 7:23 pm
  
  My brain sometimes gets it muddled up with Cocoon!
  
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Dave

Jan 2, 2024 at 2:34 am

The BBFC has been ruining UK home cinema release for decades with their outdated ideas of what the public either want or can handle, maybe it’s time for fresh blood in the organisation and/or a survey with the British public about what we find acceptable in films. Alternatively, stop censorship altogether and release films as the director makes them and if we want to watch and subsequently own them, then that’s our choice and if something upsets us, we just don’t watch and buy it, like normal adults!

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1. Dan Bullock
  
  Jan 2, 2024 at 5:24 pm
  
  While I do think a degree of censorship is important, otherwise we could end up with all kinds of insanity – and that’s more dangerous than having none – think what we could allow – this one does seem very strange indeed.
  
  Choice is important but not everyone getting these is necessarily an adult, hence the system, but considering what they have/and do allow, let’s see if anything changes here.
  
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Mr Brian J Bray

Jan 2, 2024 at 7:03 pm

Ridiculous decision by the BBFC, especially considering the scene is intact on DVD.

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howiehca

Jan 2, 2024 at 10:35 pm

The scene is in the UK Special Edition DVD release (cert 15), I just checked, so why is it a problem in 4K?

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1. Dan Bullock
  
  Jan 3, 2024 at 8:39 pm
  
  Because it’s a new release, in this format, so they re-classify but the question ‘why’ is the big, strange one!
  
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howiehca

Jan 2, 2024 at 10:38 pm

The scene is in the UK Special Edition DVD release, (Cert 15). I just checked. So what is the issue with it in 4K? Is the US release on a lower certificate?

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Malcolm Laquis-Alden

Jan 3, 2024 at 9:39 pm

Just got this response from the BBFC regarding this.

Thank you for your email

When classifying, we consider whether submitted content is against the law, or has been created by committing a criminal offence. We will not classify material which is in conflict with the criminal law, and we consult lawyers and experts where necessary on a case-by-case basis. Our Guiding Principles on how we classify are on page 7 of our current Classification Guidelines. Pages 36-39 also include some details on legal considerations, including the Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act 1937. Further information regarding legislation can be found on our website here and here.

In relation to the Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act specifically, it is a criminal offence to exhibit in the UK any film sequence that has been “organised or directed in such a way as to involve the cruel infliction of pain or terror on any animal or the cruel goading of any animal to fury.”

If there is any doubt regarding the treatment of animals in a film production the BBFC will request assurances from filmmakers and in some cases, require cuts.

When The Abyss was originally submitted in 1989 the BBFC sought and received expert advice regarding a scene in which a man submerges a rat in liquid. This expert advice stated that this scene constituted the cruel infliction of terror on an animal, and therefore contravened the Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act. As such the scene involving the rat has been re-edited in all versions of the film classified by us.

We received a request for informal advice on the rat scene in 2023. Expert advice was again sought which confirmed that the position originally set out in 1989 had not changed. As such we advised the distributor that should The Abyss be formally submitted, changes would again be required to the scene involving the rat.

The BBFC is not involved in releasing films and so we do not have any information on release plans for The Abyss. You would need to contact the film distributor regarding this.

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1. Dan Bullock
  
  Jan 3, 2024 at 10:47 pm
  
  Fair enough, good detective skills!
  
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