In some exciting news, Kino Lorber Studio Classics has brought Stanley Kubrick’s 1952 debut film “Fear and Desire” to 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray for very first time. This ambitious anti-war film was directed, produced, shot, and edited by the legendary filmmaker. This incredible new edition features a full 4K restoration of both the long-unavailable uncut premiere version and the 1953 theatrical version. And it’s jam-packed with special features including new audio commentaries and 4K restorations of three early Kubrick short films: “Flying Padre”, “Day of the Flight”, and “The Seafarers”.

From the Distributor:

Kino Lorber Studio Classics proudly releases the long-unseen Uncut Premiere Version of Stanley Kubrick’s “Fear and Desire”, the legendary filmmaker’s first feature-length film, making its debut on 4K UHD + Blu-ray. Both the Uncut Premiere Version and the 1953 Theatrical Version are presented in brand new HDR/Dolby Vision masters, from 4K Restorations of the 35mm Camera Negative and Fine Grain.

The extremely rare Premiere Version of “Fear and Desire” remained unseen for over 70 years, until the Library of Congress came into possession of a 35mm film element. Now, for the first time since its interrupted theatrical run, audiences can now see Kubrick’s first feature film as it was first released.

This 4K UHD + Blu-ray set also includes the 1953 Theatrical Version, with new audio commentaries by film historians Eddy Von Mueller (on the 70-minute Premiere Version) and Gary Gerani (on the 62-minute Theatrical Version). This set will also provide Kubrick completists with the director’s three short films that offer an early glimpse of his brilliant photographic eye and distinctive style: Flying Padre (1951, 4K restoration from original 35mm print), Day of the Fight (1951, 4K restoration from original 35mm print), and The Seafarers (1953, 4K Restoration from the 16mm A/B Camera Negatives and a 16mm Print). The release is also available in a Blu-ray edition.

The Uncut Premiere Version of “Fear and Desire” will also be available digitally in 4K on iTunes, Vudu, and Google Play beginning March 26.

In this existential drama—which has the feeling of a waking dream rather than a conventional war film—four soldiers return to their senses after crash-landing in a forest behind enemy lines. Blindly navigating their way back to their unit, they attack an isolated cabin occupied by enemy soldiers, then apprehend a peasant woman who is tormented by the deranged young soldier assigned to guard her. On the verge of freedom, they discover an outpost of enemy officers, and must decide whether to slip silently past or stage a violent confrontation with their doppelgängers.

Upon its initial release, Kubrick was stung by negative audience reactions and immediately decided to tone down the philosophical aspects of the film. These edits made the film less of a metaphysical experience and more of a conventional war film. For decades, this 62-minute version was all that existed of “Fear and Desire”, until the Library of Congress came into possession of a 35mm element of the original 70-minute premiere cut, which has not been seen since its interrupted theatrical run in 1953. Now, we can finally see “Fear and Desire” as it was first released, and witness the blossoming of a 23-year-old cinematic genius.

Special Features:

4K UHD Bonus Features:

DISC 1 (4KUHD):

• Brand New HDR/Dolby Vision Masters for Both Cuts of Fear and Desire – 4K Restorations from the 35mm Camera Negative and Fine Grain
• NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historian Eddy Von Mueller (70-Minute Premiere Cut)
• NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historian/Screenwriter Gary Gerani (62-Minute Theatrical Cut)
• Flying Padre (1951, Short Film by Stanley Kubrick) – 4K Restoration from the Original 35mm Print
• Day of the Fight (1951, Short Film by Stanley Kubrick) – 4K Restoration from the Original 35mm Print
• The Seafarers (1953, Short Film by Stanley Kubrick) – 4K Restoration from the 16mm A/B Camera Negatives and a 16mm Print
• Triple-Layered UHD100 Disc
• Optional English Subtitles (Features and Shorts)

DISC 2 (BLU-RAY):

• Brand New HD Masters – 4K Restorations from the 35mm Camera Negative and Fine Grain
• NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historian Eddy Von Mueller (70-Minute Premiere Cut)
• NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historian/Screenwriter Gary Gerani (62-Minute Theatrical Cut)
• Flying Padre (1951, Short Film by Stanley Kubrick) – 4K Restoration from the Original 35mm Print
• Day of the Fight (1951, Short Film by Stanley Kubrick) – 4K Restoration from the Original 35mm Print
• The Seafarers (1953, Short Film by Stanley Kubrick) – 4K Restoration from the 16mm A/B Camera Negatives and a 16mm Print
• Trailers for Fear and Desire, Killer’s Kiss, The Killing and Paths of Glory
• Dual-Layered BD50 Disc
• Optional English Subtitles (Features and Shorts)