It really is a fantastic time to have a 4K set-up. The sheer number of catalogue releases hitting shelves these days is staggering, with some of the finest films in cinema history joining the format each week. Universal Home Entertainment’s latest disc, The Sting, is a timeless masterpiece of old-fashioned filmmaking bliss – and this new 4K UHD release is a truly wonderful tribute to the 1970s favourite.

What can be said about The Sting that hasn’t been said a hundred times before? Boasting flawless performances from its’ three leads of Paul Newman, Robert Redford and the superb Robert Shaw, The Sting is one of those films that simply reminds us why we love movies. It has everything – a wonderful script, brilliant direction, a terrific cast, and that unforgettable music – which earns it the rare distinction of being, honestly, a perfect film. 

There is nothing here to criticise, it is just such a beautifully compelling film as it pulls you into its world and ultimately feels like the most comforting and warm hug you’ve ever had. Oozing charm in every frame, the film is impossible to resist. And the authenticity of the portrayal of its setting lends the film a feeling of timelessness – it’s always shocking to remember that the film was, in fact, not shot in the 1930s. Here is a film that doesn’t feel like a dated product of 1970s cinema. With an influence that reaches far beyond its 1973 release in films like Steven Soderbergh’s Ocean’s trilogy and BBC’s Hustle series that even affectionately homages The Sting’s final big con in its first season, this timeless and beloved caper is one of the finest films ever made. 

The new 4K UHD disc of The Sting is, simply, magnificent. Picture quality is mesmerising throughout, with beautifully filmic grain structure that immediately makes the now-dated Blu-ray master totally obsolete. The film has never looked better, and is a solid reminder of the power of 4K UHD to breathe new life into catalogue titles. Universal Home Entertainment are truly on fire at the moment with their releases – the last 12 months alone have boasted 4K discs of Alfred Hitchcock classics, the Back to the Future trilogy and Stanley Kubrick’s epic Spartacus – and this could just be one of their best yet.

THE STING is available on 4K UHD from Universal Home Entertainment on May 17