Some pictures of Criterion Collection’s 4K release for Ridley Scott’s 1991 road trip film Thelma & Louise, starring Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis.

This sumptuous 3 disc set comes with a 4K UHD presentation on one disc and two regular blu-ray with the film and supplementary materials spread across both. Here are some pictures of the set, with the cover art done by artist Sam Hadley; check out ( see image further below ) the stunning vista illustration of the Grand Canyon, the dramatic location for the film’s ending.

Having meticulously documented all the films I’ve watched since 2004 after I started my film scholarship in Tokyo, my record ( now found on my Letterboxd ) shows that I first watched Thelma & Louise almost 20 decades ago back in 2005. I remembered that I enjoyed the film, although my appreciation and love for it has increased even more with this Criterion release, especially because of the excellent 4K presentation, which I will elaborate a little more further below –

Film synopsis – Two women, a turquoise Thunderbird, the ride of a lifetime. With this pop-culture landmark, screenwriter Callie Khouri and action auteur Ridley Scott rewrote the rules of the road movie, telling the story of two best friends who find themselves transformed into accidental fugitives during a weekend getaway gone wrong—leading them on a high-speed Southwest odyssey as they elude police and discover freedom on their own terms. Propelled by irresistible performances from Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis (plus Brad Pitt in a sexy, star-making turn)—and nominated for six Academy Awards, winning one for Khouri—the exhilaratingly cathartic Thelma & Louise stands as cinema’s ultimate ode to ride-or-die female friendship.

(above) Loving this beautiful cover art of Grand Canyon by Sam Hadley for the disc case.

(above & below) There’s a good collection of on-set and behind the scenes photographs featured in the booklet that comes with the set, nicely complemented with film essays by critics Jessica Kiang, Rachel Syme and journalist Rebecca Traister.

Now about the 4K presentation – it is amazing. I am particularly in love with the fidelity of the colors, in particular how the film captured the warmth of the sand dusted skin tones on the 2 female leads, contrasting very nicely with the turquoise blue of the Thunderbird they traveled in as well as the brilliant blue skies of the American West. The scenery of the landscape is in itself a character in the film, again beautiful rendered by the 4K restoration. The HDR ( high dynamic range ) served up by the 4K print really improves the color range and contrast of the shot images, giving it a very 3 dimensional quality that makes for very satisfying viewing.

The making of material and supplements are excellent as well, and watching them is something I always look forward to for all of Criterion’s releases. There is a main making of documentary running well over an hour that goes over in detail all aspects of the filmmaking process, and although it was made quite a long time ago, is still interesting to watch. The more insightful extras for me were the 2 new interviews with Ridley Scott and writer Callie Khouri made much more recently in the 2020s. Ridley Scott recounts his journey starting as a documentary filmmaker assistant in the UK to directing commercials until finally his foray into feature films, and from it I learned so much about his thought and working process.

DIRECTOR-APPROVED 4K UHD + BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES

– New 4K digital restoration, supervised by director Ridley Scott, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack
– One 4K UHD disc of the film presented in Dolby Vision HDR and two Blu-rays with the film and special features
– Two audio commentaries, featuring Scott, screenwriter Callie Khouri, and actors Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon
– New interviews with Scott and Khouri
– Documentary featuring Davis, Khouri, Sarandon, Scott, actors Michael Madsen, Christopher McDonald, and Stephen Tobolowsky, and other members of the cast and crew
– Boy and Bicycle (1965), Scott’s first short film
– Original theatrical featurette
– Storyboards and deleted and extended scenes, including an extended ending with director’s commentary
– Music video for Glenn Frey’s “Part of Me, Part of You,” from the film’s soundtrack
– Trailers
– English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
– PLUS: Essays by critics Jessica Kiang and Rachel Syme and journalist Rebecca Traister



This is yet another 4K release by Criterion that really delivers, and the main presentation is absolutely gorgeous. I thoroughly enjoyed the film and will be re-visiting again and again for sure. My highest recommendations.

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