Stardate 04.15.2025.B: Arrow Films Releasing 1971's 'The Andromeda Strain' In 4K This May

press release

The Andromeda Strain [Limited Edition]
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Before he created Westworld and Jurassic Park, Michael Crichton first blurred the line between science fiction and science fact with his breakout success The Andromeda Strain. Two years after the novel's publication, Robert Wise (The Haunting) directed the film adaptation, a nail-biting blend of clinically-realised docudrama and astonishing sci-fi visuals that ushered in a new subgenre: the "killer virus" biological thriller. A government satellite crashes outside a small town in New Mexico - and within minutes, every inhabitant of the town is dead, except for a crying baby and an elderly derelict. The satellite and the two survivors are sent to Wildfire, a top-secret underground laboratory equipped with a nuclear self-destruct mechanism to prevent the spread of infection in case of an outbreak. Realizing that the satellite brought back a lethal organism from another world, a team of government scientists race against the clock to understand the extraterrestrial virus - codenamed "Andromeda" - before it can wipe out all life on the planet. Aided by innovative visual effects by Douglas Trumbull (2001: A Space Odyssey, Silent Running) and an unforgettable avant-garde electronic music score by Gil Melle (The Sentinel), Wise's suspense classic still haunts to this day, and is presented here in a stunning, exclusive new restoration from the original negative.

​Bonus Materials

• 4K restoration from the original camera negative by Arrow Films
• 4K (2160p) Ultra HD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
• Original lossless mono audio
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Audio commentary by critic Bryan Reesman
• A New Strain of Science Fiction, an appreciation by critic Kim Newman
• The Andromeda Strain: Making the Film, an archive featurette from 2001 directed by Laurent Bouzereau and featuring interviews with director Robert Wise and screenwriter Nelson Gidding
• A Portrait of Michael Crichton, an archival featurette from 2001 directed by Laurent Bouzereau and featuring an interview with author Michael Crichton
• Cinescript Gallery, highlights from the annotated and illustrated shooting script by Nelson Gidding
• Theatrical trailer, TV spots and radio spots
• Image gallery
• Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring writing by Peter Tonguette and select archive material
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Corey Brickley

​"Splendid entertainment that will get you worried about whether they'll be able to contain that strange blob of alien green crystal."
     —Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times

"Wise (and Crichton) concoct the most absorbing, riveting take on science fiction tempered with science fact."
     —Ian Nathan, Empire Magazine

"An underrated classic."
     —Kevin Maher, The Times (UK)

"A real spellbinder."
     —Margaret Hinxman, Daily Telegraph (UK

CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER FROM ARROW FILMS

About Arrow Films
Since launching in the UK in 2009, Arrow Video has grown to become one of the world’s most notable labels for physical and digital releases of genre, cult and horror films from around the globe. The label has passionately trailblazed a multi-award-winning slate of releases in deluxe, definitive editions with state-of-the-art restorations, in-depth curation of new and archival extra features, newly commissioned artwork, accompanying booklets and special packaging.
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Expanding into North America in 2015, Arrow Video's best-in-class Blu-ray, UHD releases and extensive catalogue is complemented by premium digital and on-demand services with ARROW Player. Which shares the same ethos, curating the finest cult films from celebrated filmmakers including John Carpenter, David Cronenberg, Takashi Miike, Dario Argento, and many more.