Arrow Films, out 15 October

James Cole is sent back from 2035 to 1996 to help find a cure to a virus that’s set to devastate mankind in this new release of Terry Gilliam’s masterpiece.

Based on Chris Marker’s short La Jetée, Terry Gilliam’s 1995 sci-fi drama helped establish Bruce Willis as a serous actor outside of action blockbusters, garnered Brad Pitt an Academy Award Nomination (and Golden Globe win) and became the influence for a successful TV series. It’s a fascinating screenplay by Janet and David (Blade Runner) Peoples and I’m going to guess most readers of this site will already have seen it – if not, this is a must-buy.

The previous Blu-ray release in 2009 was a very decent package, but Arrow have raised the bar with this new 4K transfer from the original negative, overseen by Gilliam. And what a gorgeous transfer it is too, finding greater detail in the murky corners of the psych ward and noir alleyways. In addition to the previously included extras (commentary by Gilliam and producer Charles Roven, documentary, The Hamster Factor and Other Tales of Twelve Monkeys, trailer and images) there’s new VAM with an 18-minute interview with Ian Christie (author of Gilliam on Gilliam) and a 25-minute interview with the director from 1985’s BFI London Film Festival.

Verdict: A bona fide sci-fi classic given an extra polish with a stunning new conversion. Whether or not it’s worth upgrading from your previous Blu-ray probably depends on whether your TV can showcase the improvements. If you don’t own it at all, you won’t get a better package. 10/10

Nick Joy