4 star restoration of a super slick classic heist film.
Swordfish is a 2001 American action, crime, thriller film written by Skip Woods (Hitman: Agent 47, A Good Day To Die Hard) and directed by Dominic Sena (Season of the Witch, Kalifornia).
It is available to own in the UK on Limited Edition 4K UHD from 9th June 2025, courtesy of Arrow Video.
“He exists in a world beyond your world. What we only fantasize, he does. He lives a life where nothing is beyond him. But you know what? It’s all a facade. For all his charm and charisma, his wealth, his expensive toys, he is a driven, unflinching, calculating machine.”
In Midland, Texas, we meet Stanley (Hugh Jackman – Deadpool and Wolverine, Les Miserables), an ex convict who spent two years in prison for his efforts as a highly skilled hacker, but is trying to go straight so that he can see his daughter Holly (Camryn Grimes – Haunted: 333). He needs money for a lawyer in order to force his ex, Melissa (Drea de Matteo – Nonnas, Queen of Manhattan) to allow him access.
When Ginger (Halle Berry – Monster’s Ball, Die Another Day) turns up at his door with promises of a job and a large amount of cash, it’s too tempting to pass up. He is taken to the charismatic but terrifying Gabriel (John Travolta – I Am Wrath, The Forger) who conducts a test of his hacking skills which involves a lovely young woman and a gun to the head, wielded by henchman Marco (Vinnie Jones – Snatch, Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels).
Meanwhile, the F.B.I are realising that something is afoot, as hackers start coming out of the woodwork and Stanley is spotted at the airport. Gabriel is going for a big score and he has chosen Stanley to make it happen and provided him with plenty of incentive and a pretty impressive rig. But can he pull off the impossible, or will Agent Roberts (Don Cheadle – Crash, Traitor) be able to stop them?
“This is not a nice place you’ve got here, Stan. I’ve been here five minutes and I already feel sorry for myself.”
Swordfish is a thoroughly enjoyable film, one of the many action thrillers to take up the emerging world of cybercrime and one of the best. The story is tight, well written and well directed with an excellent cast who all do a great job. There is plenty of action, loads of stunts and lots of very good special effects to keep you on the edge of your seat.
In what is arguably one of the most impressive opening sequences in cinematic history, a glorious monologue from John Travolta and some poor decision making on behalf of law enforcement culminates in a dramatic and shocking ball bearing laced explosion, which looks better than ever in this 4K release.
Always a slick and stylish film, it has been brilliantly enhanced and benefits greatly from the 4K treatment. With lots of special features, this Limited Edition release is well worth adding to your collection.
“Bad guy can’t win. It’s a morality tale. One way or the other, he’s gotta go down.”
Swordfish is available to own now on Limited Edition 4K UHD
4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS
• 4K Ultra HD (2160p) Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
• Original lossless stereo and 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio options
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Audio commentary by director Dominic Sena
• Soundtrack Hacker, a brand new interview with composer Paul Oakenfold
• How to Design a Tech Heist, a brand new interview with production designer Jeff Mann
• HBO First Look: Swordfish, a promotional behind-the-scenes featurette
• Effects in Focus: The Flying Bus, a promotional featurette detailing how the film’s iconic climactic scene was created
• Planet Rock Club Reel, a music video by the film’s co-composer Paul Oakenfold
• Swordfish: In Conversation, a promotional featurette with interviews from cast and crew members including actors Hugh Jackman, John Travolta, Halle Berry, Don Cheadle and Sam Shepard, director Dominic Sena, and producer Joel Silver
• Two alternate endings
• Theatrical trailer
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Tommy Pocket
• Double-sided fold-out poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Tommy Pocket
• Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Priscilla Page and an article from American Cinematographer about the film’s opening sequence
| Director | Dominic Sena |
| Genre | Action, crime, thriller |
| Starring | John Travolta, Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Don Cheadle, Vinnie Jones |