Tron (1982) – 8K Dolby Vision/Atmos Restoration Premiere

Screening Date: July 3, 2025
Venue: Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
Event: Bathed in Light: Saturated Colors in Cinema
Presented by: Kevin Schaeffer (Director, Restoration & Library Management, The Walt Disney Company)
Original Format: Entire film originated on 65mm film. Real-world scenes were shot in 65mm color; electronic world elements were shot in 65mm black-and-white and composited into VistaVision, then blown up to a unified 65mm interpositive. CGI from MAGI and Triple-I was also recorded out to VistaVision.^[1]
Restoration Format: VistaVision elements scanned at 8K (real-world scenes); 70mm computer graphics scanned at 4K or 6K. All downsampled to 4K with Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos audio.^[2]
Notable: First public screening of the newly color-corrected and remastered version. Fixes included glitchy animations, a missing body segment in the solar sailer sequence, and improved contrast in the Tron world. Real-world scenes appeared crystal clear. Director Steven Lisberger was in attendance and reportedly said afterward, 'Now I can die a happy man now.
“Absolutely SICK.” – Mac Mclean, Click Communications via TheHDRoom^[3]
Official listing: Academy Museum Program

Restoration Credits

Colorist: Mike Underwood
Picture Finishing: Kim Englert and the team at Picture Shop
Restoration Artists: Amy Bailey and the team at Prime Focus
Audio Restoration: John Polito and the team at Audio Mechanics
Project Management:
- Karen Weissman – Restoration Manager
- Melissa Selzer – Associate Project Manager

Tron (1982) was groundbreaking for its extensive use of computer-generated imagery (CGI).
Nominated for Academy Awards in sound and costume design, but not visual effects—computer animation was not yet recognized as valid VFX.
Inspired future creators: Pixar’s John Lasseter said, Without Tron, there would be no Toy Story.
Original run grossed $50 million, with an additional $70 million in merchandise sales.

Multiple formats used during production:
- 65mm five-perf for live-action footage
- 35mm 8-perf VistaVision for animation elements
65mm film was scanned at 8K; VistaVision at 6K (via FotoKem); both downsampled to 4K.
VistaVision’s horizontal format introduced unique scratch patterns (east–west rather than north–south).
Restorers corrected frame-by-frame issues:
- Dirt, scratches, and stains
- Jitter in marching soldiers
- Missing body during fall from solar sailer
- Disappearing stick
HDR color grading enhanced luminance and separation of color zones.
Colorist Mike Underwood used isolation techniques to amplify key colors (blue, green, orange).
A new Dolby Atmos mix was created at Audio Mechanics using previously restored audio.

Restoration aimed to honor director Steven Lisberger’s original vision—with his active involvement.
Full process took approximately nine months.
Emphasized the importance of film preservation: original elements were well-stored and scan-ready.

Steven Lisberger – Director
Mike Underwood – Colorist (Picture Shop)
Kim Englert and team – Picture Shop
Amy Bailey and team – Prime Focus
John Polito and team – Audio Mechanics
Karen Weissman – Restoration Manager (Disney)
Melissa Selzer – Associate Project Manager
KJ Ralph Miller and Academy team – Event coordination
Honored guests in attendance included:
- Mike Bonifer – Publicist, author of The Art of Tron
- John Sheiley – Effects Technical Supervisor
- Richard Taylor – VFX and Computer Effects Supervisor
- Harrison Ellenshaw – Associate Producer, VFX Supervisor