Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

Alice in Wonderland Blu-ray Movie Review

A trip down the rabbit hole...

Alice in Wonderland is one of the most cherished of all children's tales. The story has withstood the test of time and proven to be a classic with kids of all ages (including the young at heart). An ambitious undertaking at the time, the 1933 film adaptation was executive produced by Emanuel Cohen (Ready for Love, A Bedtime Story) as based on the beloved novel by Lewis Carroll. The film is filled to the brim with unending imagination: from the imagery on display of truly sky-soaring sets to detailed costumes and evocative make-up effects.

The young girl at the heart of the story, Alice (Charlotte Henry), dreams of a fantastical world called “Wonderland” (which is host to a seemingly ending myriad of unique characters). She finds herself carried away to this land of imagination after following the mysterious Rabbit (Richard Gallagher) down the (so-called) rabbit hole. Away she goes! As Alice comes out on the other side, she soon finds herself encountering a seemingly endless array of unique characters: the Mad Hatter (Edward Everett Horton), Humpty-Dumpty (W.C. Fields), White Queen (Louise Fazenda), Cheshire Cat (Richard Arlen) , Humpty-Dumpty (W.C. Fields), Mock Turtle (Cary Grant), and more!

The performances by the cast are part of the reason the adaptation was so well received on release. The performers delve into their respective roles with a clear affection for the original story and bringing it an entertaining version for the silver-screen. One of the standout performances is by none other than Cary Grant, a scene-stealer. The casting of Charlotte Henry as Alice was also a wise choice: she has enough enthusiasm for each of the mysterious characters that one feels the fantasy storyline is truly unfolding.

Imagination, wonder, and magic as one.

The production was well mounted and manages to leave a strong impression on the entire viewing experience: the art direction by William Cameron Menzies (Gone with the Wind, Tempest) might actually be enough reason to see the film. The accompanying make-up and masks are also quite effective and bring these fantastical characters to life in a way that is convincing for the time-frame. Costumes designed by Newt Jones and Wally Westmore (who also crafted those fantastic make up components) are detailed, elaborate, and effective.

The original music score is by none other than the legendary composer Dimitri Tiomkin (Rio Bravo, Giant). One of the best aspects of the film is the music backdrop. As any good critic knows, music plays a vital role in the foundations of cinematic storytelling. Tiomkin knows this is true and crafts remarkable themes that elevate the material. The sweeping music score is one of the key reasons to enjoy the film and this is a strong effort.

The cinematography by Bert Glennon (Paradise Island, Stagecoach) and Henry Sharp (Duck Soup, The Hidden Hand) provides the experience with some of the fantastical underpinnings of the story. Events are complex and ambitious for a children's tale. This is no ordinary day-dream. The visual delights of the film hold up well to this day.

Alice in Wonderland would not be so entertaining without a solid foundation: the screenplay penned by Joseph L. Mankiewicz (A Letter to Three Wives, All About Eve) and William Cameron Menzies (who also did the art direction for the film) manages to evoke a strong reaction. Along with the solid craft showcased through the direction by Norman Z. McLeod (Swing Shift Maisie, Taking a Chance), Alice in Wonderland is a solid tribute to the beloved children's novel. While the Disney animated version is still my favorite of the bunch, the 1933 version is a compelling adaptation that any fan of the book is strongly encouraged to see. There is magic in the journey: magic that reminds us of what it means to dream.

Alice in Wonderland Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics, the 1933 version of Alice in Wonderland features a reasonable 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition presentation in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.37:1 full frame. The print used is in generally impressive shape but it is certainly not without some minor imperfections: there are some occasional marks on the print such as thin scratches that are less focused or refined than is desirable.

The print also shows some occasional telecine wobble but it is never too distracting. Black levels aren't inky black and have a more grayish quality to them. These criticisms might sound harsh to some but the transfer isn't that bad at all: the scan is largely clear and presents the film well enough to be a marked improvement on the image. While I would suggest a 4K restoration would be desirable, the scan on this Kino edition is certainly not worth writing off and offers enough of an upgrade to make it worthy for fans.

Alice in Wonderland Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Kino Lorber Blu-ray release includes a strong DTS-HD Master Audio mono audio presentation. At the forefront of the audio presentation is the dialogue. The audio track does not disappoint in that regard. Throughout the entire feature, dialogue is crisp, clear, and easy to understand. This is an effective sound design that is never too harsh or course sounding at any given point. If there are any criticisms to be made, the track occasionally sounds a little thin. Even so, the track is effective and works well for the film and is fine given the age of the source materials.

Optional English subtitles are provided.

Alice in Wonderland Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Audio Commentary featuring Film Historian Lee Gambin

Alice in Wonderland Theatrical Trailer (SD, 2:34)

The release also includes a selection of trailers promoting other releases available from distributor Kino Lorber: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (SD, 2:16), Jack the Giant Killer (SD, 3:20), and The Magic Sword (SD, 2:42).

Alice in Wonderland Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

One of the most imaginative versions of the classic children's tale, Alice in Wonderland received a top-notch creative effort in this 1933 production. While modern viewers may be more familiar with either the Disney animated version (or the Tim Burton directed 3D feature) this is an early success that has withstood the test of time. The Blu-ray features a solid video-audio presentation and is worth a look. Recommended.