Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Maria Marten, or The Murder in the Red Barn Blu-ray Movie Review

"You shall be a bride. A bride of death!"

Reviewed by Justin Dekker May 18, 2024

The first film in Powerhouse Films' The Criminal Acts of Tod Slaughter: Eight Blood-and-Thunder Entertainments, 1935-1940, is the classic tale Maria Marten, or The Murder in the Red Barn which sets the tone for the four-disc set, giving the viewer a precise understanding of what's to come: tales of lust, greed, and murder wrapped up in high melodrama, with solid supporting casts and period studio-bound sets. Based on a true story, with the original theatrical presentations of the crime playing out even before the trial of the tale's killer had actually reached its conclusion, Maria Marten, or The Murder in the Red Barn the film begins like a stage production with a master of ceremonies introducing the players to an excited audience. The last to be introduced is the legendary Tod Slaughter, who, even though he's the diabolical and conniving villain of the picture, is met with thunderous applause. It's an interesting conceit and one that is a fitting nod to Slaughter's extensive theatrical career which he enjoyed for many years before he transitioned to film. This being Slaughter's first film, it's not entirely unexpected that both his physicality and his manner of speaking seem more in line with the theater rather than the silver screen. Broad gestures, exaggerated mannerisms, and his deliberate and stylized vocal delivery all speak to his wanting to be seen and heard by those in the back row.

Here, Tod Slaughter portrays Squire William Corder, a seemingly wealthy landowner who finds himself in troubling financial straits. It's not long before the daughter of one of his tenants, the titular Maria Marten (Sophie Stewart), catches his eye. Despite being several years her senior, he lures her into his clutches with promises of wealth and a life well beyond her imagination. At the same time, he courts and becomes engaged to Maud Sennet (Antonia Brough) a wealthy widow whom he sees as the solution to problems. Though handled delicately and somewhat indirectly, it becomes clear that Maria is pregnant and Corder is the father. Despite the fact that her heart belongs to a penniless local gypsy boy, she secretly confronts Corder and demands that he do the right thing and marry her, sealing their fates.

Slaughter is a villain in the grandest, almost vaudevillian fashion. His every evil act is perpetrated with a gleeful laugh and a twinkle in his eye. The only thing he's lacking is an impossibly manicured and sculpted mustache for him to twirl. His commanding presence and consistently high energy drive the production, generating an almost breathless pace that keeps things moving quickly for the entirety of the film's 70-minute runtime. It's not a challenging or complex film, but it is relentlessly entertaining.

Maria Marten, or The Murder in the Red Barn Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Per the book included with the set, the original nitrate negative elements were scanned in 4K and restored in 2K resulting in a very sharp transfer. Film grain is present but resolves naturally. Detail is generally good with very precise fine details on clothing, hair, and sets often on display. Some soft shots can occasionally be seen, though, based on framing and composition, these seem to be a directorial choice rather than defects. Blacks can be inky at times and occasionally occlude details, but whites are instead a light grey. While there isn't any significant or distracting damage, there is some debris that pops up from time to time, as do some vertical lines. But on the whole, it is a very good-looking and highly watchable presentation.

Maria Marten, or The Murder in the Red Barn Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

As is expected from a film from 1935 music possesses a thin presence that is somewhat lacking in precision and depth. On this Linear PCM 1.0 original mono audio track dialogue is generally clear but some sibilance issues are detectable. Likewise, some very light hiss can be heard, but is truly only noticeable in the film's quietest moments, with music, dialogue, or action usually loud enough to drown it out. It's an adequate and fitting partner for the video presentation of this film from the 1930s.

Maria Marten, or The Murder in the Red Barn Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The on-disc supplemental content located on Disc One includes:

• Maria Marten, or the Murder in the Red Barn Audio Commentary with Josephine Botting and Vic Pratt

• Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Audio Commentary with Stephen Jones and Kim Newman

• Ania Goszczynska and David Tibet: A Long Shadow (10.23) - The pair discuss the real history of the Red Barn murders complete with drawings and photographs of the home of the murderer, the victim, and the infamous barn. Vintage newspaper clippings and various other artifacts of the murder and execution are displayed as well. They also engage in a brief discussion of Tod Slaughter.

• Audio Plays - Maria Marten, or the Murder in the Red Barn (13.07); Maria Marten, or the Murder in the Red Barn with alternative score by Current 93 (12.32); Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (12.28); Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street with alternative score by Current 93 (12.38)

• Image Galleries - Original promotional material for Maria Marten, or the Murder in the Red Barn and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

• Short Films - Tod Slaughter at Home (1936) (4.07) - Slaughter gives an interview while riffing on Sweeney Todd; Pots of Plots (1938) (3.51) - A "greatest hits" collection of Slaughter's villains; Bothered by a Beard (1946) (35.01) - A semi-serious discussion and history of beards and shaving that includes a brief clip of Slaughter reprising his role of Sweeney Todd; and Puzzle Corner Number Fourteen (1954)(19.12) - Viewers are quizzed on and provided factoids about a variety of subjects, including a brief appearance of Slaughter performing Sweeney Todd. The footage is generally good but shows wear, age, and damage.

Maria Marten, or The Murder in the Red Barn Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

More of a cozy dark drama than a horror film, Maria Marten, or The Murder in the Red Barn is moodily shot and well-crafted, providing the perfect launching point for those unfamiliar with the work of Tod Slaughter and long-time fans alike. Though the violence is bloodless, Slaughter and company effectively create a tangible sense of danger and madness in this brisk but never rushed true-crime story. Perfect for a lazy afternoon or late- night viewing, Maria Marten, or The Murder in the Red Barn comes Recommended.