The Farmer's Wife Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

The Farmer's Wife Blu-ray Movie Review

A wonderful romantic-comedy by Alfred Hitchcock

Based on the play by Eden Phillpotts, The Farmer's Wife is a classic romantic comedy from none other than the great master-of-suspense Alfred Hitchcock. An early feature from Hitchcock which doesn't easily fit the mold of his career progression, The Farmer's Wife is nonetheless an essential gem of filmmaking wonder to appreciate when considered in the context of the developing auteur director.

Upon the passing of his beloved wife, the kind-hearted Farmer Sweetland (Jameson Thomas) is heartbroken and lonely. A world of wonder quickly become a world of despair. The housekeeper of the home, Minta (Lillian Hall-Davis) is a beautiful younger woman who gives Sweetland some advice: meet another woman.

As Sweetland's spouse wanted him to be able to remarry if she should pass away, the eccentric farmer sets out on a mission to find a new leading lady for his home. Having already lost the close companionship of his wonderful daughter (who got married and moved out), the efforts to find a spouse becomes an intense affair as the farmer starts to court towns women at every turn. After one rejection after another in the battlefield of love, Sweetland is left wondering where romance might once again brew for him. Can Minta help him find love once more?

Mr. Farmer seeks a wife. "How do you do?"

The production is enormously entertaining on so many levels and does so while balancing together a degree of comedy, romance, and drama in equal measurements. Going against the grain of expectations one might have for a modern Alfred Hitchcock production, The Farmer's Wife instead has cute puppies and silly comedic sequences that might leave one in stitches. One might even ask: “IS this an Alfred Hitchcock film?” and be amazed by the answer: Yes, indeed, The Farmer's Wife is one.

The production has fantastic black-and-white cinematography by Jack E. Cox (Heart's Desire, Fanny Hawthorne) that showcases the early wonder of Hitchcock's framing and stylistic sensibilities while focusing on a more lighthearted storyline. The film is edited with competence by Alfred Booth and features impeccable art direction by C. Wilfred Arnold (The Saint in London, Little Big Shot). The score composed and performed by Jon C. Mirsalis (Woman in the Moon, Stolen Moments) adds the charming delights necessary to brighten the film and its romantic story.

The screenplay was written with the collaboration of Alfred Hitchcock, Leslie Arliss, J.E. Hunter, and Norman Lee. The storytelling features none of the traditional elements ordinarily featured in a typical Hitchcock production. For one thing, the McGuffin is nowhere to be seen. Though the story is as light as a truffle, the romance and comedy are spelled out with enough charm to keep audiences entertained.

Alfred Hitchcock (North by Northwest, Vertigo) directs with the same level of ferocity which is found in his other early gems (like The Ring and The Lodger) while showing some early signs of his growing greatness. While The Farmer's Wife might not showcase every trademark style of Hitchcock it shows the developing creative genius at play. A must-see early Hitchcock production.

The Farmer's Wife Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from distributor Kino Lorber, The Farmer's Wife has received a 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition presentation in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.33:1 full frame. The film has received a surprisingly worthwhile presentation which is free from egregious DNR or digital tinkering to the image. Fine film grain is intact on the scan. There are only minor examples of scratches and wear to the print. The scan is in good shape and has a nice clarity boost on display in its high-definition debut. A perfect example of worthwhile black-and-white cinematography which doesn't skimp on bright detail and vivid imagery. Fans will be pleased.

The Farmer's Wife Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Featuring a wonderful soundtrack, The Farmer's Wife has a 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio lossless score which sounds terrific on the newly restored Blu-ray release. The perfect accompaniment to the visuals, the film has crisp, melodic, and engaging music throughout. There are no issues to report with regards to hiss, crackle, pops, and clicks. A highly satisfactory (clean and clear) presentation of the music. An engaging treat.

The Farmer's Wife Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Hitchcock/Truffaut: Archival Audio Interview (The Ring/The Farmer's Wife) (SD, 7:33) is the same excellent archival interview that is found alongside the presentation of The Ring (as both are contained on the same disc). Hearing the two master directors discuss the films is a blast. Worth a listen.

The Farmer's Wife Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Romance is a component found in many great Alfred Hitchcock films but it's not always the go-to expectation. The Farmer's Wife may be an exception to the rule as it is predominately a classic romance and drama. The filmmaking is exceptional and the performances are impressive. With a fun music score accompanying the presentation, The Farmer's Wife is an early Hitchcock that shows the filmmaker's growing gift for the medium. A classic gem by the filmmaker.