The Scarlet Empress Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

The Scarlet Empress Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov July 11, 2018

Josef von Sternberg's "The Scarlet Empress" (1934) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion. The only bonus feature on the disc is a long archival video interview with Marlene Dietrich. The release also arrives with an 80-page illustrated book featuring essays by critics Imogen Sara Smith, Gary Giddins, and Farran Smith Nehme, as well as detailed technical credits. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

Surprise

The most astonishing thing about Josef von Sternberg’s The Scarlet Empress is that it promoted an image of Tsarist Russia that decades after its theatrical release a lot of folks still believed was authentic. The film does recreate some historic events, but the exotic country where they take place is about as real as the mysterious kingdom that Jean Cocteau visited in his iconic film Beauty and the Beast. In fact, if one spends some time carefully analyzing these two films, one could very well come to the conclusion that Cocteau might have used the former as an inspiration while envisioning the spooky lair of the beast.

The Prussian princess Sophia Frederica (Marlene Dietrich) is told by her father that she is about to begin a new chapter in her life because she is going to Russia to marry the Grand Duke Peter (Sam Jaffe). Sophia of course is not allowed to disagree. Then the handsome Count Alexei (John Lodge) who has come to arrange her journey and escort her back to her future husband presents her with lavish gifts instantly inspire the future bride to dream beautiful dreams.

In Moscow, Sophia is introduced to the powerful Empress Elizabeth (Louise Dresser), who instantly makes it clear that she is expected to deliver a grandson that will become a Tsar. After Sophia meets her dim-witted husband, Elizabeth also changes her name to Catherine. But the marriage disappointing for both parties and Catherine begins a romantic relationship with Alexei, not realizing that he is also visiting the bedroom of her mother-in-law. When the truth eventually comes out, Catherine gradually undergoes a dramatic transformation and uses her charm and wit to take over the throne.

The film is very difficult to take seriously but it overflows with splendid visuals that can easily keep one glued to the screen. The main reason why the film becomes entertaining, however, is the fact that von Sternberg openly treats it like a fairy tale for adults, which makes it possible to blend the serious and the funny without turning the whole thing into a parody.

Even without any particular knowledge of Russian history it is very obvious that all of the characterizations are too simplistic, but if one accepts that the exotic environment in which they are placed is even remotely authentic then in an odd sort of way they could become legit. Still, it is best to approach the film as an eccentric Hollywood production and marvel the visuals without thinking about historic accuracy.

*This home video release of The Scarlet Empress is sourced from a brand new 4K master that was struck from 35mm nitrate prints held by the UCLA Film & Television Archive.

The Scarlet Empress Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.37:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Josef von Sternberg's The Scarlet Empress arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion.

The following text appears inside the book provided with this Blu-ray release:

"New digital transfer for The Scarlet Empress was created in 4K resolution on a Lasergraphics Director film scanner at Roundabout Entertainment from 35mm prints held by the UCLA Film & Television Archive.

Transfer supervisor: Lee Kline/Criterion Post, New York.
Colorist: Keenan Novi/Criterion Post."

The new master that was created for The Scarlet Empress has the most consistent overall organic appearance. In terms of depth and clarity some of the most impressive visuals are here. I also like how balanced fluidity is throughout the entire film. (For reference, The Devil Is a Woman looks even healthier, but there are a few areas where density and fluidity fluctuate a bit). The grading is outstanding as well, promoting very solid but not overdone blacks plus terrific ranges of healthy grays and whites (see screencapture #3). There are no traces of problematic degraining or sharpening adjustments. The film has also been thoroughly cleaned up and even during reel transitions quality remains solid. Very impressive. My score is 4.75/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

The Scarlet Empress Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 1.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

There are no technical issues to report in our review. Clarity and stability are as good as one can expect them to be on a film from the era. There are no balance issues either. Some of these early films sometimes have shaky high-frequencies, but I did not detect anything disturbing while viewing the restoration.

The Scarlet Empress Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Marlene Dietrich in Denmark, 1971 - in this archival interview, Marlene Dietrich recalls how she was discovered by Josef von Sternberg and cast to play her famous character in The Blue Angel, and discusses her dismissal by the UFA Studios, her working relationship with the director, her success in Hollywood, her performance in The Devil Is a Woman, etc. The interview was filmed for Swedish television but filmed in Copenhagen after a performance at Tivoli Gardens in 1971. In English. (29 min, 1080i).

• Book - 80-page illustrated book featuring essays by critics Imogen Sara Smith, Gary Giddins, and Farran Smith Nehme, as well as detailed technical credits for each film in the box set.

The Scarlet Empress Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I don't believe for a second that The Scarlet Empress was ever meant to be anything else but a fairy tale for adults and yet over the years there were plenty of folks that considered its recreation of Tsarist Russia to be legit. Frankly, the film is so proud of its extravagance that it seems astonishing that the obvious was so difficult to recognize. There is some good fun in it, but the theatricality is often a bit too much. Criterion's new release is sourced from a solid 4K restoration and is included in the Dietrich & von Sternberg in Hollywood six-disc Blu-ray box set. RECOMMENDED.