Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

The Song of Songs Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov September 28, 2023

Rouben Mamoulian's "The Song of Songs" (1933) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films. The supplemental features on the release include audio commentary by critic David Del Valle; new program with critic Geoff Andrew; vintage promotional materials for the film; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region "locked".

One could quite easily make a case that Marlene Dietrich effectively plays at least five different characters in Rouben Mamoulian’s The Song of Songs. Dietrich does it while using the same name too, which is remarkable, to say the least.

The original material for The Song of Songs comes from a classic novel by German writer Edward Sheldon, which was adapted by Leo Birinski and Samuel Hoffenstein. However, even if one is completely unfamiliar with this material, one can easily conclude that the film is not an accurate adaptation of the novel because of several crucial developments in it.

The first pertains to the unique subversiveness of Dietrich’s transformation from a poor and extremely shy country girl into a big city seductress with a broken heart. Dietrich arrives in Berlin as an orphan carrying a small bag with her possessions and reconnects with her elderly aunt (Alison Skipworth) who runs a tiny bookstore. Shortly after, while working in the bookstore, Dietrich meets a handsome sculptor (Brian Aherne) living across the street, who convinces her to pose naked for him in his studio. On the day the two begin working together, Dietrich’s transformation is officially initiated, and the closer they get, the more drastic it becomes.

Over time, this transformation produces the five different characters Dietrich becomes. After the sculptor falls in love with her, Dietrich very quickly evolves into a happy young woman who dreams of being a wife and mother. Here, for a short period of time, her face is like an open book that allows everyone to easily read her feelings and emotions. Unsurprisingly, Dietrich’s beauty quickly attracts an aging baron (Lionel Atwill) who has commissioned the sculpture she poses for, and after several encounters, he reveals to the sculptor his desire to marry her and reshape her into the glorious woman she was born to be.

The two most dramatic characters are revealed after the baron convinces the sculptor to let go of Dietrich and he disappears. Feeling betrayed and hurting, Dietrich then marries the baron, and he begins reshaping her into a sophisticated baroness. At this point, the transformation is staggering and Dietrich is unrecognizable because there is nothing that legitimately links the shy country girl and the baroness. By the time the sculptor reappears, Dietrich has already moved on to the next character, a disillusioned, bitter, and quite cynical nightclub performer who hides her pain in the joyous noise that the upscale clientele produces.

Dietrich’s final transformation is the most abrupt one, but it is still brilliant. Just a couple of words instantly erase her cynicism and pain.

The subversiveness that accompanies Dietrich’s transformations does not come from Sheldon’s novel. Dietrich’s relationship with the camera is responsible for it. A pose, a look, a sentence or two very easily force the mind to see what the camera cannot show or hear what Dietrich and the actors around her are not discussing. It is why ninety years ago The Song of Songs was undoubtedly among the most modern films one could see at one’s local theater.

Mamoulian collaborated with director of photography Victor Milner, whose credits include such classics as Design for Living, Cleopatra, The Lady Eve, The Palm Beach Story, and The Furies.

The Song of Songs Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.36:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, The Song of Songs arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films.

The release is sourced from an older master that was prepared when Universal restored The Song of Songs in 2008. Generally speaking, the film looks quite good in high-deifnition, but it needs to be underscored that by contemporary standards it looks a bit dated as well. Why exactly? Because the restoration was essentially a remastering job, which means that some age-related imperfections and anomalies are not addressed as convincingly as they could have been during a proper, elaborate restoration. For example, there are small areas where blemishes, fading, and even more serious surface wear are visible. Also, grain exposure does not have the attractive consistency of contemporary 2K and 4K masters. While quite good, the grayscale could have been managed better as well. But there is still plenty to like. Excluding the areas with noticeable inherited density fluctuations, delineation, clarity, and depth are very pleasing. In fact, when projected, the current master often produces surprisingly good close-ups with strong organic qualities. Image stability is good, but a proper restoration should introduce several meaningful enhancements. All in all, despite existing limitations, I think that this release offers a good presentation of the film. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

The Song of Songs 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.

The audio needs to be properly restored. While clarity and stability are good, if you turn up the volume of your system enough so that you do not have to use the optional subtitles, you will notice that there is hiss throughout the entire film. It is not a strong hiss, but it is impossible to ignore its presence. Dynamic intensity is extremely limited. In fact, in a couple of areas, the music feels almost unnaturally thin. But this is clearly how the soundtrack was finalized in the early 1930s.

The Song of Songs Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary - critic David Del Valle recorded this audio commentary for Kino Lorber's release of The Song of Songs. There are a lot of different observations about Marlene Dietrich's image as a fashion and cinematic icon, the conception of The Song of Songs and Paramount's handling of it, Rouben Mamoulian's direction, the Code's naughtiness, some of the excellent supporting actors that were cast, etc. Also, there are some interesting comments about Dietrich's decision to work as a cabaret performer later in her life.

• Geoff Andrew: The Mamoulian Touch - in this new program, critic Geoff Andrew discuss Rouben Mamoulian's career and work on The Song of Songs. In English, not subtitled. (33 min).

• Lux Radio Theatre: "The Song of Songs" - presented here is a vintage Lux Radio adaptation of The Song of Songs, featuring Marlene Dietrich, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., and Lionel Atwill, which was broadcast on December 20, 1937. In English, not subtitled. (54 min).

• Trailer - presented here is a vintage U.S. trailer for The Song of Songs. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• Image Gallery - a collection of vintage promotional for The Song of Songs.

• Booklet - a 40-page illustrated booklet with a new essay by Rick Burin, an archival profile of Rouben Mamoulian, an archival interview with Mamoulian conducted by film critic and author Andrew Sarris discussing the director's pre-cinema career, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and technical credits.

• Cover - reversible cover with vintage poster art for The Song of Songs.

The Song of Songs Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Five striking transformations make it impossible not to consider The Song of Songs one of Marlene Dietrich's best films. There are other better directed and visually more impressive films that Dietrich made over the years, but they came in a different environment, after the Pre-Code Era had ended. I think that The Song of Songs was a very, very modern film for its era, and Dietrich was the perfect star for it, which as the final credits appear becomes indisputable. Indicator/Powerhouse Films' release is sourced from an older but nice master that was supplied by Universal Pictures. If you wish to add it to your library, please keep in mind that it is Region-B "locked". HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.