6.9 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Country orphan Lily goes to Berlin to stay with her aunt and meets Richard, a handsome sculptor. Persuaded to pose for Richard, her physical charms melt away his 'strictly business' attitude and they become lovers. But Richard, wanting his freedom, connives to marry her to his wealthy client Baron von Merzbach... whose household includes a jealous former mistress and a susceptible farm manager.
Starring: Marlene Dietrich, Brian Aherne, Lionel Atwill, Alison Skipworth, Hardie AlbrightRomance | 100% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.36:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.37:1
English: LPCM Mono
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region B (locked)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
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".
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).
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.
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.
1932
Eureka Classics
1955
2016
2013
2012
1998
Eureka Classics
1955
1953
Indicator Series | Limited Edition
1931
Premium Collection
1939
Warner Archive Collection
1968
Masters of Cinema
1949
Masters of Cinema
1978
1976
Vintage Classics | 50th Anniversary Edition
1965
2019
1934
1942
1940
2013