Three Women Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Three Women Blu-ray Movie Review

Three Women is an early silent era production. The classic drama was considered as one of the most popular and successful films released in 1924. The feature-film has received a brand new 4K restoration as completed by the George Eastman Museum. Based on a novel by Yolande Maree, Three Women stars Pauline Frederick, May McAvoy, Marie Prevost, and Lew Cody. Fans of silent-era dramas will find it to be compelling entertainment.

The tale explores the journey of Mrs. Mable Wilton (Pauline Frederick) and Jeannie Wilton (May McAvoy), a mother and daughter on a mission. Both the mother and daughter are trying to win the affection of George (Lew Cody), a handsome but unfairly opportunistic man who is only interested in them because of their enormous wealth – a three-million-dollar sum.

Making matters far more complicated is George’s mistress, Harriet (Marie Prevost), which causes the dramatic events to become even more turbulent for all. The mistress isn’t happy about the flirtations from either the mother and daughter and she grows concerned about them stepping in to her path – she’s even willing to go out of her way to somehow stop them altogether. Who can win the heart of George (and should any of them even bother)?

The silent production has compelling performances from the ensemble cast. The actors delivered strong performances (highlighting the fragility of the characters). Pauline Frederick and May McAvoy give the most interesting performances in the film as the mother and daughter duo. The characters are quite interesting in the context of the film and these actors understand the assignment. Marie Prevost is impressive as the mistress Harriet. Lew Cody doesn’t make as much of an impression but still gives a solid enough performance.

The cinematography by Charles Rosher (Sunrise, Show Boat) and Charles Van Enger (Night Monster, Lucky Devils) is a compelling element of the production. Rosher and Van Enger certainly have fun showcasing the black and white cinematography. The visuals certainly are key to the storytelling.

The art direction by Svend Gade (Peacock Feathers, Ballet Dancer) is another compelling aspect of the filmmaking. The art direction is well detailed – especially for a production from 1924. The efforts do contribute to the craft of the filmmaking and make it more watchable. A good effort by Gade.

The score composed by Andrew Earle Simpson (Broadway Love, The Falling Arrow) is arguably the best highlight of the film. The score sounds wonderfully creative, energetic, and fun. The music provides a great backdrop to the sequence of events. The composer has a good time exploring these characters and their unique roles within the tale.  

The screenplay by Hanns Kräly (One Hundred Men and a Girl, A Desperate Adventure) is a compelling one. The screenwriter does a solid job adapting the concept for the silver screen. From a screenplay story by Hanns Kräly and Ernst Lubitsch, the scripting is solid and carries the story through the odd circumstances of the characters along their journeys.

Directed by Ernst Lubitsch (To Be or Not to Be, The Shop Around the Corner), Three Women is a well- directed classic. Lubitsch is a great filmmaker – an enormous talent – and it is interesting to see this early production from the director. The film has a good pace and sense of style and there is a lot of worth in the film. Three Women is certainly an under-seen and under-appreciated effort from the acclaimed filmmaker and it is well worth checking out.

Three Women Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber, Three Women is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.33:1 full frame. The presentation provides a digital scan of a reproduction taken from 35mm element film from the George Eastman Museum. The scan was produced in 4K. The print quality for the release is in good quality and certainly highly watchable on the whole. The entire presentation is far more watchable than many silent era films from this time period due to the extensive 4K scanning.

Though the film print displays more print damage, wear, and slight imperfections compared to an entirely pristine 4K restoration –the transfer is better than one might expect nonetheless. It is always worth considering the condition of the available elements – this is an early silent era production from the 1920s, after all – not a more recent film receiving 4K scanning. The film looks surprisingly sharp and robust all things considered. This is not a soft looking presentation and it looks far better than anything one would find with public domain and low-fidelity transfers.

Three Women Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The uncompressed PCM 2.0 sounds exceptional on the release. The lossless encoding sounds remarkably crisp, bright, and engaging. The sound quality is wonderful and preserves the score composed by Andrew Earle Simpson. The entire sound reproduction is to emphasis the score as a silent production and the encoding capably handles the music and provides a great sense of life to the score. An audio presentation that capably serves and enhances the 4K scan.

Three Women Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Audio Commentary by Anthony Slide

Three Women Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Three Women is a compelling silent era production and one that deserves a wider audience. The film is an early classic by director Ernst Lubitsch (To Be or Not to Be) and fans of the filmmaker won't want to miss out on this early gem. The performances are excellent and actors Pauline Frederick, May McAvoy, Marie Prevost, and Lew Cody have fun with their respective roles.

The Blu-ray release features a noteworthy 4K scan and the encoding is excellent. The lossless audio is a highlight on the release as well. The release also includes an audio commentary track with Anthony Slide. A well-rounded release and one that is worth picking up for the restoration. Recommended.