- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
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- Real Name
- Robert Harris
Fully a part of that great German film movement during the Wiemar Republic -- from 1919 to 1933, Josef von Sternberg's The Blue Angel (1930), has many of the same pictorial textures that you'll find in that great silent opus about a somnambulist. Having sampled Kino's new Blu-ray of the German version, it appears the best that I've seen it -- usually in 16mm -- but with some footage in 35. Digital cleaning is obvious in main titles, but not really problematic or intrusive during the body of the film. Gray scale and black levels are what would expect for dupes, albeit quality dupes. Aspect ratio is proper at 1.19:1, and the track has no problematic passages. While some may find fault with the image or audio, this Blu-ray is a quality affair, and we're unlikely to find anything better. The important thing is to keep in mind, not only the age of the film, but the survival of only dupe elements. Something interesting needs to be pointed out in regard to Mr. von Sternberg. Probably most famous for his early to mid-thirties Paramount productions with Marlene Dietrich, Sternberg, who was born in Austria-Hungary in 1894, was making silent films in Hollywood, before returning to Germany to do The Blue Angel for UFA. His final film, Jet Pilot, with John Wayne and a very young Janet Leigh, was released in late 1957, but produced between December 1949 and February 1950. When the word "classic" is used to reference a film, The Blue Angel is a perfect example, which stands the test of time beautifully. Emil Jannings, who also played the hotel porter in F.W. Murnau's The Last Laugh in 1924, was at the top of his game. Actually, an interesting comparison. Image - 3 (doubtful that it can be better) Audio - 2.5 (ditto) I'd have love to have seen the English version offered along with the German, but presume rights issues may have come to the fore. Pity. Very Highly Recommended. RAH