Blu-ray Review A Few Words About A few words about…™ Queen Christina – in Blu-ray (1 Viewer)

[Robert Harris]

Warner Archive's new Blu-ray of Rouben Mamoulian's 1933 (released in early '34) Queen Christina is the best I've ever seen the film look.

It has been problematic for decades, with copies being derived from dupes of dupes of dupes due to loss of the OCN and over-printing.

Strange casting with Greta Garbo in the role of a Swedish Queen - not certain who would play it today - opposite her earlier silent co-star, John Gilbert, this is an early sound film from a master filmmaker. It's also my favorite sound Garbo film.

Derived from a 4k scan of a nitrate duplicate negative, this is as good as the film will ever look, and I'm loving every frame - even the dupes.

The gorgeous black & white palette holds up through the generations, with nice blacks and more than enough shadow detail. Film grain seems normal for the era and generation.

DP Williams Daniels had previously shot Ms Garbo is As You Desire Me, Grand Hotel, Mata Hari, Susan Lennox, Anna Christie (both), Inspiration, The Kiss, Romance, Wild Orchids, A Woman of Affairs, The Mysterious Lady, Love, Flesh and the Devil, The Temptress and Torrent.

Does anyone see a pattern here?

He also shot a few other small titles - Greed, The Merry Widow, Foolish Wives and Blind Husbands.

My advice. Grab a copy!

Image – 3.5

Audio – 4

Pass / Fail – Pass

Plays nicely with projectors - Yes

Worth your attention - 10

Upgrade from DVD - Absolutely

Very Highly Recommended

RAH


Thank you for supporting HTF when you preorder using the link below. As an Amazon Associate, HTF earns from qualifying purchases. If you are using an adblocker you will not see link.

See on Amazon

 

[OliverK]

Land of The Pharaohs
Helen of Troy
Angel Face
Queen Christina

Warner Archive hitting it out of the park these days!

Speaking of Greta Garbo until now Ninotchka was my favorite Talkie with her but maybe watching Queen Christina for the first time in my life will change my mind.

 

[Robert Harris]

Land of The Pharaohs
Helen of Troy
Angel Face
Queen Christina

Warner Archive hitting it out of the park these days!

Speaking of Greta Garbo until now Ninotchka was my favorite Talkie with her but maybe watching Queen Christina for the first time in my life will change my mind.

Very different films.

 

[bujaki]

My first Garbo film, viewed in 1965. 35mm reissue print. Alas, projected in 1.85. What did I know at 15 years old? But I was in ecstasy. A mini festival followed by Karenina, Camille and Ninotchka. Bliss.

 

[Dick]

Ninotchka was my favorite Talkie with her but maybe watching Queen Christina for the first time in my life will change my mind.

It did mine.

 

[OliverK]

It did mine.

Would not mind of it was the same for me, it definitely comes with high praise.

 

[davidmatychuk]

I'm looking forward to this Blu-Ray. I have the Warner Garbo DVD box set, and watching "Queen Christina" for the first time back then I thought that John Gilbert was the revelation, not at all the uncomfortable silent movie star suggested by legend. And Garbo never had that kind of chemistry with anyone else, in my opinion.

 

[warnerbro]

It was better than I remembered. Now, Warner Archive, please give us ANNA CHRISTIE, mainly because I love Marie Dressler.

 

[Mark Mayes]

Anna Christie next, please! With a side of the German version with Salka Viertel.

I thought this Queen Christina looked great, but I've mostly ever only seen it on home video and TNT.

The only time I ever saw this (partly) projected was for the King of Sweden at The Academy on Wilshire, introduced by Ann-Margret. It was damned impressive, and the audience went wild over the abdication scene. You'd think that might unsettle the King...

 

[ahollis]

I’m gonna hold off watching the recently released Blu-Ray of Camille, until i have this in my hand and watch a double ‘Greta’ feature.

 

[Robin9]

I'm looking forward to this Blu-Ray. I have the Warner Garbo DVD box set, and watching "Queen Christina" for the first time back then I thought that John Gilbert was the revelation, not at all the uncomfortable silent movie star suggested by legend. And Garbo never had that kind of chemistry with anyone else, in my opinion.

Well said, sir! My reaction to John Gilbert's performance was exactly the same when I first saw this film several decades ago. I'd been led to believe that he had a thin, high-pitched voice and I was pleasantly surprised.

 

[roxy1927]

I'm glad you used the sign above the Time Square Astor theater. That must have been blinding at night. But was it a box office success.

 

[Colin Jacobson]

The PR company that now handles Warner Archives messed up.

Instead of new Blu-rays, they sent me old DVDs of this movie, "King Solomon's Mines", "Boy with Green Hair" and "Courtship of Eddie's Father".

And they actually sent me Season 3 of the "Courtship" TV show - I didn't even get the movie!

They'll correct it but I still wanted to vent!

 

[madfloyd]

I'm 61 and have obviously heard of Garbo but have yet to see any of her films. Maybe it's time.

 

[B-ROLL]

The PR company that now handles Warner Archives messed up.

Instead of new Blu-rays, they sent me old DVDs of this movie, "King Solomon's Mines", "Boy with Green Hair" and "Courtship of Eddie's Father".

And they actually sent me Season 3 of the "Courtship" TV show - I didn't even get the movie!

They'll correct it but I still wanted to vent!

I'm sorry to hear that - perhaps they hired the wrong temporary help ...

!

 

[Filmgazer]

I'm 61 and have obviously heard of Garbo but have yet to see any of her films. Maybe it's time.

"Camille" and "Queen Christina" would be a great place to start. Garbo is mesmerizing on screen.

 

[Colin Jacobson]

I'm sorry to hear that - perhaps they hired the wrong temporary help ...
View attachment 186962 !

My site's not top of the totem pole, so I still occasionally get sent DVDs when I request Blu-rays and they run out of the latter.

Initially I thought that happened here... but then I realized none of these titles were new releases on DVD and it made no sense that I got years-old product to review.

And as noted, I got Season 3 of "Courtship" and not even the movie!

 

[Colin Jacobson]

I'm sorry to hear that - perhaps they hired the wrong temporary help ...
View attachment 186962 !

My site's not top of the totem pole, so I still occasionally get sent DVDs when I request Blu-rays and they run out of the latter.

Initially I thought that happened here... but then I realized none of these titles were new releases on DVD and it made no sense that I got years-old product to review.

And as noted, I got Season 3 of "Courtship" and not even the movie!

 

[roxy1927]

Not to be rude but 61 is way past time. As a kid I was going to see her films in NY revival houses. Grand Hotel is one of my favorite films. And Crawford is not only damn pretty but gives a great performance.

 

[titch]

We loved it this evening! The quality was stunning, especially after seeing the 4K UHD of It Happened One Night, filmed by another major studio, the evening before. A tremendous achievement by Warner Archive.