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Victor/Victoria
Studio: MGM (Released thru Warner Brothers)
Year: 1982
Rated: PG
Film Length: 135 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 16X9 Enhanced Widescreen (2.35:1)
Le Jazz Hot
You guys are in for a real treat!
It certainly took long enough for Warner Home
Video to release Victor/Victoria, but the
wait is totally justified as you will learn through
this review.
From Director Blake Edwards of Pink Panther fame,
Victor/Victoria is a rollicking satire of
the times and issues in Paris during the Thirties.
It's the story of Victoria (Julie Andrews), who is
A starving singer in depression-era Paris who is
convinced by an equally hapless Caroll Todd
(Robert Preston) that she would gain success on
the transvestite circuit by passing herself off
as a man.
With her hair cut short, donning men's clothing,
Victoria becomes Victor, promoted as being one of
the greatest male Impersonators in all of Europe.
The act catches the attention of Chicago nightclub
owner King Marchand (James Garner), who suspects
that perhaps "he" is actually a "she".
Victor/Victoria became one of the highest-
grossing films of 1982. It's a crowning achievement
of Blake Edwards, full of witty dialogue and
show-stopping musical numbers featuring the legendary
Julie Andrews.
How is the transfer?
Sometimes waiting pays off. Warner Brothers has
produced an astounding transfer that is a feast
for the eyes. The print is remarkably clean, with
no noticeable blemish. Even the opening credits
are blemish-free. The picture looks virtually
perfect with no noticeable grain or video noise.
The colors are immensely balanced, with flesh tones
looking dead-on accurate. Even the nightclub
scenes filled with reds, never come off as being
oversaturated, nor do they give off any picture
noise that is usually associated with those colors.
I can't say enough about how good -- no, great --
this transfer looks. It ranks up there with the
best catalog transfers available.
The newly remastered 5.1 Digital Audio is a bit
of a letdown. Don't get me wrong -- the audio
is robust and punchy across the front channels.
The problem is with the rears that seem to have
surround information being sent to them, but can
hardly be heard above the front channels. The
only time I really heard the surrounds kick in
at an audible level was during a train station
scene about 1 hour into the movie. After that,
there was one other scene with a private detective
getting caught in a rainstorm where surrounding
thunder could be heard. Simple effect noises that
would give ambiance to a rain storm, for instance,
was either never added or just not recorded at a
level loud enough to be heard.
Special Features
The DVD features a feature-length audio commentary
by Julie Andrews and Blake Edwards.
The original theatrical trailer is also
included as well as Cast and Crew Filmographies
and a list of Awards the film has won.
Final Thoughts
You just can't go wrong with this DVD for both
its entertainment value and quality transfer.
It's also an opportunity to see Robert Preston
in full form in one of his final musical
performances.
Release Date: June 4, 2002
