And it shows.
Derived from the original negatives, Warner Archive has given us yet another meticulously prepared Blu-ray, appearing akin to a Technicolor dye transfer print – but with slightly increased resolution.
Produced in 1951, and premiering in the summer of 1952, with a wide release in early 1953, the new Blu-ray is never less than astounding.
Color, densities, resolution, grain structure, black levels are also beautifully rendered. And while heralding yet another perfect Technicolor-based release from Warner Archive may seem redundant, I heard royal trumpets blaring as this imagery hit my screen.
Directed by Richard Thorpe, with a score by Miklos Rozsa, the film offers a decent cast of M-G-M players – Robert Taylor, Elizabeth Taylor, Joan Fontaine, George Sanders, along with some British stalwarts (who never emigrated) – Emlyn Williams, Felix Aylmer, the great Finlay Currie, and Sebastian Cabot, who did make the voyage.
Another Technicolor necessity.
And another factoid re Mr. Young – he shot the first Cinemascope M-G-M UK production in 1953 – Knights of the Round Table.
Image – 5
Audio – 5
Pass / Fail – Pass
Upgrade from DVD – Yes
Highly Recommended
RAH
Robert has been known in the film industry for his unmatched skill and passion in film preservation. Growing up around photography, his first home theater experience began at age ten with 16mm. Years later he was running 35 and 70mm at home.
His restoration projects have breathed new life into classic films like Lawrence of Arabia, Vertigo, My Fair Lady, Spartacus, and The Godfather series. Beyond his restoration work, he has also shared his expertise through publications, contributing to the academic discourse on film restoration. The Academy Film Archive houses the Robert A. Harris Collection, a testament to his significant contributions to film preservation.
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