Blu-ray Review Song of Norway Blu-ray Review (1 Viewer)

[Robert Crawford]

Perhaps some people should just stop talking instead of trying to explain their questionable argument.

 

[Mark-P]

Yeah, I think the purpose of this thread was supposed to be to crap all over Song of Norway, not the careers of Blake Edwards and Julie Andrews, neither of whom were involved with this film in the slightest.

 

[DarkVader]

Yeah, I think the purpose of this thread was supposed to be to crap all over Song of Norway, not the careers of Blake Edwards and Julie Andrews, neither of whom were involved with this film in the slightest.

Well, in my defense as a kid, I always confused, Henderson, Andrews, and (Shirley) Jones...

 

[John Maher_289910]

Completely perplexed by all the talk of Blake Edwards on a SONG OF NORWAY thread. Oh, and Julie, too.

 

[uncledougie]

I get how discussions about one thing can lead to a mention of something at least initially tangentially related, and then somehow that takes over, especially if posters start attacking or defending films, stars or directors. I tend not to understand the vehement negativity, and even films which I truly find distasteful would rarely if ever induce the virulence invoked from some.
I saw Song of Norway during its roadshow release, and I cannot recall anyone thinking much positive about it besides the scenery and music. My other half bailed about 30 minutes in with the really nice Blu-ray release, and it hadn’t improved with age. But I can’t say I didn’t find elements to enjoy, and I’m grateful Kino Lorber saw fit to release it, to my astonishment. And as for the multi talented Julie Andrews, who had far more and better opportunities in theatrical films than the lovely Florence Henderson, she embodies Class with a capital C and can withstand broadsides of negative comment with barely a ripple noticed.
We maybe need a little more Ted Lasso and a little less Roy Kent.

 

[RolandL]

As I mentioned in previous posts, played for 60 weeks at the London Casino Cinerama theatre. Longer than any of the other 70mm Cinerama titles at the theatre. Also played for 40 weeks at the LA Cinerama Dome. I didn't think the Blu-ray would sell out.

 

[John Maher_289910]

I get how discussions about one thing can lead to a mention of something at least initially tangentially related, and then somehow that takes over, especially if posters start attacking or defending films, stars or directors. I tend not to understand the vehement negativity, and even films which I truly find distasteful would rarely if ever induce the virulence invoked from some.
I saw Song of Norway during its roadshow release, and I cannot recall anyone thinking much positive about it besides the scenery and music. My other half bailed about 30 minutes in with the really nice Blu-ray release, and it hadn’t improved with age. But I can’t say I didn’t find elements to enjoy, and I’m grateful Kino Lorber saw fit to release it, to my astonishment. And as for the multi talented Julie Andrews, who had far more and better opportunities in theatrical films than the lovely Florence Henderson, she embodies Class with a capital C and can withstand broadsides of negative comment with barely a ripple noticed.
We maybe need a little more Ted Lasso and a little less Roy Kent.

Yes, I understand how we go from one thing to another, and defend it. That's what a conversation does, but this one went way off the rails. I too saw the roadshow of SONG OF NORWAY, and was blown away by its visuals and music. That's what it had going for it. As for Julie, by the age of 30, she had appeared in the most-watch television program in history, was a star in the biggest musical in Broadway history (including the biggest selling LP in recording history) and the biggest money-makers for Disney, 20th Century-Fox, Universal and United Artists.

 

[DarkVader]

I have not seen SONG OF NORWAY - - - something about this film does not appeal to me, and I generally like musicals.

 

[uncledougie]

I have not seen SONG OF NORWAY - - - something about this film does not appeal to me, and I generally like musicals.

I like musicals, too, and this one is beautiful to the eye, the music is Grieg’s own with lyrics created (not sure how faithful the song score is to the original stage version), and the cast I would call pleasant. It’s the stilted direction by Andrew L. Stone and the inept editing of his wife Virginia L. Stone that cripple the production, along with a mundane screenplay that is unable to generate much sympathy for the characters’ personal problems, and the chaste, G-rated version of Grieg’s infidelity is tedious. On the 70mm giant screen with enveloping surround, one could focus on the scenery and melodies as compensation. The Blu-ray is quite nicely rendered, and Kino took a chance on a critically panned film because in a perfect world, all films deserve a quality release. I guess it’s sold out, so they weren’t wrong in any regard to do it.

 

[TJPC]

Please don't throw things @ me, but my reaction to "The Wonderful World of The Brothers's Grimm" had a lot in common with your reaction to SON. The only plus in Grimm is the fact that I enjoy watching how the technitions were able to sew the three panels together. It also had:
--stilted lyrics and editing
-- mundane screenplay
-- chaste tedious screenplay

After so much activity about Grimm on this website, I was really surprised by the film when I actually saw. What was all the fuss about a film that seemed to be aimed at my grandmother??

 

[uncledougie]

Please don't throw things @ me, but my reaction to "The Wonderful World of The Brothers's Grimm" had a lot in common with your reaction to SON. The only plus in Grimm is the fact that I enjoy watching how the technitions were able to sew the three panels together. It also had:
--stilted lyrics and editing
-- mundane screenplay
-- chaste tedious screenplay

After so much activity about Grimm on this website, I was really surprised by the film when I actually saw. What was all the fuss about a film that seemed to be aimed at my grandmother??

I reluctantly agree that I’d have enjoyed Brothers Grimm more as a 10 year old when released than I did when I at long last watched it on TCM, which showed a rather poor worn out print a year or so prior to the announcement of the new restoration. I’m not sure how I missed it, since my parents and paternal grandparents were regularly getting me to many, if not most, of the roadshow attractions 20 miles up the road in Dallas from the mid 50s onward. In any case, I didn’t get around to seeing it theatrically. But even though I was disappointed when now in my late 60s I did see it, I’ve been a big fan of the Cinerama restorations released through Flicker Alley, plus the Cinemiracle production Windjammer, which I did see theatrically and had fond memories of. I realize a lot of people find that pseudo documentary tedious nowadays (though I didn’t possibly due to prejudicial fond memories) but like the Brothers Grimm, David Strohmeier and company performed a near miraculous restoration of severely compromised elements, and the results were marvelous. (Note: they did a follow up further restoration of Windjammer which I also acquired but haven’t shown the nephews yet; my other half who’s 6 years my junior finds the travelogue Cinerama films boring but stuck with them, unlike Song of Norway, where he gave up after about half an hour.)
The Brothers Grimm film has many who remember it fondly from its day, and while I didn’t recall much positive from Song of Norway’s initial theatrical release besides the beautiful scenery, 70mm picture and surround sound of the gorgeous Grieg music, I certainly wanted to buy the disc when it was first released if for nothing else than to support the effort to restore all the possible roadshow films that are languishing out there crying for a release like El Cid and Fall of the Roman Empire, to name just two long awaited Blu-rays. Long story I know to put in context my agreement with your impression, but since I guess Song of Norway is sold out from Kino Lorber, they guessed right that there would be at least a limited audience for the film beyond bootlegs circulating online, and I appreciate their efforts to release the more obscure titles even when I can’t bring myself to buy them all.

 

[John Skoda]

SONG OF NORWAY really depends on the quality of the presentation, doesn't it? With good visuals and hi-fi music, you can make it through. But can you imagine trying to watch it on TV (before HDTV) in pan and scan mono? Why would you bother? Without a quality presentation, there's very little there.

In contrast, there's THE LAST VALLEY. Kino released a barely OK transfer of that (best elements available apparently). Having been filmed in Todd-AO, it's a mere shadow of how good it should look and sound. But in that case, there's enough of a good movie in there to make it bearable.

 

[OliverK]

SONG OF NORWAY really depends on the quality of the presentation, doesn't it? With good visuals and hi-fi music, you can make it through. But can you imagine trying to watch it on TV (before HDTV) in pan and scan mono? Why would you bother? Without a quality presentation, there's very little there.

In contrast, there's THE LAST VALLEY. Kino released a barely OK transfer of that (best elements available apparently). Having been filmed in Todd-AO, it's a mere shadow of how good it should look and sound. But in that case, there's enough of a good movie in there to make it bearable.

THE LAST VALLEY is the superior movie but transfer-wise it got the short end of the stick - like many others unfortunately.

 

[uncledougie]

I have The Last Valley Blu-ray but have not watched it yet, knowing the limitations of the print used may not be vastly superior to the DVD, which I also have and did watch some years back. I never saw it theatrically. I agree it’s a better film, and lament a better restoration like that given Song of Norway couldn’t have been offered. Haphazard luck it seems plays into what we are offered from the various releasing companies.

 

[John Maher_289910]

I have not seen SONG OF NORWAY - - - something about this film does not appeal to me, and I generally like musicals.

It's awful, on every level of what a movie musical should be. As I, and others have previously stated, it looked magnificent in theaters, and looks pretty great on Blu-ray. What's, mostly, wrong with it, is it has zero musical structure. The songs are generally just people bursting into song. They are not performing in ashow, or nightclub, nor are their songs continuing the dialog that precedes them. Just people prancing about and singing. People who hate legitimate musicals would despise it, and people who love standard book musicals (songs are plot-related), would just be confused. I'm still confused by it. Happy to have it on Blu. Now where's the equally confusing THE GREAT WALTZ?

 

[RichMurphy]

... Now where's the equally confusing THE GREAT WALTZ?

Yes yes! Although shot in 35mm, this followup to NORWAY was just as visually gorgeous. It put an end to Andrew L. Stone's directing career, and is even goofier than NORWAY. At least it has the charming Mary Costa, who signed my DVD of Disney's SLEEPING BEAUTY (she voiced Princess Aurora).

 

[RolandL]

Yes yes! Although shot in 35mm, this followup to NORWAY was just as visually gorgeous. It put an end to Andrew L. Stone's directing career, and is even goofier than NORWAY. At least it has the charming Mary Costa, who signed my DVD of Disney's SLEEPING BEAUTY (she voiced Princess Aurora).

 

[Douglas R]

I saw The Great Waltz at the London Casino but can remember absolutely nothing about it other than that during the intermission I was wishing Part 2 to hurry up and start so that the torture would soon be over!

 

[OliverK]

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Looks like it was rated a bit more highly overall than Song of Norway which is also reflected in the imdb ratings.

I will still stay far away but probably worth a look for people who managed to sit through Song of Norway without wishing they would get those hours of their lives back.

 

[TJPC]

You realize here that more people have now commented on "Song of Norway"'here then saw it in its theatrical run!