The Mortal Storm Blu-ray Review

4.5 Stars First-rate presentation of the anti-Nazi drama

Unsubtle but never insincere, MGM’s prestige production of The Mortal Storm is given a fine Blu-ray presentation by Warner Archive.

The Mortal Storm (1940)
Released: 14 Jun 1940
Rated: Passed
Runtime: 100 min
Director: Frank Borzage
Genre: Drama
Cast: Margaret Sullavan, James Stewart, Robert Young, Frank Morgan
Writer(s): Claudine West (screen play), Hans Rameau (screen play), George Froeschel (screen play), Phyllis Bottome (based on the book by)
Plot: The Roth family leads a quiet life in a small village in the German Alps during the early 1930s. When the Nazis come to power, the family is divided and Martin Breitner, a family friend, is caught up in the turmoil.
IMDB rating: 7.8
MetaScore: N/A

Disc Information
Studio: MGM
Distributed By: Warner Archive
Video Resolution: 1080P/AVC
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1
Audio: English 2.0 DTS-HDMA
Subtitles: English SDH
Rating: Not Rated
Run Time: 1 Hr. 40 Min.
Package Includes: Blu-ray
Case Type: Keep Case
Disc Type: BD50 (dual layer)
Region: All
Release Date: 11/03/2020
MSRP: $21.99

The Production: 4/5

Frank Borzage’s 1940 production of The Mortal Storm begins with a literal storm, lightning piercing clouds as an ominous narration immediately locks in a tone of overcast gloom that sets the stage well before the story comes into focus.  The year is 1933 and the setting is a small (implicitly German) town, where a blended family is introduced, led by Professor Viktor Roth (Frank Morgan), stepfather to two sons and father to a daughter, Freya (Margaret Sullavan) and all-around pillar of the community.  All seems well until seventeen minutes into the picture, when the maid interrupts a family dinner to declare, “Wonderful news! They just made Adolf Hitler the Chancellor of Germany.”

As the film progresses, Professor Roth’s two stepsons join the Nazi party, as does Freya’s fiancé (Robert Young), causing Freya to turn to a childhood friend, Martin (James Stewart), who does not share in those Nazi leanings.  Friends and family turn to fascism on the promise of strength and prosperity, and those who participate bully those who don’t into submission, leaving those who resist on the losing end of a culture war that seeks to discredit their ideals.  Finally, they turn on science, for its truths remain the last voice of dissent.  Roth, a “non-Aryan” (the closest the film comes to identifying the Jewish people by name), is sent to the concentration camps for refusing to reject science for nationalism.  With his stepsons already committed to the Nazi cause, Roth’s daughter Freya is left with little option but to flee to Austria, helped by Martin, who has long held feelings for her.

If this seems heavy handed, it’s a heavy time, and The Mortal Storm comfortably fits into the mold of The Important Film, the message picture.  Released in 1940, the United States had not yet entered into the war, but many in Hollywood felt it a moral imperative that the country do so.  At the same time, the European market was vital to the bottom line and there was concern about losing access to that audience, which left studios caution about addressing the situation too directly.  Using Phyllis Bottome’s acclaimed novel as a source, MGM wound up producing one of the most overtly critical anti-Nazi films to date at that time, while still making effort not to offend by avoiding the word “Germany.”  For all of the studio’s deft footwork in that dance, the film so infuriated the Nazi government that it and all future MGM productions were banned. 

While the film received a number of positive notices from critics, audiences were more indifferent. Of the small number of American films released prior to the country’s entry into World War II, The Great Dictator was the biggest commercial success and best remembered today.  It’s hard to say if audiences and history were underwhelmed by Mortal Storm’s appearance of pulling its punches by mentioning Nazis but not naming Germany nor Jews, or if the film’s depiction of Austria as a safe haven felt dated to an audience that knew that was no longer the case, or if it was something else entirely.  Perhaps Chaplin’s satire was a more effective call to action than Borzage’s sincerity.  Maybe The Mortal Storm is preaching to the choir.  Regardless, as one of the few films willing to tackle the subject matter at the time, it merits a look today for an understanding of how these events were portrayed contemporaneously.

Though more of an ensemble picture, Sullavan is the clear lead, with Stewart appearing in a much smaller role than his prior teaming with Sullavan might suggest.  Though the two have shown great chemistry in previous collaborations, this final pairing keeps them apart for most of the film’s running time; it is that familiarity and shorthand that helps to sell the relationship.  While Sullavan excels at portraying Freya’s awakening to the harsh new world unfolding around her, Stewart’s role is less showy.  He’s not quite right for the part, but he’s not wrong either.  (The biographer Scott Eyman wrote that MGM didn’t quite know what to do with Stewart during his contract years, but loaned him out to studios and directors who did, and then would try to replicate what worked when he returned to his home studio.)

Video: 4.5/5

3D Rating: NA

Described as a “new 2020 1080p HD master from 4K scan of best surviving elements,” the presentation reflects the high quality that the Warner Archive Blu-ray line has become known for.  The image is perfectly clear and stable, with a beautiful greyscale.  Debris and other age-related damage is nonexistent.  On occasion, sharpness can be slightly inconsistent, but it’s such a minimal concern that was only evident upon closer examination in projection.  Make no mistake, this is a welcome and significant upgrade over the previous MOD DVD-R edition.  (While the video quality is just shy of a perfect 5, I would give this 4.75 if the template allowed for it.)

Audio: 4/5

The monaural mix, presented in the DTS-HD MA lossless format, is very clear, with only the faintest hints of hiss occurring for just the briefest of moments, mostly towards the beginning of the film.  There are no obvious signs of wear or aging.  Though the audio seems slightly thin in comparison to more modern recordings, dialogue is clear and easily discernible, and the quality is consistent throughout.  Optional English SDH subtitles are included.  (While the audio quality is slightly below that of the video, I would give it a 4.25 if the template allowed it.)

Special Features: 2.5/5

Trailer (2:46) – Presented in standard definition, the trailer places the film in the context of previous MGM literary adaptations, and is in reasonably good condition.

Peace On Earth (8:49) – The classic Technicolor cartoon short has been upgraded to HD for this release, with a lossless DTS-HD MA mono track.

Meet The Fleet (20:20) – This Warner/Vitaphone Technicolor fictional short about a day in the life in the U.S. Navy has also been upgraded to an HD presentation with lossless DTS-HD MA audio.  Look out for a young George Reeves in a supporting role.

Overall: 4.5/5

Warner Archive’s Blu-ray of The Mortal Storm is a noteworthy upgrade over the previous MOD DVD edition, with a first rate technical presentation.  Though the film was more of a critical than commercial success that has been overshadowed in film history by a certain satire released in the same year, the sincere performances from a noteworthy ensemble cast merit consideration today.

B08KQVDP9H

Josh’s fate as a physical media enthusiast was probably sealed the moment he figured out how to operate a top-loading VCR before he even knew how to walk. Since graduating with a degree in film production, he has enjoyed a career focused on the archival and distribution side of film and television. These days, Josh thinks of himself as a proud father of twins first. He would like to thank his wife for her unwavering support, and for every typo she’s ever caught.

Post Disclaimer

Some of our content may contain marketing links, which means we will receive a commission for purchases made via those links. In our editorial content, these affiliate links appear automatically, and our editorial teams are not influenced by our affiliate partnerships. We work with several providers (currently Skimlinks and Amazon) to manage our affiliate relationships. You can find out more about their services by visiting their sites.

Share this post:

Robert Crawford

Crawdaddy
Moderator
Patron
Senior HTF Member
Joined
Dec 9, 1998
Messages
72,739
Location
Michigan
Real Name
Robert
So happy to read your fine review and hope others report their thoughts about the video presentation too because one HTF member lambasted the video on this BD release. I'm hoping to have my BD in the near future so I can join others in sharing my video presentation opinion.
 

TheSteig

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Jan 11, 2011
Messages
2,245
Real Name
David
I have it also and am quite pleased ! The one user also lambasted Libeled Lady which doesnt hit the market for two weeks ! Something fishy about that one user IMHO
 

Josh Steinberg

Premium
Reviewer
Senior HTF Member
Joined
Jun 10, 2003
Messages
27,710
Real Name
Josh Steinberg
So happy to read your fine review and hope others report their thoughts about the video presentation too because one HTF member lambasted the video on this BD release. I'm hoping to have my BD in the near future so I can join others in sharing my video presentation opinion.

Thanks Robert!

I think if you know what to look for, you can tell it’s not from the original negative (which apparently no longer survives) but it still looks and sounds quite good. I don’t think there’s anything about it that seems out of place compared to other Blu-rays from WA.