Alice in Wonderland Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of the 1933 version of Alice in Wonderland by Kino Lorber Studio Classics offers an appreciable 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition presentation, maintaining the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.37:1. The transfer presents a film-like grain structure, ensuring a sharp and detailed image. However, it's worth noting the presence of minor imperfections, such as occasional thin white and black scratches running through the center of the screen. While these elements can be irritating, they do not significantly detract from the overall viewing experience. The grayscale performance is commendable, with rich whites and deep blacks contributing to the film's atmospheric quality.

Despite some minor concerns, the overall print quality is quite impressive, with the scan largely clear and effective in enhancing the viewing experience compared to previous versions. Occasional telecine wobble is present but not overly distracting. While black levels lean towards a grayish tone rather than achieving inky depths, this does not detract significantly from the visual engagement. The film is divided into 10 chapters, allowing for convenient navigation and scene selection. Although a 4K restoration would elevate this classic further, the current transfer stands as a significant and worthwhile improvement for both new viewers and longtime fans.

The Kino Lorber Blu-ray release of "Alice in Wonderland" showcases a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono sound mix, which provides a solid auditory experience given the age of the source materials. Throughout the feature, dialogue remains crisp, clear, and easy to understand, enhancing the viewer's immersion in the narrative. The sound design expertly melds dialogue with whimsical songs and Dimitri Tiomkin’s background score, ensuring that each element is well-balanced and professionally executed. Critically, the track occasionally sounds a bit thin, but this minor shortcoming does not significantly detract from the overall quality.

In technical terms, this mono track fares commendably, delivering clean and clear audio while managing to sidestep typical age-related anomalies such as hiss, crackle, flutter, and pops. Despite not being a sonic powerhouse, the clean presentation is free from distortion or dropouts, ensuring a consistent listening experience. While sound effects possess minimal impact, the dialogue exchanges are discernible and the score maintains decent push throughout the film. Optional English subtitles are provided for an additional layer of accessibility. This audio track exemplifies an effective preservation effort that aligns well with the film’s period-specific charm.

The Blu Ray extras for "Alice in Wonderland" offer a comprehensive and enriching addition to the overall experience. Film historian Lee Gambin provides an extensive audio commentary that meticulously examines the film's actors, its thematic intricacies, and the various adaptations throughout history. Gambin's commentary spans the entire 76 minutes, furnishing viewers with a thorough understanding of both on-screen and behind-the-scenes elements, although it does fall short in discussing Edna May Oliver's contributions. Additionally, the disc features the theatrical trailer and a collection of promotional trailers for other Kino Lorber releases. The German Koch Media release boasts more extensive extras, including the 1915 version of the film and a still gallery, which are not present here.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary featuring Film Historian Lee Gambin: Offers detailed analysis of the film, its cast, and various adaptations.
• Alice in Wonderland Theatrical Trailer: Original theatrical trailer.
• Kino Trailers: Promotional trailers for "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer", "Jack the Giant Killer", and "The Magic Sword".

The 1933 adaptation of "Alice in Wonderland," directed by Norman Z. McLeod, is a visually arresting, if sometimes flawed, foray into Lewis Carroll's beloved world. This film stands out chiefly for its exceptional art direction by William Cameron Menzies and the exquisite make-up effects crafted by Wally Westmore and Newt Jones. The production team's commitment to capturing the essence of Carroll's surreal universe is unwavering, with elaborate pantomime costumes and masks designed to mimic Tenniel's illustrations bringing an almost uncanny authenticity to the screen. The ambitious cinematography by Bert Glennon and Henry Sharp further enhances the film’s visual texture, rendering the dreamlike sequences with remarkable creativity for the era.

Despite its visual strengths, the film struggles to maintain a cohesive narrative. The screenplay, penned by Joseph L. Mankiewicz and William Cameron Menzies, attempts to weave together famous episodes from Carroll’s twin volumes, "Alice in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass." However, the episodic nature of the storyline leads to a series of engaging yet disjointed vignettes that lack a strong narrative throughline. As compelling as Charlotte Henry is as Alice—an ideal combination of politeness and curiosity—her journey often feels fragmented. Furthermore, while major stars such as Cary Grant as the Mock Turtle and W.C. Fields as Humpty Dumpty deliver memorable performances, many other characters, including Richard Arlen's Cheshire Cat and May Robson's Queen of Hearts, are left with limited opportunities to shine. The extraordinary cast, though remarkable, sometimes fails to connect their disparate scenes into a cohesive whole, echoing a common challenge faced by adaptations of Carroll's labyrinthine tales.

Integral to this film’s enchantment is Dimitri Tiomkin’s original music score, which elevates the whimsical yet chaotic atmosphere. Tiomkin’s compositions are both haunting and uplifting, perfectly accentuating the film's many eccentric scenes. Paired with McLeod’s production design elements introduced in the parlor sequence—a brilliant piece of foreshadowing—the score offers an auditory journey through Wonderland that almost compensates for the episodic structure. Nevertheless, while this adaptation may not reach the storytelling coherence of Disney’s later animated version, it remains a fascinating exploration of Carroll's enigma, recommended for any aficionado of early cinematic fantasy.

Norman Z. McLeod’s "Alice in Wonderland" from 1933 stands as one of the most imaginative adaptations of Lewis Carroll's classic children's tale. Characterized by its host of famous character actors and relatively brief 76-minute run time, this version remains a captivating and vivid journey into fantasy filmmaking that pre-dated landmark efforts like "The Wizard of Oz". While the narrative treatment might appear somewhat superficial for modern audiences, the underlying creativity and rewatchability render this an enjoyable, albeit slightly dissatisfying experience.

Kino Lorber’s Blu-ray release of this historical oddity does justice to its unique charm, though it leaves room for improvement. The video-audio presentation remains solid, delivering crisp visuals and clear audio that enhance the viewing experience. However, it's worth noting that this version could benefit from a fresh restoration to address some of the film’s aged elements. Despite this, the effort put into this Blu-ray edition is commendable and ensures that the film continues to reach new audiences.

In conclusion, one of the most imaginative versions of the classic children's tale, Alice in Wonderland received a top-notch creative effort in this 1933 production. While modern viewers may be more familiar with either the Disney animated version or the Tim Burton-directed 3D feature, this early success has withstood the test of time. The Blu-ray features a solid video-audio presentation and is worth a look. Recommended.