The Prince and the Showgirl Blu-ray Review

Sourced from a new 4K scan of the original camera negative, "The Prince and the Showgirl" on Warner Archive's Blu-ray is an absolute marvel in video presentation. This restoration expertly showcases the film's colorful costume designs and regal settings with stunning clarity and vibrancy. Warner Archive's meticulous approach maintains the natural film grain, giving the movie a refreshingly authentic look, devoid of unsightly artifacts such as banding or macro-blocking. The transfer is an expertly encoded 1080p/AVC MPEG-4, faithfully rendering every detail with remarkable precision. This display of restoration excellence indeed fortifies Warner Archive's reputation for producing premier home video releases.

The Blu-ray's presentation excels in its color fidelity, a crucial component given cinematographer Jack Cardiff's renowned Technicolor prowess. The hues are perfectly timed and balanced, allowing primaries to pop against cool pastels that gracefully fill the frame. The blacks are rich and inky, providing a fine contrast to Monroe's white embroidered gown, which is crisply rendered without bloom or detail loss. Flesh tones remain natural, imbuing scenes with a peaches-and-cream quality. The clarity and contrast capture exquisite details of the ornate sets and costumes while maintaining depth and preserving shadow detail to avoid crush.

Presenting the film for the first time in its original widescreen 1.85:1 aspect ratio, this Blu-ray offers a pristine viewing experience free from nicks, marks, or digital anomalies. The controlled presence of film grain ensures a celluloid feel, while sharpness is commendable throughout, even accommodating the softer focus of Monroe’s glamour shots. This superior transfer will no doubt thrill fans and appreciators of classic film restoration alike, marking a significant upgrade from previous releases and affirming Warner Archive's dedication to preserving cinematic history.

The audio presentation of "The Prince and the Showgirl" on Blu Ray is anchored by a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono track that remains true to the film's original one-channel roots. This track is presented as a split mono mix, expertly preserving the sonic integrity expected from Warner Archive restorations. Dialogue generally maintains clarity and is well balanced with Richard Addinsell's score and background effects, despite occasional challenges due to Laurence Olivier's pronounced European accent. The mix achieves a respectable amount of weight without added sweetening, reflecting the fine condition of the original optical source material.

The soundtrack is marked by excellent fidelity with a wide dynamic range, allowing Addinsell's music to resonate throughout the listening space effectively. Monroe's soprano vocals on "I Found a Dream" notably benefit from this dynamic scale, delivered without distortion even at varying volume levels. There is no presence of age-related audio issues such as drop-outs, pops, or hisses, and the track maintains an undistorted clarity that heightens the viewing experience.

Optional English (SDH) subtitles are properly formatted and free from sync issues, assisting viewers in moments where dialogue might be less accessible due to accent or mix levels. Overall, the audio presentation offers a purist-friendly restoration that prioritizes authentic sound reproduction.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Prince and the Showgirl" are notably sparse, with a singular focus on the film's original theatrical trailer, which runs slightly over two minutes. This trailer emphasizes Laurence Olivier's outstanding performance and Marilyn Monroe's joyful role, likely designed to capture the star allure that initially drew audiences. Despite the film’s historical significance and the notable star power involved, fans and collectors might find the lack of additional content underwhelming. The packaging features an aesthetically pleasing yet somewhat misleading poster-themed cover, which might suggest a more robust offering than is present. For those interested in classic cinema advertising, the included trailer provides a glimpse into promotional strategies of the era but falls short of offering deeper insights or behind-the-scenes content that enthusiasts typically seek.

Extras included in this disc:

• Theatrical Trailer: The original promotional trailer highlighting the performances of Laurence Olivier and Marilyn Monroe.

"The Prince and the Showgirl" showcases a curious mix of star power with Marilyn Monroe and Laurence Olivier spearheading the film, emanating from the adaptation of Terence Rattigan's stage play "The Sleeping Prince." The narrative unfolds in pre-World War I London with an unremarkable romantic plot and slow pacing that struggles to truly capture our attention. The film is notable for the charming interactions between its lead characters, yet it often feels like an understated dance of mismatched personalities exacerbated by lackluster chemistry. Despite this, Monroe shines with her effortless, nuanced performance that brings warmth and humor to the screen, providing the film's most significant appeal.

On-screen chemistry might lack heat, but it's the off-screen drama that perhaps captivates more, famously leading to the later film "My Week with Marilyn." Olivier's direction feels constrained by a theatrical rigidity, often focusing too much on lengthy scenes, like the coronation sequence, which drag and detract from potential comedic elements. Visually, however, the production design and costume work are outstanding, rightly captured by Jack Cardiff’s lush cinematography, making it an excellently restored piece on Blu-ray.

The performance dynamics are further colored by supporting roles that bring a breath of life to the somewhat floundering storyline. Monroe delivers an authentic portrayal that earned her accolades, contrasting with Olivier's more restrained performance. Although their onscreen match isn’t convincingly romantic, a playful rapport keeps the narrative afloat. In sum, while "The Prince and the Showgirl" serves as a vehicle for Monroe’s charismatic flair, it remains a lightweight period piece buoyed as much by historical reflection as by its leading lady’s radiant presence.

Laurence Olivier's The Prince and the Showgirl is a romantic comedy that shines due to the international appeal and star power of its leads, despite being intermittently engaging. Though not considered one of Marilyn Monroe’s finest films, it showcases one of her standout performances, making it an essential view for fans. This Blu-ray release from Warner Archive benefits from a stunning restoration, with a new HD master sourced from a 4K scan of the original camera negative. The fidelity in the visual presentation enhances its aesthetic charms, capturing the whimsical essence of the film. With solid audio quality and the inclusion of the original theatrical trailer, the package is attractively presented.

However, while technically robust, the Blu-ray lacks in additional bonus features that are often expected by collectors or aficionados. This omission might affect its appeal to those looking for comprehensive or enriched content beyond the film itself. The narrative is critiqued for being drawn out and occasionally lacking in charm, yet it effectively highlights Monroe in her best light, particularly significant as it was the first project under her own production company.

In conclusion, The Prince and the Showgirl on Blu-ray is recommended for those interested in classic cinema, or devoted followers of Olivier and Monroe. While the release might not be a blind buy for everyone due to limited extras and an uneven narrative, it serves as a definitive version for enthusiasts and remains a valuable addition to any collection focused on Monroe’s illustrious career.