The Blue Angel Blu-ray Review

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "The Blue Angel" offers a meticulously crafted video presentation that captures the film's original 1.19:1 aspect ratio using an AVC MPEG4 transfer, ensuring that the 1930 classic is displayed in the best possible light. Despite being locked to Region B, the disc showcases an impressive restoration effort that brings out a remarkable level of detail in the image. The restoration, executed with a 1080p output, enhances textures visible in skin tones, the watery appearance of eyes, and the intricate weaves of costumes. This effort extends to the backgrounds where posters and set details are easily discernible, adding depth of field through careful composition. Additionally, brightness and contrast adjustments enhance the grayscale, avoiding any significant loss in image quality. While there are inevitable age-related issues like tramlines, specks, and spots due to negative damage, the overall clarity and definition of the print stand out, making this a visually appealing experience for viewers.

Comparatively, the German-language version emerges as superior in terms of picture quality, benefiting from a balanced and natural grain structure without succumbing to digital noise reduction or edge enhancement issues. Despite not receiving the frame-by-frame restoration seen in other classics like Fritz Lang's "Metropolis," this version still impresses with fewer white specks and scratches. Its contrast levels beautifully preserve shadow details and highlights without any crushing, offering a picture that is both consistent and pleasing to the eye. The English-language variant, despite its lesser consistency and more pronounced print defects such as nicks and scratches, presents its own merits with instances of better brightness and slight increases in clarity. However, it still falls short of the German version's overall meticulous restoration.

The achievement of balancing the inherent challenges posed by the film's age with contemporary restoration technologies marks both versions of "The Blue Angel" as commendable. The German cut, in particular, showcases a significantly better transfer, characterized by strong black levels, excellent contrast, and an engaged grayscale that commands viewer attention. On the other hand, the English version, marred by more extensive damage and inconsistency in grain and light levels, offers an interesting juxtaposition but does not quite reach the heights of its counterpart. In summary, while both versions exhibit varying degrees of restoration success, they collectively contribute to a rich visual experience that honours the film's legacy and impresses with its attention to detail and preservation efforts.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "The Blue Angel" presents an interesting auditory experience through its German LPCM stereo (effectively mono) and English Linear PCM 2.0 mono tracks. Given the film's age—over eight decades—listeners should temper expectations regarding sound quality. Both language tracks exhibit inherent limitations, including a noticeable background hiss, occasional pops, and a general lack of bass, which lends a somewhat shrill tone to the audio. Nonetheless, the dialogue is surprisingly clear and intelligible, although it might carry a slight tinny quality due to the era's sound recording technologies. The musical numbers, particularly those performed by Marlene Dietrich, stand out, displaying a robustness and clarity that contrast with the otherwise muted dynamic range of the tracks.

Despite efforts to clean up these historic tracks, some challenges remain. The German version suffers from more pronounced background noise, affecting the overall listening experience at reference volumes. Conversely, the English track, while quieter and more comfortable to listen to at higher volumes, encounters synchronization issues that distract from the immersive experience. Moreover, the absence of subtitles for the English version may hinder comprehension for some viewers, considering the thick accents of certain actors. These audio artifacts—ranging from hiss and crackles to sync problems—underscore the technical limitations of the period's recording equipment rather than transfer mishaps.

The audio presentation notably attempts to engage with sound design in a rudimentary yet charming manner, particularly in scenes that play with the juxtaposition of noise levels inside and outside Dietrich's dressing room—emphasizing the nascent stages of live sound engineering in cinema. Despite its shortcomings, the overall audio transfer of "The Blue Angel" demonstrates a commendable effort to preserve and present the film's soundtrack with respect to its historical context. The inclusion of clear subtitles on the German track aids in accessibility, ensuring that audiences can appreciate the film's dialogues alongside its iconic musical performances.

The extra features of the 4K UHD Blu-ray edition of "The Blue Angel" provide a comprehensive enhancement to the main feature, catering especially to aficionados of Marlene Dietrich and classic cinema. Noteworthy is the inclusion of Tony Rayns' audio commentary, which offers an exhaustive analysis of the film's imagery, themes, and production details. While the loss of Werner Sudendorf's commentary is unfortunate, the edition compensates with a variety of other materials, including Dietrich's captivating screen tests, vintage interview segments that shed light on her departure to Hollywood, and rare concert footage enhancing her legendary status. A scene comparison highlights subtle differences between the German and English versions, enriching viewers' understanding of the film's dual versions. Additionally, the image gallery and trailers provide a visual feast that complements the main feature well, making this edition a must-have for collectors and enthusiasts of early cinematic masterpieces.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: With Tony Rayns, providing detailed analysis of the film and its production.
• "Who am I" Video Essay: By Tag Gallagher, examining von Sternberg and "The Blue Angel."
• 1929 Screen Test: Features Marlene Dietrich's screen test.
• 1971 Interview Clip: A brief interview with Dietrich discussing her career.
• Dietrich in Concert: Includes three clips from Dietrich's late career concerts.
• Theatrical Trailer
• Re-release Trailer
• English Language Version of the Film
• Scene Comparison: A comparison between the German and English versions.
• Marlene's Screen Test: Another viewing angle of Dietrich’s screen test.
• Dietrich Archival Footage: Compilation of interviews and performances related to "The Blue Angel."
• Image Gallery: A collection of stills, posters, and promo images.

"The Blue Angel," a seminal work in cinema, stands as a testament to the powerful collaboration between director Josef von Sternberg and Marlene Dietrich, marking the latter’s rise to stardom with her captivating portrayal of Lola Lola. This 1930 masterpiece not only showcased the dynamic between Sternberg and Dietrich but also highlighted Emil Jannings' exceptional talent. Jannings delivers a poignant performance as a respected professor whose life spirals into chaos due to his obsessive infatuation with a cabaret dancer. The film's narrative, while straightforward on the surface, delves deep into themes of dignity, obsession, and societal decay, making it a pivotal piece in the evolution of storytelling and sound design in early cinema. Its exploration of these complex ideas within a seemingly simple plot structure underscores Sternberg's pioneering vision.

Eureka's 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation respects the film’s legacy by featuring both the German and English language versions, with the German cut receiving significant restoration. Despite some auditory limitations, the German version stands out for its authenticity and preservation of the actors' native performances. The English language version, although historically significant for being shot simultaneously, struggles with its inclusion of non-English speaking supporting cast members delivering lines in German without subtitles, presenting a unique but slightly disjointed viewing experience. Nevertheless, both versions offer invaluable insights into early cinematic techniques and storytelling nuances, catering to fans and historians alike.

The inclusion of extensive special features further enriches the viewing experience, particularly the commentary and video essays that delve deeper into the film’s production, its cultural impact, and the intricate dynamics between its lead actors and director. Though the film itself presents a dark, layered narrative that to this day remains both impactful and somewhat unsettling due to its candid portrayal of human frailty and societal vices, the 4K UHD Blu-ray package ensures that "The Blue Angel" is preserved not only as an early cinematic masterpiece but as a critical study in character-driven storytelling.

"The Blue Angel," directed by Joseph von Sternberg and heralding from the era of Weimar cinema, is a masterful exploration of social decline and personal humiliation. The film, starring Emil Jannings and introducing Marlene Dietrich, is praised not only for its poignant narrative but also for its significant historical context and the star-making turn of Dietrich. This 4K UHD Blu-ray release by Kino, presenting both the German and English cuts of the film alongside a comprehensive collection of supplemental materials, provides an enriched viewing experience previously absent from earlier editions. Particularly noteworthy is the visual fidelity of the high-definition transfers, which breathe new life into the film's decadent atmospherics, although opinions may vary regarding the comparative quality of the English-language version.

Kino's commitment to preserving "The Blue Angel" in this ultimate edition is evident through its inclusion of nearly all extras from older DVD sets, addressing the shortcomings of last year's release. The technological enhancements and the offering of both language versions affirm the film's historical importance and its continual impact. This release not only caters to enthusiasts of German cinema but also serves as an ideal entry point for newcomers interested in the potent mixture of performance, direction, and story that encapsulates a significant moment in cinematic and cultural history. Emil Jannings' compelling portrayal alongside Dietrich's breakout role is rendered with an impressive level of clarity and detail, underscoring the enduring allure of this classic.

In conclusion, Kino's 4K UHD Blu-ray of "The Blue Angel" is laudable for its meticulous restoration and presentation of a cornerstone film. The enhanced visual and audio quality, coupled with a rich selection of supplementary content, makes for a compelling argument in favor of considering this edition a definitive one for collectors and cinema aficionados alike. Despite some debates over the necessity of upgrading from previous versions for casual viewers, the totality of this release ensures its recommendation. It stands not only as a tribute to Sternberg, Dietrich, and Jannings but also as a vital piece of cinematic history that continues to resonate with audiences today.