Lili Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Lili" is sourced from a meticulous 4K scan of the original Technicolor negatives, resulting in an outstanding 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer that preserves the film’s rich visual legacy. The native Technicolor process is showcased with a dazzling and consistent color palette—vivid reds, magentas, pinks, oranges, pale blues and greens, and inky blacks all radiate with impressive saturation and depth. Highlights include Lili’s signature red dress and Zsa Zsa Gabor’s sequined gown, with every hue contributing to the immersive carnival atmosphere. Detail is strong throughout: the fine textures of costumes, sets, and facial close-ups are clearly rendered, while the deliberate retention of organic film grain maintains the source's authentic cinematic character.

Presentation in the original 1.37:1 Academy aspect ratio is faithful, and newly corrected for previous flaws seen on earlier DVD editions such as blue fringing and flashing. The transfer is exceptionally clean, free of nicks, scratches, or debris, and benefits from precise encoding at a consistently high bit rate without compression artifacts. Black levels remain deep and stable, and whites are crisp, contributing to overall excellent contrast. There are occasional moments of softness and slight color fading in select shots—minor imperfections that do not detract meaningfully from the otherwise stellar image quality. This release stands as a significant upgrade over prior home video editions and offers a definitive visual experience for both longtime fans and newcomers to MGM musicals.

The Blu-ray presentation of "Lili" features a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono track, delivering the film's original mono mix with notable clarity and precision. Dialogue is consistently crisp and intelligible, maintaining strong articulation even with the diverse accents present in the cast, including Leslie Caron's French inflection and Zsa Zsa Gabor's Hungarian tones. The track exhibits well-judged modulation, supporting both quieter moments and more bustling ensemble scenes without distortion or muddiness.

Bronislau Kaper’s Oscar-winning score is particularly well-served by this mix. The audio reproduces the music’s dynamic scale with fidelity and tonal richness, conveying the score’s lilting highs and lows alongside distinct sonic details—such as slamming doors and other environmental sounds—which all register cleanly. While a subtle hiss is occasionally detectable, it appears that minimal noise reduction has been applied to preserve the soundtrack’s natural dynamic range, resulting in a soundscape that feels lively and authentic without intrusive age-related artifacts like pops, crackle, or flutter.

Optional English SDH subtitles are available for the main feature, providing accessible support for dialogue and lyrics. Overall, the audio transfer pays careful respect to the integrity of the source material, presenting "Lili" with an engaging and faithful sonic profile that enhances both dialogue-driven scenes and the film’s musical highlights.

The extras on the Blu-ray release of “Lili” focus primarily on a thoughtfully curated selection of MGM animated shorts, effectively echoing the nostalgic charm of classic theatrical programs. Three vintage cartoons—Barney Bear in “The Impossible Possum” and two Tom & Jerry titles, “Pecos Pest” and “Puppy Tale”—are included, all of which are restored to a high standard and presented in HD (with one sourced from a slightly older master but still offering minimal grain and strong color fidelity). The animations provide a playful, era-appropriate pre-show atmosphere that complements the film’s tone. Additionally, the package retains the original, vibrantly colorful theatrical trailer in standard definition.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Impossible Possum: Barney Bear attempts to catch a possum using a girl possum puppet; MGM’s last Barney Bear short featuring puppet-themed antics and silent movie-style gags.
• Pecos Pest: Tom and Jerry cartoon where Uncle Pecos uses Tom’s whiskers as guitar strings, showcasing lively music-driven comedy.
• Puppy Tale: Tom and Jerry short with Jerry caring for an abandoned pup and Tom showing a rare gentle side.
• Theatrical Trailer: The original promotional trailer for “Lili,” highlighting its vibrant spectacle.

Charles Walters’ "Lili" stands out as a genre-blending romantic drama with light musical elements, adapted by Helen Deutsch from Paul Gallico’s story. At its heart is Leslie Caron’s touching performance as Lili Daurier, a sixteen-year-old orphan navigating naiveté and vulnerability after her father’s death. Caron’s portrayal, which earned her a Best Actress Oscar nomination, is luminous—full of sincerity, yearning, and a palpable sense of wonder that anchors the film’s charm. The journey takes Lili to a small French town where she falls in with a traveling carnival. Initial infatuation with Marc, the magician (played by Jean-Pierre Aumont), gives way to deeper, more complex interactions with the brooding puppeteer Paul (Mel Ferrer), whose secret emotional expressions come through his quartet of lively puppets. The supporting cast, including Zsa Zsa Gabor as Rosalie and Kurt Kasznar as Jacquot, add both comic and dramatic flourishes that maintain the film’s whimsical yet emotionally resonant tone.

Technically, "Lili" is notable for its lush Technicolor cinematography and clever integration of musical and ballet sequences. Despite being labeled a musical, the narrative features only one song—Bronislau Kaper’s iconic “Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo,” performed twice—and two dream ballets that showcase Caron’s dance talents, particularly during sequences where Lili interacts with life-sized versions of her puppet friends. Walters’ direction adeptly balances fantasy and reality, utilizing minimalist storytelling to draw out transformative performances and create memorable, emotionally charged scenes. The story’s brisk 81-minute runtime ensures a well-paced unfolding of Lili’s coming of age within a vividly realized carnival setting, bolstered further by meticulous screenwriting and evocative background music. The film deftly interweaves childlike innocence and adult longing, making it both timeless and uniquely engaging for audiences across generations.

Charles Walters’ Lili endures as a charming romantic drama with gentle musical elements, a captivating narrative, and visual splendor. The film benefits from Leslie Caron’s luminous performance and strong supporting turns, while the vivid Technicolor carnival setting and creative puppetry by Paul E. Walton and Michael O’Rourke add delightful character. Rooted in Paul Gallico’s story "The Man Who Hated People" and inspired by early television puppetry, Lili continues to evoke nostalgia for a simpler era, its appeal undiminished by time.

Warner Archive’s Blu-ray edition of Lili impresses with its restoration quality. The transfer, sourced from a new 4K scan of the original Technicolor negatives, presents superb picture clarity and color fidelity. Accompanying lossless audio enhances both the musical interludes and the understated yet effective direction by Charles Walters. Additionally, the disc includes a curated selection of vintage MGM cartoons as bonus features, adding historical value and appeal for collectors.

In summary, this Blu-ray release of Lili offers a definitive viewing experience for both longtime fans and first-time viewers. Its excellent audiovisual presentation, combined with the enduring charm of the film itself and thoughtfully selected extras, make it a standout addition to classic film libraries.