Grand Hotel Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Grand Hotel" showcases a commendable transfer, effectively bringing the visual artistry of William H. Daniels to modern audiences. This 1080p AVC-encoded presentation captures the film’s delicate grayscale and nuanced lighting, essential for a black-and-white classic. The image appears clean and maintains a natural grain pattern, without any reduction or filtering, which replicates the texture of celluloid authentically. Despite the diffusion techniques used to enhance the stars’ appearances and the inherent softness due to several generations removed from the original camera negative, the picture remains pleasingly detailed, with rich blacks and finely differentiated shades of gray.

One remarkable aspect of this transfer is its ability to handle early sound picture characteristics, such as thicker grain and diffused close-ups, contributing to the film's stylistic charm rather than detracting from it. The black levels are solid, contributing to some crush in dark scenes but enhancing elements like Crawford’s attire. Whites, particularly in Garbo’s ballet gown, are vibrant and lively. The grayscale performance ensures that background details are discernible and textures like satin and tweed maintain their dimensionality without shimmering. The overhead shots retain depth and stability during panning, highlighting the sophisticated composition and lighting techniques Daniels employed.

Moreover, the source material is meticulously preserved with no noticeable artifacts, nicks, or blotches, ensuring an immersive viewing experience of this classic film. Although the Blu-ray doesn’t rival the highest benchmark black-and-white transfers, it represents a substantial improvement over previous releases, offering an authentic view into the grandeur envisaged by its creators. For enthusiasts and scholars alike, this edition is an essential peek into early 20th-century cinematic craftsmanship.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 mono track of "Grand Hotel" remains truthful to the film's vintage essence, capturing the subtleties and limitations inherent in early sound recording. Although there's a noticeable background hiss and a thin quality to the top end of the orchestral accompaniment, these imperfections are expected given the film's age. The dialogue, which is the heart of the movie, remains clear and intelligible throughout, even when actors speak softly. Classical selections from composers such as Strauss and Rachmaninoff enrich the ambiance without overwhelming the spoken exchanges, achieving a balanced auditory experience.

However, the audio track is not without its flaws. The persistent hiss and occasional tinny quality in the string sections are evident, which might deter some viewers from listening at high volumes. Despite these minor issues, Warner's restoration efforts have successfully minimized more severe aging artifacts like pops or crackles, ensuring a smoother auditory experience. The lack of a traditional musical score means the employed classical pieces serve to underscore the film’s moods effectively without overshadowing dialogue, although some viewers might find the constant "hotel band" slightly obtrusive during quieter scenes. Given its period constraints, the soundtrack fulfills its role adequately without detracting from the film's overall quality.

This Blu-ray edition of "Grand Hotel" offers a well-rounded selection of insightful extras that are sure to delight fans of classic cinema. The highlight is undoubtedly the new audio commentary by film historians Jeffrey Vance and Mark A. Viera, packed with anecdotes, production history, and film techniques that illuminate the movie's enduring influence. Other notable inclusions feature vintage shorts, a retrospective documentary, and historical trailers, which provide a comprehensive look into the film's production, premiere, and lasting legacy. This collection seamlessly combines the most informative elements from previous DVD releases with fresh content, making this Blu-ray a must-have for enthusiasts.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary with Jeffrey Vance and Mark A. Vieira: In-depth discussion on the making of the film.
• Checking Out: Grand Hotel: Overview of the film’s production augmented with visuals.
• Hollywood Premiere of Metro Goldwyn Mayer's Grand Hotel: Newsreel footage from the film's opening.
• Nothing Ever Happens: A 1933 musical parody of Grand Hotel.
• Just a Word of Warning Theater Announcement: Alert about the film's limited screening.
• Trailers: Featuring trailers for "Grand Hotel" (1932) and "Week-End at the Waldorf" (1945).

"Grand Hotel," a landmark in cinematic history, notably broke the pre-existing mold of single-star studio pictures with its innovative all-star cast strategy introduced by producer Irving Thalberg. The film boasts an ensemble including Greta Garbo, John Barrymore, Joan Crawford, Wallace Beery, and Lionel Barrymore. Its narrative threads diverse stories within the luxurious confines of a Berlin hotel, capturing the intersections of romance, intrigue, and drama. Adapted from Vicki Baum's novel and stage play, the screenplay expertly weaves characters' lives with a certain melancholic grandeur, personified in Garbo's iconic line: "I want to be alone."

Art Director Cedric Gibbons’ sumptuous set design is captured beautifully through a series of meticulously choreographed crane shots that highlight the constant bustle within the hotel. Cinematographer William Daniels enhances the narrative with overhead shots that provide a grandiose perspective of the hotel’s atrium and its busy switchboard operators - essentially making the hotel itself a living character within the film. Edmund Goulding’s direction and William Daniels’ fluid camera work immerse viewers into this self-contained world, allowing them to vicariously experience the drama and elegance of high-society life during the interwar period.

The performances are universally strong, with Garbo delivering a particularly compelling portrayal of the despairing ballerina, Grusinskaya. Joan Crawford’s transformation from a tough stenographer to a compassionate woman showcases the depth of her acting prowess. The Barrymore brothers contribute significantly to the film's emotional texture, especially Lionel’s poignant depiction of a terminally ill man seeking one last adventure. The ensemble dynamic is skillfully managed, offering each star their moment without disrupting the film’s cohesiveness. Unlike many films of its era, "Grand Hotel" maintains a timeless appeal through its sophisticated blend of narrative complexity and visual elegance, setting a high bar for future all-star productions.

The Blu-ray release of "Grand Hotel" presents a truly captivating experience, enhanced by Warner’s meticulous 1080p rendering that significantly improves both the visual and audio clarity compared to the previous DVD edition. This iconic 1932 film, which pioneered the all-star ensemble genre, still resonates with modern audiences through its gripping narrative of desperation, romance, redemption, and despair. Greta Garbo’s performance, while not her finest, remains a mesmerizing highlight, encapsulating the MGM glamour that defined an era. The digital restoration ensures that the opulent set designs and intricate costumes are vividly displayed, making the viewing experience highly immersive.

Additionally, all of the extras from the 2005 Warner DVD are preserved on this Blu-ray edition, offering a rich array of supplementary content in standard definition. The commentary track by Jeffrey Vance and Mark A. Vieira provides valuable insights into the film's journey from page to screen, while the 12-minute featurette "Checking Out: Grand Hotel" narrated by Tom Kane adds depth to the historical context and production challenges. The extra features also include a fun newsreel of the film's premiere and a 1933 Vitaphone spoof, "Nothing Ever Happens," which adds a humorous take on the original narrative.

In conclusion, "Grand Hotel" is a timeless classic that not only offers grand entertainment but also serves as a poignant reflection of the human condition during a tumultuous era. Despite the glamorous facade, each character struggles with deeper issues, mirroring the uncertainties faced by contemporary audiences of its time. As new guests arrive at the hotel in the end, their optimistic smiles hint at yet another cycle of experiences that blend allure with adversity. This Blu-ray edition is highly recommended for both fans of classic cinema and new viewers alike.