NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Network Blu-ray (July 2021): Network have transferred Michael Powell's Honeymoon to Blu-ray on a single-layered disc with a supportive bitrate. I know there was a restoration by Charles Doble a few years ago with fully restored all dance sequences. I presume this is it as the Network Blu-ray states "It is presented here in its longest-possible form as a brand-new High Definition remaster from original film elements in its original theatrical aspect ratio." While the was shot in Technicolor (and Technirama) and the colors are impressive, detail suffers a bit with the source as it is relatively soft. This is fairly consistent through the 1080P presentation but is it highly watchable. It can be flat with modest background grain. Overall though you can succumb to the HD presentation because of the lush, replete colors and 2.35:1 framing with cinematography of Georges Périnal (The Thief of Bagdad, The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp, The Fallen Idol), It remains gorgeous despite the softer video - easily advancing upon SD.

NOTE: We have added 50 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Network use a linear PCM dual-mono track (16-bit) in the original English and Spanish languages. Honeymoon is mostly about the music with a score by Mikis Theodorakis (Iphigenia, State of Siege, Zorba the Greek, Shadow of the Cat, Serpico, Z), this includes his own ballet 'The Lovers of Teruel' plus The Honeymoon Song performed by Marino Marini and his quartet. NOTE: IMDb tells us "Mikis Theodorakis's theme song was covered by The Beatles in 1963 as part of their "Pop Go The Beatles" series for BBC Radio, with Paul McCartney on vocals." There is also music by by Gregorio Martínez Sierra and Pablo de Sarasate (as Sarasate.) It can sound authentically flat but frequently lively and somewhat buoyant via the uncompressed transfer. Network offer optional English subtitles (and for translated Spanish) on their Region 'B'-locked Blu-ray.

The Network Blu-ray offers a new (2021) 'A Spanish Adventure' interview with Michael Powell's production associate Judith Coxhead for about 1/2 hour - it will be intersting to fans of the director. There is also a theatrical trailer, and image gallery. The package has a limited edition booklet written by lovely Laura Mayne.  

Michael Powell's Honeymoon has travelogue tendencies - which can be a bit tedious. But the dance sequences - that increasingly get more advanced as the film rolls along - make the viewing a splendid experience. A large dose of Emeric Pressburger would have helped the storyline - which becomes secondary to the dance. I loved the passionate drama at the conclusion - reminiscent of Powell's The Red Shoes.   The Network Blu-ray offers the beautiful film in 1080P and some worthwhile supplements. Most recommended to Powell completists.

Gary Tooze