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

ADDITION: Masters of Cinema Blu-ray (June 2025): Masters of Cinema has transferred Paul Verhoeven's Heart of Stone to Blu-ray. It is cited as "presented in 1080p HD from a 2K restoration of the original 35mm camera negative by the DEFA Foundation". This restoration showcases the film’s pioneering use of color in early East German cinema, rendering the lush forest landscapes, ornate costumes, and fantastical set pieces with exceptional clarity and vibrancy. The visuals occasionally exhibit a slightly waxy texture, and the grain structure can vary across scenes. Close inspection may reveal subtle signs of digitization, but unless you're particularly attuned to such imperfections, the 1080P presentation remains a captivating and immersive experience, far outweighing any minor digital shortcomings. This is on a dual-layered disc with a maxed out bitrate. Colors are rich and naturally balanced with a glorious pastel-fairy-tale aesthetic. 

NOTE: We have added 72 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE.

On their Blu-ray, Masters of Cinema uses a linear PCM mono track (24-bit) in the original German language. Dialogue in Heart of Stone is consistently intelligible, delivered in German with newly revised English subtitles that are precise and contextually nuanced. The film’s score (a blend of orchestral flourishes and folk-inspired motifs) is rendered with sufficient depth to underscore the story’s emotional beats from tender moments to ominous tension. Ambient effects, like the rustle of leaves or the creak of a wooden floor, are distinct and free from distortion, though the mono format inherently limits spatial dynamics. The audio restoration avoids any intrusive hiss or crackle, providing a clean listening experience that complements the visuals. The animated shorts included as extras benefit from similarly well-preserved audio, maintaining consistency across the disc’s offerings. Masters of Cinema offers optional English subtitles on their Region 'B'-locked Blu-ray.

The Masters of Cinema Blu-ray offers a feature-length audio commentary by DEFA historian Seán Allan, author of Screening Art: Modernist Aesthetics and the Socialist Imaginary in East German Cinema, provides an in-depth exploration of the film’s production, its place in East German cinema, and its aesthetic influences, running for the entire duration of the feature. “Once Upon a Time in the East,” a new interview with Soviet cinema expert Claire Knight (Stalin's Final Films: Cinema, Socialist Realism, and Soviet Postwar Reality, 1945-1953,) lasts just under 24 minutes and examines the film’s role in Eastern Bloc children’s media, offering historical and cultural insights. “Tales from the Black Forest,” a video essay by film and literature scholar Mary Going (The Eternal Wanderer: Christian Negotiations in the Gothic Mode,) spans approximately 22 minutes and delves into the film’s connections to folktales and gothic horror traditions. The Blu-ray disc also includes three animated DEFA Studio shorts: The Bremen Town Musicians (about 19 minutes), The Magic Ring (roughly 20 minutes), and Thumbelina’s Adventures (over 1/4 hour) -- each showcasing the studio’s distinctive animation style and folktale roots. A concise original theatrical trailer, clocking in at just under 3 minutes, adds a nostalgic touch. The package is completed by a limited edition collector’s booklet featuring new writing by Qinna Shen, author of The Politics of Magic: DEFA Fairy-Tale Films. The supplemental material covers over an hour and a half of content that enriches the understanding of Heart of Stone and its studio context.

Paul Verhoeven's (not the more modern director with the same name responsible for Total Recall, Showgirls, Hollow Man, and Basic Instinct) Heart of Stone is a 1950 adaptation of Wilhelm Hauff’s 1827 fairy tale from his collection, The Inn in the Spessart. This film (one of DEFA’s early color productions using Agfacolor) stands as a significant cultural artifact, blending fairy-tale fantasy with socio-political commentary reflective of post-World War II East German ideology. The film follows a classic fairy-tale arc, structured around the protagonist Peter Munk’s (Lutz Moik) moral and existential journey. Desperate after losing his fortune, Peter turns to the malevolent Holländer-Michel for a 'Faustian Bargain', who offers limitless wealth in exchange for Peter’s heart, replaced with a stone. Heart of Stone stands as a mesmerizing cornerstone of East German cinema with a blend of enchantment, moral complexity, and a subtly macabre undercurrent that distinguishes it from more sanitized adaptations. Its emotionally resonant storytelling marks it as a precursor to DEFA’s later fairy-tale triumphs, while its historical significance as an early color film in the GDR adds to its allure. The Masters of Cinema Blu-ray is a 1080P presentation with a 2K restoration that showcases the film’s visual splendor, paired with a clean and effective audio track. The extensive extras, from scholarly commentary to beautifully crafted animated shorts, provide a comprehensive look at the film’s cultural and artistic legacy, making it a treasure for cinephiles and historians alike. The Blu-ray package is a celebration of a film that deserves to be cherished as both a timeless fairy tale and a landmark of socialist cinema. A great companion piece to Masters of Cinema's Strange New Worlds : Science Fiction at DEFA Blu-ray package. Absolutely recommended.

Gary Tooze