Search DVDBeaver |
S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r |
|
The Mikado [Blu-ray]
(Victor Schertzinger, 1939)
Review by Gary Tooze
Production: Theatrical: Gilbert & Sullivan Films Video: Criterion Collection - Spine # 559
Disc: Region: 'A' (as verified by the Momitsu region FREE Blu-ray player) Runtime: 1:31:06.878 Disc Size: 44,223,477,629 bytes Feature Size: 26,721,011,712 bytes Video Bitrate: 34.99 Mbps Chapters: 14 Case: Standard Blu-ray case Release date: March 29th, 2011
Video: Aspect ratio: 1.33:1 matted to 1.78 Resolution: 1080p / 23.976 fps Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Audio: LPCM Audio English 1152 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1152 kbps / 24-bit
Subtitles: English (SDH), none
Extras:
• New video interviews with Topsy-Turvy director Mike Leigh
(18:15)
and Mikado scholars Josephine Lee and Ralph MacPhail Jr.
(29:08)
Bitrate:
Description: The legendary Gilbert and Sullivan troupe the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company joined forces with Hollywood for this 1939 Technicolor version of the beloved comic opera The Mikado, the first work by the famed duo to be adapted for the screen. Directed by musician and Oscar-nominated filmmaker Victor Schertzinger, it is a lavish cinematic retelling of the British political satire set in exotic Japan, with such enduringly popular numbers as “A Wand’ring Minstrel I” and “Three Little Maids from School,” and featuring American singer Kenny Baker as well as a host of renowned D’Oyly Carte performers, including Martyn Green and Sydney Granville.
The Film:
There's something about "The Mikado" which makes one wonder
whether it ever should be taken away from the footlights, from the realm
of unabashed nonsense and make-believe. Take the matter of make-up: on
the stage the upslanting eyebrows and smudges of green greasepaint
delightfully enhance the air of unreality into which Savoyards escape
whenever the D'Oyly Carte troupe comes to town. But on the screen, when
the close-ups zoom, those facial extravaganzas are a distraction. Take
Ko-Ko: on the stage he's a pretty funny fellow; his capers, eye-rolling,
music-hall mannerisms seems written into the part. But on the
screen—well, Mr. Green does grow a bit tiresome; wasn't it during the
Keystone days that comedians used to kick their heels before running? Image : NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc. Despite being Criterion I didn't have astronomic hopes for the image of the 1939 version of The Mikado via Blu-ray - but actually... I was quite overwhelmed by the appearance. Colors reminded me of a hand-woven Persian rug with soft vegetable dyes weaving their visual magic through a comforting, pillow-like, lens. In my opinion this looks magnificent. The image quality shows some less-sterling patches but this is only to be expected. Damage was virtually non-existent and I was charmed by the colors and thick appearance. This Blu-ray has a wonderfully supportive feel that I'll assume looks even better than it may have theatrically - over 70-years ago. The Mikado is like a pastel dream and I will use this as a demo to my, more discerning, art-house friends.
CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
Audio :No surround boost going on here. The audio - with plenty of song numbers - is in an authentic linear PCM 1.0 channel mono track at 1152 kbps. It has its rough edges but worked very well with the lively video to create a sterling presentation. Lossless but obviously devoid of range or depth it nonetheless worked its charm on this reviewer. There are optional English subtitles and m y Momitsu has identified it as being a region 'A'-locked.
Extras : Extras provide new video interview with director Mike Leigh who dramatized Gilbert and Sullivan's creation of The Mikado in his award-winning 1999 film Topsy-Turvy, which required extensive research on the duo and the opera. In this 18-minute video interview, Leigh brings his unique perspective to the 1939 film version of the Opera. Also, recorded for the Criterion release are 1/2 hour with Mikado scholars Josephine Lee and Ralph MacPhail Jr. who have written extensively about the numerous stage and screen versions of The Mikado, going back to its debut in 1885. Here they discuss the history of the Opera and the 1929 film. Included are 3.5-minutes of the short silent film promoting the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company’s 1926 stage performance of The Mikado. It features several of D’Oyly Carte's most beloved performers, along with the costumes created for the production by celebrated designer Charles Ricketts. Several songs were cut or trimmed during The Mikado's journey from stage to screen and one of those was Ko-Ko’s “I’ve Got a Little List” song lasting just shy of 3-minutes. It was shot but deleted just before release - most likely removed due to its incorporation of controversial references to the current tensions in Europe (Hitler and Neville Chamberlain). It is presented here for the first time on home video. There are excerpts from 1939 radio broadcasts of the stage productions The Swing Mikado and The Hot Mikado (audio only) and a 16-page liner notes booklet featuring an essay by critic Geoffrey O’Brien.
BOTTOM LINE: Gary Tooze March 28th, 2011 |
About the Reviewer: Hello, fellow Beavers! I have been interested in film since I viewed a Chaplin festival on PBS when I was around 9 years old. I credit DVD with expanding my horizons to fill an almost ravenous desire to seek out new film experiences. I currently own approximately 9500 DVDs and have reviewed over 3500 myself. I appreciate my discussion Listserv for furthering my film education and inspiring me to continue running DVDBeaver. Plus a healthy thanks to those who donate and use our Amazon links.
Although I never wanted to become one of those guys who
focused 'too much' on image and sound quality - I
find HD is swiftly pushing me in that direction. 60-Inch Class (59.58” Diagonal) 1080p Pioneer KURO Plasma Flat Panel HDTV PDP6020-FD
Oppo Digital BDP-83 Universal Region FREE Blu-ray/SACD
Player APC AV 1.5 kVA H Type Power Conditioner 120V Gary W. Tooze ALL OUR NEW FORMAT DVD REVIEWS
|