The Blue Angel (1930)

[cavesailor]

Now that the review for KINO's Blu-ray release is out, I thought I would start a thread. I am sure that if you like this movie you, like me are disappointed with the bare-bones approach to this release. I do not wish this to be a gripe thread, however, but rather a discussion as to why this movie is considered a classic. I am not a movie expert, but I have read Wikipeadea(sp) and I have listened to the commentary and extras on the KINO DVD set.

The movie certainly is not uplifting. Is it all due to Marlene Dietrich or something else? I would like to know your thoughts.

[blu-ray_girl_fan]

That is very astonishing, considering the Bonus Features available on the DVD release. This is like Universal skimping on the Bonus Features of many of their early Blu-rays.

[Hartley]

That's a major reason why I'm going to import the MOC edition from England. Not only does it include the German AND English versions, but also:

• New and exclusive video essay on the films by critic and scholar Tag Gallagher.
• New and exclusive feature-length audio commentary by critic and scholar Tony Rayns on the German-language version.
• Original screen test with Marlene Dietrich.
• Archival interview clips with Dietrich.
• More features to be announced closer to release date!

Seems like a really solid package, I've never been disappointed by MOC before!

[RiFiFi1955]

Originally Posted by Hartley

That's a major reason why I'm going to import the MOC edition from England. Not only does it include the German AND English versions, but also:

• New and exclusive video essay on the films by critic and scholar Tag Gallagher.
• New and exclusive feature-length audio commentary by critic and scholar Tony Rayns on the German-language version.
• Original screen test with Marlene Dietrich.
• Archival interview clips with Dietrich.
• More features to be announced closer to release date!

Seems like a really solid package, I've never been disappointed by MOC before!

Yeah I have heard so many good things about MOC, I am going to have to get a Region Free player just for this company.
Anyone know a good place and/or player to grab?

[dsman71]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/ANGEL-Master...I3M2KVSESVLNH1

Thanks to your comments I went ahead and decided to check it out at Amazon.UK
I dont mind waiting until January for a Blu Ray that matches the DVD with extras and language selection
I cannot believe Kino dropped the ball on the Blu Ray release. Im surprised no one has emailed them about *why*
I just viewed the film this year and enjoyed it and with a revisit Ill enjoy it more..

[Hartley]

Originally Posted by RiFiFi1955

Yeah I have heard so many good things about MOC, I am going to have to get a Region Free player just for this company.
Anyone know a good place and/or player to grab?

The one I'm using is by a no-name company called "Seiki", I think the model number is BD660. Punch in the number code 8 5 2 0 and it should take you to the service menu where you can set the DVD region to "0" and the Blu-ray region to "B".

Cosmetically it sure looks and feels like a no-name player (the remote especially), but it performs very well (loads faster than my Samsung) and I've never had a problem with it in the past year and a half! You should be able to find it at Wal-mart for under $80.

[deepbreathsanddeath]

It appears they want us to import the MoC version. As if I wasn't already going to :P

[Lutz]

I cancelled my Kino pre order and went with the MOC as well.

Originally Posted by cavesailor

Why this movie is considered a classic. I am not a movie expert, but I have read Wikipeadea(sp) and I have listened to the commentary and extras on the KINO DVD set.

The movie certainly is not uplifting. Is it all due to Marlene Dietrich or something else? I would like to know your thoughts.

I think the Von Sternberg and Dietrich collaborations would have to be probably one of the best movie cycles committed to film. In terms of writing, dialogue, story, acting, drama, humor, staging, pacing, design, all of it combines in an incredibly complicated fashion but is also pulled off with the greatest of ease. It is all completely modern and much more advanced than anything that is being made today. The synthesis between Dietrich and Sternberg has never been matched in cinema either. The seemingly innate understanding she has for delivering every scene and the ease at which she achieves them is staggering. One of the few series of films that I could say is absolutely jaw dropping and sometimes it achieves this in the simplest of ways, with a stare, a gesture or a great line of dialogue and then in other ways that are so completely over staged you would never believe it possible.

The Blue Angel is almost a completely different kettle of fish to the six almost flawless movies that followed and while I don't think it is quite on their level it is still excellent!

[Ufacat]

I was about to import this from Germany (great poster cover art), but wouldn't be able to show it to friends--so thought to wait for the KINO.

What a crock--NO english-languaged version or screen tests? I had already dumped the dvd at Amoeba in anticipation.

"Masters of Cinema" here I come--AGAIN!

[dsman71]

Originally Posted by Ufacat

I was about to import this from Germany (great poster cover art), but wouldn't be able to show it to friends--so thought to wait for the KINO.

What a crock--NO english-languaged version or screen tests? I had already dumped the dvd at Amoeba in anticipation.

"Masters of Cinema" here I come--AGAIN!

I know ! this Kino version seems half hearted to me

[dsman71]

My preferred version has both languages on it, like the Godzilla movies

[cavesailor]

Originally Posted by Lutz

I think the Von Sternberg and Dietrich collaborations would have to be probably one of the best movie cycles committed to film. In terms of writing, dialogue, story, acting, drama, humor, staging, pacing, design, all of it combines in an incredibly complicated fashion but is also pulled off with the greatest of ease.

Thanks for your post! This is the type of discussion I was looking for. I have several things to do today, but I will respond later.

[cavesailor]

Originally Posted by sc1957

Kino's recent paper catalog says that the English-language version of the film will be included in a special edition that they plan to release in 2013. No word about other extras, but I assume that they'd qualify for "special edition" status.

So if all you want is the primary (German) version of the film, buy this version. If you don't have a region-free player, you can wait for 6 months or so, and you don't mind paying more for the addition of the English version, you can do that, too.

For myself, I think I'm fine with this version.

Thanks for the info. I'll get both and trade off this first one.

[#Darren]

Originally Posted by cavesailor

Now that the review for KINO's Blu-ray release is out, I thought I would start a thread. I am sure that if you like this movie you, like me are disappointed with the bare-bones approach to this release. I do not wish this to be a gripe thread, however, but rather a discussion as to why this movie is considered a classic. I am not a movie expert, but I have read Wikipeadea(sp) and I have listened to the commentary and extras on the KINO DVD set.

The movie certainly is not uplifting. Is it all due to Marlene Dietrich or something else? I would like to know your thoughts.

Why does a movie have to be uplifting to be a classic?

It is a mixture of many things like most classics. Mood, set design, photography, performances etc

[cavesailor]

Originally Posted by #Darren

Why does a movie have to be uplifting to be a classic?

It is a mixture of many things like most classics. Mood, set design, photography, performances etc

I agree with you that a movie does not need to be uplifting to be a classic. I was understating the emotional impact to stimulate conversation.

The plot of TBA is very simple with no twists or subplots. It marches straight on until the viewer witnesses the complete and utter devastation of Professor Rath. A man that we dislike at the beginning, but in the end we are begging for some mercy, with none to be had. The movie is seriously depressing.

I understand that this is the genius of the movie, but how many people want to watch a man be so completely distroyed? How many would watch the movie a second time if it were not for Marlene Dietrick singing " Falling in love again?"

There are no right or wrong answers, just everone's opinions which are welcome.

[#Darren]

Originally Posted by cavesailor

I agree with you that a movie does not need to be uplifting to be a classic. I was understating the emotional impact to stimulate conversation.

The plot of TBA is very simple with no twists or subplots. It marches straight on until the viewer witnesses the complete and utter devastation of Professor Rath. A man that we dislike at the beginning, but in the end we are begging for some mercy, with none to be had. The movie is seriously depressing.

I understand that this is the genius of the movie, but how many people want to watch a man be so completely distroyed? How many would watch the movie a second time if it were not for Marlene Dietrick singing " Falling in love again?"

There are no right or wrong answers, just everone's opinions which are welcome.

I agree about the total bleakness aspect. Not a film you want to rewatch in a hurry.

The strength of the film for me was in it's "feel/vibe/mood", "look - and by look I mean art design, camera work, lighting etc", acting, and yes even the story. Would I have appreciated a slightly different ending? Possibly if done right. Would a different ending have worked as well or better? Something we will never know... But it still works as a powerful and long enduring film.

[Lutz]

I think the movie is using the idea of how destructive social mores can be.

If the professor had loved Dietrich the end performance would have been him returning to the place he came from and validating his choices by presenting his transformation with pride. The professor only enjoys the social standing that his job offers him from people who never cared for or respected him. He only marries Dietrich to take on another social role - that of a husband - and being married to a woman who loved him but was of lesser social stature he has completely ignored the emotional and personal fulfillment he could have enjoyed.

[cavesailor]

Originally Posted by #Darren

The strength of the film for me was in it's "feel/vibe/mood", "look - and by look I mean art design, camera work, lighting etc", acting, and yes even the story. Would I have appreciated a slightly different ending? Possibly if done right. Would a different ending have worked as well or better? Something we will never know... But it still works as a powerful and long enduring film.

Don't let my questions fool you. I really like TBA. Its just that I identify so much with the Professor's situation, I wanted to know why other people like the movie.

From what I understand, the book had a different ending. The Professor does not die. He ends up trying to choke Lola and attempts to steal the money of a former student. He is arrested and then becomes the subject of public ridicule.

I like the ending of the movie much better. In fact, even as dark as the ending is, I don't think there could be a better ending.

[dsman71]

They did say in 2013 they will have a special edition.

[cavesailor]

Originally Posted by Lutz

I think the movie is using the idea of how destructive social mores can be.

If the professor had loved Dietrich the end performance would have been him returning to the place he came from and validating his choices by presenting his transformation with pride. The professor only enjoys the social standing that his job offers him from people who never cared for or respected him. He only marries Dietrich to take on another social role - that of a husband - and being married to a woman who loved him but was of lesser social stature he has completely ignored the emotional and personal fulfillment he could have enjoyed.

I have questioned myself wither TBA is just a morality play or mayby even an anti-morality play. I know from the commentary in the DVD set that the auther of the book was pointing out the double standards of the social elite. I am undecided if Von Sternberg was doing the same thing since he changed the ending.

I find your statement on the Prof's lack of love for Lola interesting. I have always believed he truly loved her. Some men would have been content to have her just as their mistress, but he loved her and his morals dictated that he marry her. I have always thought the Question was Did Lola really love the Prof? He only regrets his decision to marry her when she loses interest in him and treats him like a nobody. I will have to give this some thought.

In your 1st post, you mentioned Marlene Dietrich's other movies with director Josef Von Sternberg. I have 3 other such movies on DVD. In a later post I will discuss them.