I could hardly wait to open this DVD after I was soundly impressed by Criterion's Third Man disc with it's great print and oodles of extras...

Unfortunately this disc has proved the most disappointing DVD I have ever purchased. Alleged to be "A luminous transfer, with restored picture and sound" this only is the case if the restorers were trying to reproduce the standard of a third generation VHS tape. With countless missing frames and splices, frequent audio drops and sizzles and a picture grain which looks like you're watching the film through sand, this is not what I expect from Criterion.

Considering the only other Dietrich movie on DVD - the so-so Garden of Allah - is a gorgeous transfer at a bargain price, this is a huge let down.

Considering most film collectors purchase Criterion DVD's on the strengh of the label alone this is an outrage that they can release such a low quality disc with such a little amount of extra features to compensate...which was the least they could have done.


Is it or isn't it?   February 28, 2002
 37 out of 43 found this review helpful

In a previous review I remarked on what a terrible print of the film was used for this DVD - GREAT FILM, terrible print.

Anyone who disagrees, or feels this may now be the best quality print on offer should take a look at the Martin Scorsese/BFI series "A Personal Journey Through American Movies". There you'll find a some gorgeous clips of the Scarlet Empress with sharp audio and virtually perfect picture (no horrible "dupe print" grain or frame damage like this DVD). The film simply shimers. Presumably this was a BFI print, but it may have been from Paramount - either way, a far better print exists and therefore I'm sad to say that this is proof that Criterion have rather short-changed the buying public this time around.
Still, it's better than not having it on DVD at all, isn't it?


A great film...a lousy transfer.   May 14, 2001
 18 out of 18 found this review helpful

After seeing this film On Turner Classic Movies, several months ago, I became a big fan of its grotesque imagery, and the mysterious, surreal, and almost comical, world it created for the viewer. I found it to be a strange and fascinating film. With that experience, I was more than anxious to get the DVD. So when I read the back of the case, where it said "Luminous transfer, with restored picture and sound", you can imagine how I was salivating, as I ripped the plastic off, and got it in my player. My wife and I prepared to see the magical results of digital technology.

Then I hit the PLAY button.

My disappointment was beyond words. What we saw was anything but "luminous". It was more like watching a colony of flesh-eating bacteria, wandering all round Marlene Dietrich's face, and a swarm of locusts chewing up the scenery. I kept waitng for everything to calm down, so we could really see the beauty of the film. Occasionally, that happened. But by and large, this was a big let-down.

I've seen excellent transfers before, and own them. "Grand Illusion" and "The Seven Samurai" are marvelous examples. But this was nowhere near those efforts. The specks and flecks were too distracting, to fully enjoy this masterpiece. And that's a shame, considering the other otherwise great reputation Criterion has had, in terms of image quality.

I'm a little confused about how one customer could say "...the print is stunning". (Maybe that person was "stunned" by how bad it looked.) I sympathize more with the reviewer who thought that Criterion should be held accountable for its mediocre duplication of this film, and the false advertising. You got it right! Five stars for the film, and the Robin Wood essay. One star for the transfer.


Inferior transfer from Criterion compromises masterpiece   June 8, 2001
 15 out of 16 found this review helpful

You'll hear no disagreement from me that The Scarlet Empress is Von Sternberg's masterpiece, abounding in stunning imagery. But I have to express my extreme disappointment with Criterion's transfer. Never have I seen a harsher (some call it sharp), grainier image or a black and white film so lacking in the subtle gradations of light and shade. No adjustment to my excellent TV could correct these deficiencies.

I have seen beautiful prints of this film recently on the big screen, and the VHS tape from MCA Home Video is also vastly superior to Criterion's release. The only improvement I can detect on the DVD is a brighter, cleaner soundtrack.

Based on my previous satisfaction with Criterion's quality, I have pre-ordered many items from the Criterion Collection in the past without waiting to read the reviews; I simply assumed the quality would be excellent. Now, I am greatly concerned about my outstanding pre-orders with Criterion.

To sum up, I believe the Criterion release of The Scarlet Empress compromises the reputation of the film itself and the company that released the DVD. I have contacted Criterion and recommended pulling this release from among their offerings and making every effort to correct its deficiencies if at all possible.


Sumptuous   May 11, 2001
 13 out of 17 found this review helpful

Josef von Sternberg was a master of detail and cinematography and his films, especially those with Marlene Dietrich, are a visual feast. "The Scarlet Empress" is the best of their 7 film collaboration. Based on the diaries of Catherine The Great, it tells the story of young Catherine from her childhood days up to her arranged marriage with the Grand Duke Peter of Russia and her eventual rise to power. The film, however, is not as much concerned with plot details and authenticity as it is with its visual presentation. Elaborate sets filled with gargoyles, wings, candelabra, massive doors and staircases, etc. frame the actors in every scene and add an appropriate sense of oppressiveness. But the highlight of all of this is the breathtaking Marlene Dietrich, who is at her most beautiful in this film. Sternberg photographs her in endless imaginable ways, through veils, nets, etc. and the results are stunning. From her first scenes as a wide eyed girl looking all about her with incredulous stares to her last scene, in which is she seen ringing the bells of victory with an insane grin, she commands every scene she appears in and you can't take your eyes off her. The only negative performance seems to be Louise Dresser who plays the Empress in a strange folksy manner. It's like the Empress is being played by Ethel Mertz. It is a humorous performance but oddly out of place in the film.

The Criterion dvd is superb with a crisp transfer and excellent sound. The dvd also includes a 20 minute documentary on Josef von Sternberg which was made in the late 1960's by the BBC. Sternberg is interviewed and shows how he achieved the gorgeous lighting in his photography. Also included is a gallery of stills and lobby cards. The fold out booklet that comes with the dvd includes an excellent essay and gorgeous photos of Marlene Dietrich. I'm hoping that Criterion will release more of the Sternberg/Dietrich films, especially "The Devil Is A Woman" and "Shanghai Express".