The Blue Angel

Director: Josef von Sternberg Josef von Sternberg

Overview

"At long last, the restored Josef Von Sternberg masterpiece The Blue Angel, which starred Emil Jannings and propelled Marlene Dietrich into the stratosphere, is available on DVD through Kino Video. This lovingly assembled two-disc set boasts a bevy of bonus features, and deservedly so, for this is one of cinema's all-time greatest films. One disc features the slightly clumsy English-language version, and the other features the more popular German-language version, as well as all the special features (and a scene comparison of both versions). The German version, which boasts optional English subtitles, can be viewed with audio commentary by historian Werner Sudenhorf of the Berlin Film Museum. Included are two trailers, one for the film's original release (keep in mind this is Germany's first sound film), and the other for a '60s re-release. There is a splendid photo gallery featuring well over 100 stills, including posters, costume illustrations, and behind-the-scenes photos, as well as the ""Blue Angel Chronicles,"" which consists of lengthy and detailed production notes and no less than 41 filmmaker/cast bios. Finally, as a massive treat for Marlene Dietrich's legions of fans, her 1929 screen test for the film is included (which finds the gal yelling furiously at a slightly inept piano player), as well as a two-minute 1963 interview, and three concert performances of Dietrich, taped in the 1960s and 1970s, as she sings ""Lola,"" ""You're the Cream in My Coffee,"" and ""Falling in Love Again."" This film is presented in its original full-frame (1.19:1) presentation, with Dolby Digital 2.0 sound."

Product Details

Release Date:	11/13/2001
UPC:	0738329022624
Original Release:	1930
Source:	Kino Lorber
Presentation:	[B&W]
Sound:	[monaural, Dolby Digital]
Language:	English
Time:	1:46:00
Sales rank:	39,676

Special Features

Both English and German verions of the film; Audio commentary [German version only]; Marlene Dietrich's "Blue Angel" screen test; Dietrich interview footage; Original trailer; Dietrich concert footage; Photo gallery; Filmmaker/cast bios; Production history

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Marlene Dietrich	Lola Frohlich
Emil Jannings	Prof. Immanuel Rath
Kurt Gerron	Kiepert
Hans Albers	Mazeppa
Rosa Valetti	Guste,Guste, his wife
Eduard von Winterstein	Principal
Reinhold Bernt	Clown
Hans Roth	Beadle
Rolf Müller	Angst
Robert Klein-Lork	Goldstaub
Gerhard Bienert	Policeman
Rolf Muller	Pupil Angst
Roland Varno	Pupil Lohmann
Karl Huszar-Puffy	Innkeeper
Wilhelm Diegelmann	Captain
Ilse Furstenberg	Rath's maid
Carl Ballhaus	Pupil Ertzum
Friedrich Hollaender	Composer
Franz Waxman	Composer
Karl Vollmoller	Composer

Technical Credits

Robert Liebmann

Karl Vollmöller

Carl Zuckmayer

Karl Vollmoller

Robert Lieberman

Josef von Sternberg	Director
Robert Liebmann	Screenwriter
Karl Vollmöller	Screenwriter
Erich Pommer	Producer
Carl Zuckmayer	Screenwriter
Fritz Thiery	Sound/Sound Designer
Karl Vollmoller	Screenwriter
Robert Lieberman	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

Der Blaue Engel is one of the masterpieces of the early sound era, notable in using sound to enhance atmosphere and establish characterization. Germany in 1930 was in desperate economic turmoil from reparations following World War I, and the film mirrors the bleak, unhappy view of the future common in German society at that time. The story is a superb portrait of cruel, obsessive love and the unrelenting degradation that ensues. Director Josef Von Sternberg skillfully paces the film so that the descent of the Professor (Emil Jannings) is both believable and understandable. Indeed, it is clear that the camera adores Lola (Marlene Dietrich) every bit as much as does the professor. The film made an international star of Dietrich, and she is matched in performance by Jannings, in what is perhaps his best-remembered screen role. The film also launched the song "Falling in Love Again,"which, like the film itself, has amply stood the test of time.