A Midsummer Night’s Dream Blu-ray Review
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is an admirable adaptation.
Written by Charles Kenyon and Mary C. McCall Jr., 1935’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is a cinematic adaptation of William Shakespeare’s classic fantasy romantic comedy. Set in Athens and its surrounding enchanted forest, the ensemble tale involves the forthcoming marriage between Duke Theseus and Hippolyta and essentially revolves around 3 interconnected stories. The first story involves Hermia who is in love with Lysander. Her father wants her to marry Demetrius, but she is against it. Helena, meanwhile, is in love with Demetrius. The second story concerns a lousy theater troupe (including Nick Bottom) that is set to put on a production of “Pyramus and Thisbe” for the wedding. The final story centers around the Fairies in the forest. More specifically, the not so happy married couple Oberon (the Fairy King) and Titania (the Fairy Queen). The controlling Oberon covets a changeling as his attendant that is currently with Titania and proceeds to cause much mischief via potions/magic with the help of Puck (a fairy attendant). This mischief affects Titania, Bottom, Hermia, Helena, Lysander, and Demetrius.
Director Max Reinhardt’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is notable for being one of the most renowned early cinematic Shakespeare adaptations. The film (which is presented here in the Original Roadshow version with overture and exit music) even went on to garner 4 Academy Award nominations including Best Picture and winning Oscars for Best Editing and Best Cinematography. While not perfect and a bit creaky in spots, this star studded take has a lot going for it. The dream-like film is at its best in the forest sequences. The ethereal cinematography and effects, the grand and wild flowing costumes, the fairy flying stunts, the dance choreography, the Felix Mendelssohn score, and the sets really elevate what could have been a stagy production. It’s really quite a visual treat (especially for the 30’s).
Your opinion of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” as a play will also likely determine how you feel about this film. Personally speaking, Shakespeare’s dramas and tragedies were always more captivating than his comedic work, but this tale about mischief, love, dreams, and magic has its charms. Is there too much forest frolicking and confused characters? Yes, but it all works out in the end.
As mentioned above, the cast is stacked with talent that includes Mickey Rooney, James Cagney, Olivia de Havilland, Dick Powell, Jean Muir, and more. There’s some definite overacting and miscast actors (cough Dick Powell cough), but there’s some noteworthy performances here from Anita Louise (Titania), Olivia de Havilland (Hermia) and James Cagney (as the dopey Nick Bottom).
Video/Audio:
Presentation: 1.37:1 1080p. How does it look? Warner Archive does it again. The picture quality has been cleaned up and the picture looks much more refined.
Audio Track: 2.0 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? Viewers can expect a sharp audio track from start to finish.
Extras:
* Commentary by film historian Scott MacQueen
* Theatrical trailer and Warner Bros. Studio Cafe teaser trailer
* Olivia de Havilland screen tests
* “A Dream Comes True”- A vintage making of featurette.
* 6 teaser trailers showcasing cast members Dick Powell, Aita Louise, Jean Muir, Frank McHugh, Ian Hunter and Olivia de Havilland
* A musical short titled “Shake Mr. Shakespeare.”
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