Becky Sharp [Blu-ray]

KINO LORBER Blu-ray version: I'll keep it short. The film itself is a bit over-the-top as far as most of the performances go, but the Technicolor restoration is amazing. There are some very short snippets which betray their origins as slightly inferior film elements that had to be used to fill in short gaps, but 97% of the time, this new transfer will knock your eyes out as far as the vividness of the color, as well as the USE of color. The DVD also includes a nice collection of trailers for other classic films available on Kino Lorber, some in absolutely incredible color.

I saw the original Restoration of this Film at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Beverly Hills back in the 1980's when it was restored to its' original Technicolor by the Restoration Department at UCLA headed by Mr. Bob Gitt.In fact this was the Kick-Off Film for Film Preservation and Restoration the the Film Department at the University of California at Los Angeles, Headed my Mr. Bob Gitt. The Staf at UCLA did a magnificent job in the Restoration of "Becky Sharp" from what they originally had to work with. In fact, only the Cine-Color Prints were thought to exist, but then an original Technicolor print was four somewhere in Europe. All the original Technicolor Film was available, except a few minutes at she film's end, where the existing Cine-Color Film was used in the Restoration. I understand that has recently been corrected, as TCM has shown the Restoration Print, and it is available from private sellers on Ebay.Just keep looking and you will find it. Sadly, there is no commentary, or the original Screen tests, which were also shown that night in Beverly Hills. The Screen Tests were quite extensive, and included beautiful Technicolor scenes of Miriam Hopkins, Mrs. Leslie Carter (who did not get the part as it went to Alison Skipworth) and many others in the film. Many film luminaries were there that evening including Karl Malden, Lyle Wheeler, Charleton Heston, Jane Wyatt, and a host of others. It was quite the evening for the Kick-Off of Film Preservation and many other noteworthy films have received such treatment since that time.The evening of the Presentation Kick-Off at the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, the Auditorium was filled to capacity, and the Restoration Print, even along with comparison views of "before and after" shots were shown. Also, screen tests were shown, including many of the Actors were shown in the original Technicolor.A great deal of additional Film Footage relating to the Historical film was shown that evening, and comparisons showing how much work went into the Restoration of this film, frame by frame, and before and after segments of the Cine-Color Prints and the Technicolor Film. It was fascinating to see all the work that the UCLA Restoration Staff did in the Restoration of this film! UCLA produced a new print, with perfect clarity, rich color, and very clear sound, which is totally missing from the commercially available prints on the market today.So much commentary could be added to this film, even along with the original screen tests, and the other footage that IS available. None of the restoration prints, even along with the original screen tests, and the other footage is available on any of the commercially sold DVD's, however the film is available from private sellers on Ebay, which came from the Restored Version done by the UCLA Film Department on TCM.A shame what is on this DVD by Synergy, and and ever worse effort put out earlier by Alpha. After all the Restoration work done on this Historical Film, being the first three-Strip Technicolor Film ever filmed using the new Three-Strip Technicolor Process under the Direction of the noted Natalie Kalmus.The film at the UCLA Archives in Los Angeles is available in perfect color and transfer, almost identical to the original Technicolor original, with a great deal of additional footage relating to the making of the film. When and if this will ever come out with the Screen Tests and Restored Print, I do not know, but I do know a perfect print Restoration and accompanying footage is at UCLA, and has been shown in recent years on TCM.Do not bother with this DVD by Synergy or the one by Alpha, as the quality of print and sound is unacceptable. I think they evidently used the old Cine-Color prints available prior to the UCLA restoration.After having been at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater, and having seen what a beauty this UCLA Film Restoration of "Becky Sharp" proved to be, it is very sad seeing such an inferior transfer, and with no additional commentary, or any extras at all."Becky Sharp" is a very Historical Film and well done by noted Director Rouben Mamoulian and starred Miriam Hopkins, who was also nominated nor an Academy Award for her efforts in that year of 1935. Miriam Hopkins was perfectly suited for the role of the feisty character of Becky Sharp. She was also considered one of the best choices for the first 3-Strip Technicolor Film, as she photographed so well in color.Miriam Hopkins indeed gives a stellar performance as the leading character of William Makepeace Thackeray;s Novel, Becky Sharp.Cedric Hardwicke, Francis Dee, Alison Skipworth, Billie Burke and Nigel Bruce complete the cast that brings out the character of Thackeray's original novel of Vanity Fair. This was also film in the 1920's as a silent film. Vanity Fair was recently again film, and again titles the actual name of the Novel, Vanity Fair, as was the case with the silent version.For interests sake, The one by Synergy will give you an idea as to what the Film was originally like when filmed in 1935. Even the opening Tltle sequence in the Restored Version done at UCLA was in a rich blue color, and in both the Synergy and Alpha releases, it is a muted gray.The Staff at UCLA, under the Direction of Bob Gitt, completely restored this film, frame by frame to its' original Glory. I just hope UCLA will eventually undertake to see that this film is given the appropriate transfer showing the beauty, and hopefully some type of commentary, of this very Historical Film in the Annals of Film History.Don't despair, as the Restored Version is occasionally shown on TCM, and is available by private sellers on Ebay. Maybe, one day a Professional Copy can be done by Criterion or some noted Company that can give justice to this sadly neglected film.

I saw the original Restoration of this Film at The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Beverly Hills back in the 1980's when it was initially restored and used as the "KICK OFF FILM" for the decade of Film Restoration, in restoring the older Classic films by the UCLA Film Department to a given film's original quality by Mr. Bob Gitt Head of the Film Restoration Department at the University of California in Los Angeles. As this was the "KICK-OFF FILM" for the many films in need of Preservation and restoration by the Film Department at UCLA, Headed by Mr. Gitt. Many Stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood were present that evening including Jane Wyatt, Charleton Heston, and Lyle Wheeler of the Art Department at MGM for many, many years.The Staff at UCLA did a magnificent job in the Restoration of "Becky Sharp" using any and all available prints available at the time they had to work with, which was for the most part, segments of the later Cine-Color prints that had been made from the Original Negative. In fact, only these Cine-Color Prints were thought to exist, but then an Original Technicolor Print was found in Europe and brought to the Film Department at UCLA to be included with the prints for the Restoration already secured by the UCLA Film Staff. All but the last 5 or so minutes of the original negative were found for the work to be done on the Restoration Work of this first 3 Strip Technicolor Film ever made.The evening of th Presentation "Kick-Off" at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater located in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Building in Beverly Hills was filled to capacity. The restored print of "Becky Sharp" including comparison views of the before and after prints were shown, along with original screen tests of the Actors, including those of Miriam Hopkins, Francis Dee, Alan Mowbray, and even Mrs. Leslie Carter were all shown in the original Technicolor. A great deal of additional film footage relating to "Becky Sharp" was also shown that evening, and comparisons showing how much work went into the Restoration of "Becky Sharp" for which Miriam Hopkins was nominated for that year in the category of Best Actress.It is regretful what is on this Alpha DVD after all the Restoration work done on this significant first 3 Strip Technicolor film ever produced and Directed by the noted Director Rouben Mamoulian. Becky Sharp has been shown in the original Restoration on Turner Classic Movies, but to my knowledge, none of the publicly released prints use the Restoration Print, but evidently use the older Cine-Color Prints. I do know of people that copied it from the showing on TCM, and in that respect do have the restored print, as it is available in Perfect original color, with a great deal of additional film footage of the original screen tests and the making of "Becky Sharp", which was all completed by the Film Restoration Staff at UCLA. I hope the restored print will eventually be made available for Public sale, as opposed to the current two on the Market now, which are not the restored UCLA Version, but rather the inferior previous Cine-Color versions. I do know the original restored Technicolor Print is available at UCLA, and has been the version occasionally shown on TCM (Turner Classic Movies).Do not bother with buying the DVD's available to the public by Alpha or another other company selling it publicly, as the quality of the Print and Sound is inferior. At this point in regards to viewing a good quality print of this first 3 Strip Technicolor Film, the only way I know of seeing the amazing results of the UCLA Film Department's Restoration version is to watch the film on Turner Classic Movies (TCM) when it is shown on Television, and if you have the equipment, then make a copy (if legal) from what is shown, as TCM does use the Restored UCLA Version, which in essence is similar to seeing the film as it looked when it first was shown from the original 3 Strip 35MM Technicolor prints in Theaters when initially released in 1935. Turner Classic Movies may have the Restored version available through the site on the Internet. That would be my recommendation if one desires seeing the film as it looked in 3-Strip Technicolor when initially released.

1) The disc is stunning. Your jaw will drop immediately at the sharpness of the print, the fine grain, and the gorgeous colors.2) The story is very good - better than I thought it would be. It also really feels like a pre-code film, although it was produced in 1935. Marian Marsh is wonderful in it.If you were curious about this - which was the first three-strip technicolor full-length Hollywood feature - buy the disc. You won't be disappointed!

Becky Sharp is fun and paints the Vanity Fair story in broad strokes covering the main points. Some parts are just too silly, especially the sight of actresses who are closer to 30 years old than 20, giggling like girls half their age. I like Miriam Hopkins but she's ten years too old for this and it shows. For that matter, nearly every major part is played by someone too old for it. As to be expected the Hollywood Production Code intrudes upon the narrative and so Becky is able to retain her virtue. But surprisingly, to me at least, the Code lets her off at the end by not insisting she be killed or institutionalized for her "sins".The video quality is variable but acceptable. My viewing partner and I had no trouble with the dialogue.My comment in the headline notwithstanding, Becky Sharp is worth watching.

This is 5 star for various reasons: it was Jock Whitney's first film as a producer, and also the first full length feature in three strip Technicolor. It is therefore important historically rather than aesthetically. It is difficult to judge the colour because this disc comes from a minor producer, and was probably from poor copy of the original film. The production needed to be much tighter, but, despite all this, I found the film both interesting and enjoyable.

As one of the first full colour films produced in Hollywood,I was expecting it to look a little primitive.The picture isn't actually that bad, the audio quality however, is atrocious.I managed less than 5 minutes of background hissing and screeching,shrill voices before I conceded defeat.my advice would be to wait until a studio cleans a print up.Here's hoping!

Wonderful to see this long lost film so lovingly restored. Bearing in mind the age of the original and its historical importance as the first full length feature film made in Technicolor, it was remarkable to be able to access this.

GREAT