A Midsummer Night's Dream (1935) (Blu-ray)

I have always loved William Dieterle's and Max Reinhardt's A Midsummer Night's Dream. It is truly delightful. The cast is filled with heavyweights from the time; James Cagney, Dick Powell and Olivia De Havilland just to name a few. The art direction and costume design also adds to the delight of the entire production. This, in my opinion, is the best screen adaptation of Shakespeare's classic. It's always been difficult to find a good print of this movie. Previous DVD releases have been adequate enough, however, Warner Archive's new bluray release and restoration is truly stunning. This is one to definitely add to your collection. The movie has never looked better and the audio quality is also of a very high standard. Well done Warner Archive!!

When famed stage director Max Reinhardt brought his company to the USA and performed “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the Hollywood Bowl, Warner Bros. was quick to sign him up in order to make it into a prestige film. Utilising many of their stars in leading roles, this unlikely production quickly became THE film to see in 1935. Co-directed by Reinhardt and William Dieterle and featuring Mendelssohn’s music arranged by Erich Wolfgang Korngold, the roadshow presentation Ron’s for 143 minutes and includes an Intermission and Overture.James Cagney is brilliant as “Bottom”, Joe E. Brown as “Flute”, Hugh Herbert as “Snout”, diminutive Mickey Rooney as an engaging “Puck”, Ian Hunter as “Theseus”, Verree Teasdale as “Hippolyta”, Dick Powell (slightly out of his depth) as “Lysander”, Ross Alexander as “Demetrius”, Olivia De Havilland as “Hermia” and a menacing Victor Jory as “Oberon”. Even a non-Shakespeare lover like me was enthralled by this enchantingly-photographed (by cinematographer Hal Mohr), which gives the film an otherworldly gleam and glimmer.

A shimmering restoration of this truly unique take on Shakespeare from Hollywood's Golden Age. The all-star cast do far better than you may imagine - though Mickey Rooney's Puck can be rather wearing after a while. The real reason for watching though has to be the glorious special effects, a triumph of 1930s design and technique.

I should add that, as ever, the service offered by Moviezyng is spit on. Great packaging means the item travels and arrives in perfect condition.