The Tales of Hoffmann (1951) [The Criterion Collection]

Director: Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger
Writers: Dennis Arundell (English libretto), Jules Barbier (from the French text by)
Stars: Moira Shearer, Robert Rounseville, Ludmilla Tchérina

Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger create a phantasmagoric marriage of cinema and opera in this one-of-a-kind take on a classic story. In Jacques Offenbach’s fantasy opera The Tales of Hoffmann, a poet dreams of three women—a mechanical performing doll, a bejeweled siren, and the consumptive daughter of a famous composer—all of whom break his heart in different ways. Powell and Pressburger’s feverishly romantic adaptation is a feast of music, dance, and visual effects, and one of the most exhilarating opera films ever produced.

Extras:
- Soundtrack on the Blu-ray
- Audio commentary from 1992 by filmmaker Martin Scorsese and critic Bruce Eder, newly updated by Eder
- Interview with filmmaker George A. Romero from 2005
- The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (1956), a short musical film based on the Johann Wolfgang von Goethe story and directed by Michael Powell
- Collection of production designer Hein Heckroth’s design sketches and paintings
- Gallery of production and publicity photographs
- Trailer
- English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing




All thanks to the original uploader