Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9122 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-02-10
• Rating: Universal, suitable for all
• Number of discs: 2
• Formats: Box set, PAL, Special Edition
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 169 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
A musical remake of the classic 1937 film of the same name, A Star is Born was designed as Judy Garland's comeback vehicle after she had been cruelly axed by MGM studios for professional unreliability. Her erratic moods caused serious production delays this time around, too, but the behind-the-scenes turmoil was certainly worth it--Garland gives just about the greatest one-woman show in movie history. The story is the stuff of pure Hollywood legend. Aspiring actress-singer Esther Blodgett meets fading matinee idol Norman Maine (James Mason), who navigates her to stardom under the more melodious handle of Vickie Lester. As she rises meteorically, he declines into alcoholic self-pity--and the result, if you haven't guessed, is plenty of heartbreak. Mason lends subtle support in a role Cary Grant refused as too downbeat for his image, but Garland grabs centre stage with an all-out emotional performance that rivets the attention.

Director George Cukor was famous for coaxing the very best out of screen divas, and A Star is Born must be counted as his crowning achievement. The lush visual style that he contributes provides a suitable setting for Garland's deep, rich voice--throbbing with melancholy in the Harold Arlen-Ira Gershwin ballad "The Man That Got Away", then capering joyfully in the gargantuan musical number "Born in a Trunk". Moss Hart's script takes many cynical swipes at the pretensions of Tinsel Town--perhaps too many for the taste of studio boss Jack Warner, who ordered drastic cuts in the film after its premiere. --Peter Matthews

Special Features
English
Region 2

Synopsis
A STAR IS BORN was conceived as a comeback vehicle for Judy Garland, who gives a fascinating and heartrending performance in perhaps the finest work of her career. This film was director George Cukor's first musical and first color picture; the tale of a doomed Hollywood couple, it was a remake of the 1937 William Wellman movie with Janet Gaynor and Fredric March. Garland plays young singer Esther, who saves Norman Maine (James Mason), a famous star, from making a fool of himself onstage. Maine is an alcoholic whose career is on the wane but who manages, nonetheless, to acknowledge Esther's talent and help her jump-start a career in Hollywood. But as her star rises and his declines, Maine's misery grows. Harold Arlen and Ira Gershwin provided Garland with songs that would become standards in her concert repertoire, including "The Man That Got Away," which earned an Oscar nomination for Best Song.

Customer Reviews

One of the best musicals of all time
Those who say that 'Star' is the performance of Garland's career are not exaggerating - this is, undoubtedly, one of the greatest musicals of all time.

It has a whole array of cracking songs, from the opening dance number 'Gotta Have Me Go With You' to the marvellous 'Born in a Trunk' ensemble and, of course, the classic 'The Man That Got Away', of which Garland's recording is undoubtedly the definitive version. By and large I'm not a huge fan of Ira Gershwin's lyrics, but this film proves that a great song is about great emotion, and some of these provocative numbers will surely get your heart pounding.

What sets 'Star' apart from other classic musicals is that, despite having great songs, these aren't what the film is about. This is a genuinely moving tale of tragedy, sublimely acted by the two leads; Garland displays real vulnerability and yet also power, while Mason shows the depth of a man on the edge of oblivion, fighting with alcoholism and his inner demons. Some of these incredibly heartfelt scenes bring a tear (or more) to the eye.

So, a fantastic film, but it’s immeasurably enhanced by this two-disc 50th anniversary edition. The version of the film included here is the completely restored 169 minute cut, containing original scenes and stills lost over the years in various re-releases. Of course, it’s been digitally remastered and is presented in beautiful 2.55:1 widescreen format with 5.1 digital sound – the perfect presentation of Warner Bros’ first Cinemascope production. The second disc is devoted entirely to extras, and there’s a marvellous selection here. It begins with three alternative versions of ‘The Man That Got Away’ which, aside from being great to watch and listen to, also provide tremendous insight into the filmmaking and design process. There’s also a short clip featuring ‘When My Sugar Walks Down the Street’, a song originally filmed for the ‘Born in a Trunk’ sequence but not included in the final cut. There’s full coverage of the Hollywood premiere of the film, with a newsreel, full 30 minute TV special and speeches (including Garland’s) from the after-show party. There’s also a short promotional video from Jack Warner (one of the brothers) and a few audio clips.

Quite simply, ‘A Star is Born’ is an essential purchase for fans of Garland, good musicals, or emotional drama in general, and this wonderful package just makes the experience even more special.

A triumphant return for Judy
A triumphant return to the screen after a 4 year absence, her last being MGM'S 'Summer Stock' in 1950. Judy was always capable of making a mediocre script look good, but here she has full support starting with the wonderful screenplay by Moss Hart, expert directin by George Cukor and James Mason, perfect as her co-star helping Judy (Esther Blodgett) realise her obvious talent.

This film is probably the best example of Judy Garland's versatality as a performer and highlights her ability as a great dramatic actress. Her performance earned her a well deserved oscar nomination and added to an already impressive film career as she was still only 32.

The film has numerous high points, many of which were cut after its' inititial premiere but have since been found and rightfully restored including 2 musical numbers 'here's what I'm here for' and 'lose that long face'. The songs by Harold Arlen and Ira Gershwin become instant Judy standards.

a broken classic - beware!
Of course, the movie itself is a classic. James Mason gives his best-ever performance, making a mockery of the studio's original first choice for Norman Maine - Clark Gable (and can you imagine how wooden THAT would have been?) Garland has probably never sung better, but what really surprises is her acting - which is both disarmingly charming and achingly powerful

However...

While the restoration of lost footage is a film-buff's dream, and expertly done, to simply plonk whole minutes of still-frames in the middle of the movie is nonsensical and largerly destroys the narrative flow of the whole. By all means, include it as a DVD extra - but this is geekness run amok and should be discouraged - especially as there is no warning that the movie has been doctored in this way.

If you love the movie as we all remember it, buy an earlier version or wait for the inevitable 'special special edition' that features a proper 'making of' featurette to fill up a largely wasted second disc, and a decent cut of the movie-proper.

Sorry. I really wanted to like this, but the extras simply don't justify sabotaging a real Hollywood classic.