The Tales Of Hoffmann [1951] [Criterion] (BLU)
Michael Powell/Emeric Pressburger

Synopsis
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.
Special Features:
- 4K restoration by The Film Foundation and the BFI National Archive, in association with STUDIOCANAL, featuring newly rediscovered footage and with uncompressed monaural soundtrack
- 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
- An essay by film historian Ian Christie
Product Details
- Format: Color
- Language: English
- Subtitles: English
- Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
- Number of Discs: 1
- Rating: Not Rated
- Label: The Criterion Collection
- Release Date: 06/07/2022
- Run Time: 133 minutes
- Catalogue #: 317
- Region: A