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16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Classic is Reborn, December 15, 2000
Producer David O. Selznick let the viewer know from the beginning of his films that they were "in the tradition of quality" from the colonial-like logo at the beginning all the way through to the end. THE GARDEN OF ALLAH was his first film in the then-rather new three-strip Technicolor. Up to now, one could only wince at prints that belched muffled sound and greeted the eye with unbalanced color and fuzzy optics. One was left to wonder just what standard of "quality" Selznick settled for in this expensively mounted films of the 1930s and 1940s. Fortunately, with Anchor Bay's DVD release, ALLAH is a classic literally reborn. Thanks to the Disney company, the current owner of the picture and responsible for restoring it, ALLAH is an entirely new film--sharp focus, vivid, stunning Technicolor, and a soundtrack that not only has a tremendous presence, but brings out all of the instruments and subtle tones in the great score by Max Steiner that provides at least half of the mood and atmosphere of this film. Yes, the story is old-fashioned about a trappist monk (Boyer) who renounces his vows and marries a lonely rich woman (Dietrich) who goes into the desert to find her meaning in life. But ALLAH shows just why Boyer and Dietrich were hot stuff in those days. This fatalistic story has a charm all its own, due in large part to the magnificent presentation of Anchor Bay's tremendous print. Anchor Bay's ALLAH sets a completely new standard for the DVD of a Technicolor film from the 30s. Enjoy
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9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
For Lovers of doomed exotic Romance, October 2, 2002
Handsome movie, breathtakingly filmed in color, in fact, one of the first full length films in technicolor. The image of the dvd edition, is so near perfection that it's difficult to believe that this picture was released in 1936! The plot is for sure outdated, but nevertheless the story of the doomed love affair between convent-educated Domini Enfilden and russian Boris Androvsky, a tormented trappist monk, who's just fled from his monastery, set against the beautiful background scenery of the desert, is enjoyable due to its aforementioned technical qualities and the "continental"appeal of both stars, Marlene Dietrich and Charles Boyer. Although Dietrich looks stylish and alluring as Domini Enfilden, I feel she never looked as good again, as in her early `30s black & white Paramount films, directed by Von Sternberg. Boyer is effective as the troubled monk, who wants a taste of the "outside world". Excellent support by Basil Rathbone, Joseph Schildkraut and C. Aubrey Smith, plus a spectacular exotic arab dance sequence by then newcomer, Tilly Losch.
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10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A DIETRICH CURIOUSITY., August 26, 2002
An unusual film which will appeal to some for that very reason. The production values were obviously first-rate: the photography, musical score and direction are fine while the plot and characterisations are fairly rich and deep. As Domini, Dietrich is all nobility here. Seeking a spiritual rest after caring for her dying father, her advisor tells her to seek peace in the Algerian desert where she meets a trappist monk - who has broken his vows - in the person of Charles Boyer...This film wasn't one of Marlene's personal favourites: she thought the dialogue was in parts ridiculous - i.e. having to say such lines as "Nobody but God and I know what is in my heart" during a romantic interlude with Boyer. "The conceit of it! I tell you I very nearly died"! was her remark. Based upon the 1904 novel by Robert Hitchens, this curious film was shot on location near Yuma, Arizona. The film was sensitively directed by Richard Boleslawski and the still - gorgeous colour cinematography won an AA for Howard Greene.
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