Beautiful performances and astonishing special effects highlight this very early allegory of where and how to seek happiness.
Other reviewers have commented on the performance of the then very young actress Tula Belle, who was about 12 and who didn't make movies but for two more years, to our loss. No superlatives are excessive.
The entire cast was, in fact, excellent, and not a one is well known today. In fact, of the entire production, most of the names are generally unknown today, except for director Maurice Tourneur, film editor Clarence Brown, and -- known to me, at least, because I actually met him in about 1974 -- Ben Carré, who designed both costumes and set. Ben Carré was a genius in his field.
For 1918, the special effects were amazing and effective. The entire production was just breath-taking and eye-popping.
Seeing this on Turner Classic Movies Sunday night, 17 January 2015 (California time), was an exciting experience, even to me, and I have been a silent movie fan for more than 40 years. I thought I knew the history of the genre, and still have lots to learn.
For anyone who missed it on TCM, or for anyone who wants to see it again, it's available at YouTube, three versions at this writing for free and another for a rental fee.
"The Blue Bird" is a real treat, both for its entertainment value and for its history lesson. The message is perhaps rather corny and maybe not so well delivered in the last shot, but the over-all experience is, to me, just overwhelming. I highly recommend "The Blue Bird."
Other reviewers have commented on the performance of the then very young actress Tula Belle, who was about 12 and who didn't make movies but for two more years, to our loss. No superlatives are excessive.
The entire cast was, in fact, excellent, and not a one is well known today. In fact, of the entire production, most of the names are generally unknown today, except for director Maurice Tourneur, film editor Clarence Brown, and -- known to me, at least, because I actually met him in about 1974 -- Ben Carré, who designed both costumes and set. Ben Carré was a genius in his field.
For 1918, the special effects were amazing and effective. The entire production was just breath-taking and eye-popping.
Seeing this on Turner Classic Movies Sunday night, 17 January 2015 (California time), was an exciting experience, even to me, and I have been a silent movie fan for more than 40 years. I thought I knew the history of the genre, and still have lots to learn.
For anyone who missed it on TCM, or for anyone who wants to see it again, it's available at YouTube, three versions at this writing for free and another for a rental fee.
"The Blue Bird" is a real treat, both for its entertainment value and for its history lesson. The message is perhaps rather corny and maybe not so well delivered in the last shot, but the over-all experience is, to me, just overwhelming. I highly recommend "The Blue Bird."