Fuck me, this has to be the most glorious restoration I have seen in some time, of Technicolour. Yes, you heard it from me first. This is stunning. SARABAND FOR DEAD LOVERS is not just an Ealing film, as Phuong Le and Matthew Sweet short chew over in their extra on the disc. Nor is it a film about which the monarchy need be afraid, as others in the world of film seem set to be their default position. Instead it is as Dr Josephine Botting says, an ode to the magic of cinema. A magic that  begins in the 18th century. Sophie Dorothea (Joan Greenwood) is being forced, well coerced into marriage. The object is Prince George Louis (Peter Bull), soon to be George the first of Britain. He is now an aristocrat with impluse and fashion but eyes firmly on the crown which is so near he can taste it. When he becomes king, Sophie becomes isolated. She meets suave Swedish mercenary Count Philip Konigsmark (Stewart Granger). A man who eyes her as a lady not as a queen. As their love grows, they plot to flee England together. Their scheme is discovered, and the lovers must figure out a way to escape the tightening noose of retribution.

Thats what I loved about SARABAND FOR DEAD LOVERS. Its a film that functions perfectly in its craft. Its a film of visual beauty that is less restrained than expected. Its acted with stage instead of screen craft but, and I will emphasis this, it is not the sort of film you expect from Ealing. Phuong Le and Matthew Sweet actually spend most of their time documenting this well, so I wont bore you. However the more powerful thing is the clear brillance of the restoration to remake this film and let many more see it anew. It is a stunning, new restoration. One that is important as it is of the first Technicolor film from Ealing. But also one that is essential for its delivery by Basil Drearden, is so unexpected. David Thompson was wrong about the great British director. He is not a film maker of empty sets and dreary things. His films, as here, are alive with space and sing with colour!

Extras:

A Strange Adventure: Phuong Le and Matthew Sweet discuss Saraband for Dead Lovers (New) •

A Technicolor Dance: Interview with Film Historian Dr Josephine Botting (New) •

Restoring Saraband for Dead Lovers (New) •

Behind the Scenes stills gallery