SIRIUS (1942)
aka SZIRIUSZ
Label: Deaf Crocodile
Region Code: A
Rating: Unrated
Duration: 103 Minutes 15 Seconds
Audio: Hungarian DTS-HD MA 2.0 Dual-Mono with Optional English Subtitles
Video: 1080p HD Fullscreen (1:.37:1)
Director: Ákos D. Hamza
Cast: Katalin Karády, László Szilassy, Elemér Baló, Géza Berczy
It is through the catalog of Deaf Crocodile almost exclusively that I have been enriched by Hungarian film rediscoveries that I am quite sure I might never have been privy to otherwise, the latest of these marvelous discoveries is the sci-fi adventure/romance Sirius (1942) aka Szíriusz, newly rediscovered and gorgeously restored courtesy of the National Film Institute (NFI) in Hungary and making it;s Blu-ray debut from deaf Crocodile The black and white time-travel romance is directed by Ákos D. Hamza, and based on an 1894 novel by Ferenc Herczeg, but amde contemporary by setting the opening and closing scene in the 1940s.
It centers around world-travelling Hungarian playboy (László Szilassy) who after a night of rowdy partying at a costume ball with his pals decides to impulsively answer a newspaper ad from astrophysicist Professor Sergius (Elemér Baló) promising a large dowry to the man who marries his daughter. He arrives at the home of the eccentric Sergius, still wearing his 18th century costume from the party. The scientist proceeds to tells him about a time-travel machine that he has invented, the Sirius, convincing the bachelor to accompany him on a travel through time, agreeing to drop Tibor off in the year 1748 for twenty-four hours so he can experience time travelling 200 years earlier, warning him not to do anything to draw attention to himself. That 18th century costuming he wore is to the party turns out to be conveniently appropriate attire to a degree.
There he explains his presence as having been involved in stagecoach accident, he ends up picked up by a stage coach carrying opera singer Rosina Beppo (Katalin Karády), whom he falls in love with, while also making enemies of all his aristocratic ancestor Count Tibor (Lajos Rajczy), his great grandfather, and of course, he does draw attention to himself, his mannerisms, politics and social etiquette don't fit the antiquated era, and when he strikes match to light a cigarette, it's shockingly anachronistic, it might as well be black magic! He's also very outspoke about politics, and keeps hinting at events yet to happen, and he keeps calling the count great grandfather instead of his proper title, which results in some awkward situations and later some dueling swordplay with his great grandfather, with an ending that brings us back to the 20th century proper, with our love sick protagonist questioning whether what he experienced was real or just a bump on the head. It's a terrifically warm and wonderful watch, the blend of period costume melodrama, science fiction and fantasy makes for a sweet confection, full of whimsy and adventure, which i think will certainly appeal to fans of stuff like Back to the Future and Somewhere in Time.
Audio/Video: Sirius makes its Blu-ray debut from Deaf Crocodile, beautifully restored from the original 35mm B&W nitrate negative by the NFI, presented in 1080p HD in 1.37:1 fullscreen, and it looks gorgeous, an impeccable restoration with nicely preserved film grain, excellent contrast and clarity, grayscale and shadow detail look terrific. The textures of the period clothing and close-ups of faces have some great fine detail as well. Audio comes by way of Hungarian DTS-HD MA 2.0 dual-mono, which has also been wonderfully restored, dialogue, score and effects are all delivered without issue, sounding terrific for a film of it's vintage. The Blu-ray authoring by David Mackenzie of Fidelity In Motion is top-notch, the transfer has plenty of room to breathe, and I noticed no issues with compression during my viewing.
Extras include the 2-min Sirius Werkfilm (1942, silent) offering very rare behind-the-scenes footage of the film's during production shot by a 19-year old studio trainee, plus a new 19-min Video interview with György Ráduly, director of the National Film Institute (NFI), moderated by Dennis Bartok that delves into the film's production and restoration, and the stunning life of actress Katalin Karády. Also included is a 20-min Video Essay Vissza a jövöbe – Hungary at a Tipping Point by journalist and physical media expert Ryan Verrill and film professor Dr. Will Dodson of Someone’s Favorite Productions that explores the making of the film, it's cultural significance, the impact of WWII, and more. We also have a new Audio commentary by comics artist (Swamp Thing), film historian, and author Stephen R. Bissette that really packs in the historical and contextual research, including more about the life and times of Katalin Karády. The last if the disc-extras is a 3-min Trailer. The single-disc release arrives in a clear full-height Scanavo keepcase with a 2-sided non-reversible wrap featuring the artwork of Deaf Crocodile's resident artist Beth Morris.
Special Features:
- SIRIUS Werkfilm” (1942, 2:27, B&W, silent) – this ultra-rare behind-the-scenes footage of SIRIUS during production was shot by a 19-year old studio trainee and shows the director and lead actors setting up for filming.
- New video interview with György Ráduly, director of the National Film Institute (NFI) – Film Archive on the making and preservation of SIRIUS, moderated by Dennis Bartok. (18:54)
- New video essay by journalist and physical media expert Ryan Verrill and film professor Dr. Will Dodson of Someone’s Favorite Productions. (20:18)
- New commentary track by comics artist (Swamp Thing), film historian, and author Stephen R. Bissette.
- Trailer (2:48)
- New artwork by Beth Morris.
- Blu-ray authoring by David Mackenzie of Fidelity In Motion.
Screenshots from the Deaf Crocodile Blu-ray:
Extras:
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