Search - Bluebeard on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Violence, Nudity, Adult Situations, Not For Children, Adult Language Movie Release: 1972 DVD Release: 07/11/2000 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 2 hrs 4 mins Studio: Anchor Bay Members Wishing: 5 Genres: Crime, Black Comedy, Period Film, Crime Comedy See Also: Bluebeard

Bluebeard is the retelling of the now familiar story of a wealthy aristocrat who marries and murders and marries again. Baron Von Sepper (Richard Burton), the BlueBeard of the story, meets and marries Anne (Joey Heatherton) who becomes suspicious of Von Sepper when she finds evidence of his murders shortly after their wedding. Van Sepper then, in graphic detail, tells Anne the stories of his former wives' lives and deaths. The movie, directed with ham-handed archness by Edward Dmytryk, attempts to tell the story as a black comedy. Despite an array of beautiful women, including (Virna Lisi), (Nathalie Delon) and (Raquel Welch), nothing can distract from the abysmal performances of Burton and Heatherton. The film has some nice costumes and is beautifully photographed by cinematographer Gabor Pogany, but all the humor is unintentional and the actors, particularly Richard Burton all seem to wish they were elsewhere. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide

Richard Burton - Bluebeard (Baron von Sepper)
Raquel Welch - Magdalena
Joey Heatherton - Anne
Virna Lisi - Elga
Natalie Delon - Erika

The 1942 version of this chilling tale is the better film, but this Anchor Bay DVD shows that the 1972 retelling of Bluebeard at least wins hands down in the kitsch department. A half-hearted attempt at black comedy, the movie is more a showcase for its cuckoo cast, which includes Joey Heatherton, Raquel Welch, Sybil Danning, and Richard Burton -- who hams it up to the hilt and never tries to hide the fact that he's only in it for the money. The art direction, costumes, and lush color cinematography are the only genuinely good things about Bluebeard and they are displayed nicely in this widescreen anamorphic transfer. The audio track is well balanced and free of hiss, and the extras include a gallery of still photos from the production. Many retailers are selling the DVD to "adults only" but by today's standards the movie would probably be rated PG-13. ~ Nick Dedina, All Movie Guide