WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Victor/Victoria
Genre:Musical

Reviewed In Issue 27 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Julie Andrews, James Garner, Robert Preston, Lesley Ann Warren, Alex Karras, John Rys-Davies, Graham Stark, Peter Arne, Sherloque Tanney & Michael Robbins

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 3
Sound Rating: 1.5
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
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Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): MGM
(Catalog Number): ML105899
(MPAA Rating): PG
(Retail Price): $49.98
(Running Time In Minutes): 134
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): No
(Theatrical Release): 1982
(LD Release Date):
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

Credits Information
(Director): Blake Edwards
(Screenplay/Written By):
(Story):
(Music):
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer):
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor):
(Supervising Sound Editors):
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DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography):
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 2.35:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 2.22:1

DVD Sound Information
(DVD Soundtrack): Dolby Surround
(Theatrical Sound): Dolby Stereo A
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(Remastered Dolby Digital):
(Remastered DTS Digital Surround):
(Additional Languages):

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Victor/Victoria is a fun musical comedy that presents Julie Andrews in the performance of a lifetime as Victoria, a starving singer in Depression-era Paris. When she meets homosexual and equally hapless Toddy (Robert Preston), she is convinced to pose as the Polish Count and drag-queen Victor—and quickly becomes the sensation of Paris. Victoria, or, for that matter, Victor captures the heart of nightclub owner King (James Garner), who refuses to believe she is a man and does everything he can to find the truth.

LaserDisc Picture:
The picture, framed at 2.22:1, exhibits images that are wanting in sharpness and detail. Color fidelity seems a bit subdued and dull, wanting in vibrant naturalness. Noise and minor artifacts are apparent throughout. Despite its otherwise dated look, when the stage performances begin, fleshtones look natural with deep, pure blacks and costumes are vivid and festive.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The Dolby® Digital discrete soundtrack is very thin, distorted and strident when compared to the PCM matrix. Dialogue is spread monaurally across the soundstage. With the discrete being limited to a three channel presentation, it is a disappointment.
(Surround Bass Below 50Hz):
(Aggressive System Surround):
(Intense 25Hz Bass):
(Deep Bass Challenging):
(Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
(Holosonic Soundfield):
(Aggressive Split Surround):
(Center Back Surround Imaging):
(Directionalized Dialogue):
Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
Superb Color Fidelity:
Superb Cinematography:
Reference LaserDisc:
Collector Edition: