DVD 5059 MELBA

This DVD, although blurry and apparently taken from a television source in black and white when the original film was made in Technicolor, is clear enough to enjoy. The sound is fairly clear and the acting is competent. Occasionally, criticisms were made of the choice of soprano to portray Melba. Ms Patrice Munsel nevertheless has a pleasant voice with a wide range and easily sings the various arias and ensemble pieces. She is also quite attractive in appearance. The story of her life, both in genera and in detail, has been so botched by the scriptwriters that it is another of the travcesties of "biopics". Nevertheless, the DVD serves to showcase Ms Munsel's voice and does not deserve the harsh and negative criticism made of her. Possibly a 3 and a half stars rating, had it been an option, might have been a more fair one than 3 for this enjoyable but admittedly flawed presentation.