IMDb > The Blue Bird (1918)

The Blue Bird (1918) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 4 | slideshow)

IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
6.7/10   164 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 1% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Maurice Maeterlinck (play) and
Charles Maigne (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Blue Bird on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
31 March 1918 (USA) more
Genre:
Plot:
Two peasant children, Mytyl and Tyltyl, are led by Berylune, a fairy, to search for the Blue Bird of Happiness... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
1 win more
User Comments:
Overcoming Age more (6 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
75 min
Country:
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Movie Connections:
Remade as Sinyaya ptitsa (1970) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
7 out of 9 people found the following comment useful.
Overcoming Age, 2 April 2005
6/10
Author: Cineanalyst

There seem to be only a few directors of cinéma's infancy whose films are worth attention; Maurice Tourneur is one of them. His films may not always be the most entertaining, but most of his films that I've seen contain something that interests me. 'Alias Jimmy Valentine,' for example, has major story problems, but the heist scene is outstandingly filmed for 1915. Here, too, the allegorical messages (the bluebird is happiness and such) are too sappy at times, but then there's an inspired shot or something else innovative.

The dark, flickering transfer of a deteriorated, bleeding print surely takes away from much of the visual qualities of this picture, but some of the photography and the colour tinting shines through. Tourneur had some preparation for the dreamland journey of this film with the dream climax in 'The Poor Little Rich Girl' of the previous year. The wonder and imagination of a child are well affected. Despite its age, the film's best element is still apparent; I think that is its awareness. Perhaps, most obviously, this film is comparable to 'The Wizard of Oz' (1939), but more so to the 1914 trilogy, which Baum produced. The animal costumes are especially reminiscent, as are the cheap, but nice-looking backdrops and sets. Showing even more awareness are the trick shots in the way of a Méliès fantasy and the final shot where the boy turns to the camera and directly addresses the audience concerning the film's parable. So, to an extent, Tourneur overcomes the wear of age and the kiddy bluntness of the allegory.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (6 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Blue Bird (1918)

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Blue Bird The Blue Bird The Golden Compass Willow Jungle Book
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
IMDb Fantasy section IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.