Greta Garbo Collection (Anna Christie, Mata Hari, Queen Cristina, Anna Karenina, Camille, Ninotchka) [DVD]

Having recently retired I am catching up on my favourites. Greta Garbo is one. This boxed set of 6 DVDs includes her most famous films (Grand Hotel is not here but available). Detailed and technical aspects of this collection have been extensively provided by other reviewers and I therefore will write as a fan of this screen goddess who perplexed her audiences and co stars,directors etc, but was adoringly loved by her public. Beautiful, beguiling, in command, a powerful personality, difficult I would imagine. I could go on.

After her silent era films, her first 'talkie' was ANNA CHRISTIE received as magical after her mute past. A waterfront drama playing an ex-prostitute the film continues to captivate.
MATA HARI sees Greta as a first world war spy with romantic undertones. She looks glamourous and sensual. Great alluring atmosphere. An interview subsequently quotes Greta as saying "Screen vamps make me laugh tremendously.The fact that I am considered one makes me laugh even more". Thoroughly entertaining.
QUEEN CHRISTINA brought Greta rave reviews. She stars as a Queen Christina of Sweden who falls in love with a Spanish ambassador (John Gilbert, after apparent problems accomodating Laurence Olivier). Much to be admired. Great action and very popular in Britain. Remains in command throughout. Marvellous.
ANNA KARENINA had been filmed in a silent version in 1927. This version obviously had to be a review-type precis of the Tolstoy novel and lasts 89 minutes. The cast is diverse but splendid. I have read the book (but only once as it took weeks) and I now have the film. Readily watchable repeatedly. It won the New York Critics Best Actress award.
CAMILLE was directed by George Cukor and again won the N.Y Best Actress Award and provided Greta with her first Oscar nomination. I think this is her best film and performance. Again she is in masterful charge of all her scenes, many dramatic, showing her flair and beauty with utter consistency. Watchable and unmissable.
Finally ,NINOTCHKA ,directed by Ernst Lubitsch. "Garbo laughs" was the message. A Russian communist sent to Paris who converts to Western lifestyle and falls in love with count Leon d'Algout (Melvyn Douglas). Kenneth Tynan pointed out that she pleaded the world's cause "Bomps will fall, civilizations will crumble-but not yet - give us our moment". Witty, funny, gay with a superb cast. A great film with a change of emphasis from Greta's previous performances (Oscar nominated).

I have seen these films sporadically on television mainly in the fifties and sixties. They do not appear to appeal to the computer-generated era and hence no exposure. This boxed set is affordable, available and a wonderful representation of a remarkable actress and woman. I am still foxed as to whether anyone truly understood her. A legend. Highly recommended. Even my children are fascinated. I hope their offspring will follow suit. Quality of the DVDs is very good.

This box set is very unusual in that it has all the best films of the star and the price was very reasonable as well. The DVD quality is very good and it is therefore a real collectors item. The individual films can be watched over and over as they are examples of real film making

I have just recieved my collection and at first watched Camille, such a great film. Obviously the inspiration for Baz Luhrmans Moulin Roughe.. The similarities are endless. I know I am going to enjoy the entire collection even if some films are not as good quality as the one mentioned above. Simply because I have already fallen in love with Garbo. The print of the film I mention was not great, but its from 1936, so I do not mind. Next to watch, Queen Christina or Anna Karenina.... hmmmmmmmmmmm :)