‘The Miracle’ Blu-ray Review (Warner Archive)
Stars: Roger Moore, Carroll Baker, Walter Slezak, Vittorio Gassman, Katina Paxinou, Dennis King, Gustavo Rojo, Isobel Elsom, Carlos Rivas | Written by Karl Vollmöller, Frank Butler, Jean Rouverol | Directed by Irving Rapper, Gordon Douglas
Before he became the world’s most famous secret agent, James Bond. Before he lit up television screens in series like The Alaskans and The Saint. Roger Moore first took centre stage in the 1959 historical epic The Miracle. Now celebrating its 66th anniversary, The Miracle receives a long-overdue upgrade, with Warner Archive Collection restoring the film and releasing it on Blu-ray for the very first time.
In Spain’s convent of the valley of Mira Flores stands a symbol of sanctity: a statue of the Madonna. But one fateful day, the statue becomes more than a symbol. It becomes flesh and blood.
The Miracle clearly benefits from its healthy budget and the committed performances of Roger Moore and Carroll Baker. Its attempt to fuse religious themes with sweeping historical fiction is an ambitious one, but it never quite reaches the emotional or dramatic heights it seems to be striving for. Where the film truly shines is in its technical craft, particularly the striking visual effects and the rich, often stirring musical score.
Shot in Technirama – the short-lived widescreen rival to the more dominant CinemaScope – The Miracle is undeniably impressive to look at. Visually, it delivers on its epic promise. Unfortunately, that spectacle isn’t matched by the storytelling, which lacks the depth and narrative pull needed to make the film genuinely engaging or especially memorable.
Warner Archive Collection have transferred The Miracle to Blu-ray in 1080p, and it is presented ina 2.35:1 Letterbox aspect ratio. The audio track is an English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono. There are also English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.
Warner Archive has restored the film from a 6K scan of the original elements, resulting in a presentation that’s pin-sharp, with rich, vibrant colours throughout. The audio is equally impressive — clean, clear, and free from pops or hiss. There are no visible age-related blemishes to speak of, and the overall effect is nothing short of remarkable. Quite simply, Warner Archive’s restoration of The Miracle is mind-blowing. But Warner Archive didn’t just restore this film and release it on Blu-ray; they added some nice bonus features on this disc, including:
Special Features:
- 2 Classic Warner Bros. Bugs Bunny Cartoons:
- BONANZA BUNNY
- HARE-ABIAN NIGHTS
- Original Theatrical Trailer
For me, the addition of classic cartoons always makes these Blu-ray releases so much better. And to have not one but two Bugs Bunny cartoons and the original trailer? It takes this release up a couple of notches.
**** 4/5
Now, while The Miracle is not one of the most outstanding religious-based films of its time, it is not without its charm. Many will find great joy in watching this film, and if you do want to see it, you cannot find a better way to see it than on this new Warner Archive Blu-ray release.
______
