Duck Soup (1933) Blu-ray Review

When you think family comedy teams There was The Smothers Brothers, The Ritz Brothers, The Three Stooges, Moe, Curly and Shemp were all brothers. But The Marx Brothers have always been one of my favorites.

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment have released some of the Marx Brothers early films on Blu-ray. We recently reviewed the Blu-ray release of 1929's The Cocoanuts, 1931's Monkey Business And 1932's Horse Feathers. Now it is time for 1933's Duck Soup to shine on Blu-ray.

Groucho, Harpo, Chico and Zeppo Marx are at their very best in the political satire Duck Soup which is often regarded as the comedy legends' funniest and most popular film. After being appointed dictator of Freedonia, Rufus T. Firefly (Groucho) proceeds to bring the mythical nation to a halt by showing up late and insulting everyone at his inauguration. Hoping to oust the unfit new leader, two spies (Harpo and Chico) are sent from the neighboring Sylvania. Soon enough, war is declared between the two nations with outrageous results.

The Marx Brothers' Duck Soup is on the top of my list as one of my favorite Marx Brothers features. Groucho's mirror sequence is such an amazing scene it must be seen to be believed!  It's no wonder Duck Soup earned a spot on the AFI's 100 Years 100 Laughs list.

Universal Picture Home Entertainment has released this film on Blu-ray. Horse Feathers have been transferred in 1080p the aspect ratio is the original 1.33:1 aspect ratio. The audio is a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Finally, there is English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.

I have to be honest the transfer to Blu-ray of Duck Soup is amazing. It is truly the best looking transfer of the 4 Marx Brothers Blu-rays we have reviewed. We hear the phrase "In Glorious Black and White!" The Duck Soup Blu-ray is glorious black and white on Blu-ray!

Now in addition to seeing this Marx Brothers classic on Blu-ray. This release has a very interesting audio commentary by Film Critic/Historian Leonard Maltin and Marx Brothers Historian/Author Robert S. Bader. This commentary deserves a listen. And then there is a full length 2016 documentary entitled "Marx Brothers: Hollywood's Kings of Chaos." This documentary is so good it is worth the price of the Blu-ray alone.

If you love Groucho's fast-paced verbal skills it is on full display in Duck Soup. And mirror sequence is my absolute favorite Groucho scene on film. So, without a doubt I consider Duck Soup a must own Blu-ray without a shadow of a doubt!  

So, if you love the Marx Brothers as much as I do Duck Soup Blu-ray is a must for your collection. Head over to MovieZyng and order your copy today.

Out of 4 Film Reels (4 being the best) Horse Feathers Blu-ray receives...