The Great Waltz (1938) in Color — Starring Luise Rainer & Fernand Gravey

The Great Waltz (1938) — Buy This Classic in Color

Experience the magnificent musical spectacle of The Great Waltz (1938) in color for just €15.00. Directed by Julien Duvivier, this lavish MGM production tells the story of Johann Strauss II and his immortal waltzes, starring Fernand Gravey as Strauss, Luise Rainer, and Miliza Korjus in her Oscar-nominated Hollywood debut. Available now as a DRM-free MP4 digital download for instant viewing on any device.

Plot Summary

In mid-nineteenth-century Vienna, young Johann Strauss II (Fernand Gravey) works as a bank clerk by day but lives for music by night. He is passionately devoted to composing waltzes, dreaming of surpassing even his famous father, Johann Strauss I, whose orchestra dominates the Viennese ballrooms. Johann’s devoted wife Poldi (Luise Rainer) believes in his talent absolutely, supporting his ambitions even when they threaten the family’s financial security.

When Johann’s compositions attract a small but enthusiastic following in the beer gardens of Vienna, he forms his own orchestra and begins performing his original waltzes. The music is fresh, exhilarating, and revolutionary — taking the traditional waltz form and infusing it with a passionate energy that captures the spirit of Young Vienna. His popularity grows rapidly, and soon his father’s establishment orchestra is losing audiences to his son’s innovative compositions.

Johann’s rising fame brings him into the orbit of Carla Donner (Miliza Korjus), a glamorous and flirtatious opera singer whose voice and vivacity inspire some of his greatest compositions. As their artistic collaboration deepens into romantic attraction, Johann finds himself torn between his loyal, devoted wife and the dazzling singer who seems to embody the soaring passion of his music.

The film traces Strauss’s ascent from struggling musician to the undisputed “Waltz King” of Vienna, set against sumptuous recreations of nineteenth-century Viennese society. The personal drama between the three principals plays out alongside spectacular musical sequences featuring some of the most beloved compositions in the classical repertoire, including “Tales from the Vienna Woods” and “The Blue Danube.”

Cast & Crew

Director: Julien Duvivier

Stars: Fernand Gravey, Luise Rainer, Miliza Korjus, Hugh Herbert, Lionel Atwill, Curt Bois, Leonid Kinskey, Al Shean

Fernand Gravey brings charm and passion to the role of Strauss, convincingly portraying both the young dreamer and the mature artist. Luise Rainer, fresh from consecutive Best Actress Oscars, delivers a touching performance as the devoted wife. Miliza Korjus, a genuine operatic soprano making her screen debut, earned an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress and delivers thrilling vocal performances.

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

This professionally colorized edition of The Great Waltz reveals the full grandeur of its opulent Viennese settings. The gilded ballrooms, ornate opera houses, lush gardens, and magnificent costumes of Imperial Vienna burst into life with stunning color, elevating an already spectacular production into a truly immersive visual experience. The musical sequences gain extraordinary beauty when the swirling dancers and elaborate stage settings are presented in rich, warm tones. Now also available in colour.

Buy your DRM-free MP4 copy today for just €15.00 and enjoy instant download access on any device.

Historical Significance

Released in 1938, The Great Waltz was one of MGM’s most ambitious musical productions. The film won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography and earned nominations including Miliza Korjus for Best Supporting Actress. Julien Duvivier, one of France’s greatest directors, brought European sophistication to the production. The legendary “Tales from the Vienna Woods” carriage sequence, where Strauss hears nature transforming into music, remains one of the most celebrated musical sequences in film history. Through colorization, this magnificent musical is preserved for modern audiences.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4 digital download
• Resolution: HD 720p
• Colorized: Yes, from original black-and-white
• Audio: Original English mono
• Runtime: 104 minutes
• DRM-free: Yes — play on any device
• Instant download: Delivered immediately after purchase
• Price: €15.00

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Movie-Specific Questions

Q: Is this film historically accurate about Johann Strauss II?
A: The film takes significant creative liberties with the historical record, as was common for Hollywood biopics of the era. While Johann Strauss II was indeed the son of Johann Strauss I and did revolutionize the Viennese waltz, many of the personal details are fictionalized. The film captures the spirit of Strauss’s musical achievement if not the precise biographical facts.

Q: Did Miliza Korjus really sing in the film?
A: Yes, Miliza Korjus was a genuine operatic soprano of considerable talent who performed all her own vocals. Her performance was so impressive that she earned an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Unfortunately, she made very few films after this debut.

Q: Which Strauss compositions are featured in the film?
A: The film features many of Strauss’s most beloved waltzes including “Tales from the Vienna Woods,” “The Blue Danube,” “One Day When We Were Young,” and others. The musical arrangements were supervised by Dimitri Tiomkin, and the film won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography partly for its innovative musical sequences.

Digital Download Questions

Q: What format is the download?
A: The film is delivered as a high-quality MP4 file compatible with all major devices and media players.

Q: Is this download DRM-free?
A: Yes, the file has no digital rights management restrictions, so you can watch it on any device without limitations.

Q: How quickly will I receive my download?
A: Instantly — a download link appears on screen and is also sent to your email immediately after purchase.

Related Colorized Classics

• The Good Earth (1937)
• A Tale of Two Cities (1935)
• Maytime (1937)
• Marie Antoinette (1938)
• The Phantom of the Opera (1925)