To some modern eyes Svengali may seem hopelessly dated but if you're a fan of the classic Universal horror films you're sure to enjoy this film. Svengali stands alongside Frankenstein, Dracula and the Mummy as a milestone in the horror genre and for me this disc is a welcome addition to the collection.

The Picture:
Truth be told, I wasn't expecting much from this disc in terms of video quality. Svengali is over sixty years old so I was braced for viewing a battered and scratched print. Much to my surprise the film is in very good condition. The transfer is taken from what seems to be a well preserved print that shows only the slightest hints of scratching, pin holes, fading and other flaws. The black and white images are perfectly balanced with rich grays in-between. The shadow detail is exemplary and whites never flare up. The only problem I experienced was a little video breakup (the entire screen pixilated for a few moments around the 5th chapter stop) but this may be a fluke caused by my DVD player as I was unable to reproduce the problem on subsequent viewings.

The Sound:
The soundtrack for Svengali isn't as impressive as the video elements but it surprised me none the less. There is a good amount of hiss on the track and you'll hear a pop or two from time to time but the overall dynamic range is surprisingly deep. Voices and music are crystal clear from beginning to end and even the atmospheric sound effects come across well. I don't know where Troma found this fantastic print (the film is released by the Roan Group, a division of Troma Films) but they should be commended for doing so. Short of a full-blown restoration Svengali couldn't look or sound better.

The Extras:
This is a very low budget release (the disc doesn't even include a printed insert) so there aren't any significant extras included. The only ancillary content is a set of about five text screens that give a little historical background on the film and the artists who created it.

Conclusion:
Svengali is a classic that many film fans are aware of but have never seen. If you're a horror aficionado you'll be delighted with this release based on the audio and video quality alone. If you've never seen the film you're in for a real treat. If the disc had included a wider range of extras I would have given it a Collector's Series rating. As a movie only disc the best I can give it is: Highly Recommended.