I have always adored opera and operetta, and a few of the best operettas(The Merry Widow especially)come from Franz Lehar, Johann Strauss II is also a giant in operetta. Das Land Des Lachelns is not one of the best operettas, but it has its charm and the music is lovely, especially Dein Ist Mein Ganzes Herz. This film version is very good, okay some of the photography is a little awkward and Birgit Pitsch-Sarata is too smug for my tastes though she looks fabulous. The costumes and sets though are sumptuous in detail and colour, and the staging has charm and humour with the odd affecting moment too. The choreography looks easier than it is and I found it technical yet elegant and witty, and is splendidly danced. Lehar's score is performed with a beautiful sound by the orchestra with lots of style in the mix, and the conducting is sensitive to musicianship, phrasing and nuances. Rene Kollo gives one of my favourite performances of his, he is handsome and dignified and his voice is more youthful than it would become in the hefty Wagner roles he took on. Dagmar Koller is charming, very beautiful and she sings and dances wonderfully. In conclusion, I did have a smile on my face after watching this. 8/10 Bethany Cox
