The Sound Revolution of The Blue Angel

In 1930, the first German "talking" film, Der Blaue Engel or The Blue Angel directed by Josef Von Sternberg, was released. The importance of the film, in my opinion, lies not only in its use of sound in a “technically”, but also as a "narrative element”. In a very short time, the film took advantage of the newly developed sound techniques of the time in a way that was very far ahead of its time compared to contemporary films. For me, it represents an important historical moment in the use of sound and a starting point for many important films, such as Fritz Lang's M.

In 1927, Specifically in America, a film called The Jazz Singer was released, which was the first "talking" film in the history of cinema. Due to the fascination of the audience and the success of the film, the introduction of sound into the film industry was accelerated.

Sound recording technology and equipment evolved, and directors began to use them in their films. However, the situation was a bit confusing. In any scene with movement, the films were treated as silent films, and the dialogue scenes were recorded with sound, nothing more and nothing less.

This was what fascinated me about The Blue Angel, how much it was ahead of its time in treating sound and using it as a narrative and expressive tool.

The soundtrack of this film is full of details that are much more complex than the dialogue. For example, there is a very strong focus on the sound of the space—which was almost non-existent before this film. The sounds of each place are built in a very conscious way, the streets at different times of the day with different levels of congestion, the laughter and shouting of people in the cabaret, the distant sound of music coming from outside in the middle of the dialogue, small details like these are what create a unique world for the film.

One of the greatest things that sound has brought to cinema, in my opinion, is "silence", and its use in the film was very intelligent and  ahead of its time. There were cuts from very loud moments to completely silent moments to create tension, and intense emotions.

The Blue Angel stands out not just for being an early "talkie," but for its groundbreaking use of sound as a storytelling tool. By meticulously crafting soundscapes and employing strategic silence, the film creates a truly immersive experience far exceeding the limitations of its contemporaries.  This innovative approach to sound design paved the way for future films to explore the full potential of this new cinematic element, solidifying The Blue Angel as a landmark achievement in film history.