Am actually quite surprised that 'Grimm Masterpiece Theater' (or to others 'Grimm's Fairy Tale Classics') dared to adapt this really quite sinister French folk-tale, which is actually not a Brothers Grimm story. When it comes to a show with family and mostly youngsters as a target audience, 'Bluebeard' is one of the last stories one would think this particular series would adapt.
'Grimm Masterpiece Theater' is not an even series, but it is very interesting and actually enjoy to almost love (love in some cases) the episodes despite obvious drawbacks. It does do a very good job with 'Bluebeard', some will question its target audience and who the episode was aiming at, which to me is one of their high middle episodes. By 'Grimm Masterpiece Theater' standards, this is one of the boldest, with two of the scariest moments of the entire series, and a serious contender for the darkest and creepiest.
It is not perfect, with the problems lying with Josephine. Did not find her very easy to warm to or root for at first, what should have been naivety bordered on delusional and her snobbish attitude especially half way through was a real turn off.
'Bluebeard' is another case of most of the voice acting being recycled, in terms of the voice actors used, and uninspired. Did not remember that for the brothers, despite really appreciating how sympathetically they were characterised, but again Josephine fared weakest. It sounded very wimpy which did not fit her character design or her personality (how she behaves in most of the episode), do feel a more mature voice was needed.
Not all the voice acting is bad though. Really loved the narration which was thoughtful, almost soothing and expressive. Although very familiar in sound, best of all was that for Bluebeard, which did match perfectly with the character and it brings out the commanding, initially kindly and then murderously menacing characteristics of the character.
Animation wise, 'Bluebeard' is one of the better-looking and more inventive of the series. It is both vibrant and very atmospheric and there is a lot of meticulous detail in the backgrounds throughout. The character designs are on the derivative side, especially for Josephine, but they are well drawn. Bluebeard's design is also interesting, with him looking eerily like King Henry VIII. Can have a problem with the music for 'Grimm Masterpiece Theater', which can be repetitive and at odds tonally and orchestrally with what's going on. Other episodes do that far worse than 'Bluebeard' though, with the opening and climax being especially well-scored.
Very rarely have many problems with the writing, don't here. It has maturity and entertainment value with enough for both children, without dumbing down or being too juvenile, and adults, without being too complicated. By 'Grimm Masterpiece Theater' standards, 'Bluebeard' is very dark and unsettling, though the original story and other variants are even darker. Boasting two of the series' creepiest scenes, the series never had another episode that started so frighteningly. Even more so was the scene with the decomposing bodies of the wives, am still thinking about that scene writing this review now. The climax is thrilling and not many people will notice the story's moral essential to Josephine's growth while being tested by Bluebeard, which was handled with the right amount of subtlety without being lost.
Concluding, well done. 7/10