Prey

Starring:Prey
Studio: Image Entertainment
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com essential video

Michael Ritchie's 1972 drama about a political idealist (Robert Redford) recruited to make a run for the Senate is still engrossing and still a terribly accurate reflection of the contemporary campaign process. In one of his trademark roles as a man haunted by some shadow of inauthenticity (see Downhill Racer, The Natural, The Great Gatsby, Sneakers, and such), Redford is superb as a first-time candidate watching his values and control over his message disappear in the age of TV-friendly prefabrication. Peter Boyle is ideal as his clearheaded campaign manager, Allen Garfield is effectively creepy as a media strategist, and Melvyn Douglas makes a memorable appearance as a retired politico whose endorsement is gold. Highly recommended. The DVD release includes production notes, theatrical trailer, Dolby sound, and optional Spanish, French, and English subtitles. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

An All American Must See Movie.......2007-02-15

Take a good look at Bush, & you'll see The Candidate! Not as Bright as Redford though...

Powerful, political dynamite..........2006-11-28

As the American public grows more dissatisfied with the corruption and ineptitude of their political candidates, movies like Michael Ritchie's "The Candidate" become all the more timely and relevant. A product of a cynical age and although a bit dated (the film was released in 1972, and Redford would follow with the cynical and conspiratorial anti-CIA film, "Three Days of the Condor" in 1973), "The Candidate" is a illustrative vehicle demonstrating how pollsters, admen, press agents, and what we would call now "spin doctors" packaged political candidates to an unsuspecting electorate before anyone had ever heard of blogs and the internet.

As the liberal attorney-now Democratic senatorial-candidate, Bill McKay, Redford plays a man whose integrity and ideals fall prey to the American political and media machine that compel him to win. Peter Boyle, as McKay's campaign manager, and Melvyn Douglas, as the candidate's father, contribute vital supporting roles that are are as absorbing as the film itself.

Ritchie's film, along with Elia Kazan's superb "A Face in the Crowd" (1958), no less than an indictment against the role the television media plays in political campaigns, should be required viewing in every undergraduate political science class.

political class.......2006-11-10

My daughter needed the film for her political science class. She really enjoyed the movie and so did I. Her professor said she made a good choice in films.

One question??.......2006-09-25

I saw this film a few years back on TV and really enjoyed it, but I notice it is presented in full screen format. Is this the correct aspect ratio? I hate to buy a botched pan/scan version....can anyone help me out???????

Stilted, drippy, outdated, and worst of all REDFORD.......2004-09-28

Okay people, Robert Redford is an ATROCIOUS actor. He is a Hormel hamslice prancing around as a vapid left-wing pooh bah. Witness the scene in this film when he is "tired" and answers the phone. Ha! Okay, but on to the movie.

The Candidate is apparently for those legions of people out there in America who think they're good enough, they're strong ehough, and gosh darnit they want to make a difference! Oh, but politics is so evil! Well, I would never want a politician like this wimpus calling the shots for me or my family. This film squanders what could have been an insightful look at political ambition, instead Reds-baby is, as always, doofus #1. It helps that the evil Republican is nothing more than a windbag spouting off empty rhetoric. HINT TO FILMAKERS: Movies are more dynamic when there's an interesting, well-defined villian.

But, as a political junkie there still was enough here to keep me mildly interested, if only because it's a great portrait of the McGovern-era vapidity of the Left. However, this film fails not because of any political predisposition, for it doesn't even begin to explore the origins of political power.

Average customer rating:

Great story line with good action!
I used this for my English 9 class
Not Great, But Not Bad Either: Worth A Watch!
Hunting Humans!
BEST MOVIE EVER

Surviving the Game
Starring: Ice-T , Rutger Hauer , Charles S. Dutton , Gary Busey , and F. Murray Abraham
Director: Ernest R. Dickerson
Manufacturer: New Line Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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Judgment Night
No Escape
Trespass
The Island of Dr. Moreau (Unrated Director's Cut)
Dead Calm

ASIN: B000031EG1
Release Date: 1999-12-21

Amazon.com

One more time around for the storyline of The Most Dangerous Game, except this one's refitted with explosions, big guns, and a flood of testosterone. Ice-T plays Mason, a homeless man shanghaied from the streets of Los Angeles to work as a guide and all-around man Friday for a hunting party. What the down-on-his-luck fellow soon finds out is that he is the quarry, and has to rely on his own resourcefulness to stay one step ahead of his tormentors. Laden with atrocious dialogue and narrative implausibilities, this is still a fun action movie if seen only for its own merits and nothing more. The fine cast (Gary Busey, Charles Dutton, F. Murray Abraham, John C. McGinley) chews the script until practically frothing at the mouth while trying to out-maniac each other. Busey is the head macho lunatic, but the twitchy McGinley nearly steals the show as he turns the knob on the weirdo meter up to eleven, then breaks it off and throws it away. Ice-T, on the other hand, puts his coping skills to the test as the hapless human prey. Most of director Ernest R. Dickerson's resumé has consisted of cinematography work (for Spike Lee, among others), and it shows with the film's competent, almost glossy look. Don't watch Surviving the Game expecting any great statements or overarching agendas, and you'll be surprised by an untentionally goofy action picture with preposterous situations and wide-open-throttle performances. Plus, chances are you've never seen a foot-wide pine tree chopped down with a shotgun (we kid you not). --Jerry Renshaw

Description

A homeless man, recruited as a guide by a band of wealthy hunters, winds up the hunted instead. Starring Ice-T, Rutger Hauer and Gary Busey.

Customer Reviews:

Great story line with good action!.......2007-02-12

If you like action/adventure you will find this movie entertaining and catching your interest and attention. Has an original story line with creative sub-plots. Ice-T at his best! Movie has great cast of actors. I enjoyed this movie and happy to add it to my collection.

I used this for my English 9 class.......2007-01-15

I'm a teacher in a urban school district and at times it's hard to get young people's attention. This movie goes great as a supplement to the Short Story "The Most Dangerous Game"..same premise..great attention getter!!!

Not Great, But Not Bad Either: Worth A Watch!.......2006-10-18

This is not a great film, however, it does have its moments. And of course, it does entertain. If you view the film with the idea that this is a great film, you will be disappointed. However, it is an entertaining film worth the watch. The narrative of the film follows the life of a homeless man (Ice-T) who is hired by (Charles S. Dutton) with offers of a lucrative job and a new start in life. Moreover, (Ice-T) is led to believe that this new job requires his skills as a guide; and through time he is promised that if he does a good job he will be hired permanently and will make even more money. The man in charge of hiring is (Rutger Hauer). Ice-T will eventually regret taking the job, or ever seeing these men.

Flying out to his new job in the private plane owned by (Rutger Hauer). The newly hired (Ice-T) is shown what his new job will entail. Unknown to him, however, is that he will not be guiding the arriving guests on their animal hunt: He himself will be the hunted. The men who arrive pay large sums of money to hunt humans. The entire place is owned by (Rutger Hauer). Both he and (Charles S. Dutton) are former members of the CIA, and their former CIA psychiatrist (Gary Busey) feels this is the best release from their daily stresses in life. [Some shrink!] Busey is a nut-case himself. Therefore, Ice-T finds himself in a race for survival. Will he live? Can he survive in this wilderness? And will he be able to take down these men before they kill him? I'll leave this for the viewer to discover. The film is recommended with caution. Rent it first. It may not be your taste of action or suspense. [Stars: 3.5]

Hunting Humans!.......2006-10-10

It's hard to put this film into any catogory, its got action, drama, comedy and, even a hint of horror. Ice-T is lured to a remote cabin by several wack jobs that have a sick hobby.. hunting humans! Ice-T is mislead by Charles S. Dutton into believing that a job awaits him.. soon after arriving to the cabin in which they had to be flown by privite planes to, he finds that they arent interested in hunting animals. He is in fact the intended prey of these mad men! Good performances (except by William McNamara, the son) by an all star male cast "Surviving the Game" is better that I expected. A real twisted and some what disturbing film. This is one to watch with your buddies instead of your girlfriend/wife. Also starring: Rutger Hauer, Gary Busey and, F. Murray Abraham as some of the hunters. 3 1/2 stars!!

BEST MOVIE EVER.......2005-06-10

I used to watch this movie on TNT as a kid growing up. Ive probably seen it over 5 times but none of my friends remember it. Ive been searching for a long time trying to find the title and i finally found it!!!!

This is one of the best movies ive ever seen. Definitly one of my top 5. What could be better than ICE-T being hunted in the forest. Everything about the movie rocked, except the cheasy basement scene, with the jars... yeah... I guess thats pretty good quality for 1994 though.

WATCH THIS MOVIE

Average customer rating:

SAVAGE HARVEST FOR A NEW GENERATION
A Good Escape Movie with Beautiful Shots of the African Veldt
Prey is a good little movie
I WANTED THE LIONS TO EAT THE CHARACTERS!
THE LIONS AREN'T SLEEPING TONIGHT

Prey
Starring: Bridget Moynahan , Peter Weller , Carly Schroeder , Jamie Bartlett , and Conner Dowds
Director: Darrell Roodt
Manufacturer: Weinstein Company
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000JJRYDS
Release Date: 2007-01-30

Description

Tom Newman (Peter Weller) can't join his family on their first African Adventure vacation due to urgent business obligations, but hopes the trip will provide a chance for his son and daughter to bond with his new young wife, Amy (Bridget Moynahan). Their ranger, Brian, decides to add some extra thrills and adventure to their trip and takes them "off roading." All is well until Amy and the 2 kids become lost in a labyrinthine game reserve and begin to be stalked by savage lions who won't quit until they have dinner. The film is described as "Jaws in the African bush" and will keep you on the edge of your seat until the final seconds.

Customer Reviews:

SAVAGE HARVEST FOR A NEW GENERATION.......2007-06-04

When I first got cable, in the early 80's, there was a movie on HBO called "Savage Harvest" starring Tom Skerrit, about he and his family being trapped in a house by several killer lions. This movie is a remake of that one. This movie was not as good, but worth keeping.I actually wanted to give it a 2.5 and rounded down, as it did not deserve to be rounded up. There were several good scenes , but several good scenes cannot make a good movie. Carly Schroeder was good as an angry teen;too good, as a matter of fact. There were not enough lions., even if they did not all attack. There was never a direct attack on person that we saw. The attcks were implied. We either saw the lions or the people in the attacks. That is never good for an "animal attack" movie. This is good, but if you can find it, for a much better movie, watch "Savage Harvest".

Then let me know where you found it on dvd. Ihqave been looking for it for over 20 years. I do not even care if it is bootleg.(JUST KIDDING)

A Good Escape Movie with Beautiful Shots of the African Veldt.......2007-04-04

I had to laugh while reading the other reviewers' mention of the child having to relieve himself out in the lion-infested savannah and the stupid guide who permitted this! I so agree! I wouldn't say the young boy in this movie was so bad that he was reading off of queue cards. He is a young character playing the role of a sweet dreamer who is shell-shocked by this very traumatic experience. And sure this movie is low budget, and lions are mauling the unlucky characters, but if you want good photography, beautiful sunrises and sunsets, a nice escape from reality, and an intense, edge-of-your-seat experience, "Prey" is for you. Bridget Moynihan was very good in this--very likeable and believable. I loved how no matter how much abuse her character endured from the step-daughter she loved those children enough to be firm with them, when she had to, in order to protect them. Others might call the storyline corny, hokey, and trite but I very much enjoyed this production and certainly imagined what I might do if the situation presented itself. Enjoy it for what it is.

Prey is a good little movie.......2007-02-26

Wow! The critics before me were harsh.After watching Pulse I threw this one in.Imagine being lost in Africa,your tour guide was mauled by lions and no food or water.Then to make it worse the beasts are stalking you,watching your moves.Bridget Moynahan stars as the newly wed wife of Peter{ROBO COP} Weller and the bratiest kids alive defend themselves against the beasts.The scenes are gruesome but tolerable.Inspired by true events this one will exhaust you right until the end.The only down fall is the ending.

I WANTED THE LIONS TO EAT THE CHARACTERS!.......2007-02-16

this was a terrible movie from jump start! you already knew the movie was going to be dumb when the little boy says..........can you stop the car in the middle of africa so i can take a dump! boy how i wished those lions would of ate the characters!

THE LIONS AREN'T SLEEPING TONIGHT.......2007-02-14

PREY is a pointless, meandering, tedious film that basically involves a bunch of lions who want to eat a woman and her two stepchildren. It's like CUJO OF THE JUNGLE. There's nothing new in this film and the typical subplot of a teenager who can't accept her dad's new wife is overdone and distracting. Bridget Moynahan and Peter Weller deliver vapid, phone in performances. The lion mauling scenes are pretty gruesome, but the whole movie just sits there like a pyramid.

Average customer rating:

At last...
How sad - they lost the music
Critique from a Helicopter Pilot and 40's music aficionado
Birds Of Prey
Terrible acting, great flying

Birds of Prey
Starring: David Janssen , Ralph Meeker , Elayne Heilveil , Harry Klekas , and Sam Dawson
Director: William A. Graham
Manufacturer: United Home
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000A3454Y
Release Date: 2005-07-12

Description

Harry Walker (Janssen), ex-military pilot, works for a radio station in Salt Lake City as an adventurous traffic-helicopter reporter. While on his rounds he observes a bank robbery taking place and the abduction of a female teller. He follows the criminals as the race away in their car, and then as they transfer to a helicopter for an exciting aerial chase. Watch the non-stop action as Walker is quickly running out of fuel and has to find a clever way to refuel and not lose the criminals and their frightened hostage. Bonus Features: Digitally Re-mastered| Scene Selection| Bios| Previews. Specs: DVD5; Dolby Digital; 81 minutes; Color; 1.33:1 Aspect Ratio; MPAA - NR; Year - 1973; SRP - $9.99.

Customer Reviews:

At last..........2007-03-13

I'm happy I found this movie. I was a teenager when I saw it on the french television and the only thing I remembered was the chopper chase.
And the end of course. I was looking for it for so many years and I'm so glad I got it.
I love this main character played by David Janssen. I recommend it. If you loved it you should also like "Vanishing point" released 36 years ago exactly.
Enjoy !!!

How sad - they lost the music.......2007-02-11

I was looking forward for so long to seeing this terrific movie again. I saw it when originally presented in '73 and loved it.
When the saw that the disc was out I was all over it. Imagine my dismay when I found that they deleted the original soundtrack. It ruined the movie for me. Sure the action sequences are good - and Jansen is at his best - but without the original music it's nothing.
Avoid this version until they correct the travesty. How much could Three Little Fishies cost anyway?

Critique from a Helicopter Pilot and 40's music aficionado.......2007-01-12

My only disappointment with the this DVD is that the original soundtrack music has been altered (I will assume for licensing purposes). This results in two anomalies: the soundtrack is out of sync in some portions of the film and the first-time viewer of this film may wonder why the main character is waving his hands in 2 of the film sequences. The flight sequences (stunt flying) will be appreciated by any helicopter pilot; however, I miss the original music. If I could buy an un-altered copy I would gladly do so.

Birds Of Prey.......2006-11-11

Been a David Jansen fan all my life since the Fugitive - Dr. Richard Kimble days. Really enjoy action films and this is one of the classics. It was not too long of a film, but just long enough to keep the interest and intensity going. Trademark Jansen Stuff! Outstanding.

Terrible acting, great flying.......2006-10-17

Typically terrible acting by David Janssen is more than compensated for by the outstanding helicopter chase sequences.

Average customer rating:

Not a film for the uptight
Joan Jett without a big break
The Underside of Rock & Roll
Prey for Rock N Roll
I love rock and roll

Prey for Rock & Roll
Starring: Gina Gershon , Drea de Matteo , Lori Petty , Shelly Cole , and Marc Blucas
Director: Alex Steyermark
Manufacturer: Lions Gate
ProductGroup: DVD
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Rocked With Gina Gershon
Prey for Rock & Roll
Black and White
Bound
Borderline

ASIN: B00019075S
Release Date: 2004-03-09

Amazon.com

The not-so-glam side of rock is on defiant display in Prey for Rock & Roll, another well-cast Gina Gershon flick (after Showgirls and Bound) poised for cult-favorite status. Serving as co producer and star, Gershon (looking hotter than ever at age 41) is note-for-note perfect as Jacki, the tattoo-clad, pushing-40 leader of Clam Dandys, an L.A.-based all-girl rock band that's never risen above low-paying club gigs despite Jacki's 20-year experience as a wannabe rock star. On the verge of a possible recording contract, the band is close-knit but troubled: ace bassist Tracy (Drea de Matteo, from The Sopranos) has a nasty boyfriend and a drug-and-alcohol problem, while lead guitarist Faith (Lori Petty) and her lover, the band's drummer Sally (Shelly Cole) cope with the unexpected arrival of Sally's ex-con brother Animal (Marc Blucas), an unlikely virgin who's attracted to Jacki. Based on a play by rocker Cheri Lovedog (who wrote and performed most of the band's '80-styled girl-punk music, with Gershon ably handling lead vocals), this down-and-dirty chick flick falls prey to forced melodrama and obligatory tragedy, but it looks, feels, and sounds remarkably authentic, and the cast is terrific. Easily recommended despite its faults, Prey is a feminist cautionary tale for anyone who chooses rock & roll not merely as a profession, but a lifestyle that can't be denied. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Not a film for the uptight.......2006-12-10

Being someone who actually lives in LA, who used to frequent the rock clubs of Hollywood where this film is set (not Silverlake -- Argyle crosses Hollywood Blvd near Vine) and WeHo, who is friends with many musicians, straight, gay and in between, and who LOVES most expressions of rock, I love this film for its realism and passion. I wish there were more films that told it like it is instead of the plasticized fantasies than some reviewers seem to have expected.

Joan Jett without a big break.......2006-11-12

An excellent movie, well cast, with a reasonable and easy to follow storyline. It really was reminiscent of Joan Jett's early days (in Philly)(I really expected Gershon to belt out 'I Love Rock and Roll').

It tells the story of the 'wanna be' groups playing clubs and wishing for a break. (There has to be at least 50 bands that are good that don't make it for every band - good or bad - that does and this is their story.
It deals with the gritty part of life trying to 'make it' as an artist.
-"When are you going to grow up?"
-"What do you REALLY want to be when you grow up?"
-"When are you going to get a real job?"
-"When are you going to pay the rent?"
-"How are you going to pay the rent?"
-"You spent HOW much on a d#$@ guitar?"

There are touching and tragic moments as well as some good music all presented equally well. You won't finish this movie with a smile on your face - but you'll be wrung out - as if you are the one that just finished a club set... All in all, an entertaining movie (I have to admit the 'street justice' hammered out got my applause).

For those playing the club scene, or related to anyone struggling to make it - this is a must see. For everyone else - see it, then go support your local bar band.

The Underside of Rock & Roll.......2006-10-11

To Quote the rock band KISS, "Rock and Roll All Night, Party Every day"...if you believe that, dont watch this movie.

Put together a cast of modern B-rated female actresses (Gina Gershon, Lori Petty, Drea De Matteo and Shelly Cole) in a film about a female LA club band trying to make it big and watch this film cook.

Prey for Rock & Roll is a small indy film and draws you into the story. Based on Cheryl Lovedog's plaY, This is not a female Hard Day's Night or Spice World. This FILM is a taste of real life with its darker side. Its raw filmmaking with a driven story of success and failure mixed with death and life. This is NOT American Idol, this is real life Rock & Roll 101. This is not hype, but it does get heavy handed in spots. This R rating this film has is earned, but it is needed to move this story. You can smell the darkeness of one's soul from this movie

Now to the acting.... Gina Gershon is amazing, best since her role in Showgirls. The part of an over 40 year old rocker is taylor made for here. She sings the Cheryl Lovedog songs with so much passion and heart, you wonder when her album is coming out. And in their what happened to them department, Welcome back to filmmaking Ms Lori Petty--this is not a League of Our Own, but you blend well in this film. Drea de Matteo , i see why you won your Emmy, too bad not many in the Oscar area saw this film...you would have had one of those too!

If you are seeking a nice cute, clean rock & roll film, rent A Hard Day's Night. Help, Spice Girls or Sgt Pepper...If you want a real slice of what it means to live, breath and love what Rock & Roll is and its not so pretty underside, THIS IS YOUR MOVIE.

Bennet Pomerantz AUDIOWORLD

Prey for Rock N Roll.......2006-08-25

This was a very interesting movie. I enjoyed it, but was hesitant at first. The music was to my great surprise really excellent. A very earthy, gutsy movie. I compliment all the actors also. They did an excellent job. It held my attention. If I get up after 10 minutes or so, then I know I don't like the movie. This one, I didn't.

I love rock and roll.......2006-08-14

It's about an aging rock musician and her all female band. She's turning 40 so she questions if she should throw in the towel and get a "real" job". Tragedies happens to her band members during her struggle whether to continue or not. She also gets a record contract offer.

It's the people in this this movie that kept me interested in this film. The plot is mediocre at best. Still, I can't deny I liked it. Definitely a character based movie. It's not for everyone.

Johann Strauss - Die Fledermaus / Domingo, Te Kanawa, Prey, Royal Opera Covent Garden

Average customer rating:

I does not work in my region
It Has Some Sparkle
An Outstanding, Clever, Funny Production of Die Fledermaus
Fun opera for everyone to enjoy
"Once at least I have sung with Placido Domingo!"

Johann Strauss - Die Fledermaus / Domingo, Te Kanawa, Prey, Royal Opera Covent Garden
Starring: Kiri Te Kanawa , Hermann Prey , Dennis O'Neill (II) , Hildegard Heichele , and Paul Crook
Director: Humphrey Burton
Manufacturer: Kultur Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00008DDRJ
Release Date: 2003-10-14

Amazon.com

Most opera houses ring in the New Year with Johann Strauss Jr.'s most popular operetta--the festiveness of which is appropriate for the occasion--and this December 31, 1983, Covent Garden performance follows suit. An exceptional cast--led by Hermann Prey and Kiri Te Kanawa as the couple whose marriage survives the comic indiscretions of three long acts--obviously has as much fun as the audience. Plácido Domingo leads the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House through its paces with panache. Prince Orlofsky's Act II party is always a splendid opportunity to pull out all the stops with surprise "guests," and this performance makes the most of its chance: entering the proceedings to sing one of his tailor-made chansons, "She," is French crooner Charles Aznavour, who is followed by dancers Merle Park and Wayne Eagling, their delightful pas de deux flashily choreographed by Sir Frederick Ashton. --Kevin Filipski

Description

Kiri Te Kanawa is featured in this glittering Covent Garden Opera production of Johann Strauss' masterpiece. Placido Domingo conducts the Royal Opera House Orchestra and Chorus. Other soloists include Hermann Prey, Hildegard Heichele, Benjamin Luxon.

Customer Reviews:

I does not work in my region.......2007-04-23

We would like see the DVD today, but it coult not be used in my region. We have also bougt Singin in the rain, we have not seen it yet. On the back i says that it is only for use in USA and Canada.

What can we do.?

It Has Some Sparkle.......2006-08-24

The first and third acts are both delightful, the second act is where I had a problem. Whereas the first and third acts followed the score fairly closely, the second act is greatly expanded with specialty performances that vary considerably in their ability to communicate. On repeated viewings, I found it increasingly easy to fast forward over several of the added performances. Such is the beauty of the DVD.

The first and the third acts generally make up for the somewhat bloated second act. The second act does have some enjoyable parts, and one can pick out the parts that will stand repeated viewings, and just skip over the others. I will admit that I've viewed the DVD in it's entirety only once; I have, on the other hand enjoyed the first and third acts, as well as selected parts of the second act many times.

The added performances are, in their own ways, competently done. I just feel the flow of the second act is seriously compromised by all of the extra performances.

On balance, I'm glad I have the DVD; the portions that I've mentioned favorably above are really quite good.

An Outstanding, Clever, Funny Production of Die Fledermaus.......2006-04-13

Johan Strauss II didn't get his reputation as Vienna's Waltz King for sitting around eating strudel mit shlag. He wrote glorious melodies...waltzes, polkas, mazurkas...that set people to dancing and smiling. His music still does.

Die Fledermaus is a Viennese fable of lechery, love, revenge and romance, of beautiful wives, juicy maids, amorous husbands, clever friends, a mysterious count and a drunken jailer, of white tie and tails, beautiful gowns, a gold watch and lots of champagne. Most of all, it is a light-hearted and mischievous story that features some of Strauss' most romantic and bubbling music which just washes over the audience. The story is too comically complicated to go into. Just remember that it's all about a bit of revenge for a practical joke played by one friend on another a year earlier. In Act One we're at the home of Gabriel von Eisenstein (Herman Prey), who is about to spend eight days in jail for an indiscretion. But his good friend, Dr. Falke (Benjamin Luxon), convinces him to delay the trip to the jail until the next day, so that the two can go to a magnificent dinner party, without telling Eisenstein's beautiful wife, Rosalinda (Kiri Te Kanawa), held by the mysterious Russian nobleman, Count Orlofsky (Doris Soffel). Ah, but then the plot thickens. Through clever stratagems, invitations have also secretly arrived for Rosalinda, who is to go in disguise so she can see for herself her husband's amorous ways, and for Roslinda's maid, Adele (Hildegard Heichele). All that follows is a story of mistaken identities, beautiful songs and, eventually, happy endings.

What makes this particular production at Britain's Royal Opera House so effective is that it's not only sung superbly, it's not only sumptuously mounted, but it's funny. The dialogue is spoken in a mixture of German, French, English and Italian in an amusing play on the characters' nationalities, but also on the nationalities of the singers. And the singers are not only in great voice but are seeming to take great delight in playing the characters. All of them, especially Herman Prey and Benjamin Luxon, appear to be having the times of their lives. Their good spirits are as infectious as the music they sing.

It's traditional for the party at the Count's to be interrupted by special surprise guest performers. Making appearances are Charles Azvanour, ballet stars Merle Park and Wayne Eagling in a stunning pax de deux choreographed by Frederick Ashton, and two genteel English ladies, Dame Hilda Bracket (who sings) and Dr. Evadne Hinge (who accompanies on piano). If you didn't know they were really...well, see for yourself. To fully appreciate them, you'll need to use Google. Joseph Meinraad plays the 3rd act non-singing drunken jailer, Frosch, who has several comic moments bantering with the conductor, Placido Domingo.

This is a filmed record of the performance. Clear subtitles are available and are probably recommended if you're not already familiar with the story and the songs. The only drawback is the quality of the DVD. It's not really bad, but is about at the level of a middling VHS tape.

Fun opera for everyone to enjoy.......2006-02-23

I grew up in an opera household but didn't get the opera bug like my parents. This is one opera that I did enjoy growing up because it is lighthearted and very easy to follow. This DVD version does include subtitles. The cast is great and the voices all blend nicely. Really, if you are starting on opera and don't want to get into the "heavy hitters" first like Wagner, try this one. You'll find yourself smiling when you watch it and humming some of the music afterwards.

"Once at least I have sung with Placido Domingo!".......2006-01-10

Johann Strauss' Die Fledermaus live from covent Garden is a wonderful New Years Celebration performance with Kiri Te Kanawa, Hildegarde Heichele, Hermann Prey(you looking for "leb wohl, du kuhnes, herrliches kind?" you'll laugh), Benjamin Luxon(la la "mit mir", la la "mit mir" keine nacht dir zu lang"), and Placido Domingo conducting. We have extras in the second act, including a song Charles Aznavour sings called "She". Trust me, you'll love that moment. Herr Frank and Eisenstein say "bon chance! Vive la France" later on in that act. You'll be cracking up during Act 3 with Josef Meinrad as Frosch with his "ruhe! quiet!" He really does sound drunk. Frosch later on sings "Die Olga und die Ida" to the tune of the famous aria "Celeste Aida". Right after the first stanza, Frosch pretty much gives out an explosion of laughter saying "At least once I've sung with Placido Domingo". A highly reccommended Fledermaus. You won't be sorry when you spend your do.

Average customer rating:

Prey of the Jaguar
Starring: Maxwell Caulfield , Stacy Keach , Linda Blair , Trevor Goddard , and Paul Regina
Director: David DeCoteau
Manufacturer: Echo Bridge Home Entertainment
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ASIN: B000OIOPKE
Release Date: 2007-06-05

Mozart - Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro)

Average customer rating:

OK, but not perfect
Figaro goes to the movies
Music/Singing Good; Film Production Clunky and Painful To Watch
Question!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Legendary singers badly directed

Mozart - Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro)
Starring: Hermann Prey , Mirella Freni , Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau , Kiri Te Kanawa , and Maria Ewing
Director: Jean-Pierre Ponnelle
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
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Mozart - Die Zauberflote / Lucia Popp, Francisco Araiza, Edita Gruberova, Wolfgang Brendel, Kurt Moll, Wolfgang Sawallisch, Munich Opera
Rossini - Il Barbiere di Siviglia
Mozart - Cosi fan Tutte
Bizet - Carmen / Bumbry, Vickers, Freni, Diaz, Hamari, Diakov, von Karajan, Salzburg Opera
Rossini - La Cenerentola / Frederica von Stade, Francisco Araiza, Paolo Montarsolo, Claudio Desderi, Laura Zannini, Claudio Abbado

ASIN: B0007P0LNO
Release Date: 2005-06-14

Amazon.com

Mozart's Marriage of Figaro is a comedy whose dark undertones explore the blurred boundaries between dying feudalism and emerging Enlightenment. Among dozens of fine Figaros on CD and DVD, few are as finely sung as this one, filmed in 1976 to a soundtrack recorded the previous year.

Herman Prey's Figaro is admirably sung in a firm baritone and aptly characterized. So too, is his antagonist, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau as the Count perpetually frustrated by the scheming wiles of Figaro and Susanna, here the perky Mirella Freni, who sings and acts like a dream. The Countess is creamy-voiced Kiri Te Kanawa, and the Cherubino, Maria Ewing, looks just like the horny, teenaged page she's supposed to be. The all-star leads are complemented by worthy supporting singers, the Vienna Philharmonic at the top of its form, and the experienced Mozartian, Karl Böhm conducting a stylishly fleet performance.

The problematic visuals though, don't match the musical attributes of this Figaro. Director Jean-Pierre Ponnelle says film techniques of editing and special effects permit added musical and interpretive components. So we get nervously irrelevant camera movements, distorted close-ups, jump-cuts that place singers in impossible places during arias, and--most distracting of all--arias on the soundtrack while the "singer" stares close-mouthed at walls, ceilings, and furnishings. Try Te Kanawa's beautifully sung "Porgi amor" to see how this distracting technique subverts the music, rather than "complementing" it. Of course, this may not bother many but others will prefer to listen to the glorious soundtrack and give Ponnelle's directorial hubris a pass. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

OK, but not perfect.......2007-03-11

I think that Le Nozze di Figaro is one of the greatest operas ever written. I own many recordings of this work. I have bought this DVD based on the recommendations of the reviewers, most of whom gave very positive feedback about this production. Perhaps I had high expectations, but after listening to this DVD I was disappointed.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed this DVD, but then I have not yet seen a Figaro that I have not enjoyed. The music is superb and you can't help but revel in its beauty.

This DVD features great artists. Figaro, Susanna, the Count and the Contessa are truly great. However, Cherubino or Barbarina could be better.

It is understood that Cherubino, a 13 year old boy, is to be sung by a soprano. This is the reason why this role is played by a woman, but he should at least look like a boy or young man. This Cherubino definitely looks like a woman. Barbarina is supposed to be about the same age as Cherubino, but looks much older in this production.

The sound quality is awful, especially when the singers move around the stage. This is especially true if you have high end equipment.

This production assumes that you either know the libretto or understand Italian. If you rely on the subtitles, you will miss most of the story line. Yes, you will get a general idea of what is going on, but you will miss many important (and humorous) lines.

Overall, it is a great DVD if you are very familiar with Mozart's work and want to enjoy another production of it. I certainly would not recommend it as your first Figaro DVD. Instead, I would strongly suggest the so called "Bohm's" edition, featuring Mirella Freni, Hermann Prey, Kire Te Kanawa, and Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau. In my opinion, this is the best Figraro production ever.

Figaro goes to the movies.......2007-01-04

Let's cut to the chase: you will not find a finer sung Figaro (either on CD or DVD) than this one. Cast is idiomatic. Bohm and the Vienna Phil are also superlative. Now to the bone of contention: the opera is filmed as a film (like Zefirelli's Traviata; Ponelle's Rigoletto, etc.). For some "purists" (or "fogies" --your choice of terms, but functionally the same), if an opera production doesn't look like it's been filmed from the 10th row, it's not an opera. If I want to see a stilted, single perspective view of an opera, I'll go to the real thing. Yes, as the Amazon reviewer notes, there are a couple of scenes in which the singers don't move their lips (to represent thinking); that "egregious sin"
is far outweighed by the breadth of scenery, the attention to detail, and the action allowed by a moving camera with multiple, real backdrops. Bravo Ponnelle!

Music/Singing Good; Film Production Clunky and Painful To Watch.......2006-10-06

This production is best listened to, not watched. The staging is incredibly clunky, and the "thinking" arias (i.e. singing, but no lip movement) are hard to watch. I want to see Cherubino sing Non so piu, and emote through the singing, not just mug to the camera while the soundtrack plays.

A real disappointment. I cannot fathom why this video has been rated so highly.

Question!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2006-04-23

If someone is reading this review (and has seen this movie) can you tell me if bohm cuts out "Il capro e la capretta" and "in quegli anni." If you know please email me at [...]

Legendary singers badly directed.......2006-03-27

It is a pitty that legendary singers such as Dieskau, Prey, Freni and TeKanawa were completely misdirected in Ponelle's production of Le Nozze di Figaro. The voices are obviously great as well as the impecable Vienna Philarmonic orchestra conducted by Karl Bohm (another legend). I would like to give 5 stars to the singers, orchestra and conductor but the average, when you add Ponelle's half star (actually far too much for him), results in 3 stars. The marvelous action of the second act is completely shadowed by an absurd and slow stage direction. You can feel the impotence of the singers trying to "act" moved by their obvious histrionic skills and by Mozart's sublime music, but they are always anchored by the mediocrity of the stage direction. Moreover, there are a lot of awaful scenes where the singers are apparently "thinking". They do not move their lips but the music goes on. I do not see the point of doing so, if you watch an opera you want to see the singers singing. After half and hour watching this film I decided I did not want to contaminate the beauty of the music and the power of the interpreters with such a mediocre stage production. I TURNED OFF THE TV AND LET THE GREAT SOUND OF MY HOME THEATER AND MY IMAGINATION DO THE REST.

Humperdinck - Hansel und Gretel / Edita Gruberova, Brigitte Fassbaender, Hermann Prey, Helga Dernesch, Sena Jurinac, Georg Solti, Vienna Philhamonic (1981)

Average customer rating:

Enchanting
An all-star cast delivers in this profound, moving work
Beautiful music, costuming, and singing
Humperdinck's Hansel und Gretel
Beautiful filming and cast bring Humperdinck's famous opera to life

Humperdinck - Hansel und Gretel / Edita Gruberova, Brigitte Fassbaender, Hermann Prey, Helga Dernesch, Sena Jurinac, Georg Solti, Vienna Philhamonic (1981)
Starring: Edita Gruberova , Brigitte Fassbaender , Hermann Prey , Norma Burrowes , and Elfriede Hobarth
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
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ASIN: B000AXSKB8
Release Date: 2006-01-10

Customer Reviews:

Enchanting.......2006-12-14

Before watching this, put aside your critical eye and relax so you can be carried along with the magic. It is, as the other reviewers have said, beautifully done. But you watch this opera to be enchanted - let it happen. It starts with the overture - the camera takes you to the beautiful opera house, past the poster announcing the opera and sweeps you along with the children who are flooding into the hall. Then Georg Solti is seen closeup conducting the orchestra and then the scene shifts to the beginning of the opera. Throughout there are occasional cuts to the children's faces so you can see they are as transfixed as you - if you will just relax and let it happen as a child does. Scene changes are done magically without pause in the music. You will be moved emotionally when the fourteen angels appear as Hansel and Gretel sleep in the forest. The forest is just scary enough to send shivers through small bodies but not so frightening they will not want to watch. The witch is bad but not the kind of bad that makes for nightmares in children. Unless, of course, the watching child is sweet and plump enough to make good gingerbread. The language is a problem at first because it is so NOT like children would talk - ever. But - remember it's opera, remember it's translated from German, remember it's supposed to be a little high falutin' and remember - most important - remember you are watching this opera because you decided to be enchanted. Just let it carry you and you'll be happy. It'a beautifully staged, beautifully costumed, beautifully sung, beautifully played and utterly enchanting. "mousy, mousy, who's nibbling on my housy?" says the gingerbread making witch as Hansel tears off parts of the roof. It's for kids. All of us kids.

An all-star cast delivers in this profound, moving work.......2006-05-21

Hansel and Gretel is simply a masterwork, and this film does it justice! Check out the other 5-star reviews -- especially Mike Birman's -- for additional detail and observations with which I completely concur. Humperdinck uses the fairy tale as a vehicle for making powerful statements about love, hope, and faith. Humperdinck was influenced by Wagner's principle that drama based on myth and legend common to a people was at once both most understandable and appealing.

This performance is absolutely the best there is of this work. I wore out the 1981 tape I had, and have waited for YEARS for this production to come out in DVD. While the special effects do not come up to today's production standards, what is there is effective.

The production is filmed, not staged. The audio is top-drawer and the acting is compelling and believable. This is an all-star cast, conductor, and orchestra that will not disappoint; check out the bios of the cast for yourself. Prepare to be blown away at how they could all be lined up for this project!

Bottom line? BUY THIS DVD!

Beautiful music, costuming, and singing .......2006-05-14

Of the handful of available Hansel and Gretels, this is the best sung, and has the most period-authentic costuming.

Brigitte Fassbaender and Edita Gruberova, as Hansel and Gretel, simply can't be beaten, both for the perfection of their singing, AND their acting--they are so truly childlike (not childish!).

Yes, it gets better. Hermann Prey and Helga Dernesch add personality and a touch of comedy to make the Father and Mother roles much more than they usually are.

All we need now to make it a definitive H & G would be a good "Knusper-Witch," which we have in Sena Jurinac--scary, but believable and essential.

If you already enjoy Hansel and Gretel, you will still be surprised both by how believable as young children Fassbaender and Gruberova are. And--you get their splendid singing abilities.

This performance was recorded in 1981, but is certainly not at all out of date. It has subtitles available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese, but you really don't need the subtitles to follow the story or to enjoy the show.

This would be an ideal performance to introduce opera to children, or perhaps to friends who think they could never enjoy opera.

You'll find more amazing details each time you watch it!

Humperdinck's Hansel und Gretel.......2006-03-23

Reading subtitles to "little ones" was undesirable. Musically very beautiful.

Beautiful filming and cast bring Humperdinck's famous opera to life.......2006-02-11

I saw this 1981 production of Humperdinck's evergreen opera HANSEL UND GRETEL (composed 1893) on a PBS telecast about 1987, and really enjoyed it alot. I recognized Hermann Prey (1929-1998) despite his costume, and he looked alot here like a then-current photo of him in MUSICAL AMERICA, where the reviewer lambasted Prey's recent audio recording of Schubert's WINTERREISE (Denon CD). While I have not heard Prey's Denon WINTERREISE, I heard him sing the role of Father here, and really enjoyed what he did with his part. Prey's talents as a comic actor shine forth here, and he is so expressive! Even though his part is not that large it is SO WELL DONE, this was what I remembered from the 1987 PBS telecast.

The other roles are all wonderfully performed: Brigitte Fassbaender really makes you believe in Hansel, an impish boy, and Edita Gruberova looks the part of the naive young Gretel. Helga Dernesch is wonderful as the mother, looking rather matronly as a mother might in 1893, and she surely doesn't hold back scolding her children for their laziness and lack of caring in failing to mend the brooms - their assigned task - while she was away. Sena Jurinac is at once comic and scary as the witch: I would not show this to a child prone to nightmares. The scene where she has Hansel in a cage waiting to bake him in the oven is really macabre, and has the potential of scaring children, especially in my family. Sir Georg Solti and the Vienna Philharmonic offer terrific support, and the scene where sunflowers turn into children near the end is very effective. I really like the way the directors incorporate the audience of children into the scenes: at the beginning and at several points in the opera. This reminded me a little of Ingmar Bergman's film version of Mozart's THE MAGIC FLUTE, and is very effective in supporting the story line and holding the viewer's interest.

Recorded sound is very good, dating from 1981 as are the color and picture.

My favorite line of text from HANSEL UND GRETEL is in the first scene, where Hansel (Fassbaender) complains of having nothing but dry bread to eat for weeks. Gretel (Gruberova) quotes her father (paraphrase) with "When need is great as we can stand, the gracious Lord holds forth His hand." This line is repeated at the end of the opera, in the last scene by Father (Prey), and is very touching and effective. If only many people today faced with changes of job, salary, lifestyle, financial circumstances - could keep this in mind: God takes care of those who believe in Him, despite hardship, poverty, and grief.

I really enjoyed this, and would recommend it to adults and children age 10 and older, but the scenes with the witch trying to bake Hansel in an oven would likely frighten younger children, so I would not recommend it to them. Solti and the Vienna Philharmonic are a treat to hear, and sound wonderful, even on a modest stereo system like mine. Recommended with the conditions mentioned.

Average customer rating:

I never get tired of it!
Figaro, Figaro, Figaro...
Pleasing, pleasant, but dull Ponnelle film
Excellent!!!
I love it

Rossini - Il Barbiere di Siviglia
Starring: Hermann Prey , Teresa Berganza , Luigi Alva , Enzo Dara , and Paolo Montarsolo
Director: Jean-Pierre Ponnelle , and Claudio Abbado
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
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Mozart - Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro)
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Leoncavallo - I Pagliacci / Mascagni - Cavalleria Rusticana / Domingo, Stratas, Pons, Bruson, Obraztsova, Pretre
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ASIN: B0007P0LOS
Release Date: 2005-06-14

Amazon.com

Like all successfully filmed operas, Jean-Pierre Ponnelle's 1974 film of his 1972 La Scala production of The Barber of Seville weaves its magic on multiple levels: naturalistic lighting and camera work that take the viewer to the heart of the action; wonderful casting and magnificent singing; singers who can act; and conducting (by Claudio Abbado) that simply revels in the richness of an extraordinarily vibrant and much-loved score.

Rossini's 1816 work, based on Beaumarchais's Figaro characters, is one of the great joys of comic opera, crammed with familiar arias and duets, all of which drive the galloping pace of the book without ever interrupting the plot. At the heart of the tale is Figaro (Hermann Prey, making the most of his trademark theme "Largo al factotum") and the love triangle of Count Almaviva (a lusty Luigi Alva), the willful Rosina (Teresa Berganza at the peak of her mezzo-soprano powers), and her guardian with an ulterior motive Bartolo (Enzo Dara). --Piers Ford

Customer Reviews:

I never get tired of it!.......2007-02-13

I had it on VHS, I have it on DVD, it's mandatory! And of course I have the same version in CD (some slight differences, some singers are not the same).

I find the overture, with Abbado conducting, absolutely mesmerizing. You can actually see his eyes guiding the orchestra.

The singers? Well, Hermann Prey is my favourite Figaro ever, and it's really a pitty there isn't any film of his wonderful Papageno in Mozart's Magic Flute. Teresa Berganza and her voice are perfect for the role. Enzo Dara is hilarious. I just love Luigi Alva's voice (he's Don Ottavio in the most amazing Don Giovanni ever recorded, the one by Giulini - how I wish we could have it on film!), I could go on forever.

Figaro, Figaro, Figaro..........2006-09-10

Okay, I am biased. I adore this opera, and it this production is my second favorite ever. That may sound like a backhanded compliment since I refer, of course, to the marvelous RCA recording made in the late 1950's with Fernando Corelli as the definative Bartolo and many other superb portrayals that left so much to the imagination and was like being treated to a Chuck Jones cartoon in Italian. But then, that production was never made into a movie on DVD or otherwise.

This film is fun, funny, clever, and oozing with the accurate look and feel of Spain somewhere at the turn of the 18th century, rather than the pre-French revolution era of Beaumarchais original story. Figaro's resemblance to Zorro at the end of the film seems more than coincidental, and that gave it an even greater charm. It works because despite the fact that it was conceived by a Frenchman, written as an opera by an Italian a generation later, and a German (Mozart) did the sequel long before rossini came onto the scene, Jean-Pierre Ponnelle never forgot that this is essentially has a Spanish setting, and as a grand touch, the portrait of Dr.Bartolo (featured prominently in the comedy business of Act I) bears more than a striking resemblance to Salvador Dali's self-portrait, adding a further touch of lunacy to the proceedings.

Production values aside, the singing was wonderful. I found myself singing along through many of the scenes, and the two-plus hours seemed to merrily dance away.

This is a great "Barber of Seville", better than even the sequel film, which is also worth getting. They compliment each other beautifully, and are a must-have for the collections of opera lovers, Mozart/Rossini lovers, or fans of the Beaumarchais comedies. Worth every penny.

Pleasing, pleasant, but dull Ponnelle film.......2006-05-03

In today's age, when almost every operatic director has a mind-boggling "concept" for an opera, there's something comforting about popping this Ponnelle film. It's unambitious, inoffensive, aesthetically pleasing, and generally well-sung. Although there are some quirky touches (like Figaro sings "Largo al factotum" with Ponnelle panning to various mannequins and wigs in his shop), mostly this is your good old-fashioned Barber of Seville, with the good old-fashioned stage business and even the good old-fashioned musical cuts. Too bad this good old-fashioned Barber of Seville is also so dreadfully dull.

Despite Ponnelle's attempt to "open up" the opera, the film remains essentially stagey. The sets are both realistic and artificial-looking -- Seville being pretty terra-cotta land that only the characters of the opera seem to inhabit. Even the casting is predictable. Luigi Alva sings essentially the same performance as his studio recordings of the 1950's. He can't really hold a candle to Juan Diego Florez of today and Fritz Wunderlich of yesteryear (in that magical stage telecast of 1959). Ditto Teresa Berganza, whose pretty mezzo voice almost makes up for the fact that she's the most predictable of Rosinas, without a trace of either musical or thespian originality. Her "Una voce poco fa" actually made me yawn. Would it kill her to embellish Rossini's musical line just a little bit? She sings the whole opera almost absolutely "come scritto" which kind of kills half the fun of a Rossini opera -- hearing the unique embellishments of every singer. Would it kill her to seem like she's having a bit of fun? Ponnelle's fondness of closeups only reveal Berganza's advanced age and her facial dullness -- you can practically hear Ponnelle shouting "Smile! Frown! Smile again!" Most of the time she just looks sullen though.

As is often the case with this opera, it's up to the supporting characters to provide the fun. They sort of do, with the emphasis on the sort of. Hermann Prey makes a charmingly conceited Figaro. Enzo Dara, ridiculously coiffed in a long curly brown wig is a hammy, funny Bartolo. There's nothing original about his performance either, but Bartolo's antics are so engraved in stone, that it's fun to see those same old antics performed with relish. Paolo Montosarlo is Basilio, and Ponnelle underlines "La calunnia" with loud bursts of thunder. Bertha constantly sneezes, so much so that you want to shove her some Claritin. Basically they are fun, but this is the same kind of fun you'd see basically at any Barber performance.

I would be more satisfied with this film, if I didn't have another Ponnelle film to compare this with -- his 1981 film of Cenerentola. That film is more stylized, but it has a warmth, charm and beauty that is sorely absent here. I cared about the characters in the Cenerentola film, even the screechy stepsisters, because Ponnelle seemed to care about them. It also is a truly unique experience, employing special effects that turned Rossini's earthy opera into a real fairy tale. I watched that film and thought that it provided something special, something a staged performance could not achieve. However, with this Barbiere film, I think that essentially, I could go to any opera house and have the same experience, except with maybe less detailed costumes, scenery, and less closeups (which usually don't flatter the singers anyway).

If an operatic film doesn't provide any original ideas, then I expect it to preserve a special, memorable operatic portrayal. For instance, I happily sat through a grainy RAI film of Madama Butterfly because of the tenderness and beauty of Anna Moffo's Cio Cio San. I sat through a grainy B&W film of Otello because Mario del Monaco's Otello was a force of nature. But I don't get that feeling here. None of the performances are so note-worthy that they needed to be preserved permanently on celluloid. Certainly not Teresa Berganza, whose Rosina was dull the first time around and only got duller through the years. Or Luigi Alva. Hermann Prey, Enzo Dara, and Paolo Montosarli are the only performers who are trying. But still, they aren't so special that they *need* to be preserved for posterity in a lavish opera-film. Plus, Hermann Prey could be seen in better form in the German-language telecast that's now on dvd.

So my conclusion? Buy the German Barber of Seville with Fritz Wunderlich, Hermann Prey, Hans Hotter, and Erika Koth, if you want a fun, beautiful performance. Buy the recent dvd from Madrid with Juan Diego Florez if you want a more note-complete, vocally dazzling show. This is an inoffensive, fairly pleasant film, but I personally don't think it's anything special.

Excellent!!!.......2006-03-21

The opera is made of singers from high quality and very hillarious
Teresa berganza is excellent artist!

I love it.......2006-02-06

I love everything about this production. It is really very funny and very enjoyable.

DVD:

DVD

DVD

DVD

Deadly Run

Red Shoe Diaries, The - The Game : Video

D.O.A.

DVD: Full Metal Panic Vol 1:Animini Mini

Winnie Puuh - Honigsüße Abenteuer 7: Freunde helfen einander