Cats - The Musical (Ultimate Edition)

Cats - The Musical (Ultimate Edition)


Starring:Elaine Paige, John Mills, Ken Page, Rosemarie Ford, Michael Gruber, John Partridge, Aeva May, Geoffrey Garratt, James Barron (III), Jo Gibb, Drew Varley, Susie McKenna, Jacob Brent, Susan Jane Tanner, Phyllida Crowley Smith, Bryn Walters, Veerle Casteleyn, Tommi Sliiden, Kaye Brown, Karl Morgan (II)
Director: David Mallet
Studio: Universal Studios
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com essential video
This pop-cultural phenomenon has been performed on stage for more than 50 million patrons in 26 countries for almost 18 years, churning more than $2 billion in ticket sales. Now that Cats has finally made it to the small screen, attention must be paid not just by fans of this critic-proof show, but also by those entertainment mavens who have somehow avoided Cats until now. The video version has been restaged but, alas, not really reconceived for its new medium.

The video cast, assembled from London, Amsterdam, and New York productions, is competent. Ken Page as Old Deuteronomy, Jacob Brent as Mr. Mistoffelees, and Elaine Paige--the original London Grizabella, the Glamour Cat well past her prime--are a great deal more than that. Paige has toned down her theatrical belting of her big number, "Memory," and allowed the faded ruin of her character's soul to prevail in close-up. For all the "covers" of her signature song, Paige's version remains definitive. The video is, by definition, more intimate, not always a good thing: costumes are even more Halloweeny in garish close-up, the cats less cuddly without that all-important interaction, the stage's appropriately midnight lighting transmuted to a Las Vegas neon. And the chorus of cats in production numbers is even clunkier and more amorphous in two- and three-shots.

The one complete newcomer to the cast is the 90-year-old icon among English actors John Mills, a delight as Gus the Theatrical Cat. Sir John and his character show the youngsters how it's done in close-up, largely behind the eyes, abetted by a heart-tugging delivery of his one song. Yet virtually all of the songs are lip-synched, further robbing the video Cats of its onstage seeming spontaneity. It's clearer than ever that Lloyd Webber's music is mostly twaddle, with the important exception of "Memory," which instantly and rightly became one of the genuine theater standards not dependent on context, in the vein of Stephen Sondheim's "Send in the Clowns." On the plus side, most of the Cats characters and lyrics, from T.S. Eliot's 14-poem Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, are far better defined and understood from the video version. --Robert Windeler
Cats - The Musical (Commemorative Edition)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Sound quality?
  • HATED THIS MOVIE/MUSICAL!!!
  • CATS
  • Cats - The Musical (Commemorative Edition)
  • This is Awesome
 Cats - The Musical (Commemorative Edition)
Starring: Elaine Paige , John Mills , Ken Page , Rosemarie Ford , and Michael Gruber
Director: David Mallet
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

GeneralGeneral | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Musicals | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video
MusicalsMusicals | Broadway | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | British Cinema | By Country | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Dance | Special Interests | Genres | DVD | Video
JazzJazz | Dance | Special Interests | Genres | DVD | Video
Mills, JohnMills, John | ( M ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Page, KenPage, Ken | ( P ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Mallet, DavidMallet, David | ( M ) | Directors | Stores | DVD | Video
Used DVDsUsed DVDs | Stores | DVD | Video | Action & Adventure | African American Cinema | Animation | Anime & Manga | Art House & International | Classics | Comedy | Cult Movies | Documentary | Drama | Educational | Fitness & Yoga | Gay & Lesbian | Horror | Kids & Family | Military & War | Music Video & Concerts | Musicals & Performing Arts | Mystery & Suspense | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Special Interests | Sports | Television | Westerns
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( C )( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:
  1. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
  2. Les Miserables - The Dream Cast in Concert
  3. Cats (1982 Original Broadway Cast)
  4. Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, Illustrated Edition
  5. Evita

ASIN: B00004XMTJ
Release Date: 2000-09-12

Amazon.com essential video

This pop-cultural phenomenon has been performed on stage for more than 50 million patrons in 26 countries for almost 18 years, churning more than $2 billion in ticket sales. Now that Cats has finally made it to the small screen, attention must be paid not just by fans of this critic-proof show, but also by those entertainment mavens who have somehow avoided Cats until now. The video version has been restaged but, alas, not really reconceived for its new medium.

The video cast, assembled from London, Amsterdam, and New York productions, is competent. Ken Page as Old Deuteronomy, Jacob Brent as Mr. Mistoffelees, and Elaine Paige--the original London Grizabella, the Glamour Cat well past her prime--are a great deal more than that. Paige has toned down her theatrical belting of her big number, "Memory," and allowed the faded ruin of her character's soul to prevail in close-up. For all the "covers" of her signature song, Paige's version remains definitive. The video is, by definition, more intimate, not always a good thing: costumes are even more Halloweeny in garish close-up, the cats less cuddly without that all-important interaction, the stage's appropriately midnight lighting transmuted to a Las Vegas neon. And the chorus of cats in production numbers is even clunkier and more amorphous in two- and three-shots.

The one complete newcomer to the cast is the 90-year-old icon among English actors John Mills, a delight as Gus the Theatrical Cat. Sir John and his character show the youngsters how it's done in close-up, largely behind the eyes, abetted by a heart-tugging delivery of his one song. Yet virtually all of the songs are lip-synched, further robbing the video Cats of its onstage seeming spontaneity. It's clearer than ever that Lloyd Webber's music is mostly twaddle, with the important exception of "Memory," which instantly and rightly became one of the genuine theater standards not dependent on context, in the vein of Stephen Sondheim's "Send in the Clowns." On the plus side, most of the Cats characters and lyrics, from T.S. Eliot's 14-poem Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, are far better defined and understood from the video version. --Robert Windeler

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Sound quality?.......2007-07-05

Did anyone else notice the lapses in the songs as I did, or am I going deaf?!?! I have both the video and dvd of this production, and it seemed like in the dvd:
1) the tempo in "Rum Tum Tugger" was too slow and,
2) during "The Pekes and the Pollicles", the barks could not be heard.
Strange to me- I'm curious as to whether or not anyone else had the same experience. :)

1 out of 5 stars HATED THIS MOVIE/MUSICAL!!!.......2007-06-19

Oh.. it was horrible! This movie is supposed to be the "greatest of all times" but it's a bore. First of all, the movie (musical) just doesn't make sense. My dad explained to me that they are suppposed to pick some cat to go to earth or something like that. I'm waiting there like forever waiting to see what is going to happen but the cats just keep singing songs about some of the cats in their "tribe". Finally, this person comes and is supposed to choose one of the cats though suddenly they start singing so many songs again. I was so agravated, I left the room.

Later on , when my dad had finished watching the movie, he said that I hadn't missed anything at all.

Also, during the songs about the "tribe, there are people that are wearing revolting costumes and dance in a way that is also pretty revolting.

I would not recommend this movie to anyone unless you think this plot is intresting or unless you have a lot of paitence!

4 out of 5 stars CATS.......2007-05-22

Andrew Lloyd Webber is a true genius. He has taken T.S. Eliot's "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats", a loose collection of poems, and has added characters and songs to create a cohesive story. This is a "staged" production, as opposed to a "stage" presentation. As such, there are aspects of it that are both positive and negative. For those who prefer live theater, you may be a bit disappointed. For those who just enjoy the music and dance, you will not. This format allows for greater instrumentation in the soundtrack as well as permitting some special effects you can't see in a live stage production. The bonus features give some insight as to the process behind the project as well as introducing a few of the performers. Overall, this is a very nice production, despite the exclusion of the story of Growltiger. Was this a move for political correctness?

4 out of 5 stars Cats - The Musical (Commemorative Edition).......2007-05-12

The delivery was fast and the price was fair, but I was disappointed that as a commemorative edition there was no poster, booklet, anything at all in the case other than the cd. It led me to wonder if this was indeed a brand new item as advertised.

5 out of 5 stars This is Awesome.......2007-05-10

I have always been a huge fan of this musical,CATS,ever since I was little I would beg my mom to go to my grandparents house to watch this musical,they had the VHS. I wanted to know how they did everything on this movie.Now that I have the DVD I can watch how they did the make-up,the rehersals,the original broadway show. This is the most Amazing musical ever.It's even better when you watch how they did everything.
Cats - The Musical (Ultimate Edition)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Sound quality?
  • HATED THIS MOVIE/MUSICAL!!!
  • CATS
  • Cats - The Musical (Commemorative Edition)
  • This is Awesome
 Cats - The Musical (Ultimate Edition)
Starring: Elaine Paige , John Mills , Ken Page , Rosemarie Ford , and Michael Gruber
Director: David Mallet
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

GeneralGeneral | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Musicals | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video
MusicalsMusicals | Broadway | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | British Cinema | By Country | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Dance | Special Interests | Genres | DVD | Video
JazzJazz | Dance | Special Interests | Genres | DVD | Video
Mills, JohnMills, John | ( M ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Page, KenPage, Ken | ( P ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Mallet, DavidMallet, David | ( M ) | Directors | Stores | DVD | Video
Used DVDsUsed DVDs | Stores | DVD | Video | Action & Adventure | African American Cinema | Animation | Anime & Manga | Art House & International | Classics | Comedy | Cult Movies | Documentary | Drama | Educational | Fitness & Yoga | Gay & Lesbian | Horror | Kids & Family | Military & War | Music Video & Concerts | Musicals & Performing Arts | Mystery & Suspense | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Special Interests | Sports | Television | Westerns
All Universal Studios TitlesAll Universal Studios Titles | Universal Studios Home Entertainment | Studio Specials | Stores | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | British Cinema | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video
( C )( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Ultimate EditionsUltimate Editions | Fully Loaded DVDs | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:
  1. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
  2. Les Miserables - The Dream Cast in Concert
  3. Cats (1982 Original Broadway Cast)
  4. Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, Illustrated Edition
  5. Evita

ASIN: B00005NGAL
Release Date: 2001-10-30

Amazon.com essential video

This pop-cultural phenomenon has been performed on stage for more than 50 million patrons in 26 countries for almost 18 years, churning more than $2 billion in ticket sales. Now that Cats has finally made it to the small screen, attention must be paid not just by fans of this critic-proof show, but also by those entertainment mavens who have somehow avoided Cats until now. The video version has been restaged but, alas, not really reconceived for its new medium.

The video cast, assembled from London, Amsterdam, and New York productions, is competent. Ken Page as Old Deuteronomy, Jacob Brent as Mr. Mistoffelees, and Elaine Paige--the original London Grizabella, the Glamour Cat well past her prime--are a great deal more than that. Paige has toned down her theatrical belting of her big number, "Memory," and allowed the faded ruin of her character's soul to prevail in close-up. For all the "covers" of her signature song, Paige's version remains definitive. The video is, by definition, more intimate, not always a good thing: costumes are even more Halloweeny in garish close-up, the cats less cuddly without that all-important interaction, the stage's appropriately midnight lighting transmuted to a Las Vegas neon. And the chorus of cats in production numbers is even clunkier and more amorphous in two- and three-shots.

The one complete newcomer to the cast is the 90-year-old icon among English actors John Mills, a delight as Gus the Theatrical Cat. Sir John and his character show the youngsters how it's done in close-up, largely behind the eyes, abetted by a heart-tugging delivery of his one song. Yet virtually all of the songs are lip-synched, further robbing the video Cats of its onstage seeming spontaneity. It's clearer than ever that Lloyd Webber's music is mostly twaddle, with the important exception of "Memory," which instantly and rightly became one of the genuine theater standards not dependent on context, in the vein of Stephen Sondheim's "Send in the Clowns." On the plus side, most of the Cats characters and lyrics, from T.S. Eliot's 14-poem Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, are far better defined and understood from the video version. --Robert Windeler

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Sound quality?.......2007-07-05

Did anyone else notice the lapses in the songs as I did, or am I going deaf?!?! I have both the video and dvd of this production, and it seemed like in the dvd:
1) the tempo in "Rum Tum Tugger" was too slow and,
2) during "The Pekes and the Pollicles", the barks could not be heard.
Strange to me- I'm curious as to whether or not anyone else had the same experience. :)

1 out of 5 stars HATED THIS MOVIE/MUSICAL!!!.......2007-06-19

Oh.. it was horrible! This movie is supposed to be the "greatest of all times" but it's a bore. First of all, the movie (musical) just doesn't make sense. My dad explained to me that they are suppposed to pick some cat to go to earth or something like that. I'm waiting there like forever waiting to see what is going to happen but the cats just keep singing songs about some of the cats in their "tribe". Finally, this person comes and is supposed to choose one of the cats though suddenly they start singing so many songs again. I was so agravated, I left the room.

Later on , when my dad had finished watching the movie, he said that I hadn't missed anything at all.

Also, during the songs about the "tribe, there are people that are wearing revolting costumes and dance in a way that is also pretty revolting.

I would not recommend this movie to anyone unless you think this plot is intresting or unless you have a lot of paitence!

4 out of 5 stars CATS.......2007-05-22

Andrew Lloyd Webber is a true genius. He has taken T.S. Eliot's "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats", a loose collection of poems, and has added characters and songs to create a cohesive story. This is a "staged" production, as opposed to a "stage" presentation. As such, there are aspects of it that are both positive and negative. For those who prefer live theater, you may be a bit disappointed. For those who just enjoy the music and dance, you will not. This format allows for greater instrumentation in the soundtrack as well as permitting some special effects you can't see in a live stage production. The bonus features give some insight as to the process behind the project as well as introducing a few of the performers. Overall, this is a very nice production, despite the exclusion of the story of Growltiger. Was this a move for political correctness?

4 out of 5 stars Cats - The Musical (Commemorative Edition).......2007-05-12

The delivery was fast and the price was fair, but I was disappointed that as a commemorative edition there was no poster, booklet, anything at all in the case other than the cd. It led me to wonder if this was indeed a brand new item as advertised.

5 out of 5 stars This is Awesome.......2007-05-10

I have always been a huge fan of this musical,CATS,ever since I was little I would beg my mom to go to my grandparents house to watch this musical,they had the VHS. I wanted to know how they did everything on this movie.Now that I have the DVD I can watch how they did the make-up,the rehersals,the original broadway show. This is the most Amazing musical ever.It's even better when you watch how they did everything.
Cats
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Sound quality?
  • HATED THIS MOVIE/MUSICAL!!!
  • CATS
  • Cats - The Musical (Commemorative Edition)
  • This is Awesome
 Cats
Starring: Elaine Paige , John Mills , Ken Page , Rosemarie Ford , and Michael Gruber
Director: David Mallet
Manufacturer: Polygram Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

GeneralGeneral | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | British Cinema | By Country | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Dance | Special Interests | Genres | DVD | Video
JazzJazz | Dance | Special Interests | Genres | DVD | Video
Mills, JohnMills, John | ( M ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Page, KenPage, Ken | ( P ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Mallet, DavidMallet, David | ( M ) | Directors | Stores | DVD | Video
Used DVDsUsed DVDs | Stores | DVD | Video | Action & Adventure | African American Cinema | Animation | Anime & Manga | Art House & International | Classics | Comedy | Cult Movies | Documentary | Drama | Educational | Fitness & Yoga | Gay & Lesbian | Horror | Kids & Family | Military & War | Music Video & Concerts | Musicals & Performing Arts | Mystery & Suspense | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Special Interests | Sports | Television | Westerns
GeneralGeneral | British Cinema | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video
DVDs Under $14.99DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
( C )( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:
  1. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
  2. Les Miserables - The Dream Cast in Concert
  3. Cats (1982 Original Broadway Cast)
  4. Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, Illustrated Edition
  5. Evita

ASIN: 6305120706

Amazon.com essential video

This pop-cultural phenomenon has been performed on stage for more than 50 million patrons in 26 countries for almost 18 years, churning more than $2 billion in ticket sales. Now that Cats has finally made it to the small screen, attention must be paid not just by fans of this critic-proof show, but also by those entertainment mavens who have somehow avoided Cats until now. The video version has been restaged but, alas, not really reconceived for its new medium.

The video cast, assembled from London, Amsterdam, and New York productions, is competent. Ken Page as Old Deuteronomy, Jacob Brent as Mr. Mistoffelees, and Elaine Paige--the original London Grizabella, the Glamour Cat well past her prime--are a great deal more than that. Paige has toned down her theatrical belting of her big number, "Memory," and allowed the faded ruin of her character's soul to prevail in close-up. For all the "covers" of her signature song, Paige's version remains definitive. The video is, by definition, more intimate, not always a good thing: costumes are even more Halloweeny in garish close-up, the cats less cuddly without that all-important interaction, the stage's appropriately midnight lighting transmuted to a Las Vegas neon. And the chorus of cats in production numbers is even clunkier and more amorphous in two- and three-shots.

The one complete newcomer to the cast is the 90-year-old icon among English actors John Mills, a delight as Gus the Theatrical Cat. Sir John and his character show the youngsters how it's done in close-up, largely behind the eyes, abetted by a heart-tugging delivery of his one song. Yet virtually all of the songs are lip-synched, further robbing the video Cats of its onstage seeming spontaneity. It's clearer than ever that Lloyd Webber's music is mostly twaddle, with the important exception of "Memory," which instantly and rightly became one of the genuine theater standards not dependent on context, in the vein of Stephen Sondheim's "Send in the Clowns." On the plus side, most of the Cats characters and lyrics, from T.S. Eliot's 14-poem Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, are far better defined and understood from the video version. --Robert Windeler

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Sound quality?.......2007-07-05

Did anyone else notice the lapses in the songs as I did, or am I going deaf?!?! I have both the video and dvd of this production, and it seemed like in the dvd:
1) the tempo in "Rum Tum Tugger" was too slow and,
2) during "The Pekes and the Pollicles", the barks could not be heard.
Strange to me- I'm curious as to whether or not anyone else had the same experience. :)

1 out of 5 stars HATED THIS MOVIE/MUSICAL!!!.......2007-06-19

Oh.. it was horrible! This movie is supposed to be the "greatest of all times" but it's a bore. First of all, the movie (musical) just doesn't make sense. My dad explained to me that they are suppposed to pick some cat to go to earth or something like that. I'm waiting there like forever waiting to see what is going to happen but the cats just keep singing songs about some of the cats in their "tribe". Finally, this person comes and is supposed to choose one of the cats though suddenly they start singing so many songs again. I was so agravated, I left the room.

Later on , when my dad had finished watching the movie, he said that I hadn't missed anything at all.

Also, during the songs about the "tribe, there are people that are wearing revolting costumes and dance in a way that is also pretty revolting.

I would not recommend this movie to anyone unless you think this plot is intresting or unless you have a lot of paitence!

4 out of 5 stars CATS.......2007-05-22

Andrew Lloyd Webber is a true genius. He has taken T.S. Eliot's "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats", a loose collection of poems, and has added characters and songs to create a cohesive story. This is a "staged" production, as opposed to a "stage" presentation. As such, there are aspects of it that are both positive and negative. For those who prefer live theater, you may be a bit disappointed. For those who just enjoy the music and dance, you will not. This format allows for greater instrumentation in the soundtrack as well as permitting some special effects you can't see in a live stage production. The bonus features give some insight as to the process behind the project as well as introducing a few of the performers. Overall, this is a very nice production, despite the exclusion of the story of Growltiger. Was this a move for political correctness?

4 out of 5 stars Cats - The Musical (Commemorative Edition).......2007-05-12

The delivery was fast and the price was fair, but I was disappointed that as a commemorative edition there was no poster, booklet, anything at all in the case other than the cd. It led me to wonder if this was indeed a brand new item as advertised.

5 out of 5 stars This is Awesome.......2007-05-10

I have always been a huge fan of this musical,CATS,ever since I was little I would beg my mom to go to my grandparents house to watch this musical,they had the VHS. I wanted to know how they did everything on this movie.Now that I have the DVD I can watch how they did the make-up,the rehersals,the original broadway show. This is the most Amazing musical ever.It's even better when you watch how they did everything.
Cats
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Sound quality?
  • HATED THIS MOVIE/MUSICAL!!!
  • CATS
  • Cats - The Musical (Commemorative Edition)
  • This is Awesome
 Cats
Starring: Elaine Paige , John Mills , Ken Page , Rosemarie Ford , and Michael Gruber
Director: David Mallet
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

GeneralGeneral | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | British Cinema | By Country | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Dance | Special Interests | Genres | DVD | Video
JazzJazz | Dance | Special Interests | Genres | DVD | Video
Mills, JohnMills, John | ( M ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Page, KenPage, Ken | ( P ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Mallet, DavidMallet, David | ( M ) | Directors | Stores | DVD | Video
Used DVDsUsed DVDs | Stores | DVD | Video | Action & Adventure | African American Cinema | Animation | Anime & Manga | Art House & International | Classics | Comedy | Cult Movies | Documentary | Drama | Educational | Fitness & Yoga | Gay & Lesbian | Horror | Kids & Family | Military & War | Music Video & Concerts | Musicals & Performing Arts | Mystery & Suspense | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Special Interests | Sports | Television | Westerns
All Universal Studios TitlesAll Universal Studios Titles | Universal Studios Home Entertainment | Studio Specials | Stores | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | British Cinema | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video
( C )( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:
  1. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
  2. Les Miserables - The Dream Cast in Concert
  3. Cats (1982 Original Broadway Cast)
  4. Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, Illustrated Edition
  5. Evita

ASIN: 0783237979
Release Date: 1999-08-31

Amazon.com essential video

This pop-cultural phenomenon has been performed on stage for more than 50 million patrons in 26 countries for almost 18 years, churning more than $2 billion in ticket sales. Now that Cats has finally made it to the small screen, attention must be paid not just by fans of this critic-proof show, but also by those entertainment mavens who have somehow avoided Cats until now. The video version has been restaged but, alas, not really reconceived for its new medium.

The video cast, assembled from London, Amsterdam, and New York productions, is competent. Ken Page as Old Deuteronomy, Jacob Brent as Mr. Mistoffelees, and Elaine Paige--the original London Grizabella, the Glamour Cat well past her prime--are a great deal more than that. Paige has toned down her theatrical belting of her big number, "Memory," and allowed the faded ruin of her character's soul to prevail in close-up. For all the "covers" of her signature song, Paige's version remains definitive. The video is, by definition, more intimate, not always a good thing: costumes are even more Halloweeny in garish close-up, the cats less cuddly without that all-important interaction, the stage's appropriately midnight lighting transmuted to a Las Vegas neon. And the chorus of cats in production numbers is even clunkier and more amorphous in two- and three-shots.

The one complete newcomer to the cast is the 90-year-old icon among English actors John Mills, a delight as Gus the Theatrical Cat. Sir John and his character show the youngsters how it's done in close-up, largely behind the eyes, abetted by a heart-tugging delivery of his one song. Yet virtually all of the songs are lip-synched, further robbing the video Cats of its onstage seeming spontaneity. It's clearer than ever that Lloyd Webber's music is mostly twaddle, with the important exception of "Memory," which instantly and rightly became one of the genuine theater standards not dependent on context, in the vein of Stephen Sondheim's "Send in the Clowns." On the plus side, most of the Cats characters and lyrics, from T.S. Eliot's 14-poem Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, are far better defined and understood from the video version. --Robert Windeler

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Sound quality?.......2007-07-05

Did anyone else notice the lapses in the songs as I did, or am I going deaf?!?! I have both the video and dvd of this production, and it seemed like in the dvd:
1) the tempo in "Rum Tum Tugger" was too slow and,
2) during "The Pekes and the Pollicles", the barks could not be heard.
Strange to me- I'm curious as to whether or not anyone else had the same experience. :)

1 out of 5 stars HATED THIS MOVIE/MUSICAL!!!.......2007-06-19

Oh.. it was horrible! This movie is supposed to be the "greatest of all times" but it's a bore. First of all, the movie (musical) just doesn't make sense. My dad explained to me that they are suppposed to pick some cat to go to earth or something like that. I'm waiting there like forever waiting to see what is going to happen but the cats just keep singing songs about some of the cats in their "tribe". Finally, this person comes and is supposed to choose one of the cats though suddenly they start singing so many songs again. I was so agravated, I left the room.

Later on , when my dad had finished watching the movie, he said that I hadn't missed anything at all.

Also, during the songs about the "tribe, there are people that are wearing revolting costumes and dance in a way that is also pretty revolting.

I would not recommend this movie to anyone unless you think this plot is intresting or unless you have a lot of paitence!

4 out of 5 stars CATS.......2007-05-22

Andrew Lloyd Webber is a true genius. He has taken T.S. Eliot's "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats", a loose collection of poems, and has added characters and songs to create a cohesive story. This is a "staged" production, as opposed to a "stage" presentation. As such, there are aspects of it that are both positive and negative. For those who prefer live theater, you may be a bit disappointed. For those who just enjoy the music and dance, you will not. This format allows for greater instrumentation in the soundtrack as well as permitting some special effects you can't see in a live stage production. The bonus features give some insight as to the process behind the project as well as introducing a few of the performers. Overall, this is a very nice production, despite the exclusion of the story of Growltiger. Was this a move for political correctness?

4 out of 5 stars Cats - The Musical (Commemorative Edition).......2007-05-12

The delivery was fast and the price was fair, but I was disappointed that as a commemorative edition there was no poster, booklet, anything at all in the case other than the cd. It led me to wonder if this was indeed a brand new item as advertised.

5 out of 5 stars This is Awesome.......2007-05-10

I have always been a huge fan of this musical,CATS,ever since I was little I would beg my mom to go to my grandparents house to watch this musical,they had the VHS. I wanted to know how they did everything on this movie.Now that I have the DVD I can watch how they did the make-up,the rehersals,the original broadway show. This is the most Amazing musical ever.It's even better when you watch how they did everything.
Harmony Cats
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		Harmony Cats
    Starring: Hoyt Axton , Constance Barnes , Kim Coates , Alex Diakun , and Stephen Dimopoulos
    Director: Sandy Wilson
    Manufacturer: Platinum Disc
    ProductGroup: DVD
    Binding: DVD

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    Byrnes, JimByrnes, Jim | ( B ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
    Coates, KimCoates, Kim | ( C ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
    Diakun, AlexDiakun, Alex | ( D ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
    Dimopoulos, StephenDimopoulos, Stephen | ( D ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
    Elliott, BeverleyElliott, Beverley | ( E ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
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    ASIN: B000A59PW4
    Release Date: 2005-08-23
    Charlie Rose with Andrew Lloyd Webber (September 25, 2000)
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      		Charlie Rose with Andrew Lloyd Webber (September 25, 2000)

      Manufacturer: Charlie Rose, Inc.
      ProductGroup: DVD
      Binding: DVD

      ( C )( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
      GeneralGeneral | Educational | Genres | DVD | Video
      All TitlesAll Titles | Charlie Rose Store | Television | Genres | DVD | Video
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      ASIN: B000HBL83A
      Release Date: 2006-08-15

      Description

      Andrew Lloyd Webber, known for composing the music for some of the world's most popular musical productions in the last 30 years, including Jesus Christ Superstar, Cats, Evita and Phantom of the Opera, talks about his first new project after a five-year absence, The Beautiful Game. It's about a group of teenage soccer players in 1969 Northern Ireland.

      DVD:

      1. Guys and Dolls
      2. West Side Story (Special Edition DVD Collector's Set)
      3. Top Hat
      4. Godspell
      5. Pippin
      6. Tommy
      7. Smokey Joe's Cafe - The Songs of Leiber and Stoller
      8. Andrew Lloyd Webber Broadway Favorites Collection (Cats / Jesus Christ Superstar / Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat / The Royal Albert Hall Celebration)
      9. DVD-Classical Guitar -Seven Easy Pieces
      10. Fame

      DVD

      DVD

      DVD

      Garage Days

      Drive-In Massacre

      Gundam Wing - Vol. 4

      DVD: Encino Man/Son in Law

      Die Weisheit der Kabauter 3 - Loch Ness