Editorial Review

Some people may sneer at this 1965 musical, but the truth is the film has earned its status as a perennially watchable romantic-drama, largely on the strength of a fun story and chemistry between stars Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. Veteran filmmaker Robert Wise (Read more

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Reviews (431)

A all time great!
"You have brought music back into my home".This is a story about a man, who lost his wife, suffered loneliness, realized the value of his family and embraces his family once again in music and drama, and falls in love with a woman of great culture and life.
BEAUTIFUL TRANSFER OF A PERFECT MOVIE
SOUND OF MUSIC 40th ANNIVERSARY EDITION (Fox) is the latest digital version of this beloved, timeless, film.The two-disc set features an exceptionally sharp transfer and a rich audio mix but the real treat is the new commentary with Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer (this in addition to the late Robert Wise's commentary).
The Hills are alive
This musical details the life of a novice nun named Maria. There are people in the Nonburg Abbey in Salzburg that do not like her so the Reverend Mother sends her to take care of the seven children of a Widower Captain Georg Von Trapp.
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Subjects:  1. Movie    2. Musicals    3. Musicals & Cast Recordings   

Editorial Review

The third and final entry in Laurence Olivier's Shakespeare triptych, Read more

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Reviews (29)

A beautifully restored film about the hideous human nature

Olivier at his diabolical best
Olivier really gives an excellent performance in creating a nasty, scheming Richard III--and it's great and lots of fun to watch.
Shakespeare 101
Here is Olivier at his rollicking best.This movie must be seen to be believed, and once seen will likely be regularly revisited throughout your life.It is beyond superlatives.
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Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Movie    3. Performing Arts - Theater   

Editorial Review

Some people may sneer at this 1965 musical, but the truth is the film has earned its status as a perennially watchable romantic-drama, largely on the strength of a fun story and chemistry between stars Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. Veteran filmmaker Robert Wise (Read more

Features

• Closed-captioned
• Color
• THX
• Widescreen
• NTSC

Reviews (431)

A all time great!
"You have brought music back into my home".This is a story about a man, who lost his wife, suffered loneliness, realized the value of his family and embraces his family once again in music and drama, and falls in love with a woman of great culture and life.
BEAUTIFUL TRANSFER OF A PERFECT MOVIE
SOUND OF MUSIC 40th ANNIVERSARY EDITION (Fox) is the latest digital version of this beloved, timeless, film.The two-disc set features an exceptionally sharp transfer and a rich audio mix but the real treat is the new commentary with Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer (this in addition to the late Robert Wise's commentary).
The Hills are alive
This musical details the life of a novice nun named Maria. There are people in the Nonburg Abbey in Salzburg that do not like her so the Reverend Mother sends her to take care of the seven children of a Widower Captain Georg Von Trapp.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Foreign Film - Spanish/Misc Sa   

Editorial Review

Riding the strange '50s nostalgia wave that swept through America during the late 1970s (caused by TV shows like Read more

Features

• Box set
• Closed-captioned
• Color
• Letterboxed
• Special Edition
• THX
• Widescreen
• NTSC

Reviews (275)

Great if the Sing-Along Works For You
I returned two of these discs thinking they were defective, before I realized that the sing-along feature just doesn't work on many DVD players.I was finally able to get it to work on my Humax Tivo DVD player/recorder, but when I had tried to play it on my Phillips and Toshiba machines, the songs would be skipped over completely during movie playback, and random lines of the songs were skipped during playback of specific sing-along tracks.Also, no lyrics would show up at all.I was very bummed since this was the only reason I purchased this new edition.

Grease is still the word
All I have to say is finally!!! Finally they have a collecter's edition of Grease with bonus features. I have been waiting years for an edition like this. If you're a lover of Grease buy this DVD!
Fine new Rydell Edition... Remastered Video & Audio... Delightful Extras
I won't go into praising the movie. It's already an American Classic and obviously anyone who's contemplating buying this will already love it. I felt guilty about double-dipping but the cute leather jacket was an irresistable gimmick. The following discusses mainly technical aspects of the new disc.
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Subjects:  1. Movie    2. Musical Features    3. Musicals    4. Musicals & Cast Recordings    5. Musicals (Theatrical)   

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Reviews (3)

Gallic charm to spare in this balletomane's dream!
BLACK TIGHTS is a delightful film which showcases 4 ballets choreographed by Roland Petit and featuring his well-known ballet troupe.His wife Zizi Jeanmaire is the central figure in both "La Croqueuse de Diamants" and "Carmen".Moira Shearer stars in "Cyrano de Bergerac" and Cyd Charisse cavorts in "Deuil en 24 Heures".Maurice Chevalier appears to introduce each segment.
Not really what dreams are made of!
"Black Tights" belongs to an exciting part of my childhood which helped create a great love for ballet, opera and film art. So naturally, a DVD presentation of this rare - and at least for me - almost mythical filmwas something to look forward to! But unfortunately, this KINO presentationleaves much to be desired. I guess that this film is now a public domaintitle, which means that a negative or at least a perfect print might not beavailable anywhere. But the print used for DVD-transfer by KINO is oftenbadly worn, especially at the reel change points appearing about everytenth minute - proof that a 70mm print was the base for the transfer.Considering this, the sound quality is surprisingly bad and the aspectratio is not correct. (It should measure 2,2:1 if properlymade.)Thankfully, the colors have not faded too badly (some reels displayquite a gorgeous palette), but contrasts are weak, and scratches and dirtsometimes overwhelm the image to a point where you almost feel likethrowing the disc in the nearest garbage can! But...it�s still a rare andnostalgic film with lots of camp value and some very charismatic dancingstars, so it stays in the collection, if reluctantly. It will beinteresting to see what the upcoming version from VCI will look like. Ihave no high hopes this time though! There surely must exist a better keptprint somewhere in the world! Shame on KINO! They should have included awarning sticker on the package: For die-hard fans and fools only!

I expected more from Kino Video
I was really looking forward to the DVD version of this film. Too bad Kino didn't take the time to clean the picture and fix the audio. I guess I shouldn't complain. Ballet is so rare on DVD, I will grab any I can find.But a film with Cyd Charisse, Moira Shearer, Zizi Jeanmarie and RolandPetit deserves a better presentation. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Documentary    2. Movie    3. Musical Features    4. Musicals    5. Musicals (Theatrical)   

Editorial Review

Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe's 1958 direct-to-screen follow-up to their Read more

Features

• Closed-captioned
• Color
• HiFi Sound
• Letterboxed
• Widescreen
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Reviews (83)

Wide screen too wide
It's a good movie, but no My Fair Lady, imo.My problem was though I have a wide screen TV, this film went way off my TV in either direction, and the figures were rather large.Never had a film do that before.There didn't seem anyway to get two characters on the same screen unless they were close toether.Never had this problem before.No adjusting would work.
It's a snore
I am a proclaimed lover of musicals and movie musicals and I was incredibly disappointed by Gigi. As if the overdone french accents aren't enough to turn one off altogether the acting is ridiculously overdramatic and forced. The one redeeming thing in most musicals is at least the song and dance aspect, however for me that might have been the worst part. The songs were repetitive and catchy in a way that makes you want a lombotomy or temporary memory loss to get those stupid tunes and words out of your head. The moral of this story is, spend your time and money on the plethora of wonderful movie musicals and stay far away from this one

Maurice Chevalier remembers it well
Paris in the 1950's ... and one of the last great musical films from a golden era. You will remember this film well. The teenage Leslie Caron is stunning. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Movie    2. Musicals    3. Musicals & Cast Recordings   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (158)

Please Forgive Me--I've Got To Recommend This, Even With Hoff
I'm suspecting that there are two types of people who are approaching this DVD, a filmed version of the stage production of "Jekyll & Hyde".One, someone familiar with the show--perhaps saw it and liked it or has the soundtrack--and wants to check out this variation.Or two, someone discovering it anew.It tempts me to write two reviews because while I love "Jekyll & Hyde", it's slightly unfortunate that this is the production most people will get a chance to judge.
HASSELHOFF TRIUMPHS IN JEKYLL AND HYDE
I purchased the DVD because I had not originally seen this production.As his first Broadway appearance (and hopefully NOT his last), David Hasselhoff's performance is memorable.Although his voice seems slightly weak in the beginning, his acting more than compensates for any perceived vocal deficiency.This is not a production for the faint-hearted.Mr. Hasselhoff's Edward Hyde is, indeed, a sadistic creature who commits violent murders.The duet between Jekyll and Hyde is a daring idea, and Mr. Hasselhoff's rendition is brilliant and flawless -- a unique moment in theatre history not likely to be repeated or surpassed!The supporting cast is quite good, especially the four co-stars.The DVD bonus prologue provides a rare oppportunity for Mr. Hasselhoff to share interesting behind-the scenes commentary about his role.This Jekyll and Hyde is a welcome addition to anyone's video collection.Vive La Hoff!!

Mixed emotions, yet somehow riviting performance... I was entertained.!
First of all I must say that I caught part of the mucical on a PBS channel a few years ago.I was interested in its production and follwed up by buying the DVD.
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Subjects:  1. Filmed Stage Plays    2. Movie    3. Musical Features    4. Musicals (Theatrical)    5. Performing Arts - Theater   

Editorial Review

The hit Broadway musical from the 1940s gets a lavish if not always exciting workout in this 1955 film version directed by old lion Fred Zinnemann (Read more

Features

• Closed-captioned
• Color
• Letterboxed
• Original recording remastered
• THX
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Reviews (109)

20th Century Ripoff!!!
I specifically waited to buy this on DVD hoping to get a Todd-AO version and not just the Cinemascope version.The freaking Laserdisc looks better than this!I, for one, will not be buying any more "special editions" without reading the reviews in Amazon or elsewhere when it comes to 20th Century ripoff.This release reminds me of all the 20Th Laserdiscs that were first released when laser was just starting out and how poorly the transfers were treated...now it seems we're right back to the good old bad transfer days of yore.Yuk, I recommend that no one buy ANY of their discs (especially the upcoming crappy versions of STAR WARS non-anamorphic, non-5.1 sound original movies).These people suck big time!
great
A true musical theater classic.Wonderful melodies that will last for years to come.
Visual diappointment for a great format
Like several others, I agree that the Cinemascope version was well presented, but what a disappointment as far as the Todd-ao digital transfer! The original release I bought in 1999 gives a much clearer and brighter Todd-ao version that gives you a much better idea of what the original may have looked like. I enjoyed seeing "The Miracle of Todd-ao" again, but similarly the realism that was present in the original was lost, either due to poor quality of stock or inabilty to be able to digitally correct and sharpen the image. (I find it hard to imagine that Fox couldn't resore it better).There was an apology printed on our Region 4 version.
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Subjects:  1. Movie    2. Musicals    3. Musicals & Cast Recordings   

Editorial Review

Martin Scorsese took a daring turn from the mean streets that made hisreputation in the early '70s with Read more

Features

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Reviews (41)

Parts much more interesting than sum
Liza Minnelli does some great take-offs on Peggy Lee and her mother, Larry Kert gets a rare chance to show real Broadway talent and Robert DeNiro brilliantly improvs a jerk no one could care about. Trouble with this film is twofold: together in their scenes DeNiro treats Minnelli like she was a male boxer he was in the ring with and she doesn't have acting improv chops, so mostly she just withdraws (the one scene she fights back they both ended up in the hospital). Minnelli also looks terrible in the period wigs and costumes (and overweight in the second half), only looking comfortable at the very end. Second, Scorsese tries so hard to create a 50s artificial atmosphere that Minnelli's scenes in front of an audience, where she would be electric in a real concert, the faked reactions take the energy out of the performances. It's his botch. In a strange way, it's a vanity film but for the director. Most embarrassing, he emphatically proves he's no Vincent Minnelli. Good thing about the DVD, you can skip to the good bits and lose the poor chemistry. Like a lot of Hollywood product, a huge waste.

LIZA at HER MAGIC BEST
...but unfortunately it is a bit difficult to warm up this film to due to Robert DeNiro`s unlikeable character.
Liza at her best, De Niro at his average
This is a combination of the old school and the new school of film making.This is definitely not your typical Martin Scorsese film.Scorsese has decided to pay tribute to the classic MGM musical but with a Scorsese touch.
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Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Movie    3. Musicals   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (143)

The Music Man
Terrific piece of Americana, enhanced by Preston's bravado and Wilson's witty script and score. Comic touches abound, and the film's resolution actually has a bit of zing! One of two films guaranteed to bring me to tears, time and time again. Who wouldn't want to be Harold Hill?

The Music Man
Robert Preston is the best Professor Hill. This is definitely a classic keeper you want in your collection

The Music Man 1961(Special Edition)
The Music Man , the joyfull film of the 1,375-performance Broadway smash , remains an irresistible skyburts of Americana . Robert Preston (1918-1987) recreates his Tony-winning Broadway triuph as con artirst Harold Hill , arriving in River City, Iowa to form a boys band , much to the dispproval...And later delight of town liberarian Marian Paroo ( Shirley Jones (1934- ) , Buddy Hackett (1924-2003) , Hermione Gingold (1897-1987) , Paul Ford (1901-1976) , and Ron Howard (1954) co-stars . Meredith Willson (1902-1984) sassy , brassy score , is orchestred to Oscar-winning effect by Ray Heindorf (1908-1980).Digitally mastered from restored elements , this NEW EDITION offers revitalized picture and vibrantly remixed Dolby Digital Surround Stereo . Recommended ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Movie    2. Musical Features    3. Musicals    4. Musicals & Cast Recordings    5. Musicals (Theatrical)   

Editorial Review

"Something familiar, something peculiar, something for everyone: a comedy tonight!" Those words from the opening song pretty much describe the menu in Read more

Features

• Closed-captioned
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• HiFi Sound
• Letterboxed
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Reviews (75)

I would double the number of stars if I could.
I saw this movie when it first opened and had to go back to see it again because the laughter in the theater was so loud and so pervasive that I missed some of the dialog.
Just like the Romans
I saw this movie when I was a student of Latin literature and thought it captured the spirt of Plautus's plays brilliantly.Later, I saw a stage prodction which I liked as well.But no one can replace Zero Mostel.He is one of the most naturally funny men in the world.This is vulgar and bawdy and even corny at times but it is lots of fun.It is one of my favourite comedy movies of all time.

Miss the Sondheim score; Hate the slapstick
Richard Lester, who was popular at the time for his Beatles film "Hard Days Night," obviously had no affection for the musical theater.The score, which is one of Sondheim's funniest, is eviscerated.Only a few tunes remain, and those sound overproduced and canned.
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Subjects:  1. Feature Film-comedy    2. Movie   

Editorial Review

Laurence Harvey is a brash hustler with a stream of snappy patter who takes bongo-playing crooner Cliff Richard out of the coffeehouse and into the big time in this sardonic spoof of the cynical star-making industry. Set amid the sleazy strip clubs and bustling nightlife of London's Soho district, Read more

Features

• Black & White
• Letterboxed
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Reviews (8)

Botched
Make no mistake, I love EXPRESSO BONGO, and the film itself would normally merit five stars; for style and sensibility, it was ahead of the curve for 1959.Watching this version of it, however, gives the false impression that this is just another teen idol film, due primarily to the several excised musical interludes.Of course, my own discovery of the missing Harvey numbers was upsetting, but by far the biggest letdown was the absence of Meier Tzelniker's peculiar performance of a charming number called "Nausea," the strangest moment in the film and biggest disappointment of this edition.Kino is generally one of the few labels I would buy from sight unseen, but this gives me cause for concern...

Temple's template?
This look at the British rock'n'roll scene, circa 1959, HAD to have inspired Julien Temple's "Absolute Beginners", right from its opening nightime shots swooping through London's Soho coffee bar/club scene to its depiction of naive show biz beginners with stars in thier eyes and savvy talent agents' hands in thier wallets. The late great Laurence Harvey portrays the classic success-hungry hustler/"manager" stereotype with the kind of cheeky chutzpah that remained unmatched until Ray Sharkey's astounding performance in 1980's "The Idolmaker". The elfin Cliff Richard plays it straight as Harvey's "discovery", the hilariously named 'Bongo' Herbert. Great footage of the original "Shadows" group, including guitar whiz Hank Marvin (whom Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page have cited as a seminal influence). The smart, bitchy dialog is better written than most U.S. "youth" films of the era ("The Girl Can't Help It" and "Rock Rock Rock"may contain priceless performance footage, but tend to sport somewhat sophmoric scripts). DVD notes: The Kino release has the best picture I've ever seen of the film, but the oversaturated sound makes much of the dialog unintelligable and some of the "brassier" songs unlistenable. A real hoot for music geeks.

Sharp Showbiz Satire.
WOW ! Talk about mixed reviews ! I gather from some of the reviewers that certain parts of the original film--apparently Laurence Harvey had some songs--are missing in this version.Read more

Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Foreign    3. Movie    4. Musicals   

Features

• Color
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Reviews (34)

Great performances....
Love this DVD. Wish it had a separate CD sountrack available.
''It started out like a song''Putting it Together
If you are a fan of Stephen Sondheim, or yet to discover many of his finest musical numbers, this show taped live in 2001 is a must.
Totally Worth It!
I have to comment on the people complaining about the fact that there is no plot. This is a MUSICAL REVUE, which is, simply put, a PLOTLESS variety show with a unifying factor (in this case, Sondheim). The fact that there was a thin plot was nice, but not a requirement. Sometimes I am amazed at what people write, based on sheer ignorance. The cast was great, especially Burnett, who still has an incredible set of pipes for a woman her age. I found Ruthie Henshall to be a little irritating, though. True, she is pretty and can dance and sing, but the way she sings through her teeth half of the time, without opening her mouth, began to grate on my nerves a bit. But I'm nitpicking. Order this. Watch it. Love it. Oh, and Bronson is an absolute HOOT. Marginal voice but still a great performance on his part. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children    2. Children's Video    3. Family    4. Performing Arts - Theater    5. Pop    6. Showtunes / B'way   

Editorial Review

This Cinemascope production brought Lerner and Loewe's hit Broadway musical to the big screen with Gene Kelly and Van Johnson as the American hunters who stumble upon Brigadoon, the magical Scottish village that went to sleep in 1754 and awakens for just one day each century. MGM had originally planned to shoot this film on location in Scotland, but budget considerations turned it into a studio production, costarring Cyd Charisse as the bonny lass who wins Kelly's heart. Although it has never been ranked among the great musicals of MGM's golden age, Read more

Features

• Color
• Letterboxed
• Original recording reissued
• Special Edition
• Widescreen
• NTSC

Reviews (49)

Brigadon't
Musicals cover a huge range, from the serious thought provoking productions like Cabaret (and if you don't think a musical can have a serious outcome consider the fact that the German government edited out the song "Tomorrow belongs to me" because they felt it might inflame those with neo-nazi proclivities) to those that fill a need within people to believe in a beautiful story ( witness the fact that millions tuned in to BBC T.V. to find out who would play Maria in the new West End production by Andrew Lloyd Weber). Brigadoon falls in the middle and comes from that glorious era of Hollywood mega musicals. It epitomises everything that critics complain about when they discuss the Hollywoodisation of the world. The highlands of Scotland were never like this, the accents are hoochter, choochter nonsense, the kilts are embarrasingly bright, in fact the whole production is in Ansco, a film process that relegates gaudy to the dim recesses of dull. The performers walk about with glazed looks on their faces, even the sensational Cyd Charisse spends most of the film with a slightly stunned look which is accompanied by Gene Kelly's permanent manic grin. The songs are generally dreadful ( Waiting for my Dearie must rank near the top in toe curling banality). Kelly and Charisse are magnificent when they dance but this is near balletic stuff and is difficult to take more than once since it is so artificial. The highland dancing is fake which is a pity since so much more could have been made of this rich lore of traditional dance. The film lacks the gusto and fun of 'Seven Brides'and is twee and banal and all in all does not travel well through time.

Cuddle Up and Grab Some Kleenex
I'd never even heard of "Brigadoon" until I was part of the cast of a community theatre production of it in Tacoma, Washington back in 1962 and it has been one of my very favorite shows ever since. An absolutely PERFECT love story with a touch of science-fiction and wonderful music --- what more can I say?Gene Kelly's dancing is always great to watch; he makes it look so easy! Not much in the way of special features, though, since they didn't think of such things way back then. Still, for the price, and the fact that this is a movie musical "classic", purchasing this DVD is truly a no-brainer.

I wonder

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Subjects:  1. Movie    2. Musicals    3. Musicals & Cast Recordings   

Editorial Review

Ted Neeley makes for a wimpy looking Jesus in Norman Jewison's screen adaptation of the Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice "rock opera," which was a smash on stage in the early '70s. Jewison (Read more

Features

• Closed-captioned
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• THX
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• NTSC

Reviews (234)

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR
When Norman Jewison was to direct the movie of the rock opera he decided to film in naturalistic settings at the location where the story took place.So far,so good. But under the oppresive,scorching sun and arid desert heat it becomes apparent that Mr Jewison lost his mind.
My Favorite Movie!!!
The music is so incredible!I watch this movie over and over again and never get tired of it.The songs stick with me and I sing them all day long.In my opinion, this is the best musical ever!

The Greatest Musical Ever
I believe Jesus Christ Superstar is the greatest Musical ever
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Subjects:  1. Movie    2. Musicals