Search - Gilbert & Sullivan - The Gondoliers / Michell, McDonnell, Egerton, Opera World on DVD


Gilbert & Sullivan - The Gondoliers / Michell, McDonnell, Egerton, Opera World
Gilbert Sullivan - The Gondoliers / Michell McDonnell Egerton Opera World
Actors: Eric Shilling, Anne Collins, Francis Egerton, Tom McDonnell, Fiona Kimm
Directors: Dave Heather, Peter Wood
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Television, Musicals & Performing Arts
NR     2002     1hr 56min

FEATURING THE LONDON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND A HOST OF INTERNATIONAL STARS, INCLUDING VINCENT PRICE, JOEL GRAY, PETERMARSHALL, KEITH MITCHELL, FRANKIE HOWERD AND PETER ALLEN. FILMED IN ENGLAND AND CREATED ESPECIALLY FOR TV,...  more »

     
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Movie Details

Actors: Eric Shilling, Anne Collins, Francis Egerton, Tom McDonnell, Fiona Kimm
Directors: Dave Heather, Peter Wood
Creators: Edward Simons, George Walker, Judith de Paul, William S. Gilbert
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Television, Musicals & Performing Arts
Sub-Genres: Comedy, Drama, Television, Musicals
Studio: Acorn Media
Format: DVD - Color,Full Screen
DVD Release Date: 10/22/2002
Original Release Date: 01/01/1982
Theatrical Release Date: 01/01/1982
Release Year: 2002
Run Time: 1hr 56min
Screens: Color,Full Screen
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaDVD Credits: 1
Total Copies: 0
Members Wishing: 0
Edition: Classical
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Languages: English

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Movie Reviews

Gilbert and Sullivan at its best
eranney | 03/12/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)

"A suberb cast top to bottom in one of G&S's best operettas. Faithful to Gilbert's libretto (unlike the Canadianized abomination perpetrated by the Stratford Festival in the 80's) this is one of the best Gilbert and Sullivan operettas available. Unfortunately that's not saying much since there are virtually no G&S videos available. Still, if you like great music, comedy, social wit and even good choreography don't hesitate to buy this video."
"On some points rather sore, but on the whole, delightful."
eranney | Madison, WI USA | 06/25/2003
(3 out of 5 stars)

"I recently worked with a local Gilbert and Sullivan theater company to put on "The Gondoliers," and it has been interesting to compare the live show with this particular film production. Opera World has done a surprisingly good job with this low-budget version; while the sound quality is still poorer than could be wished, the choreography and filming are infinitely better than those used in their disastrous rendition of "HMS Pinafore." Particularly outstanding are the performances of Don Alhambra (Keith Michell) and Marco (Francis Egerton). Michell's soft-voiced Alhambra is an interesting contrast to our own bellowing and confused one, and his cold condescension contrasts well with the boisterous Gondoliers and their wives; while Marco has less to do and say in the operetta than his brother Giuseppe, his incredible facial expression and quirky additions (such as the rose between the teeth during the Cachucha in Act II) give him at least as much on-screen presence. Giuseppe (Tom McDonnell) comes off as somewhat stiff and ill at ease during the first act, but begins to settle into his role during his aria "Rising Early in the Morning." The sound and choreography flag somewhat during the Duke's song "In Enterprise of Martial Kind," but are made up for in full by the charming Gavotte in Act II. Casilda and Luiz aren't given much to do, but they make the most of their time on screen with the lovely duets "O Rapture! When Alone Together" and "There Was a Time." Musically "The Gondoliers" is one of Sir Arthur Sullivan's often-overlooked gems, and W.S. Gilbert's keen humor is as fresh and on-target as in his widely recognized works, "The Pirates of Penzance," "HMS Pinafore," and "The Mikado." While Gilbert and Sullivan are something of an acquired taste, for hard-core fans this production is still worth watching. If you are interested only in the music, I recommend buying a CD version instead; but if you're looking for something more, Opera World has produced a version which is quite satisfying."
Disapointing
n1src | VT, USA | 01/20/2002
(1 out of 5 stars)

"Your editorial review is correct but understates the technical problem with the sound in this whole series. The excess reverberation, poor audio production, and the English accents make this almost indecipherable by North Americans. I get the feeling that the director is very visually oriented, but he tries to get cute and technical. The trick shots are just too contrived. The cast does not seem to be having any fun, the hallmark of a good G&S performance. They are not sharing the joke because they are so pre occupied with their technique. I far prefer the series done at Stratford in Canada rather than this candidate for Madame Tusaud's museum."
Best in the series
Pitti-Sing | Titipu, Japan | 04/23/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is by no means a perfect performance, but I consider it the best of the series. It is intact, excepting small (though funny) parts of the dialogue and the second verse of Antonio's song ("For the Merriest Fellows are We"). The singers, I thought, were all quite serviceable and well cast. The worst problem, as with all of the Brent Walker G&S videos, is overacting, cheap sets, and bad camera work. However, those iniquities are less in this one and it is quite serviceable. It captures the spirit of the opera, at least, and we are not left to groan over bad acting and singing as we are in the other videos.

Considering that this is practically all we have in the way of recorded G&S, I think it deserves four stars."