Search - Cirque du Soleil - Saltimbanco on DVD

When a circus is not a circus

elyjar | Perth, Australia | 05/05/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Let's be honest. Seeing Saltimbanco Live is an experience by itself. Nothing really comes close to it by any stretch of the imagination. However, those wishing to capture memories of that very enchanted evening will find this video absolutely wonderous. Directed by Jacques Payette and original concept by Franco Dragone, this masterpiece will entertain viewers right from the beginning. Although the brilliant opening in their live show has been cut, this video starts off with the most touching act called Adagio, a trio consisting of a family performing amazing acrobatics choreographed to a brilliant haunting score composed by Rene Dupere. This is followed by the acrobates on the chinese poles which will dazzle you with their strength and precision. Watching the ' Chinese bird on the wire' will totally take your breath away as will the next act which to me, is the highlight of the tape. You will absolutely be blown away by Miguel Herrera and his juggling act. His confidence and control of 7 balls at a time is something you just can't grasp. His robotic manner in which he juggles, performs different combinations and sequences totally timed to perfection will simply leave you speechless. Following this are the amazing pair with their boleadoros and the fun and comedic street performers on the Russian Swing. The next highlight of the tape has to be the famous Lorador brothers who have left Saltimbanco and are now performing in one of Cirque's resident show 'Mystere' showing in Treasure Island Las Vegas. I'm telling you, these lads must have bones of steel and the flexibility of rubber all rolled in to one. The strength, power and control of their amazing routine will leave you wondering why all men weren't created equal! This act known as 'Hand to Hand' consists of several manoeuvres that the brothers perform including headstands on the sole of a foot, a hamstring lift with a man doing a handstand on the soles of your feet and a most amazing balancing act that has to be seen to be believed. Other acts include the twin sisters on the double trapeze and the graceful artists on the bungee. In all , a most amazing tape with wonderous visuals and even greater musical performances by the singer and the band musicians. As they say, " When a Circus is not a Circus ". Need I say more?"

Appalling, destroyed by terrible camera work

elyjar | 05/06/2002

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I have seen the live performance for Saltimbanco and I loved it so much that I cried at the end of the performance. I own the DVD's for Quidam and Dralion, and found both to be amazing. If I had to rate the three I would have Quidam as 11 out of 10. Dralion 7 out of 10 and Saltimbanco 1 out of 10. I just cannot believe that they have released such a terrible piece of work. When watching Saltimbanco on DVD I felt like I had been transported back to 1982 when VHS was hot technology. This was not what I expected. This product was destroyed by the terrible camera work. Lights shine into the camera, the camera's are obviously being held by a bunch of guys in the audience."

Saltimbanco: A must for your library

Mauricio Alexandre | Sao Paulo, Brazil | 03/29/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought Saltimbanco right after stepping out of Cirque du Soleil's La Nouba show at Downtown Disney. I was astonished with their performance and wanted a video that would keep forever the fantastic images of what my eyes had just seen. Saltimbanco is a full Cirque du Soleil performance that you watch over and over and never get tired of it. This video really captures Cirque's spirit. Saltimbanco's soundtrack is a plus!"

Worth owning for only the most diehard CdS fan....

Brian Kerecz | PA, USA | 11/29/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Nothing can be taken away from the acts in this show. As usual they are superb, though a bit dated when one compares them to a present day "Mystere" or "O".

My one fear is that this show will go out of production and there will not be a new DVD to replace this one. This DVD has poor lighting and bad camera angles, so much so, that I am quite surprised that CdS still stamps their name on it in 2004! It simply is not up to their high standards. 5 stars for the acts, but 1 for the quality of the recording presented here.

To anyone who is listening in Montreal, please film another show!"