Search - Lehar - Das Land des Lachelns / Kollo, Pitsch-Sarata, Koller, Zednik, Liewehr, Ebert, Stuttgart Opera on DVD

Charmingly Clunky Operetta Film

Edward Flaspoehler | Dallas, TX | 02/20/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A fine performance of a good operetta. The singing of Rene Kollo is especialy good, and he looks great, even in fake oriental makeup. His rendition of "Dein ist mein Ganzes Herz", the hit tune from the show, is far better than the version recorded by Giuseppe di Stefano. Dagmar Koller as Princess Mi is delightfuly athlethic, with some amusing and faintly erotic dance numbers. The rest of the cast is OK. Birgit Pitsch-Sarata looks fabulously Viennese as Lisa, but is not quite the singer she ought to be as the female lead.

The camera work is not quite up to the standards of US musical films of the era and the direction by Authur Maria Rabenault is occasionally awkward, but the photography is crisp and colorful and the setting in a pseudo-Siamese country is visually appealing, if not authentic either to the operetta or the period.

Lehar's story of the clash between oriental and western culture may have resonated with audiences of post-WWI Vienna, but today, it seems a bit dated. Still, much of the music is wonderful, and if you like this sort of thing, it is worthwhile just to hear Rene Kollo at his youthful best."

Something to smile about

Joseph Barba | Pollock Pines, CA USA | 09/18/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Lehar's The Land of Smiles touches the heart as it provides unforgetable melodies from start to finish. There are no weak links in the cast. Too often, we think of operetta as musical fluff, tired cliches, and obligatory dance scenes when things start slowing down. Not so in this classic operetta. We feel the pain of loss suffered by the two main characters, who make their roles natural and believable. There is more to this work than "Yours Is My Heart Alone." There is dramatic consistency and people you find yourself caring about as much as the music, the costumes, and the colorful sets. Highly recommended."

Sit back and enjoy it!

George B. Laurent | florida | 07/20/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a lavish TV production of a delightful operetta. I am most impressed with the color print (42 years old) which doesn't look a bit "shopworn". The production and cast are excellent. I particularly liked the involvement of Korean Court Ballet. For probably the wrong reasons, I was intriged with Dagmar Kollor as Mi. She is not only beautiful and can sing but she is also a good dancer. When she pranced around the set, my blood pressure went way up! Enought said. Buy it! Enjoy it!"

Das land des Lachelns

Christina Browndeestrada | 07/09/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wonderefull I hope in the Future you hafe more Operettes an the market
Thanks"