Cyrano De Bergerac (translation by Anthony Burgess) (1985) Review

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(More customer reviews)This video is based on the Royal Shakespeare Company's stage production of Cyrano that ran in London, New York and Washington DC 1983-1985. I saw the London and New York productions each several times, and, as phenomenal as they were, the video is in many ways better, if only because this version is more permanent.
I love this play. I've seen many renditions and adaptations of Cyrano over the years, and this one is by far the best I've seen. I'm a huge fan of Sir Derek Jacobi's work, and this rendition of Cyrano showcases his work at its pinnacle. Sinead Cusack is glorious in this production as the love-struck Roxane, John Carlisle is just dark enough as DeGuiche, Pete Postlethwaite is over the top as Cyrano's sidekick, Rageneau, Tom Mannion intelligently provides a beautiful and downright stupid-sounding Christian. The rest of the cast is equally fine (there just isn't time enough to list them all: sorry, Cast, you're all terrific). But of course this show is about Cyrano and Sir Derek keeps him and his large but not obscene proboscis in the center of the viewer's attention from Cyrano's first chandelier-swinging entrance to his bittersweet death in the nunnery yard.
If you can find it, get this video, watch it and drool. Why the distribution company let it go OP is beyond me.

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Moliere (2007) Review

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(More customer reviews)'Molière' is a treat for the eyes as well as a tickler for historical manipulation and in the hands of writers Laurent Tirard and Grégoire Vigneron the cinematic version of the 'lost years' of Jean-Baptiste Poquelin AKA Molière's life abounds in superb entertainment. If the story becomes a bit too convoluted at times, trying to paste together a story that parallels the French playwright's most famous plays, `Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme' and `Tartuffe' as the basis for the missing portion of Molière's life, and drags on a bit too long at two hours, it is never less that gorgeous to look at and witty to hear.
Jean-Baptiste Poquelin or Molière (Romain Duris) is an actor and playwright for a comedy troupe that tours the provinces of France, spending himself into debtor's prison. His mysterious disappearance from prison is the time this film uses to explain how Molière was enticed by the wealthy M. Jourdain (Fabrice Luchini) to travel to his estate for the purpose of teaching the dilettante how to write plays and to act in order to win the affection of a wealthy young Célimène (Ludivine Sagnier) while keeping his daughter and his wife Elmire (Laura Morante) at bay. There are many subplots that tend to distract but in the end the 'play' created by Molière's presence and interaction with all of the other characters provides the life lessons and food for material that leads Molière to be the greatest of French playwrights.
The cast is superb, the visual effects are opulent, the musical score is period correct, and the cinematography finds a fine balance between the lush vistas of the countryside and estates and the grimy realism of the prison and small theaters. Perhaps the story is not historically correct, but no one really knows the true events in the missing portion of Molière's life, and this version is at least plausible and thought provoking. In French with English subtitles. Grady Harp, January 08

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Bubbling with wit, stellar performances and lavish cinematography, Molière stars multi-Cesar®-nominated French actor Romain Duris as Molière, a down-and-out actor-cum-playwright up to his ears in debt. When the wealthy Jourdain (Cesar®-winner Fabrice Luchini) offers to cover that debt (so that Molière's theatrical talents might help Jourdain win the heart of a certain widowed marquise), hilarity ensues. Disguised as a priest, Molière becomes a guest in Jourdain's palace on the pretext of teaching Jourdain the craft of the stage, which annoys his wife, Elmire. But, soon after, the confrontation between Elmire and Molière turns seductive. Too busy to notice, Jourdain enlists the aid of a well connected and scheming acquaintance, to help him pursue the young widow. Romantic yearning, human foibles and laughs galore all characterize Molière, a delightful film that slyly captures your heart.

Stills from Molière (click for larger image)

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Cyrano de Bergerac (Broadway Theatre Archive) Review

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(More customer reviews)I actually saw this version on TV back in the '70's and, at that time, I was astounded by Donat's performance. He is so natural, so believable, and so grand. Cyrano de Bergerac is my favorite play, and the director and actors have captured the beautiful spirit of Rostand's work. I have taught this play in high schools over the years and used other fine film versions as part of the class, but I always wished I could find a copy of the Donat version. Now I have. It was worth waiting for.

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In Edmond Rostand’s swashbuckling yet bittersweet comedy, the characters experience emotions on a heroic scale.The play’s hero, Cyrano, is a magnificent wit whose pride masks a deep insecurity about his appearance-specifically, his abnormally large nose.His compelling love for the beautiful heroine, Roxanne, is the motivating force behind all the action in the play. With words from his own poet’s heart, Cyrano wins Roxanne for another man, the tongue-tied but handsome Christian. Stars Peter Donat (War of the Roses) and four-time Oscar® nominee Marsha Mason (The Goodbye Girl).

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Faerie Tale Theatre Complete Collection Review

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(More customer reviews)I was so pleased to have found this collection on Amazon. I used to rent these tales on VHS when I was a kid, and to be able to own the complete collection on DVD now that I'm an adult is fantastic. These classic stories are done with such class...there's not a kid I know that wouldn't like them. They also cast a lot of big name actors. For $20, you can't beat it!

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The Complete Faerie Tale Theatre Collection (26 Titles) (1987) Review

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(More customer reviews)After years of waiting, Faerie Tale Theatre fans can finally own the series on DVD. Shelley Duvall's series originally appeared on Showtime 20 years ago and featured well-known and rising stars of the time. The series' enthusiastic interpretations of beloved fairy tales has made it a cult classic. Better yet, the DVD prices are affordable, especially after the high prices the used VHS copies have been earning in recent years.
The collection package featured here contains all of the 26 fairy tales created for the series. The original series had an extra special, called Grimm Party, that was a retrospective of the series with various casts and Shelley Duvall. Unfortunately, this episode has never been made available on VHS, laser disc, or DVD, not being included in licensing packages. While this might be a disappointing omission, it shouldn't lessen the thrill of finally having DVD editions of the 26 tales themselves at a great price.
Here's a list of all 26 episodes contained in this collection:
The Tale of the Frog Prince
Rumpelstilskin
Rapunzel
The Nightingale
Sleeping Beauty
Jack and the Beanstalk
Little Red Riding Hood
Hansel and Gretel
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
The Princess and the Pea
Pinocchio
Thumbelina
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Beauty and the Beast
The Boy Who Left Home to Find Out About the Shivers
The Three Little Pigs
The Snow Queen
The Pied Piper of Hamelin
Cinderella
Puss 'n Boots
The Emperor's New Clothes
Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp
The Princess Who Had Never Laughed
Rip Van Winkle
The Little Mermaid
The Dancing Princesses

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Cyrano de Bergerac (Broadway Theatre Archive) (2003) Review

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(More customer reviews)I actually saw this version on TV back in the '70's and, at that time, I was astounded by Donat's performance. He is so natural, so believable, and so grand. Cyrano de Bergerac is my favorite play, and the director and actors have captured the beautiful spirit of Rostand's work. I have taught this play in high schools over the years and used other fine film versions as part of the class, but I always wished I could find a copy of the Donat version. Now I have. It was worth waiting for.

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In Edmond Rostand’s swashbuckling yet bittersweet comedy, the characters experience emotions on a heroic scale.The play’s hero, Cyrano, is a magnificent wit whose pride masks a deep insecurity about his appearance-specifically, his abnormally large nose.His compelling love for the beautiful heroine, Roxanne, is the motivating force behind all the action in the play. With words from his own poet’s heart, Cyrano wins Roxanne for another man, the tongue-tied but handsome Christian. Stars Peter Donat (War of the Roses) and four-time Oscar® nominee Marsha Mason (The Goodbye Girl).

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Puss in Boots (1988) Review

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(More customer reviews)Well, my favorite anyway. The legendary performer brings a classic French fairy tale to life in the Cannon Movie Tale, "Puss In Boots." The sole inheritance of a poor miller's son, Puss (Walken) leads the young man from sudden homelessness to the lap of luxury by using his cat-skill and wit and a pair of boots that make him appear human to all those around him. Together, Puss and his master deceive the king and confront a man-eating ogre in an effort to win the heart of a princess and the title of Marquis of Carabass!
"Puss In Boots" sits among the best of the nine wonderful Cannon Movie Tales, which are among the best live-action fairy tale films available to date. Sticking more closely to the original stories than the usual fare, "Puss In Boots" and the other Cannon tales mix in simple but fun-filled songs with fantastic casts and writing that blends realism and fantasy seamlessly. "Puss In Boots" may be less fairy and more tale than the others, but the clever story and magical and magnificent performance of Christopher Walken as the singing and dancing cat make it a must see! It's so terrific that these childhood favorites many of us remember from the Disney Channel's 1980's and early 90's glory are finally available on DVD (most of them at least). The DVDs include trailers (not sure if these films ran anywhere theatrically), and most (including Puss) are presented in fullscreen format. The Cannon Movie Tales are mostly family fun, though be warned that some can have their scary moments (for example, "Red Riding Hood," my favorite, is done as a werewolf story that at times may be a bit frightening). The other Cannon Movie Tales, all of which I highly recommend, are: Rumpelstiltskin, The Emperor's New Clothes, Red Riding Hood, Snow White, Hansel and Gretel, Beauty and the Beast, The Frog Prince, and Sleeping Beauty. Those last two have not yet been released to DVD, and I have yet to see Rumpelstiltskin at any retail stores, though Amazon seems to carry it. I wish to get them all, but currently only own my favorites: Red Riding Hood, Snow White, Puss In Boots, and Hansel and Gretel. Fairy tale fanatics should own all these films, and I also highly recommend my top favorites, the Disney animated versions. Also, for a scarier version of Snow White, pick up the outstanding, "Snow White: A Tale of Terror," starring the beautiful Monica Keena. More recommendations: Shelley Duvall's Faerie Tale Theatre collection (also best known from the Disney Channel airings), Shrek and Shrek 2, The Slipper and the Rose (for a live-action Cinderella), Ever After (another live-action Cinderella), The Adventures of Pinocchio (1996), Peter Pan (2003), The Wizard of Oz, Return to Oz, and Rodger's and Hammerstein's Cinderella (1965) among others!


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Before he was a swash buckling sensation in Shrek 2, Puss in Boots was already one of the most popular storybook characters of all time, thanks to his sly schemes and fearless bravado. Screen legend Christopher Walken (Catch Me If You Can) steps into the wily feline's magical boots in this exciting live-action version of the classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale, complete with singing, dancing and acrobatics! A dying mill owner divides his meager wealth among his sons, leaving only his beloved cat, Puss (Walken), to his youngest son Corin (Jason Connery). Initially disappointed with his four-legged bounty, Corin soon discovers that Puss is no average kitty. In fact, the cat's a brilliant strategist who concocts a daring plan to win both the king's favorand the princess' heart for his new master!

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Cousin Bette (1972) Review

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(More customer reviews)In the early 1970's I watched this Masterpiece Theater's presentation of "Cousin Bette" which is based on that wonderful novel "Cousin Bette" by the French author Balzac. I can remember that this Masterpiece Theater production was considered by many very controversial mainly due to the sexual nature of the story (in fact, there were those that tried to cut-off the government funding to PBS because of this show); however, now, as then, I find it just very engrossing as is the novel. Since the 1970's, I've desired for it to be released commercially. Now, the powers that be, have finally released it on DVD. I'm thrilled because it is a most wonderful presentation that is filled with fabulous performances by especially Margaret Tyzack as Cousin Bette and a very young Helen Mirren, as Valerie.
In a "tour de force" performance, Margaret Tyzack is simply fabulous as the vengeful and supposedly homely Cousin Bette who is the poor relative to her, sort of, snooty but stupid cousins Mariette Hulot (played wonderfully by Margaret Boyd) and Celestine Hulot. She always appears to appreciate her "better off" Cousins' tolerance (and "cast offs") towards her while, at the same time, she resents it like hell and wants to see them and the rest of her "better off" and stupid relatives in the preverbal gutter and in ruins. After suffering the extreme humiliation involving a handsome young art apprentice that she has rescued and has become very fond of and that her cousin Celestine, more or less, "steals" from her, she is out for their "blood" and wants to see them destroyed and by god she'll have her way no matter what or who is trampled on and/or killed. Helen Mirren also turns in a `knock them dead" performance, as Valerie who is young and cute and more than willing to use her "sexuality" to better herself and is very willing to be guided by Cousin Bette in her desire to ruin her dumb family. My understanding is that this role was at the very beginning of Mirren's career and obviously she has gone on to distinguish herself as one of today's leading actresses. Needless to say, Cousin Bette initially succeeds in destroying her family primarily because her cousin Mariette is married to Baron Hector Hulot a very stupid man with a keen weakness and an excessively "roving eye" towards the very young and very pretty ladies--Valerie fits the aforesaid criteria and Cousin Bette uses her to get her vengeance. My god Tyzack is good. Just my thinking about her in this role, sends chills up and down my spine! In fact, this presentation is filled with a lot of great acting.
Don't expect the quality of the picture, production and the reincarnation of the era to be up to today's standards; it was "state of the art" for the 70s (very strange wigs and all). Nevertheless, BBC has done a great job of bring it to the DVD format with very good sound and a very sharp and a clear picture. Believe me, you'll soon forget that this is an old presentation because the acting by ALL will astound you--it really is a fantastic presentation.


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The BBC dramatization of Honoré de Balzac’s novel about the fury of a woman scorned In this acclaimed drama seen on Masterpiece Theatre in the 1970s, Margaret Tyzack (The Forsyte Saga) stars as Balzac’s furious spinster with Helen Mirren (Prime Suspect) as the beautiful young siren who helps her lure men to their ruin. Born plain and poor, Bette Fischer endures her lot, until her wealthy cousin’s family steals her only treasure-the young sculptor she has taken under her wing. Joining forces with the ambitious, greedy, and alluring Valerie Marneffe, Bette vows to have her revenge and sets out to ruin the family by exploiting the sexual appetites of the men and the naiveté of the women. Also starring Colin Baker (Doctor Who), Thorley Walters (Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy), and Ursula Howells (The Cazalets). DVD SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE bio of Honoré de Balzac and cast filmographies.

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