Our review:Description:1960 Academy Award Winner and winner of the Palme d'Or at the 1959 Cannes Film Festival, Marcel Camus'
Black Orpheus retells the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice against the madness of Carnival in Rio de Janeiro. With its magnificent color photography and lively soundtrack, this film brought the infectious bossa nova beat to the United States. Criterion is proud to present the extended international version of
Black Orpheus in a gorgeous new transfer.
Amazon.com:Marcel Camus's 1959 update of the Greek myth features an all-black cast and a story set in the frenetic energy of Carnival in Rio de Janeiro. Orpheus, a trolley car conductor and superb samba dancer, is engaged to Mira but in love with Eurydice. For his change of heart, Orpheus and his new doomed lover are pursued by a vengeful Mira and a determined Death through the feverish Carnival night. Camus at once demystifies and remystifies the old story, shifting not only its location but its tone and context, forcing a reevaluation of the legend as a more passionate, pulsing, sensual experience. The film is really one-of-a-kind, an absolute whirl that barely needs words.
--Tom Keogh
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Buyer Testimonials
Average Buyer's Review:
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A Sense of Place
This movie has long been among my favorites. Had it been in English it would get 5 stars. It is this reading that takes away from the beauty of the film. Gritty and real. For me, knowing the story, I really don't have to read, and I can focus on the unusual Beauty.There are some flaws but what it clearly does is gives you a sense of place. You ARE in Rio during carnival....and if you can watch this movie without once getting on your feet...you just don't get it. Enjoy!!
Buyer's review: -
One of the best
I love this movie. I am from Pittsburgh, PA, and would love to know more about Marpessa Dawn. I read somewhere that she was once a dancer with Katherine Dunham's group. I was wondering if she did speak Portuguese. Too bad there was not much work for a beautiful actress such as she at that time. The movie is haunting and much like poetry in motion. A true classic.
Buyer's review: -
A VERY SPECIAL CLASSIC
I, like Barack Obama's mother(ref. TIME April 21, 2008 p.38), fell in love with this movie when I first saw it in 1960. A colorful cinematic feast for the eyes filmed in Rio at Carnival time, presents a well crafted classic myth that penetrates the deepest depths of your soul and gives you an experience you've never had before. This strange, beautiful tale of native life, love and death had just as powerful an impact on me nearly 50 years later.
Buyer's review: -
Great Experience ; Luis Boston, MA
Black Orfeus, is not jus a movie, but an experience. Watching this movie will take you on a journey of humanity. It is a movie that can be appreciated by anyone from any culture or age group. I watched it with my 8 year old daughter and our 10 year old friend. We had a blast, now the grandmother is watching... experiencing it. I highly recommend this dvd, you're collection will not be complete without this DVD...
Buyer's review: -
keeps me humming all day
I saw this many years ago and the songs haunted me then. I used the film in a class to show demonstrate how a short myth can be translated to film. I worried it might seem too old fashioned. The class loved it. The music and the actors were a beautiful as I remembered them. Even the comic scenes got laughs. Some of my students are absently humming those wonderful tunes.