| |  | VHS : The Pirates of Penzance |  | | | | | | | | | |
Audience Rating: G (General Audience)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9786300182769
ISBN: 6300182762
Label: MCA Universal
Manufacturer: MCA Universal
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: MCA Universal
Release Date: March 01, 1992
Running Time: 111 minutes
Sales Rank: 2401
Studio: MCA Universal
Theatrical Release Date: February 18, 1983
Related Items:- Gilbert & Sullivan - The Pirates of Penzance / Kline, Ronstadt, Smith, Routledge, Delacorte Theater (Broadway Theatre Archive)
- The Pirates of Penzance
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- Gilbert & Sullivan - H.M.S. Pinafore / Trial By Jury - David Hobson, Anthony Warlow, Colette Mann, Tiffany Speight, John Bolton Wood, Richard Alexander, Opera Australia, State Theatre, The Arts Centre Melbourne
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Editorial Review:
Amazon.com:
When New York theatrical producer Joseph Papp decided to bringGilbert and Sullivan to Broadway, he added typically broad, bold strokes to maketheir singular operetta format meaningful to 1980s audiences.In ThePirates of Penzance, Papp had a story that offered a mixture of potential action and comedy that was less arcane than other G&S chestnuts, which Papp's production underlined by playing up its antic conflict betweenits hapless, titular pirates and the citizens of Penzance, the Cornish town targeted for plunder.Adding to the new production's mainstream allurewas the theatrical debut for erstwhile country-rock siren Linda Ronstadt asthe virginal Mabel, along with a plum role for another putative popheartthrob, Rex Smith, as the 'good' pirate, Frederic.
Naturally, such amendments piqued complaints from self-appointed G&S purists, for whom the duo's original satirical edge and theatrical innovation were obscured (if not ossified) by their canon's patina of respectability.Happily, for the rest of us, Papp's cheeky revisionsare generally on the money, and this 1983 film version preserves them with unusual fidelity.Instead of opening up his production with location shooting or intricate editing, director Wilford Leach savors theartifice of its stage sets and hokey, colorful costuming, celebrating thegenre's proud theatrical legacy.
The cast, meanwhile, tears into the farcical plot with elan, led byKevin Kline as the Pirate King, a role perfect for his skill at lampooning masculine bravado (not to mention his underexposed, generally strong singing).Broadway veteran George Rose proves the very model of themodern Major-General Stanley, and Angela Lansbury, added to the film's castfor marquee value, again shows her mettle as the ditzy maid, Ruth. Ronstadt justifies Papp's gamble, having trained rigorously to meet Sullivan's acrobatic melodies--indeed, this project marked her commitment to grow beyond rock, confirmed with her subsequentexploration of classic pop with arranger-conductor Nelson Riddle. --Sam Sutherland
Customer Reviews Average Rating: 
Rating:  - BE WARNED:NOT THE DVD ADVERTISED
Potential buyers should be warned that this is not a DVD version of the made-for-film production that includes Angela Landsbury in the cast, though her name certainly appears on the box cover in the advertisement, the product description, and the reviews.It appears that none of the reviewers actually own a DVD copy of this film, and are therefore commenting on a different production than the one being sold (which I already own). As I remember, the production being sold here has sound issues, and ... Read More
Rating:  - Avoid confusion with this title
There is a lot of confusion in the reviews of this movie, and the reason is simple, thereare 2 films with he same name and almost the same cast. There is a version which is the film of the broadway stage show, which I have not seen, but lots of people who have say its pretty horrible (the film and sound, not the actual broadway production which most people think was excellent). Then there is another version which is made on a soundstage with simple sets. The later version is, in my opinion, excellent. ... Read More
Rating:  - WARNING: DVD is NOT Lansbury
WARNING
The DVD version of this title (ASIN B000260R6E) stars Patricia Routledge as Ruth and NOT Angela Lansbury, despite the cover.It is identical to the version recorded live and sold under a different cover (ASIN B00006RCMW)
The VHS version (NTSC ASIN: 6300182762) I hope does star Angela Lansbury - I have it on order!
Rating:  - WARNING: Inconsistent info on box. Which version is this?
The cast list on the cover mentions Angela Lansbury, which suggests that this is the film version. I suspect that's a mistake.
The photo on the box shows Patricia Routledge, not Lansbury, and the label at the top says "Broadway Theater Archive." In other words, this is almost certainly the well-performed but badly recorded live 1980 performance in Central Park.
That stage production, which later transferred to Broadway, was taped for television. It apparently never aired due to ... Read More
Rating: - The Pirates of Penzance
I saw this version when it first came out on video in 1983.It created a love for Gilbert and Sullivan as well as operas.Angela Lansbury and Kevin Kline make this version the very best there is.They are funny and witty as well as suttle.The sword play by all, is excellent.Rex Smith's singing was very good and his acting in this part was exceptional.Linda Ronstadt's voice was superb and she played the part to the hilt.I have one other version with the same actors except Angela, and it just isn't ... Read More
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