The Pirates Of Penzance

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The Pirates Of Penzance

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When New York theatrical producer Joseph Papp decided to bring Gilbert and Sullivan to Broadway, he added typically broad, bold strokes to make their singular operetta format meaningful to 1980s audiences. In The Pirates 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 between its hapless, titular pirates and the citizens of Penzance, the Cornish town targeted for plunder. Adding to the new production's mainstream allure was the theatrical debut for erstwhile country-rock siren Linda Ronstadt as the virginal Mabel, along with a plum role for another putative pop heartthrob, 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 revisions are 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 the artifice of its stage sets and hokey, colorful costuming, celebrating the genre's proud theatrical legacy.

The cast, meanwhile, tears into the farcical plot with elan, led by Kevin 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 the modern Major-General Stanley, and Angela Lansbury, added to the film's cast for 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 subsequent exploration of classic pop with arranger-conductor Nelson Riddle. --Sam Sutherland

Customer Reviews:

Rating:
Date: 2008-06-11
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:
Date: 2008-04-10
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 serious technical faults (including a miscalibrated camera that produced overexposed, washed-out images; audio problems, etc.)

To make matters worse, the only known copy of the video -- used by Broadway Theater Archive for their release of the performance -- is a badly copied and timeworn workprint that exacerbates the existing flaws. It is not up to the professional broadcast standards of ANY decade, much less ours.

It's wonderful that a record of this performance exists, but know what you're buying. In any case, the Central Park performance is already available in a Region 1 disc, so there's no reason for people in North America to buy this Region 2 import.

Rating:
Date: 2008-02-25
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 quite the same. The sets were well done and still looked like they were on a stage. I prefer this version above all others.

Rating:
Date: 2008-02-20
absolutely hilarious!!!! :)
It's totally hilarious. i've been waiting for this movie for years. searching for it everywhere. now i finally found it. i'm so excited!!!!!

Rating:
Date: 2008-01-17
Pirates of Penzance
The best of all the G & S productions - in my opinion. The script is infectiously hilarious for those who can catch it - a delight!

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