Audience Rating: G (General Audience)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9786300182769
Format: Color
ISBN: 6300182762
Label: MCA Universal
Languages: Array
Manufacturer: MCA Universal
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: MCA Universal
Release Date: 1992-03-01
Running Time: 111
Studio: MCA Universal
Theatrical Release Date: 1983-02-18

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 Rating:
Summary: Hurrah for the Pirate King!
Comment: I love Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, and most of all, The Pirates of Penzance. This rendition captures all the comic enthusiasm G&S could ask for. The sets keep the stage performance feel, with a wider scope. Of course the main glory of this production is the fabulous performances, especially that of Kevin Kline, who is the perfect Pirate King. Linda Ronstadt proves her abilities in the difficult singing role of Mabel, and Rex Smith is a charming young Frederick, balancing his innocence and sense of duty. George Rose is a marvelous major general and Angela Lansbury does quite well as the deceptive nurse-turned-pirate Ruth. All in all, it is completely entertaining. The singing is wonderful, the scenes are lovely, and the little liberties taken with the plot (such as the storming of the theatre playing another G&S production) only add the the fun. This VHS version is far superior in sound and filming to the stage film available on DVD. It should definitely be put on DVD.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: BE WARNED: NOT THE DVD ADVERTISED
Comment: 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 the volume fades in and out. Nonetheless, "Hyacinth Bucket" gives a very strong performance as the foolish nursery maid, and the production has other appealing features to collectors.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Avoid confusion with this title
Comment: There is a lot of confusion in the reviews of this movie, and the reason is simple, there are 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. The singing is great, the acting is great (in this style), and the cast looks like there are having a great time. So there you have it, if you see a bad review, it is probably the film of the stageshow, and if you see a great review, it is probably a review of the soundstage version.

Now for the down side, the good verion (which you can pick by the fact it has Angela Lansbury playing Ruth), is at the time of writing this review not availbale on DVD. So, if you get a DVD it will be the crappy version. You can get the good version on VHS.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: WARNING: DVD is NOT Lansbury
Comment: 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!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: WARNING: Inconsistent info on box. Which version is this?
Comment: 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.

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