YFT - Your Favorite Things Home
YFT - Directory of links at your favorite things YFT - Articles of enlightenment at your favorite things YFT - Discussion forums at your favorite things YFT - Flash games and arcade at your favorite things YFT - Shopping at your favorite things
yft shopping index header yft shopping index header yft shopping index header
YFT : Shopping : VHS : The Pirates of Penzance
  

Action & Adventure
African American Cinema
Animation
Anime & Manga
Art House & International
Classics
Comedy
Cult Movies
Documentary
Drama
Educational
Fitness
Gay & Lesbian
Horror
Kids & Family
Military & War
Music Video & Concerts
Musicals & Performing Arts
Mystery & Suspense
Science Fiction & Fantasy
Special Interests
Sports
Television
Westerns
The Pirates of Penzance starring: Kevin Kline, Angela Lansbury, Linda Ronstadt, George Rose, Rex Smith
directed by: Wilford Leach


 : The Pirates of Penzance

Price: $69.99
Prices subject to change.



Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days




Audience Rating: G (General Audience)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9786300182769
Format: Color, Dolby, NTSC
ISBN: 6300182762
Label: MCA Universal
Manufacturer: MCA Universal
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: MCA Universal
Release Date: March 01, 1992
Running Time: 112 minutes
Studio: MCA Universal
Theatrical Release Date: February 18, 1983
Sales Rank: 208




Related Items:

Editorial Review:

Amazon.com:
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
Average Rating:  out of 5 stars

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars - Pirates VHS
No problems with delivery, arrived quickly and in good time. Sender was very helpful and willing to assist with or correct any possible problems. I'd buy from them again anytime.



Rating: 5 out of 5 stars - Hurrah for the Pirate King!
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 ... Read More



Rating: 1 out of 5 stars - 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: 5 out of 5 stars - Avoid confusion with this title
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. ... Read More



Rating: 4 out of 5 stars - 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!

see more


Browse for similar items by category:

yft shopping index header yft shopping index header yft shopping index header

In association with Amazon.com
YFT & Your Favorite Things is copyright © 2008 Fuzzy Bean, LLC. All Rights Reserved.