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The Pirates of Penzance

starring: Kevin Kline, Angela Lansbury, Linda Ronstadt, George Rose, Rex Smith
directed by: Wilford Leach

: The Pirates of Penzance
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Audience Rating: G (General Audience)
Binding: DVD
Format: NTSC
Region Code: 1
Running Time: 112 minutes
Theatrical Release Date: February 18, 1983



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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 - Great
Seen it before and its great only problem is you can't get it on DVD.


Rating: 4 out of 5 stars - The best 'Pirates' version I've ever seen, for television
There was much controversy over the release and re-broadcast of this version, with Ronstadt playing ... Read More


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 ... Read More


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 ... 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 ... Read More

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Copyright ©2003, Mark Carey.