Adams - Death of Klinghoffer / Randle, Sylvan, Howard, Maltman, Boutros, Melrose, Bickley, LSO
by Penny Woolcock
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Christopher Maltman, Kamel Boutros, Sanford Sylvan, Tom Randle, Yvonne HowardDirector: Penny Woolcock
Cinematographer: Graham Smith
Editor: Brand Thumim
Producer: Abi Bach
Producer: Jan Younghusband
Producer: Madonna Baptiste
Writer: Alice Goodman
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); German (Subtitled); Italian (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); English (Original Language)
Format: Classical, Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.78:1
Running Time: 120 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2003-11-11
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Decca
Movie Reviews of Adams - Death of Klinghoffer / Randle, Sylvan, Howard, Maltman, Boutros, Melrose, Bickley, LSO
Movie Review: Hard Hitting, Wrenching Musical Drama
Summary: 5 Stars
I just finished watching Penny Woolcock's film of John Adams' "The Death of Klinghoffer" and am trying to find energy and calm while writing this and wiping away two hours of tears. The hype surrounding the film was not false, this is a piece which is nothing less than devastating. Although I'm somewhat familiar with the original recording of the opera, this is my first experience "seeing" it - understanding that this is different than any stage version could possibly be. It is indeed difficult to watch and I watched the majority of it through tears and shaking my head. The balancing is clear and it is not difficult to have genuine feelings of sadness for the plight of the Palestinians while at the same time recoiling in horror at the actions they choose.
Sanford Sylvan is staggeringly good, creating a character of likeable sensitivity, warmth and strength even an hour before he sings a note. And that smile Marilyn sings about really could light up a room. Sylvan's portrayal is so "there" he made me wish I'd known this man. An example of this occurs (while still silent) in the first moments of the hijacking, Leon cradles and tries to protect and comfort his wife but the tears in his eyes she cannot see give off a myriad of emotions - helpless impotence to control the situation, fear and what else I can only imagine. The scene of his brutal, incomprehensible murder is chilling more than words can describe. At least my words. His "floating" aria provides a calming effect that is at once eerily beautiful yet disturbing to watch. (Woolcott stated the underwater cameramen were amazed at Sylvan's remarkable breath control allowing him to stay underwater for minutes at a time, eyes wide open).
Yvonne Howard's Marilyn simply breaks the heart, her final aria nearly unbearable in its poignancy. I can't understand the criticisms levelled at the scene before her husband's death where she's prattling on about pain, and idle chatter. She doesn't believe her husband is in any grave danger and she's doing what many of we humans typically do . . . chatter about things not terribly important - anything to take our minds off the horror of the situation at hand. How does one not get that? Very high marks to Ms. Howard.
One of the passengers on board sums up the unbelievability of such situations "Horrible . . . horrible, to see one's fellow men become like beasts" In an all too human moment, one of her next lines expresses her embarrassment as she thinks "At least we're not Jews."
Like Mr. Sylvan, Christopher Maltman as the Captain exhibits a natural ease in front of the camera, even in his gut wrenching role worried about the fate of his passengers. Another extraordinary performance.
I know this opera continues to be controversial sparking harsh criticism and intolerance, which I find ironic since the heart of the work is about intolerance and the inhumanity we perpetuate upon one other as a result. I've discussed with many chosing to separate themselves from the terrorists but I cannot help but feel that even these most horrible of men are our brothers, we are from the same planet, the same family of man. We humans do terrible things to each other, even to those we purport to love, burying our heads in the sand does nothing to assist in helping resolve that which seems unresolvable. I know I sound hopelessly naive, but I've always had a faith that we won't blow ourselves up, despite what I see around us every day. Adam's opera and Woolcock's film is but a microcosm of that which is far greater than what we see and hear on screen.
Technically, the film is unique, the singers actually singing live on location not lipsynching. This gives a unique, credible quality to the film (and lets you stop worrying about synchronization for once in an opera film). The only non-live singing performance is that of Omar, sung by mezzo, Susan Bickley rather than using a countertenor. His great aria of longing to depart the earth still gives me chills.
This thing will stay with me for a while. I can't recommend highly enough viewing this unique, disturbingly powerful work. Many who have not experienced Klinghoffer, have complained about its being pro-Palestinian. This is something I never feel. The contempt I felt for these terrorists especially Rambo who was not the one to shoot Klinghoffer, is palpable from the way the characters are drawn. Others have stated the work is an insult to the Klinghoffer family - something I don't believe anyone who knows the work can state honestly painting, as it does a picture of a strong, deeply likeable man who's death is nothing less than an atrocity.
I can only agree with the critic at Jewish Film who with both eyes open wrote:
"... the creators were denounced as unabashedly pro-Palestinian for humanizing the terrorists. In actual fact, the libretto gives voice to heartbreaking sufferings by both Israelis and Palestinians. A decade later, in the wake of unrelenting Middle East conflict, many see the oepra's passionate exploration of terrorism from all viewpoints as more important than ever in stimulating dialogue about an intractable situation . . . no matter where you fall on the political spectrum, The Death of Klinghoffer will elicit heated discussion - - and quite possibly, tears."
I urge others to experience this overwhelming achievement for themselves. I can't see how this opera can fail to move anyone who watches this.
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