HANSEL AND GRETEL: An Opera Fantasy
by Michael Myerberg, John Paul
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Anna Russell, Constance Brigham, Frank Rogier, Helen Boatwright, Mildred DunnockDirector: John Paul, Michael Myerberg
Brand: VIE
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Classical, Color, Dolby, DVD, HiFi Sound, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 72 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2001-10-30
Audience Rating: G (General Audience)
Studio: V.I.E.W. Video
Movie Reviews of HANSEL AND GRETEL: An Opera Fantasy
Movie Review: A childhood favorite of mine!
Summary: 5 Stars
I recently ordered this DVD. I was surprised when I found out that it had been released on DVD. You have no idea. I went nuts. I used to watch this over and over again when I was younger. My mother had bought a VHS copy of this at Wal Mart. Watched it all the time, and then it accidentally got sold at a yard sale. Don't know how that happened, but it did. Anyways, ever since then, I had always looked for a copy, but could never find one until now.
This is one of the best children's films ever produced, and the best claymation production ever...well, this and The Nightmare Before Christmas. It may look dated, but we have to remember that it WAS made in the '50s. Anna Russell still cracks me up as the voice of Rosina Rubylips, the witch. The entire vocal cast is excellent! I LOVE THIS FILM!
The only problem with the DVD is this: It looks as though someone took a VHS and transferred it over to a DVD. The sound isn't that great at times, either. Since this is the only version available at the moment, it will have to do. When (and if) they do finally remaster it and clean it up, I'll buy a new version of it. As of now, I'll settle with this one.
There is also a ten minute "making of" feature on here. Pretty interesting. If you grew up with this, and you love it like I do, buy it. I don't see any signs of a new DVD version coming out any time soon.
Summary of HANSEL AND GRETEL: An Opera Fantasy
This DVD, Hansel & Gretel: An Opera Fantasy, may be the definitive production of one of the greatest fairy tales ever told. With brilliant imagination and technical wizardry, comparable only to Walt Disney's Fantasia, this DVD uses stop-action animation, over 35 hand-sculpted Kinemen dolls (a precursor to claymation), and lavish sets to create a fantasyland of unearthly beauty. Set to Englebert Humperdinck's classic 1893 opera, sung by some of the most acclaimed performers of the time (Anna Russell, Constance Brigham, Mildred Dunnockand Frank Rogier), the film's score, conducted by Franz Aller, won a Grammy Award and is filled with characters of unparalleled charm.The Kinemen characters featured in the film took over 15 years to develop. Compounded of intricate armatures, a secret chemical mixture for flesh, human hair, magnetized feet and truly human personalities; they are exemplary ''actors,'' able to simulate natural movements of the human body, with a variety of facial expressions that equal the range of humans.
Directed by Michael Meyerberg, this DVD, Hansel & Gretel: An Opera Fantasy, is a masterpiece, combining melodic beauty, a whimsical story, a magical settings, and delightful characters, that will delight both your children and the rest of the family alike with this inventive and original recreation of the classic fairytale.
DVD BONUS FEATURES:
Composer Englebert Humperdinck Biography
''Making Of...'' Featurette
Story Synopsis
Over 30 Scene Selections with Instant Access to Songs
Digital Dolby Stereo Audio
Digitally Mastered Audio & Video
Multi-dimensional Interactive Menus
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