The Strauss Family
by David Giles, Peter Potter, David Reid
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Derek Jacobi, Jane SeymourDirector: David Giles, David Reid, Peter Potter
Brand: A and E Home Video
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 408 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2008-07-29
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: A&E Home Video (New REleaset)
Movie Reviews of The Strauss Family
Movie Review: Lavish Victorian Visual--London Symphony Music
Summary: 5 Stars
Never before has the Strauss family story been told better. As accurate as any historic documentary could be, but it is presented as a period drama, and well done.
A TV mini-series (7 episodes) tells the story from when Johann Strauss I marries wife Anna., 1825. This saga ends with the death of Johann Jr., 1899. 74 years of history and music from the entire Strauss family. Members of the London Symphony Orchestra provided the music. Aesthetically appealing to the eyes and ears. And the heart. Very emotional loves and confrontations in this family saga.
It is a 1972 production so expect something slightly less than 21st century, like make-up, but the costumes and sets of this period series makes this a visual/audio extravaganza taking on new life with every generation, just like the Strauss music. You'll fall in and out of love with many of the characters, so well played, just like the Strauss family members experienced it.
Cast is wonderful with some doing little beyond this series and others just beginning like Johann Jr (Stuart Wilson-`Zorro'); Anna )Anne Stallybrass-`Heartbeat'); and Lili (Georgina Hale-`Affairs of the Heart' `T-Bag'). Superstars in their film infancy include Karoline (Jane Seymour-"Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman" and tons more) as well as Josef Lanner (Derek Jacobi-`Cadfael' `I, Claudius' `The King's Speech' and the list goes on and on.) Those two's works are now more famous than some of the Strauss musical pieces, perhaps.
Episode details (unfortunately without subtitles or CC):
1-ANNA marries Johann Strauss after becoming pregnant. Roommate/friend, Josef Lanner, soon turns to musical opponent. Johann forbids his own son Johann Jr (nick-named Schanni) a music future. Johann meets Emilie.
2-EMILIE is joined by Johann as he leaves his family. Dance music is fierce competition, Strauss vs Lanner (till his death in 1843). Lanner (Sperl Ballroom) vs Johann (Dommayer Casino).
3-SCHANNI turns to music from banking and with Anna's help starts his own orchestra. Now Sperl vs Dommayer is Johann vs Johann. Musical sabotage is planned.
4-REVOLUTION conflict begins during a Royal visit at the Dommayer. Both Strauss composers create march music, but for opposing causes. Josef (son 2) joins the rebels and Johann and Emilie race to London for safety. Strauss father dies in 1849, one Johann's last waltz.
5-JOSEF takes over while Schanni, needing 6 mo. to avoid a breakdown, heads to Russia. Edi (son 3) also gets into the music business. Olga is not family approved so Johann returns to Vienna and encounters Hetti (Henrietta Treffz), opera star.
6-HETTI marries Johann with Anna's disapproval. Hetti takes the reigns of Strauss music management-wit flair. It's good for a while till Anna dies--Josef dies, 1870--Hetti's out--Lili is in.
7-LILI becomes a new bride after Hetti gets Johann's mistress confession & Hetti has her own secret young male in the picture. Crisis causes a fatal stroke, 1878. Lili, 28, is married weeks later but the marriage is doomed by the age gap.
8-ADELE a 24-year-old Jewish widow, with child Alice, marries Johann Jr in Germany. Pneumonia takes the life of the composer in 1899. Although the series story only alludes to it, in real life, Edi burns all of the original manuscripts of the entire Strauss family library a few years later. Fortunately much had been published.
And this series lets you hear much of the music all the way through the dramatic story, as well as see the bawdy dancing it created in it's day, now considered quite elegant. A wonder to own.
Summary of The Strauss Family
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