Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #19921 in DVD
• Released on: 2002-10-22
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Colour, DVD-Video, Full Screen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .30 pounds
• Running time: 122 minutes

Customer Reviews

Outstanding Stage Performance
A truly historic recording of the 1980 stage production. The picture and sound quality is below that which we have grown to expect, but that does not matter. The wonderful cast shine through the technical failings. Kevin Kline is superbly over the top. Linda Ronstadt a sublime Mabel. George Rose an excellent Major General. The Pirates are great and the policemen out of this world. Patricia Routledge displays a fine operatic voice along with her well known comic talents.Rex Smith is a perfect Federick, and the band has to be heard to be believed! If you are a G & S traditionalist you will hate it. If you require 5 channel sound you will squirm. If you have a sense of humour you will laugh so much it hurts.

An historic recording, but...
This is an interesting recording of the original Broadway production, that led to a later film with a nearly identical cast - Angela Lansbury replacing Patricia Routledge as Little Ruth (Routledge is better). The production was superb, but the patchy visual quality is a disappointment, although the sound is fine. It's a pity that the film version doesn't seem to be available on DVD, only on video. But there are performances here that entertain despite the poor quality picture.

Most excellent performance
An orphan Fredric is hours away from being 21 years old. Soon his indentured to pirates (due to a misunderstanding) will end and he can then hunt the pirates down. In addition Fredric has just discovered what young women look like and had fallen for Mabel, daughter of the Major general. All of this is about to change.
I have always enjoyed the variations of "The Pirates of Penzance". Among my favorite is this Broadway theater archive from 1980. It was recorded at the New York Shakespeare Festival. The cover of my copy of the DVD looks like the standard cover of the series which is also the one on the VHS. It is distributed by Kultur.

You need to know that this film has all the strengths and weaknesses of a stage production vs. the Movie. The sound sometimes comes and goes and you have to listen closely to understand much of the singing. It helps to know what you are watching in advance. On the positive side I have always appreciated the minimal scenery of the stage and marvel at how so many can do so much with so little. This is an excellent film for those living in a culturally deprived area and to hold others until they can see the real thing again.

Just so you know this is not a movie. So many of the players push the envelope with their variation on the Gilbert & Sullivan theme and music. Speaking of music the stage surrounds the orchestra so you can watch them and occasionally the audience. Linda Ronstadt as Mabel has a surprisingly high voice at first and I assume is on purpose soon she settles down and you would thing that the play was made just for her. Kevin Kline adds the over the top energy needed to keep this fast passed play going. When all is said and done you will be exhausted from listening and laughing.