Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #8460 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-03-29
• Rating: Universal, suitable for all
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 105 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Few actresses have dominated the camera as powerfully as Dorothy Dandridge in Carmen Jones. Her polished beauty plays in irresistible contrast to her title character's leonine sexuality and fluid emotions; a man can't decide from moment to moment if he wants to save her from doom, build her a castle, or never let her out of bed. Of course, that's the problem with the boys in this semi-experimental adaptation of Bizet's opera, Carmen.

Straight-arrow Joe (a strapping Harry Belafonte), an obedient corporal on a southern military base during World War II, is all set to go to flight school and marry his hometown sweetie, Cindy Lou (Olga James), when his troublemaking sergeant orders him to accompany Carmen to a civilian court. In short order, Joe is swept up in Carmen's carnal anarchy and her craving for release from lousy options in life. An impulsive act of violence ensures that Joe's future is gone forever, putting Carmen in the difficult position of destroying their relationship to save him.

Oscar Hammerstein II took Bizet's music in 1943 and rewrote the book and lyrics. The result is largely a smashing success with a few missteps (the bullfighter in Bizet's piece becomes a heavyweight boxer here, which breaks up a certain grace in the story) and a couple of perfect stretches (the long prelude to Carmen and Joe's first embrace, set on Carmen's hoodoo-ish home turf).

Despite the fact that both Dandridge and Belafonte were singers, their vocal performances were dubbed by LeVern Hutcherson and Marilyn Horne. (Yes, it is a little disconcerting to hear another voice coming out of the more familiar Belafonte's mouth.) Otto Preminger directed with his usual eye on economy of action and production, as the numerous musical numbers tend to be shot in lengthy, single, carefully choreographed takes. The result can be a little visually static at times, but the passion behind the singing pulls everything through.--Tom Keogh

Synopsis
Screen version of the musical "Carmen Jones," which adapted Bizet's opera "Carmen" for an all-black cast. Army soldier Joe (Harry Belafonte) falls in love with Carmen (Dorothy Dandridge in an Oscar nominated role), a beautiful and seductive factory worker. When he kills his sergeant during a fight, the ill-fated lovers flee to escape the police. But Carmen's faithlessness and selfishness eventually surface, and she rejects Joe for another man. But he can't let her go, and his obsessive love ultimately leads to tragedy.

Customer Reviews

Carmen Jones
This film is my favourite Opera Movie of all time! When it came out I was in my teens, and saw it 12 times. The passion and drama of the Spanish Music transposes perfectly to an Afro-America cast and the American language. Because of the modern feel to it it reflects the impact the original Carmen must have had on the 19th Century audiences. The words of the songs are entirely approprioate to Bizet's intentions;" The Toreador song is allocatedto the Boxer, who sings, "Stand up and fight until you hear the bell", The Train song, when Pearl Bailey and her friends seek to persuade Carmen to go away with the Boxer never ceses to thrill me. Other songs are; "Beat out that rythm on a drum," Carmen's seduction song , "You go for me, and I'm taboo" and all the others have completely spoled me for classical versions of the Opera, which sound stilted and old fashioned.

The memory of this wonderful film has stayed with me for 50 years, and I am delighted to be able to buy it on DVD!

A memorable film accompanied by a great cast
Although it's been some time since I last saw this film, it is on my "must have" list based on the wonderful musical score, the charismatic leads, and its importance as a vehicle for Black American talent at a time when racial discrimination was rife.

Dandridge would have been a true Hollywood success story had her years in Hollywood been today. America was still hesitant to give black performers key roles in motion pictures. True, we had films such as Cabin in the Sky (1943) but where did that film go to? Otto Preminger must be credited for taking a big chance in making this all-black picture concerning Carmen Jones, who works in a parachute factory, and the soldier, Belafonte, who must escort her to the magistrate when she has broken the law.

Dorothy Dandridge nailed this role as Carman Jones. She is catty, seductive, and has her men wrapped around her finger. Harry Belafonte is sensational as Joe, the naive soldier who becomes prey to Carman. It's interesting to watch Joe trying to tame the wild tendencies of Carman, while a love triangle grows outside of their relationship. It's like watching a cat on a hot tin roof. (oops, another great movie.) An added plus is the wonderful production numbers with dance choreography and songs. The costume, wardrobe, and props reflect the culture of city slickers and country folks, presenting the differences in lifestyles among characters. These differences became evident in Dorothy Dandridge performance, and earn her an Academy Award nomination for best actress. Halle Berry's Oscar acceptance speech for Best Actress in Monster's Ball reminded me of just how far we have come and how long it has taken to reach this stage of the journey!

If you haven't yet seen Carmen Jones - take the time to view this milestone in American cinema history - you won't be disappointed.

Hammerstein's word magic
For me the chief delight of the movie is what Oscar Hammerstein achieved with his libretto. He hears English speech rhythms in Bizet's music and finds appropriate speech for the story. Cindy Lou's 'My Joe' is a miracle of turning ordinariness into poetry.
Listening to 'Beat out that rhythm on a drum', I wondered what the original French words were and put on a recording of the opera. Guess what? 'La, la, la, la-la-la-la, la'.