Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #25190 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-08-04
• Rating: Exempt
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Anamorphic, PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 127 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Fosse was the Broadway hit of 1999, celebrating the genius of legendary film-and-stage choreographer Bob Fosse in a rich, fiery homage with the very best of his work. This performance, recorded towards the end of a run that lasted more than two years, captures perfectly the energy and commitment of the dancers in bringing the extraordinary shapes and angles of his choreography to life.

The presence of Fosse's protégés, cochoreographer Ann Reinking and that most fluid of dancers Ben Vereen, ensures that the spirit and dedication at the heart of Fosse's work are preserved intact. This is no opportunist "best-of" compilation. The numbers merge seamlessly into a glorious patchwork of movements and moods. Fosse took up the reigns of musical theatre dance from Astaire, Kelly and Balanchine and, thanks to the changing times and material--Sweet Charity, Chicago and Cabaret loom large--was able to inject a new, raw sexuality which these dancers seize with relish.

It's a resolutely ensemble piece. Musical buffs may be disappointed by the lack of big solo numbers--Vereen's poignant "Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries" aside--but in many ways this is also a long overdue celebration of the chorus line. Fosse treated his dancers as individuals, each with a contribution to make. That attention to detail makes for moments of terrific intensity amongst the full-blooded company numbers.

On the DVD: Fosse makes a lavish televisual production, presented in 16:9 format--great for covering the width of the stage--and a choice of stereo or surround-sound audio. Some multiple viewing angles would have been nice, if only to get a different perspective on the complex moves. The only extra is a short interview with Ann Reinking, Ben Vereen and Dana Moore in which all three testify to the importance of Fosse both to their own careers and as an all-time giant talent of musical theatre. --Piers Ford

DVD Description
Dancer, choreographer, director, legend. Bob Fosse’s sexy style and unique vision revolutionised the musical theatre. He put Dancin’ up in lights, gave us Sweet Charity and made Chicago the most famous landmark in New York. His films, from Cabaret to All That Jazz, were the last of the great movie musicals. Now his ground-breaking work is in the spotlight again, recreated by long-time Fosse stars Gwen Verdon and Ann Reinking, as extraordinary dancers and singers give us the dance of a lifetime in Fosse.

Special Features

• Interview with co-choreographer Ann Reinking and dancers Ben Vereen and Dana Moore

DVD Technical Information:

• 5.1 Surround/Linear PCM Stereo (main feature)
  
• 2.0 Dolby Digital (interview)
  
• Viewing angles: 1
  
• Running Time: 127 mins
  
• Disc Format: DVD-9
  
• Region Code: 2/3/4/5/6
  
• Colour PAL
  
• Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  
• Language: English
  
• Subtitles (interview only): English, French, German, Spanish, Italian

Customer Reviews

Good But Not Great
Before I go any further, I should state that I am a lifelong lover of Broadway shows and have always admired the world of Bob Fosse. So I was quite looking forward to this "celebration" of his choreography. But, having seen it, why am I left feeling distinctly underwhelmed?

Perhaps this was a show that needed to be seen on the stage. Bob Fosse was, after all, primarily a Broadway legend, although he made several unforgetable films. Or maybe not enough was done to make the transition from stage to DVD. Certainly, at times, the theatre lighting seems to obscure rather than reveal the choreography. And the camera work does not always serve the performance as well as it might. But some of the problem could also be with the basic concept. The numbers are presented in roughly chronological order which is interesting but makes for uncertain pacing. Some of the big numbers from, say, Cabaret or Chicago are simply not there. Most of the numbers are chorus or ensemble pieces, rather than star-based showstoppers. While Fosse's choreography is wonderfully unique, it is not necessary to be so robotic about a lot of it. In the post-show interview, much is made of Fosse's perfectionism and insistence of doing things over and over again. But this company does not seem to have been subjected to the same rigourous rehearsals. As an example - part of the "From This Moment On" number from the film Kiss Me Kate that was originally danced on the screen by Carol Haney and Fosse himself. The dancers in this show perform the steps and movements exactly. But the wit and charm of the piece - and, the star quality - is sadly lacking.

Perhaps the problem is taking the routines out of their context without full costumes and scenery. Of course, the basics of this production wishes to emphasize the choreography. But Fosse was more than a choreographer - he was a director and these numbers were part of shows, not just isolated flashes. Only one of Fosse's later shows - Dancin' - was just a succession of dance numbers, and it worked more successfully than this show. Come to that, Fosse's great film All That Jazz tells us much more about Fosse and dancing than this show.

No doubt many people will love this show and revel in its celebration of one of Broadway's best and most unique choreographer. But, for me, I kept wishing that it had been better. Maybe only Bob Fosse himself could have given the show that something special.

Is it the real Fosse?
I'm reviewing FOSSE from a position of relative ignorance about the man and his achievements. Hey, it's never stopped me before.

FOSSE records a live-audience performance of the musical, which is a compendium of selections from various other Broadway productions which Bob Fosse choreographed: "Big Deal", "Liza with A Z", "Dancin'", "Sweet Charity", "Kiss Me, Kate", "Damn Yankees", "Pajama Game", "Chicago", "Pippin", "Cabaret", and "All That Jazz". I've never seen any of them performed live on stage, but only the screen versions of DAMN YANKEES (1958) AND CHICAGO (2002). Obviously, I need to get out more.

The musical "Fosse" was, by the way, not choreographed by the great man himself. He's dead. Rather, the dance numbers were re-choreographed by Ann Reinking, Fosse's protege and girlfriend, with the participation of an aging Ben Vereen, one of Fosse's favorite performers. Between acts, the two are interviewed about Bob's style and work ethic.

The only production I've ever seen in which Bob Fosse had a hand was the excellent 1979 film ALL THAT JAZZ, an autobiographical piece which he directed. From it, and the Reinking and Vereen recollections, I gather that Fosse was a hard-driving perfectionist, and infer that the musical "Fosse" would not have come up to his exacting standards. In many instances, the dance numbers seemed, to my inexpert eye, sloppily done. Vereen's presence in several of them, while appealing to the nostalgia of the audience, did him no particular credit. But, that's show biz, folks.

Two songs from "Chicago" were included in the FOSSE program: "Razzle Dazzle" and "Hot Honey Rag". As performed in "Fosse", both were disappointingly anemic versions of their exuberant equivalents in the blockbuster, Oscar-winning film CHICAGO. This perhaps suggests that a new film version of "Damn Yankees" being produced by Miramax, which released CHICAGO, will be well-worth seeing even if the cost of movie tickets doubles.

I'm being wishy-washy and awarding three stars to FOSSE. I suspect it's but a pale reflection of Fosse's original choreography, but I may be wrong. I guess you had to be there.

Fosse DVD - Amazing
Amazing DVD. This is the second one i bought as i lost the first one.