Carmen (1984) Reviews

	Tom H.

3 out of  3  people found this review helpful

Two ways to approach this production: 1, as an opera or 2, as a movie telling a story. For purists, who see this as an abomination of the opera, they’ve missed the point. This is a movie telling a very vulgar story about some unsavory people (Carmen is a slut – a whore). It is filmed on location in Spain, though the singing and orchestra were undoubtedly recorded on a sound stage. The movie opens with a real bullfight in which the bull is killed! Incidental music (not Bizet’s) is suitable when it is used (Bizet’s music does not provide enough score for the screen story). You can finally immerse yourself into the characters and story, as vulgar and crude as they and it may be. Despite society wanting it otherwise, opera is not always a higher art form, but it is often very graphic and vulgar in nature, like the Paris edition of Tannhauser, for instance. Finally, we have a film that does the story justice!

Was this review helpful? Yes   |   No

	Miguel Angel S.

2 out of  3  people found this review helpful

What basically fails from the start, is that the director who decided to take this project, apparently was more concerned with making a movie and gathering interesting picturesque shots than on recording an opera. The obertures are completly overshadowed with nonsensical noises in the background: dogs barking, people chating, ... you name it. There are spanish profanities shouted more than once across some of singing parts. Placido Domingo, who does sing and perform very well, has fallen very badly on my scale by his association with this work. Julia Migenes is very badly casted. She is also very poorly directed (not her fault), not very sensual and bewitching as it should be, rather prosaic and vulgar. The scene in the bedroom at the Pastias fonda is just revolting. Her spreading on the floor mattress in such vulgar form is again contrary to the idea of Carmen's character.

Was this review helpful? Yes   |   No

	John B.

0 out of  0  people found this review helpful

This is a cinematic Carmen-well done and beautifully well sung. Oh that seductive Carmen, but those hairy armpits-GROSS!

Was this review helpful? Yes   |   No

	Robert R.

0 out of  0  people found this review helpful

I've seen two opera productions and this and they vary from each other, but this is definitely worth seeing.

Was this review helpful? Yes   |   No

	Maria L.

0 out of  0  people found this review helpful

good movie but did not spect to be a song movie. not my kind unless you are a opera fan.

Was this review helpful? Yes   |   No