The Red Violin (1998)

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Francois Girard directed this drama tracing the history of a musical instrument through five countries and three centuries. In 1681, to keep the spirit of his wife alive, an Italian paints the violin with a red varnish made from her blood. It is later found in the Austrian Alps when a prodigy gives a performance in the court of Vienna in 1792. Taken by gypsies, the instrument is acquired by a Dionysian composer. After a journey by boat to China in 1966, it is hidden during the Cultural Revolution. In contemporary Canada, it is spotted at an auction house by a violin expert (Samuel L. Jackson) who becomes obsessed with it. Scripted by Girard and Don McKellar. Filmed on a $10 million budget in Montreal, China, Italy, Austria, and Oxford. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Starring:: Samuel L. Jackson, Don McKellar, (more)

Director(s):: François Girard

Theatrical MPAA Rating:: R

Format(s):: DVD | Digital SD
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Synopsis of The Red Violin

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Theatrical Feature Running Time:: 130 mins

Complete Cast of The Red Violin

Samuel L. Jackson - Charles Morritz
Carlo Cecchi - Nicolo Bussotti
Jean-Luc Bideau - Georges Poussin
Jason Flemyng - Frederick Pope
Sylvia Chang - Xiang Pei
Colm Feore - Auctioneer

Don McKellar - Evan Williams
Irene Grazioli - Anna Bussotti
Christoph Koncz - Kaspar Weiss
Greta Scacchi - Victoria Byrd
Liu Zi Feng - Chou Yuan
Monique Mercure - Mme. Leroux

Director(s):: François Girard

Writer(s):: François Girard, Don McKellar

Producer(s):: Niv Fichman

Theatrical MPAA Rating:: R(Nudity, Sexual Situations)

The Red Violin Awards:

1998 - Genie Awards - Best Orignal Score
1998 - Genie Awards - Best Sound
1998 - Genie Awards - Best Sound
1998 - Genie Awards - Best Screenplay
1998 - Genie Awards - Best Cinematography
1998 - Genie Awards - Best Art Direction/Production Design
1998 - Genie Awards - Best Director
1998 - Genie Awards - Best Costume Design
1998 - Genie Awards - Best Sound
1998 - Genie Awards - Best Picture
1998 - Genie Awards - Best Screenplay
1998 - Toronto Film Critics Association - Best Canadian Film [Runner-up]

Warning: This product is intended for mature audiences only. It may contain violence, sexual content, drug abuse and/or strong language. You must be 17 or older to purchase it. By ordering this item you are certifying that you are at least 17 years of age.

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	Linda D.

7 out of 8 people found this review helpful

Most interesting and sometimes strange story of the life (and soul) of one red violin. Covers 300 years of it's journeys. This movie runs nearly 2.5 hrs but I never noticed. Totally mesmerizing script with great performances. Samuel L. Jackson in a very different role than we are used to seeing him in, but his talent as an actor just shines in this movie. Wonderful story, wonderful film. One note: Five languages spoken here (English scenes are spliced through-out the whole movie)..sooo I spent a lot of time flipping the subtitles off and on until I finally realized: Just leave 'em ON. The last 20 minutes of the movie you can finally turn them off - all in English from then on.

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	Annabelle B.

5 out of 6 people found this review helpful

I recommend it! It's not a waste of your time. It's a very interesting film. Plus Joshua Bell's magnificent music was used in the film too. Obviously not a family movie as there are scenes that are passed parental guidance.

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	Ray H.

4 out of 5 people found this review helpful

If you love history and the behind the scenes of it, you'll enjoy this movie. The sets and locations are gorgeous, the accuracy of each time period is perfectly done and the storyline is unique. The Red Violin touches each person who encounters it, so profoundly & deeply, that they'll never be the same. The acting is outstanding, the jumps in time & history are beautifully done and the music score is extraordinary. As a lover of history and antiques, I love researching rare pieces and this is a window back in time, to the origins of a masterpiece. Personally I hated the ending , but I understood what the creators of this film were trying to do, still I thought it could have ended much better. This is the kind of movie you'll find yourself thinking about days later. BTW, it comes either with sub-titles or with the English dubbed voices. I've seen it both ways and I love it more with the sub-titles.

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The Red Violin (1998)

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