Saturday, November 12, 2011

Movie review – “Tales of Hoffmann” (1951) ****

I can understand why this wasn’t a hit like The Red Shoes: it’s an opera, so there’s no dialogue; nor does it have the one story – it’s in three parts (four, really, if you include the prologue). And the connecting story of a composer who gets drunk and misses and liaison with Moira Shearer (bewilderingly since she is at her most beautiful) isn't much. But it’s a gorgeous film that’s breathtaking to look at and truly magical. I don't think I've seen better colour and the imagery is wonderful. Certainly not for everyone's taste but this should be much better known than it is.

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