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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I've seen both,
This review is from: Britten - Billy Budd / Atherton, ENO [VHS] (VHS Tape)
OK. Here'e the deal: The term "original" for the Ustinov version is a misnomer, and the opera is not a "remake." Britten's opera, first produced in 1951 (and subsequently produced in a revised version in 1960) is based on Melville's novella, first published postumously in 1924 (I think?). This operatic version is a video of a recent English National Opera production, and has little, if anything, to do with the movie. I've seen both versions (and read the book). Billy Budd is one of my all time favorite operas and this is a particularly fine production. Philip Langridge's performance is outstanding, and the staging is thoughtful and well designed. However, Britten isn't for everyone. Billy Budd can be a bit of an acquired taste, so know what you're getting into or keep an open mind before taking the plunge. Certainly the rewards are great. The Ustinov video is available for rental at various places. Terrence Stamp is excellent. Billy is a difficult role to present believably (and Thomas Allen, as the operatic Billy, is wonderful musically, but can't match Stamp's marvellous, frank naievete). Because my taste in Veres runs more to Philip Langridge than to Peter Ustinov, I didn't find Ustinov's portrayal particularly satisfying, but this may be more of a personal preference. The opera (with a libretto by E.M. Forster and Eric Crozier) is closer to the original Melville with one large exception. In the opera, the officers recognize the inevitability of hanging Billy right away and Vere remains silent in tortured consent, whereas in the book and in the movie, Vere has to convince the drumhead court of it's unpleasant duty to hang Billy. The movie fleshes out Melville's narrative with additional action, though it, too, remains fairly close to Melvilles basic idea. So, there you have the chronology and parentage of the versions in question. If anything, there seem to be a few elements Ustinov took from Britten/Forster rather than from Melville.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Just another remake?,
This review is from: Britten - Billy Budd / Atherton, ENO [VHS] (VHS Tape)
(Is The Ring just another remake? Or Otello? Or My Fair Lady? What do you think this 1962 movie is, that you all seem to find so "original"? Surely not Melville!)The casting in this production is exceptional and the staging truly "original." My only qualm is with the singers' diction, especially in the larger scenes. Unless you can get a copy of the libretto to follow, this might not be the version for you. I have yet to find another production, however, so this is probably your best bet. Maybe the DVD release will have subtitles (English for English? Stranger things have happened).
6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is a video of Britten's opera, not the 1962 film.,
By Judith Brown (Vancouver, B.C.) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Britten - Billy Budd / Atherton, ENO [VHS] (VHS Tape)
Like Cocorose from Florida, I am hoping that Amazon will make available the superb 1962 black and white film directed by Peter Ustinov who adapted the story of Billy Budd from the broadway play based on Melville's novel. Ustinov plays the captain of the 18th century navy vessel, and Terrance Stamp is superb as Billy Budd. It is a very powerful film.
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