Customer Reviews

Britten - Billy Budd / Atherton, ENO [VHS]

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

(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).

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.

This is a powerful story of good & evil, well acted as well as suberbly sung. (Don't always get both in opera productions!) Thomas Allen is able to project the simple goodness of Billy Budd, Philip Langridge is a great Captain Vere, showing how tortured he is by what he did, or didn't do, and Richard Van Allan as John Claggart is evil personified. The diction is good - I was able to follow this without the libretto, and what I missed the first time through, could pick up in subsequent viewings. Well worth the money.

I concur with Ms. Brown. The black and white 1962 drama is a classic, much underappreciated today. I've been searching for the dramatic version (with Peter Ustinov) since I saw the film on AMC many years back. Amazon, find and sell the dramatic version, please. I have no interest in the operatic rendition.

Nothing can take the place of the wonderful original film starring Terrance Stamp as Billy Budd. Sure, it's in black and white, but that just adds to the theme of the film, that there is no black and white where justice is concerned. I hope Amazon will be able to offer the original for sale soon!

This is not the original! Has anyone seen both videos? Or is this just another poor remake of a great film?

The original 1962 Billy Budd, directed by, and starred in by Peter Ustinov, is a classic. One of my favorite movies of all time. I remember seeing it while serving in the US Navy. The story is very compelling and heart-wrenching. I've been telling my wife all about the movie and set out to search for it, but the only Billy Budd movie I could find is this one. I was very dissappointed because an opera, to me, is foolish and annoying. I hope Amazon can offer the "real" movie soon. I will be the first one in line to get it.