Customer Reviews

Casanova [VHS]

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

 

 

I remember watching this movie on ABC in 1987, and the videocassette version has been edited in several places. In fact, I think (though Amazon doesn't give running times) that the VHS version is considerably shorter than the broadcast version, which clocked in at 143 minutes; the European VHS release was 168 minutes long and there's a Japanese laserdisc version which is a whopping 174 minutes. Also, if you go by Playboy magazine's 1988 pictorial on the movie, there was a considerable amount of nudity which didn't make it (of course) into the original U.S. broadcast version, or (less explicably) into the VHS release. It seems that the bare female flesh was reserved for the European version. If and when this movie is put on DVD, I hope we'll get the full, uncut version. It's a sumptuously shot movie with a lot of gorgeous actresses (Faye Dunaway, Sylvia Kristel, Hanna Schygulla) as well as the reliable Richard Chamberlain in the title role, and deserves a proper DVD version.

Fantastic sound track. Fantastic Photo. Light, customers, actors. I saw this film in brazilian television. I'm searching for this picture by 14 years. It's not available here in Brasil. I want to get a legended version.

Richard chamberlain portraits the perfect casanova, the storyline has an amazing twist about true love. This film truly touched my heart which was entertaining and witty as well. I can't wait for it to be released on dvd.

Good entertainment but note that it is the rather sterile American version - it was much more explicit for UK distribution

Some people argue over who the best James Bond or Doctor Who is. Well, concerning Casanova there is no contest. Richard Chamberlain was and will forever be my favorite Casanova. I liked how the two hour movie breaks Casanova's life into three parts with a young actor playing him in his teens and twenties and Chamberlain taking over the last two-thirds his life.

Chamberlain's portrayal of Casanova was leaps and bounds ahead of Heath Ledger's portrayal. That is not a knock on the brilliant Ledger. The script Ledger had was nothing to write home about. Nevertheless, the movie was a delight to watch. The VHS I have does contain some brief nudity, but according to some other reviewers even the 122 minute version I have is a censored version. Perhaps, but I also remember seeing the movie when it was originaly aired in 1987 and there was nothing even remotely close to nudity broadcast on that prime time ABC show. So I'm content with what I have. But if in a few years someone comes out with an unedited DVD version I will be the first in line to buy it!

This is a Five-Star production because the writing, directing and acting are all A+. The female co-stars are absolutely beautiful! The emotion Chamberlain shows after being duped by the woman he loves was believable and hits any man hard. We've all been there, guys! Yes, overall I can think of no other Casanova production in the last 25-30 years that can compare to this one.

A. Nathaniel Wallace, Jr.

I love Richard Chamberlain but I can agree that this video has been made less than it's original.

This moviw has great performances, a wonderful script that balances action and romance, gorgeous sets and costumes and a haunting, lovely soundtrack that stays in my mind long after the movie ends. Why no DVD release? I'd love an unedited DVD release, since the VHS appears to have been cut.