Product Details

• Actors: René Bazinet, Frank Langella, Mako, Julie Cox, Heathcote Williams
• Format: AC-3, Color, DVD, Letterboxed, Special Edition, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0), English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Image Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: March 14, 2000
• Run Time: 93 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (102 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6305772215
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #43,005 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Cirque du Soleil - Alegria: An Enchanting Fable" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

A film event inspired by Cirque du Soleil. Alegria is the touching story of Frac (Rene Bazinet), a street mime who has lost all love for his art and life, deciding to end it all by lying in front of an oncoming train. When his 11-year-old friend Momo (Clipper Miano) insists on joining the suicide attempt, Frac must save them both. The train carries a traveling circus, and when it stops, Frac catches sight of Giulietta (Julie Cox), the troupe's beautiful lead singer and performer. Frac falls instantly and rapturously in love, but to pursue Giulietta, he must overcome her father, Fleur (Frank Langella), the circus leader who disapproves of Frac. When Giulietta abandons the troupe to be with Frac and help save Momo from an abusive taskmaster who forces young children to sell flowers on the street, the wonderful cirque falls apart. Realizing that Giulietta must return, she and Frac help Fleur understand that the mission of the cirque is to console a suffering world. The show, like life, must go on. 93 minutes.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not what you might expect. That's why I liked it., May 3, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Cirque du Soleil - Alegria: An Enchanting Fable (DVD)

Before buying this movie, I read everything I could to see if it was worth it. This is not a filming of the stage version of Alegria, this is a movie that was originally built around it and then took a very different direction. If you are looking for "standard Cirque," this is not the place to find it. Cirque du Soleil often goes beyond fans' expectations, and this is one more case. The movie is well done, though not appropriate for very young children. It is a simple love story, but with dark undertones. Rene Bazinet is excellent in the part of Frac, which was written for him. Julie Cox is decent as Giulietta, though I found her a bit flat. And Clipper Miano IS Momo. The movie alone is 4 stars, but with the DVD extras I give it 5.

If you are looking for the spectacle normally associated with the Cirque, bypass this movie. If, however, you are open to the Cirque reinventing itself yet again, this time on film, give this movie a try. It's different, and therefore it isn't for everybody. But it worked for me.

46 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars it is not Cirque Du Soleil, April 27, 2000

By 

Stresspuppy (Stamford, CT USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cirque du Soleil - Alegria: An Enchanting Fable (DVD)

to reinstate other reviewers' comments, this is NOT a Cirque Du Soleil performance... it is a movie ~inspired~ by Alegria; however, i'm disappointed that this is the inspiration they came up with.

the story could have worked the magical/mythical angle of joining the circus as a child -- and the wonder this represents -- but instead the story is dreary... more like children being sold into the circus; there isn't anything etherial about the film -- it's just depressing (inspite of the clown getting the girl).

there is almost none of the performances to grace the movie (there are bonus materials which basically are extended sequences of two 'performances') and -- here's the part that i felt cheated of... the music rarely appeared. the great title song, Alegria, didn't turn up until the VERY end and even then it was abridged!

i LOVE Cirque Du Soleil (why i made the mistake of rushing out to buy it w/o looking at the reviews) and this film captures none of the whimsy, wit, finesse or atmosphere of the performances.

rent it and judge for yourself before buying.

28 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WHEN A MOVIE IS NOT A MOVIE, April 11, 2000

By 

W. Paul Roberts - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cirque du Soleil - Alegria: An Enchanting Fable (DVD)

I rate "Alegria" with five stars because it IS Cirque du Soleil and that in itself deserves this rating. I also rate it high as my daughter and I enjoyed the story together, which is magic in its purist form - we are both addicted to anything associated with Cirque du Soleil. The film is probably not worthy of any academy awards (except for the incredible soundtrack composed by the gifted Benoit Jutras), but it is a feel-good movie even with the dark elements shown in the "Cauldron" and the "Flower Factory" scenes. Rene Bazinet is a talented mime and proved that the role of Frac was perfect for him. Giulietta's (played by Julie Cox) expressive eyes revealed sincerity as she showed love for the lost soul of Frac. I also recommend playing the movie with director Franco Dragone's commentary as he explains how the sets and characters evolved out surprising inspirations. Cirque du Soleil once again summons the world of children and adults and cultures together as one.