Product Details

• Actors: Jane Atkins, Andy Backer, Joseph Bird, Earl Boen, Roger Aaron Brown
• Writers: Brian Hooker, Edmond Rostand
• Format: Classical, Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Kultur Video
• VHS Release Date: January 28, 2003
• Run Time: 130 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00008AOR7
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #447,236 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

In Edmond Rostand’s swashbuckling yet bittersweet comedy, the characters experience emotions on a heroic scale. The play’s hero, Cyrano, is a magnificent wit whose pride masks a deep insecurity about his appearance—specifically, his abnormally large nose. His compelling love for the beautiful heroine, Roxanne, is the motivating force behind all the action in the play. With words from his own poet’s heart, Cyrano wins Roxanne for another man, the tongue-tied but handsome Christian. Stars Peter Donat (War of the Roses) and four-time Oscar® nominee Marsha Mason (The Goodbye Girl).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Peter Donat as Cyrano de Bergerac, October 4, 2005

By 

Rosemary Heilemann - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cyrano de Bergerac (Broadway Theatre Archive) [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I actually saw this version on TV back in the '70's and, at that time, I was astounded by Donat's performance. He is so natural, so believable, and so grand. Cyrano de Bergerac is my favorite play, and the director and actors have captured the beautiful spirit of Rostand's work. I have taught this play in high schools over the years and used other fine film versions as part of the class, but I always wished I could find a copy of the Donat version. Now I have. It was worth waiting for.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Certainly hard to imagine a better version, March 19, 2004

By 

Gavino (Little Silver, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cyrano de Bergerac (Broadway Theatre Archive) (DVD)

I, too, saw this production on PBS in the 70's and I felt it was of the highest quality. NO ONE does Cyrano better than Donat the younger, and Marsha Mason shows true emotion as her true love dies. The duel in the tavern is spectacular, NOT for the swashbuckling, but for the way the wit and wisdom of Cyrano dispatches his foe. This is a must see of must sees.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best Cyrano ever., February 24, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Cyrano de Bergerac (Broadway Theatre Archive) (DVD)

When this was first shown on PBS over 25 years ago, I thought it was the best thing I'd ever seen on television, and nothing that has happened in the interim has changed my view. Peter Donat makes a brilliant Cyrano, as good as anyone else has ever played it, but the jewel is Marsha Mason as Roxanne. Roxanne is usually portrayed as a lightweight ingenue, and it's hard to understand Cyrano's affection, but not here. Here is a Roxanne with the wit, grace and style to match Cyrano's own. It makes that aspect of the play more credible, which makes the last scene unbelievably poignant.

I despaired of this ever being on DVD, and it's release is a cause for joy. Buy several copies and give them to your firends.