Product Details

• Actors: Mirella Freni, Adriana Martino, Gianni Raimondi, Rolando Panerai, Gianni Maffeo
• Directors: Franco Zeffirelli
• Format: Classical, Color, NTSC, Digital Sound, Subtitled
• Language: Italian, English
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Deutsche Grammophon
• VHS Release Date: August 10, 1991
• Run Time: 105 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6301693647
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #298,164 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Franco Zeffirelli's 1963 Milan production of La Bohème, preserved in this 1965 film, provides a richly satisfying take on Puccini's much-loved romantic tragedy. The staging is opulent, not least in the way Zeffirelli opens up the Café Momus and turns it into a warm, vibrant haven for the bohemians and their followers. But it's the relationships that really matter here. Puccini's score--conducted with restrained passion by Herbert von Karajan--develops in a wonderfully linear way, with some of his most intensely moving arias and duets underpinning the evolution of the bohemian artists, particularly Rodolfo and Marcello, from immature egotists to rounded human beings, touched by tragedy.

The film does look dated now--Mirella Freni's Mimi, sung with moving clarity, has the doe-eyed look of a 1960s pop star and the camera work is a tad unsophisticated--but the singing still puts the listener through the wringer. Gianni Raimondi's Rodolfo ("Che gelida manina") struggles manfully to come to terms with his emotional shortcomings, and Adriana Martino (Musetta) has some fine comic moments before playing her vital part in the overwhelming sadness of the final scenes. Soul food for the tragically inclined. --Piers Ford

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best video "Boheme", August 6, 2002

By 

Robert G. VanStryland (Denton, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Puccini - La Boheme (DVD)

Of all the available videos of "La Boheme' this one is by far the best. Mirella Freni is nearly perfect as Mimi and all the other singers are excellent as well. This film was made before Luciano Pavarotti achieved world fame, so another tenor, Gianni Raimondi, was selected. He doesn't have quite the vocal allure that Pavarotti could have brought to the role, but he's an excellent and stylish singer. Karajan's conducting is not bested on any other video of this work, and Zeffirelli has never made a better opera film (he has made several far worse ones). There are no visual excesses or contradictions of music or text. The evocation of nineteenth century Paris is entirely convincing. NOTE: A Freni/Pavarotti video of Boheme (San Francisco Opera) is available on DVD but the performance is far inferior to this one, primarily because of uninspired conducting but also because the two leading singers (then in their fifties) take the downward transpositions in Act I. There is a Metropolitan Opera telecast available that might seem promising, but in spite of great conducting by James Levine and a visually arresting production (also by Zeffirelli), the performance suffers from the out-of-condition singing of Teresa Stratas and Jose Carreras (both fine artists but just not at their best on the occasion) and the miscasting of Renata Scotto, at that time in the worst voice of her career, as Musetta. No other Boheme video comes close to this film, certainly not the Australian Opera performance which has routine playing and conducting, and singing that ranges from mediocre to really bad. So, if you're looking for a "Boheme" DVD, Karajan/Zeffirelli/Freni is the one to get.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BRAVO!, June 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Giacomo Puccini - La Bohème: Herbert von Karajan, Franco Zeffirelli, Coro e Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Freni and Zeffireli need I say more... this is an old classic production, that lacks quality in picture and sound, but there may never be a better Mimi then Freni who's voice could capture the heart of any man, and even the coldest heart weep for her strife... who cares about the others Freni is the greatest... and Zeffireli is well also the best. For any Freni fan, or true Boheme fan this is a must.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Freni Is Mimi, May 8, 2006

By 

maiden pa. "gammaraider" (bedford, pa United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Puccini - La Boheme (DVD)

I like this best of the four I own. The audio isn't good at all. I get to hear the true Mimi in Freni. Mirella Freni is truly a great singer and it's sad that the audio is the way it is. But that still can't make me subtract any stars because I love her performance so much. Please remaster this DVD and put it out properly. I know I would buy it again. Also buy,Fedora,Don Carlo,Carmen and Ernani with Mirella Freni.