Customer Reviews

Gilbert & Sullivan: H.M.S. Pinafore [VHS]

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I know that some Gilbert and Sullivan fanatics may complain loudly about tis video, but I am going to say how fantastic this production of Pinafore really is. Peter Marshal, despite some small imperfections in his role of Captain Corcoran, is a well-versed singer-actor. Equally up to his calibre is Frankie Howerd's Sir Joseph Porter. Howerd in his part ad-libs his dialogue not because he didn't learn his lines, but because he brings out the character of Sir Joseph perfectly well. He makes the character feel like a person with scrambled eggs in his brain, and I'm sure that his portrayal can spark off a laugh or two. The two lovers and Little Buttercup, excellently played, help to match those two principals, and the choruses of sailors and female relatives are very supportive. Alexander Faris's musical direction is a sheer delight form first bar to last. The only minor quibble is about the sound-quality. It seems so low-quality and the mixing is not well done. However, this does not detract from such an outstanding performance of this G&S great and this will be sure to find a happy fome in any classical video library.

Coming from a family of Gilbert and Sullivan fanatics, I've watched basically every video version and this is definitely one of the best. The Brits do this like nobody else. My family loved it because of the fabulous production that captures the period, but still makes it feel like an operetta, not a movie. The wonderful sense of silliness and fun is put across without losing the integrity of the music, and the acting is great (sadly a rarity in G&S). Peter Marshall must be the definitive Captain Corcoran! Not everything about this is perfect, but its very close. Wholeheartedly recomended - we're trying the others in this series and really looking forward to them for Christmas.

As a Gilbert & Sullivan fan (and a member of the Pittsburgh Savoyards G&S company), I was thrilled to learn that there is a series of videos of most G&S shows. But the series is very disappointing, and Pinafore is a good example of the series. Peter Marshall is a poor choice for Captain Corcoran, and Frankie Howerd is an incomprehensible choice for Sir Joseph Porter, KCB. Howerd appears to be making up the role as he goes along. The singing is credible (although far from the best I've heard), and the dancing is very good. But the staging is poor, and the entire effect is that the fun of a good Gilbert & Sullivan show is lost.

Do not waste your money on any of the Opera World series. I bought a VHS series of six Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, and I am SO sorry I wasted my money. I grew up on Gilbert and Sullivan (they were one of my mother's favorites) and these productions are a slap in the face to these two geniuses.

SPARE YOURSELF THIS EXPERIENCE!

Much as I adore Gilbert & Sullivan, and could even tolerate The Hollywood Squares quiz show once upon a time, I can't figure out why anyone thought Peter Marshall would be able to contribute to a G&S production. And sure enough, he couldn't.

In fact, his presence is one of the many downfalls of this production, which include mediocre choreography, a poorly designed set, unconvincing personalities, and some truly bizarre camera work. It's difficult to even sit through this embarrassing production once. You'll be better off catching a local amateur production.

What the other reviewers have said about Frankie Howerd's performance is quite true, it's terrible, but the worst thing about this video is a fault common to the whole series--no audience. It's just dead without one, no matter who the performers are. For a truly outstanding video of this opera, try the Acorn Media production of Canada's Stratford Festival performance.

This is the best presentation of Pinafore and of Gilbert and Sullivan that my family has ever seen. The casting is a work of genius, with a felicitous mixing of singers (for the operatic parts),comedians (for the comic parts) and dancers. The London Symphony Orchestra's music is excellent, as is the singing of the Ambrosian Opera Chorus. The choreography is fast-paced, creative, and amusing. Dick Deadeye, Buttercup, lord of the admiralty, captain, lovers, crew, and "cousins and aunts" all come colorfully and hilariously to life. There is never a dull moment. Entertaining, delightful, and fast-moving from beginning to end. We watch it over and over. We recommend it wholeheartedly and without reservation. There is no better introduction to Gilbert and Sullivan.

While the music is fine and the performances are so so, the film, production values, direction, and over all antiseptic quality of this production make it one to miss. It's light opera lite. Don't bother.

A "liberal" interpretation of the holy texts, but with many nice touches. To my mind the big issue is the casting of Frankie Howerd as Sir Joseph. Howerd was a stand-up comic from a bygone era and was a sort of likeable clown. (Americans might think of Redd Foxx.) I enjoyed seeing Howerd's over-the-top hamming and mugging but many will not. He is no singer, and does a sort of "Rex Harrison" with his songs.

Having had the opportunity of watching the three different versions of "The Pirates of Penzance," I've always wondered just what the Major General meant when he made his rather disparaging remark about Pinafore. Well, while it may be nonsense, it was entertaining nonsense. Infernal is a bit harsh - but, then again - consider the source of that remark! My wife and I found this G&S presentation to be as lively, grammatical, and humoresque as only they are known. Opera World has done a commendable job in putting this video presentation together. We found the Douglas Fairbanks commentary to be very appropriate. As a twist, we have hardly ever been disappointed with a G&S opera - well never! We look forward to the day when we can see this play on stage.