Product Details

• Actors: Javier Bardem, Natalie Portman, Stellan Skarsgĺrd, Randy Quaid, José Luis Gómez
• Directors: Milos Forman
• Writers: Milos Forman, Jean-Claude Carričre
• Producers: Denise O'Dell, Mark Albela, Paul Zaentz, Saul Zaentz
• Format: AC-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1), French (Dolby Digital 5.1)
• Subtitles: English, Spanish, French
• Dubbed: French
• Region: Region 1 encoding (US and Canada only)
  PLEASE NOTE: Some Region 1 DVDs may contain Regional Coding Enhancement (RCE). Some, but not all, of our international customers have had problems playing these enhanced discs on what are called "region-free" DVD players. For more information on RCE, click .
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: February 26, 2008
• Run Time: 113 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (76 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00116GEJ8
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #16,397 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "Goya's Ghosts" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Even Milos Forman's most ardent supporters are sure to have mixed feelings about Goya's Ghosts. As expected from the Oscar-winning director of One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest, the production values are strong and the performances solid. Unfortunately, his fictional take on the life of subversive painter Francisco Goya (Stellan Skarsgård), circa the Spanish Inquisition, feels undercooked compared to previous issue-driven works, like The People vs. Larry Flynt. As in that film, censorship and hypocrisy take center stage. Co-written by Luis Buñuel scenarist Jean-Claude Carrière (That Obscure Object of Desire), Goya's Ghosts concerns the painter's relationships with two subjects, Brother Lorenzo (Javier Bardem) and artist’s model Ines (Natalie Portman). When Ines is suspected of practicing Judaism, she's tortured until she confesses, leading to her incarceration. With Goya's assistance, her family enlists Lorenzo to fight for her freedom, but to no avail. For his own transgressions, Lorenzo flees the country, while Ines lingers in prison. The story then skips ahead 15 years. Goya has since lost his hearing, Ines remains imprisoned, and a defrocked Lorenzo is living a life of leisure in France. After Napoleon invades Spain, the three are once again thrown into each other's orbit. Of the trio, Goya emerges as decency incarnate, Ines as a victim of religious fundamentalism, and Lorenzo as a man who found his conscience far too late to save anyone--least of all himself. The humor that bouyed Amadeus might not have been appropriate in this case, but Goya's Ghosts is a real downer. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Product Description

Academy Award® nominees Natalie Portman and Javier Bardem star in two-time Academy Award® winning director Milos Forman's thrilling new romantic drama! Goya's Ghosts is a sweeping historical epic, told through the eyes of celebrated Spanish painter Francisco Goya (Skarsgard). Set against the backdrop of political turmoil at the end of the Spanish Inquisition and start of the invasion of Spain by Napoleon's army, the film captures the essence and beauty of Goya's work which is best known for both the colorful depictions of the royal court and its people, and his grim depictions of the brutality of war and life in 18th century Spain. When Goya's beautiful muse (Portman) is accused of being a heretic, renowned painter Francisco Goya (Skarsgard) must convince his old friend Lorenzo (Bardem), a power-hungry monk and leader of the Spanish Inquisition, to spare her life.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

56 of 57 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Goya, Los Caprichos, and the Decline of Rationality February 28, 2008

By Grady Harp HALL OF FAMETOP 50 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD

Milos Forman has a gift for combining fine art subject matter in period pieces that are not only entertaining but also educating. In GOYA'S GHOSTS he not only explores the multifaceted aspects of the great Spanish artist Francisco Goya as a painter of court portraits as well as canvases of dramatic collisions between the factions of people versus military cruelty of 18th and 19th century Spain, but he also dissects the infamous Spanish Inquisition, not only by defining characters who represented the Holy Office and the victims of the 'purging' but also by subtly remarking on the tenor of the times by focusing on Goya's 80 etchings titled 'Los Caprichos'. This is a richly realized film that captures the horror of the times while it offers insights into the changes that occurred in Spain in a rather comprehensive fashion.

1792 and while Francisco Goya (Stellan Skarsgĺrd) is painting portraits of the royal family (Randy Quaid and Blanca Portillo) as well as portraits of his favorite model Inés (Natalie Portman) and of the Inquisition activist Brother Lorenzo (Javier Bardem). Corruption abounds in Spain and the fear of the Inquisition headed by Father Gregorio (Michael Lonsdale) penetrates all of society. When Inés is called before the Inquisition because she doesn't like the taste of pork offered at a public banquet, she is tortured for not confessing to be a Jewess and imprisoned. Despite the pleadings of Goya and the money offered by her family (Brother Lorenzo is asked to intervene on her behalf), Inés remains in prison for 15 years and when Brother Lorenzo visits her he impregnates her and the resulting girl child is sold upon her birth). France invades Spain (courtesy of Napoleon Bonaparte) and when the French Revolution begins to spread through Europe the chastised Brother Lorenzo travels to France where he assumes a new life away from the church. During the trauma of these years Goya loses his hearing and in response to the disintegration of society, creates the Caprichos - etchings that stress the brutality and madness to which the country has succumbed. Lorenzo returns to Spain, the prisoners of the Inquisition are freed, and Inés (now pitifully ugly) searches for her daughter, confronting Lorenzo with the paternity. How all of the pieces of the Caprichos come to life brings an end to the story fills the final moments of this fine period piece.

Javier Bardem is particularly strong in his role of the mutating Lorenzo and Stellan Skarsgĺrd makes Goya an understandable genius. In addition to the named cast there are excellent cameo roles for such fine actors as Unax Ugalde, Wael Al Moubayed (Goya's interpreter), José Luis Gómez and Mabel Rivera among others. The cinematography by Javier Aguirresarobe captures the flavor of the period and the musical score by Varhan Bauer and José Nieto quotes some 20th century compositions (Shostakovich) and blends Spanish court and dance themes into a rich musical tapestry. This is a fine film despite the lack of critical acceptance and certainly deserves a large audience, especially those who appreciate historical drama. Grady Harp, February 08

38 of 40 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the greatest films of all time. Criminally underrated. February 2, 2008

By Lennon Aldort

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

In 1975 Milos Forman made One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, winner of 5 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director. In 1984 he brought us Amadeus, winner of 8 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director. Now, 23 years later, he brings us Goya's Ghosts, a brand new epic masterpiece on par with his previous critically acclaimed Academy Award winners.

The only difference is, Goya's Ghosts not only didn't get a single Oscar nomination, but it was slammed and hated by most critics. I'll make this part of my review short and simply say that this film must be so brilliant that it went right over the critics heads. The script is complicated, and the meaning of the title has been misinterpreted by almost everyone i've talked to about it.

Now, for the film itself. Perfection. Absolute perfection. Do not believe any of the negative reviews from the critics. This film is a masterpiece in every way. Music, acting, cinematography, script, everything. It's a breathtaking period drama that grips you from the first frame to the last and leaves you barely able to wrap your mind around just how perfect and brilliant it was. This is not a film to miss. It has taken the spot of #3 in my top 10 films of all time, #2 and #1 being One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Amadeus. At the request of the first person who commented on my review, I've edited my review here to say that Milos Forman could testify to the fact that i'm not related to him or to anyone involved in the creation or publicity of any of his films.

I'm not going to go into any plot details about the film. I'll simply say once more that it is possibly the greatest artistic achievement ever executed in the world of cinema. Buy the DVD when it's released. You won't regret it. Thank you Milos Forman!

27 of 31 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Goya's Ghosts - One of the most underrated films of recent memory September 30, 2007

By Peacenik

It seems that I had been waiting a long time to see Goya's Ghosts. I first heard about the film sometime in 2005. And I remember when they were filming it in Madrid. The subject matter was of great interest to me. It was being directed by Milos Forman and the screenplay was co-written by Forman and Jean Claude Carriere. And it starred Javier Bardem, Natalie Portman and Stellan Skarsgard. What could be better?

But the film had trouble finding a US distributor. In the meantime, it was released around Europe to dismal reviews. Earlier this year the film was picked up by Samuel Goldwyn Films and it was released here in July to the same type of reviews. But guess what? I saw the film when it was released and I thought that it was terrific.

The first part of the film takes place in 1792. The Inquisition is being reinstated. It is spearheaded by a fanatic monk named Lorenzo (Bardem). Lorenzo talks out of both sides of his mouth. He is having his portrait painted by the well known artist Francisco Goya (Skarsgard) but when he sees that the Church doesn't approve of Goya's work he makes the suggestion that Spain go back to its old, repressive ways.

A young woman named Ines (Portman), who is one of Goya's models, is accused of heresy because she doesn't want to eat pork. She is tortured into a false confession and left in the dungeons to rot. Goya asks for Lorenzo's help and Lorenzo visits her. Lorenzo and Ines pray together but he also rapes her. And Lorenzo is invited to the home of Ines' parents. He is put to the "question" by Ines' father Tomas (Jose Luis Gomez) and fails. He is eventually driven out of Spain.

We fast forward to fifteen years later. There is chaos on the streets of Madrid. The French Revolution has "liberated" Spain and the Inquisition is null and void. Ines is let out prison and the only one she has left is Goya (who is now deaf). She had a child while in prison and wants to find her. Lorenzo returns to Spain with his wife and children. He is now a proponent of the French Revolution and condemns the Church. And that is all of the plot I will tell you.

Goya's Ghosts is a fascinating film. It contains many themes that still resonate today. Torture, a foreign army occupying a country and hypocrisy (in the name of religion or a cause) to name a few. It is a film of ideas. I did not take my eyes off of the screen for a minute. I only wished that Goya's Ghosts were a mini series because there would be more time to explore all of these complex ideas.

All of the acting is top notch. Bardem is brilliant as a man who completely transforms himself. I read some bad reviews of his acting in the Spanish press. I honestly don't know what they are talking about. I was wondering if Portman would be able to pull off here triple role as the young and old Ines as well as her daughter Alicia. She does. She also got some bad reviews and, again, I don't understand it. Skarsgard is fine as Goya, a man of reason. Other actors who are good are Randy Quaid as the King, Jose Luis Gomez as Ines' father and Michael Lonsdale as Father Gregorio. The cinematography by Javier Aguirresarobe is spectacular as is the production design by Patricia von Brandenstein and the costumes by Yvonne Blake.

Milos Forman has created a wonderful and important film that many people will not see because of the reviews. It is hard to fathom all of this when so many awful films don't get bashed in this way. Roger Ebert wrote an interesting review of Goya's Ghosts. He liked the film but he also makes an interesting observation about critics. Here is the link:

http://www.ocregister.com/entertainment/goya-lorenzo-inquisition-1776187-film-portrait

I didn't have much faith in film critics in the first place. But after this I have even less.

And one last thing - this past week I read a piece about Penelope Cruz. In it she was quoted as saying that Bardem is the best actor in the world. I will drink to that!