Customer Reviews

HANSEL AND GRETEL: An Opera Fantasy

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This version of the opera of Hansel and Gretel is accessible to children of all ages because it is visually intriguing. Animated puppets, called the Kinemins by the producer back in 1954, are believable even though they lack the sophistication of the movement seen in Toy Story. The settings, colorful, sometime frightening, and always imaginative, are perfectly matched to the symphonic score of the opera and to the fanciful nature of the story. Of course, the witch is the centerpiece of the story, and Anna Russell's incomparable interpretation of the witch both unnerves and entertains at the same time. She is obviously having fun--as is the witch herself until her untimely demise in the oven. I saw this film in a theatre when I was only five years old, fell in love with the score as a result, and have loved classical music ever since--thanks to Hansel and Gretel. I still cherise this film and recommend it to anyone with children. Actually, this film is delightful entertainment for people of all ages.

Don't buy it. I have wonderful memories of seeing this film at the movies when I was a child. I loved it so much that I even had the record album. I couldn't wait to get it on DVD to share with my children. What a disapointment! It looks like the same print they showed in the theaters back in the early 1970s. The colors are washed out and faded. Even worse, the image looks soft. I knew this was an old film and I wasn't expecting a "Snow White" quality restoration, but this was so bad that my family and I couldn't even finish watching it.
The dismal quality becomes even more apparent when you watch the "Making Of" promo included on the disc. Filmed in Black & White back in 1953, it looks crisper and sharper than the film itself.
I knew I was in trouble, though, when I opened the DVD case and there wasn't a chapter list inside. I sensed that if View Video (the distributor) didn't care enough about their product to include a chapter list, they wouldn't care about getting the best possible print (let alone striking a new one). And I was right.
Again, despite whatever fond memories you might have of this film, save your money. Don't buy it.

My children grew up watching the 1954 version of this opera on video and though they are all grown they still remember it and the music. There is no other portrayal of the witch except Anna Russell's she is the very best. My children also remember their first introduction to opera through this video which has stayed with them through the years and has taught them music appreciation.

I first saw this many years ago as a child and thought it was just wonderful. I still think so after seeing it again as a "grown-up." This 1954 version adapts the operatic telling of the story composed by Engelbert Humperdinck in 1893, and combines just the right amount of singing and speaking to make the balance comfortable for young viewers. The stop-motion animation is well done, and each character is highly individualized, physically and vocally. Perhaps best of all is the divine Anna Russell's portrayal of the witch -- she croons and bellows, often within the same sentence, sometimes within the same word! Her performance is a over-the-top delight, and the cast also boasts the fine Mildred Dunnock as the mother. Most of Humperdinck's glorious score is used, and this film serves as a wonderful introduction to the world of opera for children.

This somewhat abridged version of the Opera offers a jewel of a translation by celebrated poet Padraic Colum, a far cry more poetic and evocative than the German original. The puppets, a Czech develoment, got moved and reset 140,000 times between clicks of director Meyerberger's shutter. The effect's intriguing, the music's classic, the orchesta's first rate, the singing's skilled. I've seen and heard the orginal. It bids fair to be a legacy and any child's happiest introduction to opera. But . . . . It's not. This DVD didn't come from from a master, not even a first generation print. More likely a third or fourth level copy of a copy. The video suffers some but the sound stands just this side of obliteration. You can even hear the needle chatter of a vinyk record. It's too good a classic to lose this way. Go back and do it right.

I can remember seeing usually in December at the local movie theater in my hometown with my older sisters It was a big hit with us then and still is a big hit around our house. Anna Russell's performance is a classic and the way the original opera is presented makes it a little bit easier for the young ones to enjoy it. Sure this is not the sort of thing you would see at the Metropolitan Opera House, but it is a lot of fun. And this Video brings back a number of good memories!

This is not an opera, nor a cartoon version of an opera.

What it is, is an animated film of the story of Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel, presented in the style of Walt Disney's Fantasia. The artists made little figures, with such amazing detail that it allows for facial expressions and movement, and then took more than 140,000 pictures of them to give them movement and life. It makes for a very unusual presentation--neither cartoon nor real people.

It appeals to mainly two groups: those looking for an introduction to the opera or story of Hansel and Gretel, and those interested in a movie like Disney's "Fantasia."

Oh, I should have said THREE groups: there is also a growing interest in this as a camp movie (like the Rocky Horror Picture Show). Most of this comes as a result of love for the great operatic comedienne, Anna Russell, who was in this production the delightfully camp voice of the witch, Rosina Rubylips.

Mother took me to see this film when I was a child. Loved it then and I still do. Have been searching for this video a long time. I have a German heritage. This is one of my favorite fairy tales and favorite operas. Learned to sing several of the arias. Danced the part of one of the 14 angels and later the dew fairy in OKC productions of this opera. Beautiful music performed in the opera comic style with singing and speaking. Wonderful visuals. Am preparing lesson plans which include this video and Bergmann's subtitled Magic Flute for a unit on opera. Unfortunately, this move is not for everyone. Today's audiences have been brought up on very shallow popular entertainment which is geared to the lowest common denominator. This lovely little piece of video art requires some cognitive activity on the part of the viewer and an attention span of more than 20 minutes.

I recently ordered this DVD. I was surprised when I found out that it had been released on DVD. You have no idea. I went nuts. I used to watch this over and over again when I was younger. My mother had bought a VHS copy of this at Wal Mart. Watched it all the time, and then it accidentally got sold at a yard sale. Don't know how that happened, but it did. Anyways, ever since then, I had always looked for a copy, but could never find one until now.

This is one of the best children's films ever produced, and the best claymation production ever...well, this and The Nightmare Before Christmas. It may look dated, but we have to remember that it WAS made in the '50s. Anna Russell still cracks me up as the voice of Rosina Rubylips, the witch. The entire vocal cast is excellent! I LOVE THIS FILM!

The only problem with the DVD is this: It looks as though someone took a VHS and transferred it over to a DVD. The sound isn't that great at times, either. Since this is the only version available at the moment, it will have to do. When (and if) they do finally remaster it and clean it up, I'll buy a new version of it. As of now, I'll settle with this one.

There is also a ten minute "making of" feature on here. Pretty interesting. If you grew up with this, and you love it like I do, buy it. I don't see any signs of a new DVD version coming out any time soon.

Takes you back to the early 60's watching this on WPIX Channel 11 as a TV special. It is nice to have for your collection, younger children may not enjoy it today.