Product Details

• Actors: Lauren Bacall, Leonard Bernstein
• Directors: Horant H. Hohlfeld
• Format: AC-3, Classical, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, DVD, Subtitled, NTSC
• Language: German (Stereo), Unknown (DTS 5.1), Unknown (PCM Stereo), English (Stereo)
• Subtitles: Chinese, English, French, German, Spanish
• Region: All Regions
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Deutsche Grammophon
• DVD Release Date: October 9, 2007
• Run Time: 85 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000RP4LX0
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #146,848 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

GIFT OF MUSIC - DVD Movie

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not as good as PBS DVD., December 2, 2007

By 

Stanley Becker - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Leonard Bernstein: The Gift of Music (DVD)

This 1993 95 minute documentary with no supplemental material is superficial and overly laudatory in comparison to the 1998 117 minute plus 39 supplemental minute American Masters DVD documentary, Leonard Bernstein: Reaching for the Note. The 2 pages of printed program notes, compared with no program notes for the PBS DVD, is no compensation. This documentary does include information and video materials about Bernstein, so it is not worthless. And it is cheaper. But if you have the PBS DVD you don't need this one.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended Personal Views of a Great Musician, March 12, 2008

By 

Oscar Levant "Bruce Tennant" (Long Beach, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Leonard Bernstein: The Gift of Music (DVD)

I own both this DVD and the PBS "Reaching for the Note" referenced by others here. It is true that one should start with the PBS DVD for a more thorough look at his life, trials, tribulations and triumphs. But this disc then becomes a great companion. It is mostly just Bernstein talking. It lets him explain himself. Lengthy excerpts from interviews, recording sessions and student teaching exercises make this a great way to have a closer idea what it was like to just be around him. I do recommend it.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant Documentary on Bernstein, January 7, 2009

By 

Kim Parker (New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Leonard Bernstein: The Gift of Music (DVD)

This documentary on Leonard Bernstein is an outstanding compilation of extraordinary footage on the life of this genius. I own several documentaries on Bernstein in my own library, all of which are deeply moving and informative- but none as complete and extraordinary as this one. The footage ranges from his conducting orchestras all over the world, speaking fluently in German, Russian, Hebrew, etc. to members of the orchestra; to his travels; his love for family; relationships with some of the greatest composers and conductors and musicians of our time- to his undeniable lust for life and everything around him! It is a powerful reminder of a brilliant life. Bernstein's passion for creating and absorbing beauty, art, music and everything around him is perfectly assembled in this brilliant dvd. A must have!