Product Details

• Region: Region 2 (Read more about DVD formats.)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B001CMO0TM
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #275,619 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A compelling work of art..., August 11, 2010

By 

Edmonson (Canada) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Surviving Picasso (DVD)

"Surviving Picasso" (1996) is directed by James Ivory and produced by Ismail Merchant, the same two who gave us "Howard's End". This story tells of Picasso's (Anthony Hopkins) relationship with his mistress Francoise Gilot (Natasha McElhone), who was the mother to two of Picasso's children. The movie also introduces us to a number of the other women who encircled Picasso's life during the time of their relationship, including Olga Picasso (Jane Lapotaire), Dora Maar (Julianne Moore), Marie-theses Walter(Susannah Harker), and Jacquueline Rogue (Diane Verona), and some of his artist friends, such as Henri Matisse. The movie is an intimate and believable account of Picasso's life right down to details of the artist's paintings and the moments where he is creating his works of art. The producers may have had a great deal of trouble getting any rights to show Picasso's paintings but it doesn't show except for the fact that his more famous works are not illustrated. Great care was taken to show believable works of art as well as the artist's studio and life.

This 2010 dvd disc is coded NTSC and so is playable on North American dvd players and looks very good. There are however no special features, not even a commentary for the film. The movie is loosely based on the biography "Picasso: Creator and Destroyer" by Arianna Huington.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars thrilled and then deflated, September 7, 2010

By 

M. C. Borrero "coquille51" (Ocean, NJ United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Surviving Picasso (DVD)

This is a fabulous film...long had I awaited the DVD version of this film, and when it finally appeared, I jumped and bought the DVD.

Alas, I was SO disappointed because the color and sound quality of the DVD format is POOR! There is NO EXCUSE for crappy color and sound quality in this day and age!!!!

And there are NO SUBTITLES/CLOSE-CAPTIONS!!!!!! Again, in this day and age, not having subtitles, or close-captioning at the very least is RIDICULOUS!!!!!! It is insensitive to the deaf and hard of hearing community (many of the latter of which are us aging baby-boomers, so it is age-insensitive as well).

Fortunately, I still have the VHS and will keep that so I can view this wonderful movie on a BETTER QUALITY, though out-dated, format...at least until the tape pops...

Geeesh...save your money and stick with the VHS if it still available.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Why the Hell Not?!!, October 26, 2008

By 

Reber Clark "Reber Clark" (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Surviving Picasso [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2 Import - Germany ] (DVD)

Why is this movie not available on NTSC and in Region 1? What are they thinking? It's a fine movie - a bit of a stretch to imagine Mr. Hopkins in the role - but he does a fantastic job! Hello! Lawyers/Distributers/Contract Holders! We want this film on DVD! We will pay for it! C'Mon!!!