Customer Reviews

Tamango [VHS]

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I finally tracked this movie down last week after trying to buy it twice on Amazon. For such a rare film, it seemed odd that there were so many copies for sale. It turns out there is a listing error on this site. It seems that whenever a seller tries to list the Ronald Reagan film CAVALRY CHARGE, it comes out listed under TAMANGO. If you order one of these $13 items, you will get CAVALRY CHARGE in the mail. If you are ordering TAMANGO, either look for a more expensively listed item or one where the seller mentions the film itself in the description.

Tamango is the story of a slave ship, during the early 1800's, on a voyage to Cuba. Curd Jürgens plays the captain of the slave ship ~ Dorothy Dandridge plays Aiche, a mulatto/mixed slave who is also the Captain's lover. When a new slave, Tamango (played by an unknown actor, Alex Cressan) comes aboard, he plans (with the help of the other slaves) to take over the ship so they can return back to Africa to become free again. While they manage to take over part of the ship, they don't do as well as they planned; but they have taken Aiche hostage. Aiche must choose to help her fellow slaves, or the Captain (who happens to own her, although he doesn't mistreat her and gives her special treatment). Dorothy looks beautiful as usual (she grew her hair long for the role) and her acting talent shines all through out the film. However, I am dissapointed at how cheap the movie was made. A lot of the actors voices have been dubbed (their mouths don't match what they are saying) and the sound and picture quality is not very good. Also, the ending kind of leaves you wanting more. "Tamango" never became very popular because sadly in 1959, it was banned in the United States because of the depiction of interracial romance.

A story of a revolt on a slave ship was actually around prior to the more recent Amistad but unfortunately, few seemed to have much interest in it judging from the limited distribution of this film when it first appeared in the conservative atmosphere of the 50's. It was actually banned in France. The objection of course, was the interracial relationship between slave ship captain Curt Jurgens and his slave mistress Aiche (Dorothy Dandridge). When a revolt occurs, Dandridge as a marginalized person tries to stay uninvolved, even though she has some attraction to the revolt leader Tamango. She is not really liked by the African captives as she has "given" herself to the white captain and is, of course, viewed as a slave by the white crew members. Curt Jurgens, as a slave ship captain is obviously not the nicest person in the world but seems to have some genuine affection for Aiche and treats her comparatively well. Aiche has suppressed bitter resentment about her slave origins and treatment by former masters and still has hopes for a possible future better life with Jurgens, even after she finds out he has plans to wed a white woman and live in Holland. However, when confronted he claims he will stay with Aiche and even make her a free woman. When the revolt begins she is forced to make a decision where her loyalties lie and tragedy occurs.
There are a few problems with this film beyond low budgeting. The African captives, Jurgens and crew, all mysteriously speak the same language to each other. 1820 muskets are never seen being re-loaded but continue to fire anyway. But technical issues aside, it is still a film with some impact. Jurgens swaggers well as the captain and Dandridge is appealing as Aiche. A pity that the public was not ready for it when it was released and that it is currently not well known. Not to be missed by any Dandridge fan or those wanting to examine the horrors of slavery.

For it's time this was a great movie. I was fascinated at the fact that at the time of release, this movie was banned in several states solely because of an interracial kissing scene between the always sensational Dorothy Dandridge, and Curd Jergens, who's performance was less than remarkable.

I'd like to point out that the theme of the movie was to share the knowledge of some of the atrocities committed during the tragic slavery era in the US. Unfortunately, I must also note the tragedy surrounding the film. Most notably the name of the film "Tamango" suggests that the movie would center around the character Tamango. It does, however the film credits omit Tamango-(Alex Cressan) even Amazon omitts Alex Cressan in their credits. Most sites on the internet that review the movie omitt Alex Cressan. Alex Cressan seems to be victimized in the movie as Tamango as well as himself in not receiving the well deserved credit for a brilliant performance.

There is some comfort in that Dorothy Dandridge gets her props somewhat, however the Black actors who played the slaves were essentially still treated like slaves in the lack of acknowledgement for obvious heart felt performances.

HELLO!

This movie still came along almost a hundred years after slavery?
I do not regret purchasing or viewing the film, I think from a historical perspective it is very important work. As the saying goes, those who are not aware of their history are condemned to repeat it.

Tamango captures a wonderful story line, that has never been touched on before, or after. Although the movie seems somewhat "underbudgated" it is well worth the money to see this film. It captures the essence, beauty,and talent of Ms. Dandridge. This film also happens to be one of Dorothy Dandridge's last films. Tamango (1958), Porgy and Bess( 1959), and her final finished film Malaga (1960), and her final film that was never finished Marco Polo. Although the quality of the film is poor, you canot deny the quality of the actors and exhuberamt plot. Tamango is well worth it.

Dorothy had to do this B-movie because there were no other star offers from Hollywood after "Carmen Jones". She plays a slave here even though author Donald Bogle in his definitive Dandridge bio claims Dorothy turned down a supporting role in "The King and I" because she didn't want to play a slave. (Incidentally, that "Tuptim" role launched Rita Moreno's super long acting career!) But what's a beautiful and talented colored girl to do in racist Hollywood? Ask Halle.

The color quality of this DVD is awful, but Dandridge gets a chance to stretch her acting skills while looking drop dead gorgeous in her late 30's. But couldn't they have found a better wig for a tragic mulatto? This one is right off the Korean store dummy. DD tells slaveowner Jurgens she hates when he touches her. Who can blame her? Jurgens is gross and ugly! One of the best scenes shows how she flips her wig and quickly recovers (like a genuine Diva) after Tamango spits in her face. The other shows how Dorothy gracefully twists and jerks away from the grizzly doctor who attacks her like a haughty ballerina. Only Dorothy Dandrige makes this movie worth watching! But why does the movie poster make her - a slave - look like a white woman?

A small production it may have been, but this a great piece of film history that has received little recognition. Because the movie has received so little recognition and small distribution, this DVD is special. No great special features dealing with the movie, but it has excellent quality for being such a rare film.

This movie proved to be a nice surprise. Dorothy was great. She played the role of a slave woman who was subjected to her slave master's every beck and call. The interesting thing is that in the midst of being this slave, somewhere within her, she accepts it and him. In one scene she gets upset that she's told by the slave master's ship doctor that he has another woman. It's very interesting... and expected, especially of a black woman during the time of slavery. When you've been ripped away from your family and everything known and sacred to you and you're made to serve a white man who uses you not only as a work mule, but as a play thing he can have at his disposal whenever he feels the itch... you can only imagine the conditioning that you're subjected to... being actually taken by the very presence of the man who's raped you and your people figuratively and literally. This movie came out at a time when black bodies were still being hung from trees, people still being told incessantly that they were nothing but N*ggers. It's quite bold that a movie dealing with slave revolts and the challenging issue of the twisted relationship of a black woman with her "master" is put on display. I enjoyed this movie. The ending was powerful also. The big sacrifice was made... when she had to decide between staying true to herself and her people or being back in the arms of the comfort of her white man's promises.

I am proud to add this movie to my classic collection. Dorothy Dandridge is beautiful in this movie.

please at least get the date that it was made right. It was made in 1959, NOT 1969. Ms. Dandridge had already died four years before then so it's not possible that the film came out in that year!