Product Details

• Actors: Shirley MacLaine, Peggy Ashcroft, Twiggy, Shabana Azmi, Leigh Lawson
• Directors: John Schlesinger
• Format: Color, Dolby, NTSC
• Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Universal Studios
• VHS Release Date: March 1, 1992
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000005XXD
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,324 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rich film about teaching, growing up and classical music, October 24, 1999

By	Christopher Rollyson (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is one of the films that I remember for many reasons. If you have a love for the the teacher's ardent desire to share passion, classical music, family drama and the idea of living life with purpose, you'll love this film. Shirley MacClaine is an idiosyncratic, passionate teacher of music as well as life. She wears her heart of her sleeve and uses a personal and vulnerable approach to teaching the piano. The situation with her main pupil is complicated and challenges her to give without knowing whether her dreams will come true.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 5 1/2 stars for a wonderful movie from the heart..., September 10, 2003

By	Patrick Selitrenny (Switzerland a.k.a. Helvetia Felix) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

John Schlesinger became famous as a polemic and very socially oriented director, but this is his Masterpiece of all times.

It is not a monumental movie and it is not a box-office smashing hit.

No. This is a far superior work of artistry, worked and reworked from the guts and above all, from the heart.

The story is very skillfully developed and has plot twists and turns as the classical masterpieces interpreted in this movie.

Yes, because it is a tale of two cultures: the Western and the Eastern. The western side is taken by a (Russian?) piano teacher, living in London (masterfully played by a magnificent Shirley MacLaine) and the Eastern is represented by a would-be
and reticent Hindi piano student.

Not only does Schlesinger tell us the story of the two and their passions and strives in life, but also gives us a whole palette of undertones in quite different social worlds.

Despite its length (slightly over two hours) the movie has never a dull moment or a static conversation. Emotions are fully and honestly expressed by all involved and never for a moment, one can feel he is watching a movie here.

Quite the contrary. All the characters play their parts so much to the hilt, that it "sucks" us in and doesn't let loose until the end credits roll.

I am not an emotional person generally, and many "tearjerkers" only make me crack up, so academic they are, but when I watched this movie for the first time in New York City at the Carnegie Odeon Movie Theater, I must admit I came out in tears and had to make an effort not to be noticed for that.

Not that it is particularly sad, quite the contrary. Despite some very dramatic moments, it is truly a wonderful comedy.
No the sadness comes out from the realism contained in the lives of the characters, in which we all could find similarities.

The dreams, the passions, the disappointments, the crime and punishment and finally, the absolute redemption are all very important factors in this excellent movie.

The music world is only a mask to show us a much deeper view on society as such. But the film is conducted by Schlesinger (the old fox) as an orchestra conductor, directing a symphony by Beethoven.

His baton is light but never loses out on a note. His conducting is comparable to the mastery of Herbert von Karajan. The only difference is that he waltzes with a camera.

If you want to discover a different movie from the same-o, same-o, then this is an absolute must see.

I personally laughed, cried, got concerned and was worried, was uncomfortable, then immediately relieved by pleasant surprises throughout the entire movie, but above all, it made me think about the similarities with my own world and this is probably why I learned to love this tiny masterpiece.

I just own the VHS version, but would like to plea the producers of the movie (Universal was the distributor, but the movie was a Cineplex/Odeon production) and all those who are involved in DVD production to finally decide to release a pristine copy, with a decent digital sound and a crisp image.

Of all the movies around, this one surely would merit an extra effort to digitalize it and therefore preserve it for posterity.

I can only recommend it. This movie is for all, although some scenes may be a bit difficult to understand by younger audiences, without an adult presence. But in reality, this is a naive suggestion, since it has to be watched by the entire family on a quiet movie evening around the living room.

You need some concentration though, to watch it. It is not a popcorn and beer movie. This is a movie for those who love to think.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Where's the DVD???!!, February 11, 2006

By	Erin Campbell (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is wonderful movie whose release on DVD is long overdue. Shirley McLaine was wonderful as Madame Sousatzka -- a bit like my own red-haired, eccentric piano teacher in college. The plot and characters are unique and memorable. What a shame this exceptional movie has not been released on DVD by now.