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Carmen Jones
 
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Carmen Jones (1954)

Starring: Harry Belafonte, Dorothy Dandridge Director: Otto Preminger Rating: NR (Not Rated) Format: DVD
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (60 customer reviews)

List Price: $9.98
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  • This item: Carmen Jones DVD ~ Harry Belafonte

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Carmen Jones
89% buy the item featured on this page:
Carmen Jones 4.6 out of 5 stars (60)
$8.99
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Product Details


Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential video

Few actresses have captivated the camera as powerfully as Dorothy Dandridge in Carmen Jones. Her polished beauty plays in irresistible contrast to her title character's leonine sexuality and fluid emotions; a man can't decide from moment to moment if he wants to save her from doom, build her a castle, or never let her out of bed. Of course, that's the problem with the boys in this semi-experimental adaptation of Bizet's opera, Carmen. Straight-arrow Joe (a strapping Harry Belafonte), an obedient corporal on a Southern military base during World War II, is all set to go to flight school and marry his hometown sweetie, Cindy Lou (Olga James), when his troublemaking sergeant orders him to accompany Carmen to a civilian court. In short order, Joe is swept up in Carmen's carnal anarchy and her craving for release from lousy options in life. An impulsive act of violence ensures that Joe's future is gone forever, putting Carmen in the difficult position of destroying their relationship to save him. Oscar Hammerstein II took Bizet's music in 1943 and rewrote the book and lyrics. The result is largely a smashing success with a few missteps (the bullfighter in Bizet's piece becomes a heavyweight boxer here, which breaks up a certain grace in the story) and a couple of perfect stretches (the long prelude to Carmen and Joe's first embrace, set on Carmen's hoodoo-ish home turf). Despite the fact that both Dandridge and Belafonte were singers, their vocal performances were dubbed by LeVern Hutcherson and Marilyn Horne. (Yes, it is a little disconcerting to hear another voice come out of the more familiar Belafonte's mouth.) Otto Preminger directed with his usual eye on economy of action and production, as the numerous musical numbers tend to be shot in lengthy, single, carefully choreographed takes. The result can be a little visually static at times, but the passion behind the singing pulls everything through. --Tom Keogh


Product Description

Powered by Georges Bizet's grand music and Oscar Hammerstein II's magnificent lyrics, this Americanized all-black version of the classic opera Carmen is "a dynamic superb show" with a positively "incandescent Carmen." (Newsweek) OscarÂ(r) -nominee Dorothy Dandridge stars in the title role, a passionate, sexy creature who lures Joe (Harry Belafonte), a handsome soldier, away from his sweetheart (Olga James). Following a fatal brawl with his sergeant, Joe deserts his regiment with the sultry femme fatale. But Carmen soon tires of him and takes up with a heavyweight prize-fighter (Joe Adams). Triggering Joe's tragic revenge. Helping to set the screen on fire are Pearl Bailey and Diahann Carroll, part of the "sensational troupe" that makes this jubilant musical film "hard to beat."

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Customer Reviews

60 Reviews
5 star:
 (46)
4 star:
 (8)
3 star:
 (4)
2 star:
 (1)
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 (1)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.6 out of 5 stars (60 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
55 of 58 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars WOW!, July 22, 2000
By Eric V. Moye (New York, by way of Dallas) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   
This review is from: Carmen Jones [VHS] (VHS Tape)
Oscar Hammerstein took the fabulous classic work of Bizet "Carmen", and made it into a contemporary work and an instant classic now some fifty years ago. There are just not enough superlatives to adequately describe this movie. The first time I saw this was on the stage in LOndon years ago, and I had to seek out the video.

Dorothy Dandridge made her career in this one epic work. It is nothing short of transfixing. Seeing her use her charms to turn Harry Belafonte into her slave (what an incredibly lucky SOB!) and then torment him was like nothing I had ever seen before. It is interesting to note that even given the social morays of the time, D.D was so much more erotic in the simple act of putting on her stockings than we see today in a hour of almost total nudity on the screen! I am not sure that there has ever been anyone who burned up the screen any more before or since. Also featured were a young Pearl Bailey and Dianne Carroll.

My only question? Both D.D and H.B were fabulous singers in their own right. I have never understood why their singing parts were dubbed. Nonetheless, the contemporary adaptation of this classic music is wonderful.

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38 of 40 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Dandridge and Belafonte sizzle on screen!, August 6, 2000
By The Fancy One "blackprincess" (Westchester County, NY) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Carmen Jones [VHS] (VHS Tape)
I saw this movie years ago and was totally blown away by the performances. Now I own it, and my feeling is still the same. Dorothy Dandridge was a GODDESS!! She was in the role of her life and she played it the hilt! Based on the Bizet opera "Carmen", Carmen Jones is a free spirited, beautiful young woman who has broken many a heart in her lifetime with no apologies. When she sets her sights on Joe, the young Army pilot candidate, though, things change forever for the both of them...with tragic results. A ground-breaking love story featuring blacks in the lead roles back in 1954 when it came out, something that was rarely ever done before. Prior to this film, black portrayals on film were mostly regulated to singers, musicians, dancers, mammies, maids and shuffling, uneducated Negroes. "Carmen Jones" changed all of that. Hands down, Dorothy Dandridge deserved that Academy Award, but sadly, she was denied it. Harry Belafonte is GORGEOUS! Great performance for him as the love-sick soldier. Also worth noting is Pearl Bailey's performance as Carmen's wise-cracking best friend. Don't hesitate to buy this video! My 14 year old daughter is in LOVE with this movie, and I know it will be one of your favorites, too. GET IT!!!
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Marilyn Horne's voice and Dorothy Dandridge's acting--Wow!, August 23, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Carmen Jones [VHS] (VHS Tape)
I've seen the stage version of this amazing show, and though I usually prefer the immediacy of live shows, the movie is still tops in my book. Dorothy Dandridge *is* Carmen, and though her voice is dubbed, who can complain when it's dubbed by Marilyn Horne? Every time I see this movie, I find myself wishing again that Dorothy had lived longer, or at least made more movies in her short life. Can you imagine what she'd accomplish in today's film industry?
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Beautiful Film
This is a film that I saw long ago and never forgot. I have had great debates with friends about Carmen's treatment of Joe. Read more
Published 2 months ago by K. Key

5.0 out of 5 stars Carmen Jones D V D
Very happy with the D.V.D. It was in very good condition and arrived well before the time expected. Thank you very much.
Yvonne
Published 4 months ago by Y. Harris

4.0 out of 5 stars Carmen Jones
Well put together movie, I think its a pity that not all the major characters do their own singing
Published 6 months ago by Mrs. Jane A. Costello

5.0 out of 5 stars Still has the magic
Never tire of the music and the story. Recommended watching for those who like the classics - especialy those with a twist!
Published 6 months ago by M. E. Brown

5.0 out of 5 stars Carmen Jones rocks
I was pleasantly surprised by how good this film was. I thought some of the singing was cooky, and wish it were more soulful, but overall a good movie.
Published 9 months ago by CRD

5.0 out of 5 stars An original overwhelming adaptation!
More than a classic, Bizet's Carmen has become a modern myth and has literally surpassed the limits of the Opera to acquire an own life. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Hiram Gomez Pardo

4.0 out of 5 stars A powerful display of Dandrige's appeal...
Dorothy Dandrige's roles went beyond that of sex symbol to being a parody of female sexuality... Carmen Jones is a powerful display of her appeal... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Roberto Frangie

4.0 out of 5 stars OTTO PREMINGER, OPUS 20
**** 1954. Produced and directed by Otto Preminger. Based on Georges Bizet's Bizet: Carmen (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Nicolai Gedda, Georges Pretre, Paris Opera Orchestra... Read more
Published 17 months ago by wdanthemanw

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic
Classic Dorothy Dandridge, if you like her, a must see along with Porgy & Bess.
Published 21 months ago by Sho Nuff

5.0 out of 5 stars "Ain't no use arguin' with the wind!"
I decided to purchase "Carmen Jones" for a number of reasons. Chief among these reasons is that this movie is historical for my race, African-American. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Mikeisha Best

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