Casanova is fabulous. As a fan of Doctor Who, I came across this wonderful costume drama a few years late after becoming interested in other creations featuring David Tennant (the tenth Doctor) or other pieces of Russell T Davies (Doctor Who writer/ Producer) writing. It was a lovely surprise ... Read review
A light farce dressed up as a lush 18th century costume drama,Casanovagives a fictional ... more
spin to the exploits of history's most rakish seducer of women. As played by Heath Ledger, this Casanova bears no resemblance to Donald Sutherland's unrepentant por...
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A partially true story about lies told virtue lost and love found. For the first time in ... more
his life the legendary Casanova (Ledger) is about to meet his match with an alluring Venetian beauty Francesca (Miller) who does the one thing he never though...
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And now for something completely randy and ribald fromMasterpiece Theatre. This re-telling ... more
of the Casanova legend is a thoroughly modern romp with rollicking escapades, a sly anachronistic tone, and wardrobe malfunctions. More, it is graced with a poig...
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A light farce dressed up as a lush 18th century costume drama,Casanovagives a fictional ... more
spin to the exploits of history's most rakish seducer of women. As played by Heath Ledger, this Casanova bears no resemblance to Donald Sutherland's unrepentant portrayal inFellini's Casanova, filmed 30 years earlier. Instead, the great ladies' man of Venice is just biding time by bedding women, waiting for true love (and the return his long-absent mother) to settle down into blissful monogamy. He finds true love in Francesca (Sienna Miller), a feminist who initially resists Casanova's affections while director Lasse Hallström serves up a variety of lightweight subplots including Casanova's flight from the Vatican's inquisitor (Jeremy Irons); a host of mistaken identities involving, among others, the portly "Lard King of Genoa" (played with scene-stealing perfection by Oliver Platt in a blubbery fat suit); and the romantic negotiations of Francesca's mother (played by Hallström's wife, Lena Olin) and a young bumbler named Giovanni with his own promising future as a lover of women. It all adds up to a good-looking and harmless diversion that barely warrants an R-rating, and it makes a fine double-bill with the more enjoyableDangerous Beauty, another Venetian lover's tale that was also blessed by the presence of Platt, who gives thisCasanovathe majority of its entertainment value. --Jeff Shannon
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Production Year: 1977 - Drama - Director: Franco Zeffirelli - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring: Anne Bancroft, Robert Powell, Rod Steiger, James Mason, Michael York, Laurence Olivier
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Production Year: 1998 - Drama - Director: Giles Foster - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Emily Mortimer, Joanna Lumley, Peter O'Toole
Advantages: Costumes are wonderful, settings are beautiful, fantastic soundtrack Disadvantages: very sad in places, limited special features, can be expensive and hard to find
Casanova is fabulous. As a fan of Doctor Who, I came across this wonderful costume drama a few years late after becoming interested in other creations featuring David Tennant (the tenth Doctor) or other pieces of Russell T Davies (Doctor Who writer/ Producer) writing. It was a lovely surprise to find this very drama which not only stars David Tennant but was written by Russell T Davies and produced by him and Julie Gardener, the other producer of ... ...hit.
Casanova tells the story of Giacomo Casanova. It is based on his true story, though quite obviously different for entertainment values, telling a story of how he grew to love sex yet fall in love with a woman he could not have and share the pleasure - Henriette. The story is told through the older Casanova, sat as a librarian in his late days telling the story to a young maid who only knows him by his reputation. The story starts ... more
Casanova is fabulous. As a fan of Doctor Who, I came across this wonderful costume drama a few years late after becoming interested in other creations featuring David Tennant (the tenth Doctor) or other pieces of Russell T Davies (Doctor Who writer/ Producer) writing. It was a lovely surprise to find this very drama which not only stars David Tennant but was written by Russell T Davies and produced by him and Julie Gardener, the other producer of Doctor Who. Add in Doctor Who musician Murry Gold for the fabulous soundtrack and this drama is a hit.
Casanova tells the story of Giacomo Casanova. It is based on his true story, though quite obviously different for entertainment values, telling a story of how he grew to love sex yet fall in love with a woman he could not have and share the pleasure - Henriette. The story is told through the older Casanova, sat as a librarian in his late days telling the story to a young maid who only knows him by his reputation. The story starts at his youngest years, telling the story of how he became the man he was, before starting off in 18th century Venice. From Venice we are taken to Paris and from Paris we are taken to London. The story shows the highs and lows of his life, from being everything from a violinist to a gambler, a lottery director to a doctor to falling in love with Henriette and always just missing her, after he soon finds out she is engaged to Grimani, a rich man who could give her a life of riches, keeping her away from the poor life she once knew. As older Casanova tells his story to the young maid Edith, he soon finds out that Henriette is still alive and widowed, and the story becomes one last desperate attempt to find the woman he loves before his life ends.
Although there are some moments which could easily make you think of Doctor Who, this fabulous costume drama is rather different and rated as a 15. David Tennant portrays the worlds greatest lover, Casanova, in his younger days with a slight comical side which shows clear reasoning why this was how he got the role for the Doctor in Doctor Who, with a wonderfully charming side. Due to his characters care-free lifestyle, you do find yourself rather hating to love him but you really do fall in love. With Peter O'Toole playing the older Casanova, sitting as a poorer librarian in the last days of his life, you really do feel for his character. A problem there is with this drama is that you really cannot see how David Tennant could transform into Peter O'Toole in his later years. Perhaps regeneration? The 2 are not very alike, by looks and by voice. However, with very good acting and the use of contact lenses on David Tennant to make the eye colours at least the same, it isn't a large problem. Featuring fantastic acting from Peter O'Toole, David Tennant, Rose Byrne, Laura Fraser, Rupert Penny Jones, Nina Sosanya, Matt Lucas and many more, there is no problem with the acting.
The drama has been very well written and can do everything from making you laugh to making you cry. The dance scenes are absolutely fabulous and well choreographed while the costumes themselves are wonderfully colourful and designed. The settings are beautiful, especially the fantastic sights of Venice with great use of lighting. The greatest achievement I think is that once the drama ends, you really do feel that you've watched near enough the whole life of Giacomo Casanova. One of the most wonderful things is the soundtrack - it is absolutely beautiful, especially the piano peices, and very well composed. I only wish the soundtrack was released on CD.
The DVD itself has a lovely, well designed cover, however the only special feature included with this 3 part drama is a few photographs. I have seen outtakes somewhere on the internet and they would have been nice on this disc at least. The price for it can be good, however I desperately bought it for a high £20 in HMV after finding it difficult to find and not wanting to buy it from the internet. Each episdoe is around an hour long, and so while watching it altogether can be rather long (3 hours, about), having the option to watch an episode at a time is suitable. Scene selection is also available.
As a whole, I highly recommend this drama if it sounds like your sort of thing - a mixture of romance, comedy and emotion. It can be rather rude in moments, with many sex scenes towards the start of the drama (though no nudity) which may be off putting for some, although it soon calms down and becomes more a story of consequence. I believe it is a BBC triumph.
Advantages: funny, well acted, love story Disadvantages: none
...put out on the bbc, casanova was a three part drama series. An all star cast perform in this, with Peter o'toole, David Tennant, Rose Byrne, Laura Fraser, Rupert Penry Jones, Nina Sosanya, and Matt Lucas.
The young Casanova is played by David Tennant, who we know now as the star of Dr who, also on the bbc. He has also starred in harry potter and the goblet of fire as Barty Crouch junior (also my wife loves him, so i believe him to be a good looking ... ...close, and exiled from venice, casanova becomes a librarian in a castle. A young parlour maid comes to him, and he is taken again by the one thing that kept him so alive when he was in his prime. Sex. One last pursuit, to see if the magic has died.
So, he tells her his story. And as it goes on, edith, the made, comes to feel for him, and to grow fond of him. He tells, if you pick through the crazier exploits, a love story. When in naples, he meets ...
giksy21 22.11.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Casanova (DVD)
Advantages: Great story line, well presented. Disadvantages: A bit bland when it comes to the Jail scene- a little unimaginable.
...maniac (good on him!), Giacomo Casanova who may be one of the most amazing people to ever have walked our plannet. Yes, he's up there with Shakey Boy and Charls Dickens. The film expresses to the audience how Casanova went through his life not even saying a word until his early tweens, developing the art of pleasure; finally speaking. Entriging himself with the works of professors and educating himself in order to put himself into the 'Real World'. ... ...perfect for the role as Casanova as he is able to change from the total witty and comedy role that he performs out so well and also switch to the total serious role and sometimes angered role that is expressed. Laura Fraser (Henrietta), gives a fanastic performance as the love interest of casanova; expressing again a witty performance. Expressing the true values that are important in life. Such as love, friendship and Loyalty. Russell T. Davis' quality ...
cocorocky 03.09.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Casanova (DVD)
Advantages: Colourful, well acted, beautiful ending Disadvantages: limited DVD
Casanova is the series that launched the now flourishing career of Scottish actor David Tennant, who will, in the forthcoming weeks, come to be known to viewers of BBC 1 as the tenth incarnation of Doctor Who. Originally thought to be too edgy for mainstream, and shown first on up and coming channel BBC 4, it was soon moved to BBC 1 for a repeat showing as a result of its popularity. There is received a superb following. The DVD features all four ... ...Tennant is brilliant, giving young Casanova energy, sexuality, charisma and a certain wide-eyed innocence in spite of his reputation, while O'Toole is great as the more reflective part of Casanova, offering us a sense of his suffering as he reflects upon the mistakes he has made in his life.
The chemistry between Tennant and Laura Fraser is also a highlight of this production, as their story is clearly what keeps the plotline going. It is the story ...
marthas1234 11.04.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Casanova (DVD)
Advantages: gripping and hilarious Disadvantages: Probably not very historically accurate
...life of the legendardy Giacomo Casanova for gigital youth-channel BBC Three.
The set up is that the elderly Casanova, excellently played by Peter O'Toole, is living out his days anonymously as a librarian while writing his memoirs (which ran to 18 volumes). Recognised as the famous Casanova by a young maid, he recounts tales from his life. The majority of the programme shows these retellings, with the Young casanova played by David Tennant (who ... ...Who)
Rather than staging a standard costume drama had, Davies chose to give the whole thing a more contemporary feel. While the characters dress in period dress they act in ways that are anything but. They all speak english regardless of supposed nationality -- a running joke being that a native of any country that he visits, would compliment him on his flawless use of the language, but remark on his preposterous accent. It is the fast flowing witty ...
MrWeeble 03.11.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Casanova (DVD)
Advantages: British Made Drama, same writer as Doctor Who and Queer As Folk Disadvantages: doubtable on historical content
...our young, charming and handsome Casanova (*Swoon*) and our narrorator and guide; Casanova the Librarian.
Each episode when shown individually shows a screenshot of the 6 main points in that episode.
Finally in episode 3, after all the chasing round Europe begging for a pardon for his "crimes" in Venice, will he gain it and be able to consumate his love for Henriette? ...
gay_panda 03.11.2006 (30.12.2006)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Casanova (DVD)
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Advantages: Not a lot, really, some funny moments I suppose, Irons and Platt did their best Disadvantages: Confusing and disappointing, tries to do too much
, Casanova is far too long and tries to do too much. As a result, I couldn't enjoy it and can't recommend it. The DVD contained no extras, and if you really want to give it a go, it's available on DVD from amazon.co.uk for £5.97. ...
pmcds 21.10.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Casanova (DVD)
Advantages: Excellent chemistry, Great cast, nice storyline Disadvantages: Certificate and abit short
lady says the pig must stay outside, but the animal, we?ll take.
DVD
The DVD can be brought on Play.com At £5.99 which includes many special features ?
? Audio Commentary from director Lasse Hallstrom
? 'Creating An Adventure': a behind the scenes look at the Casanova set and interviews with cast and crew
? 'Dressing In Style': a closer look at the costumes and an interview with the film's costume designer
? 'Hidden In Plain Sight': a look at an extended scene
? 'Visions Of Venice': the sights and sounds of the beautiful setting of Venice
Reception
The film when released received mixed reception from the audience and gained a 43% rotten tomatoes rating which I think is not bad. Some were not that impressed and said that they thought Heath could have done more and did not act to his potential ...
blackmagicstar4 29.04.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: exceptional Review of Casanova (DVD)
Advantages: A couple of nice performances and some lovely costumes Disadvantages: By-the-numbers plotting, and romance so sweet it'll make you sick
Renowned as the world's most prolific and notorious seducer, Casanova has the Inquisition determined to hang him for heresy when he's caught in the bed of a nun. His friend the Doge offers him redemption in the form of marrying Victoria, a young lady of noble family. While trying to engineer his engagement, his eyes fall on the feisty Francesca Bruni. She is beautiful, learned and one of the most popular writers of the time. But she appears immune to Casanova's charms, making him want her all the more. So he enters into the riskiest game of his career putting his heart and his life on the line.
Danish director Lasse Hallström makes the sort of sentimental films that feel as though they belong to another age. "Casanova" is no different. Shot on location in Venice, it revels in chocolate box visuals that ape the paintings of Canaletto ...
afy9mab 07.05.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Casanova (DVD)
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