Production Year: 1996 - Music / Performing Arts - Director: Alan Parker - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring: Madonna, Antonio Banderas, Jonathan Pryce, Jimmy Nail more
Madonna tackles the title role in Alan Parker's ambitious recounting of the brief, amazing life of former Argentine first lady Eva Peron. Presented almost entirely in song and... more
Evita [DVD] [1997]
After more than a decade of false starts and several potential directors, the popular ... more
Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice musical finally made it to the big screen with Alan Parker (The Commitments) at the helm and Madonna in the coveted title role of Argenti...
Evita [DVD] [1997]
After more than a decade of false starts and several potential directors, the popular ... more
Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice musical finally made it to the big screen with Alan Parker (The Commitments) at the helm and Madonna in the coveted title role of Argenti...
Evita DVD
Eva Peron (Madonna) was born the illegitimate daughter of a penniless farmer. Determined ... more
to make it to the top Eva attaches herself to a poplar tango singer (Jimmy Nail) in the big city. Eva becomes a radio and film actress moving in influential cir...
Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice musical finally made it to the big screen with Alan Parker (The Commitments) at the helm and Madonna in the coveted title role of Argentina's first lady, Eva Perón. A triumph of production design, costuming, cinematography, and epic-scale pageantry, the film follows the rise of Eva Perón to the level of supreme social and political celebrity in the 1940s. Like Madonna, Perón was a material girl (she was only 33 when she died); she was instrumental in the political success of her husband, Juan Perón (Jonathan Pryce). But Eva was also a supremely tragic figure whose life was essentially hollow at its core despite the lavish benefits of her nearly goddess-like status. The filmEvitahas a similar quality--it's visually astonishing but emotionally distant, and benefits greatly from the singing commentary of Ché (Antonia Banderas), who serves as a passionate chorus toguide the viewer through the elaborate parade of history.--Jeff Shannon
Production Year: 1935 - Music / Performing Arts - Director: Mark Sandrich - Original Language: English - Classification: Universal - Starring: Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Edward Everett Horton, Helen Broderick, Eric Rhodes, Eric Blore
A review by Morning_Becomes_Electra on Evita (DVD) February 22nd, 2008
Author's product rating:
Did you enjoy it?
Loved it
Characters / Performances
Outstanding
Soundtrack
Outstanding
How does it compare to similar films?
Outstanding
Advantages:
A BREATHTAKING FILM .
Disadvantages:
A Musical .
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
EVITA ARGENTINAS FIRST LADY
Evita is adapted from the stage musical by the same name written by Andrew Lloyd Webber. It is based on the true story of Argentina's first lady Eva Peron. Released in 1996 it falls under the genre Biography/Musical/Drama. Starring Madonna, Antonio Banderas, and Jonathan Pryce. Directed by Alan Parker, it spans the life and events of Evita and President Juan Peron. -
An interesting story of the young woman Eva Duarte (Madonna), poor and struggling in the lower class, poverty stricken backstreet's of Argentina. Using her feminine wiles, she plots and fights her way out of the gutter to build herself a life of luxury. Using men as her strategic plan she works her way to the top, discarding lovers, as she steps onto the next rung of the social ladder, till she is finally at the top of her tree, when she sets her sights on the leader of Argentina. I love this film. I like the way the songs depict the story, as in the musical, and they step in at the very right moment, and complete that section of the film. The film charts the life of Eva Duarte from a young child. Eva had a traumatic experience when she was young, when she tries to attend her fathers funeral. His second wife bans her and her family from attending, because they are lower class, and this is a profound, and distressing moment in the young life of Eva. Determined to escape the poverty and all it's social stigmas, when she is older, she sets herself a plan to sleep her way to the top. Using men as her stepping stones to the future. When she reaches the age of fifteen she leaves her home town of Junin and travels to Buenos Aires with a singer with whom she is having an affair. When someone else comes along with more influence and power, she drops her lover without a moments hesitation. This shows the determination and drive of her character, which is to reach her ultimate goal, and to be accepted , and welcomed by the upper classes. The song she first sings when she discards her singer who has brought her to Buenes Aries is; 'Another suitcase, another hall', and this song sums up perfectly, and with tongue firmly in cheek, the manipulative route that she has planned. Then each time, after that, when she drops another lover, to move up in the echelon, this song comes in once again.
Madonna is fantastic in this role, and I forgot immediately who I was watching. When I went to see this film when it was first shown, I wasn't too keen on the fact that she was playing the main part, and I would have preferred a more serious actress in the role. But I have to say, she was tremendous in the part of Eva. A much better choice than say Michelle Pfeiffer, who I feel would have been much too weak in the part. Or even Barbara Streisand, Glen Close or Olivia Newton John, who were rumored to be up for the role, none of which I feel have the strength of character to have fulfilled the portraying of such a strong character. And as it stands Madonna was a perfect choice, and she did much PR to ensure herself a stab at the role. People thought Madonna was a ridiculous choice, but I have to say she has proved us all wrong. Her quality of acting was superb, and she portrayed the ruthless, determined Eva Peron with a great flair, and honesty. Madonnas voice holds up well, and I feel her vocal range was just right, without sounding too operatic.
Evita was a case of the woman behind the man of power, and she advised him every step of the way, to ensure he reach the pinnacle of his career. She was the Argentina's sweetheart. The Argentinian people could see themselves in her, and identify, and they shared an affinity, because she herself had come from a working class background, and the people looked up to her with a huge pride and passion. A modern day comparison could be Princess Diana, when the wife is more important as a spiritual figure to the people, rather than the leader of the country. This is a strong film with a powerful storyline. Some critics have viewed this film as portraying the glorification of fascism, but I think the political angle was just right. The film centres mainly on the rags to riches story of Eva Duarde, and her journey along the way. It is a film about the strength of the woman, and what ends can be obtained from sheer determination.
Anthonio Banderes was brilliant as Argentinean dissident Che Guevara, and also as the narrator throughout the film. He brings a great humour and depth of character to the role, and Jonathan Pryce as Juan Perón, was excellent, and a I felt an empathy towards the dictator. He portrayed the human qualities of the man in power, in a quiet reserved fashion. Yet held his ground, with a subdued strength, and his performance stood on a par to that of Madonna. I found his portrayal of the character to be very believable, and finely acted. Darius Khondji's cinematography was superb, capturing the authentic feel of the era, which was perfectly recreated in fine detail. Evita is a fantastic cinematic experience, the choreography is amazing. Dancing in Evita is only shown when it is in context, and the dancing in this film was truly superb, from the Flamenco to the Tango. Every step was beautifully choreographed, and in keeping with the time.
A lot of the film was shot in Argentina, and the song 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina' was actually filmed on the balcony of the Casa Rosada in Buenos Aires. The production was conveyed in a very realistic form, and the fact that there was not too much dancing added to it's realism, and the dancing in this film was visually amazing! The songs include You Must Love Me - Madonna Don't Cry for Me, Argentina - Madonna Another Suitcase in Another Hall - Madonna Buenos Aires - Madonna. As taken from the musical by the same name.
Alan Parkers direction is excellent!, and this is a spectacular epic of a film. One of the best movie musicals that have been produced to date. It is a splendid film, lavish and beautiful to watch. The architecture is visually stunning, and has remained virtually untouched for centuries. The musical score is tremendous, in fact everything about this film is excellent, and if you haven't seen it already, I recommend you do. -
'Following the success of the film, the government of Argentina released its own film biography of Peron, entitled "Eva Perón," to correct alleged distortions in the Lloyd Webber account'.
Running time is 134 minutes. BBFC rating is: PG for images of violence and mild language. Directed by Alan Parker Produced by Alan Parker Robert Stigwood Written by Alan Parker Oliver Stone Tim Rice Andrew Lloyd Webber Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber Cinematography Darius Khondji
Advantages: Superb Story, Good Acting, Good Songs Disadvantages: Difficult To Follow In Places
...The Story of Evita is a fascinating one and it is a role that it is said that Madonna had set her eyes upon for a long time. Rumours that a full length Film version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's West End Musical was to be made had been circulating for years and apparently Madonna contacted Andrew Lloyd Webber on several occasions, slowly convincing him that she was the perfect person for the lead role.
The Film that was eventually to be made was obviously ... ...whole of the Spanish-speaking World. Evita launches a Charity foundation called the Eva Peron Foundation and even forms the Nation's first large-scale Female Political Party, called the Female Peronist Party. In 1951 Eva announces that she is to run for the position of the Vice President of Argentina in the forthcoming Elections, but despite support from her Husband's own Party she has strong opposition from the Military and Elite that see no place ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Great music, great acting Disadvantages: Too superficial, characters not well developed
An adaptation of the stage musical by Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice, this film features a host of stars, including Madonna as Eva Peron, Antonio Banderas, and Jimmy Nail. Many of the songs are well known including ‘Don’t cry for me Argentina’ and ‘Another suitcase in another hall’. The film follows the life of Eva Peron, wife of the Argentinean President Juan Peron, from her working-class childhood in a small town, ... ...to her terminal illness and death.
The film opens with the death of Eva Peron, and is told in retrospect by Che Guevara (Antonio Banderas), a political revolutionary, who acts as the narrator. The opening scenes are of her funeral, and the mourning of the population. We go back to Eva’s early life before her rise to stardom, and meet her as a teenager eager to make her way in the world. She has an affair with a singer (Jimmy Nail), and uses ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Great songs, well performed Disadvantages: Repetitive, find out what happens at the beginning
Evita is, in my opinion, one of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's best musicals. It tells the true story of Eva Peron (nee Duarte), who was born into the working class, and grew up to be a famous actress and the first lady of Argentina - as one of the songs says, "the greatest social climber since Cinderella".
Like Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, another Lloyd Webber musical, the film has a narrator. In Evita this is Che, played by ... ...there, and they know everything that's going on, and yet they can't get involved in the story. The part is played perfectly by Banderas.
Madonna stars as Eva and Jonathan Pryce as President Peron. Jimmy Nail plays Agustin Magaldi, one of Eva's early boyfriends. There are very few other main characters. Celebrities such as Andrea Corr and Billie Piper make appearances.
There is almost no dialogue at all, though I think this matters very little as ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Madonna and just about everything else. Disadvantages: None
...greater or lesser degree. In Evita Madonna gets to play the part she feels she was born to play, that part being Evita Peron. This role enables Madonna to combine all her major assets and prove to all the critics that she was right, nobody else could have played this role in the movie. She even managed to win a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Peron. Normally this would have pointed to at least an Oscar nomination but then again Madonna is just ... ...based on the life of Evita Peron, nee Duarte, a poor girl from the country who dreams of the big-time. Firstly as an actress who makes her way to the top by sleping around, most notably with a married travelling tango singer, slimily played by Jimmy Nail. Then as a leader when she marries the country's top political figure Jual Peron, a truly incredible performance by the master of the musicals Jonathon Pryce.
This though is no ordinary biopic as ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: music is sensational Disadvantages: not entirely accurate to events, doesnt expand enough
Evita was on television a couple of weeks ago. I hadnt seen it for ages so I decided to record it. As it was shown on BBC1, it would be without commercial breaks!
The lead role of Maria Eva Duarte, to become, Eva Peron and Evita, was played by the singer Madonna. Quite a remarkable change from her usual deposits into the charts!! I was very shocked the first time i wtached the film, as to how good she actually was!
The film also includes Antonio ... ...sucesses of the stage musical Evita in 1979, which was also written by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, was bound to be a big success. The film begins with an interruption at a cinema and the announcement of the death of Evita. The spectators are cruched with grief as they try to grasp what is being said to them. This is just about the only spoken line in the film.The scene then moves to the funeral of Evita, which took place on August 11th 1952. ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Genre: Musicals & Music Films - Musicals & Other Music Films
Classification: Parental Guidance
Production Year: 1996
Running Time: 2 hours 9 minutes
Plot: A film adaptation of the stage musical by Sir Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Sir Tim Rice. It tells the story of Eva, the illegitimate daughter of a penniless farmer, who attaches herself to a popular tango singer. This enables her to move in influential circles within Buenos Aires society and she soon becomes involved with rising politician, Juan Peron. After the couple marry, and Peron is elected president, Eva's greatest battle begins.
Release details
DVD Region: DVD
Studio(s): ENTERTAINMENT IN VIDEO; CINRAM LOGISTICS
Madonna tackles the title role in Alan Parker's ambitious recounting of the brief, amazing life of former Argentine first lady Eva Peron. Presented almost entirely in song and narrated by Antonio Banderas as a fictional everyman, the film charts the alternately revered and reviled Evita's rise from poverty to become a film and radio actress; her relationship with President Juan Peron (Jonathan Pryce); and her tragic death from cancer at age 33. Banderas, a surprisingly moving singer, and the inimitable Madonna, who took voice lessons before filming commenced to expand her vocal range, provide the emotional bedrock for the eminently enjoyable film with their charismatic screen presences. The music, including the Oscar-winning song "You Must Love Me," weaves an entrancing web, and the sets and costumes are awe inspiring. Parker does a fine job of adapting Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical for the big screen. The director's vision shines clearly here: Like PINK FLOYD: THE WALL, EVITA is an enchanting mixture of epic fairy tale and sociopolitical psychodrama.
Languages
Main Language: English
Technical information
Special Features: Scene Access
Aspect Ratio: 2.35 Wide Screen
Sound: Dolby Pro Logic Stereo
Dubbing Sound: Dolby Pro Logic Stereo English
Professional reviews
Review: "...A stunningly crafted objet d'art that evokes serious viewer admiration....Director Alan Parker has done a dazzling job creating screen images to accompany the wall-to-wall music..." (Variety, 16/12/1996)
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