Production Year: 1993 - Drama - Director: Jane Campion - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Harvey Keitel, Anna Paquin, Sam Neill, Holly Hunter, Genevieve Lemon more
A mute woman arrives with her daughter and her piano for an arranged marriage in New Zealand. This controversially erotic film established screenwriter-director Jane Campion as a... more
The Piano (1 Disc) DVD
Ada her nine-year-old daughter and her piano arrive to an arranged marriage in the remote ... more
bush of nineteenth century New Zealand. Of all her belongings her husband refuses to transport the piano and it is left behind on the beach. Unable to bear its ...
The Piano [DVD] [1993]
Jane Campion'sThe Pianostruck a deep chord (if you'll excuse the expression) with ... more
audiences in 1993, who were mesmerised by the film's rich, dreamlike imagery. It is the story of a Scottish woman named Ada (Holly Hunter), who has been mute since age 6 ...
The Piano -
Michael Nyman came of age as a classical composer in the radical London of the late '60s. ... more
His work embraces multiple vernaculars (jazz, avant garde, conceptual art) and helped cement the foundation of what came to be known as minimalism. Decades into his career, Nyman's score to Jane Campion's film The Piano made him a star. The movie's themes of colonialism and silence (its protagonist, portrayed by Holly Hunter, cannot speak) were perfectly aligned with his longtime interests in world and ambient music. Horn players assist members of the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra in fleshing out Nyman's stately, hymn-like motifs. On the more heavily orchestrated cues, sentimentality wins out over minimalist restraint; the best tracks feature Nyman on solo piano, playing the rudimentary, faux period repertoire of Hunter's character. --Marc Weidenbaum
The Piano
Acclaimed writer/director Jane Campion's third movie following a series of remarkable ... more
shorts and the features Sweetie and An Angel At My Table, The Piano arguably remains one of the best loved cinematic works of the last thirty years.Combining elements of Gothic romance and Victorian melodrama with a startlingly original take on a traditional love story, Campion's film is one of savage intensity as it follows Ada McGrath (Holly Hunter), a mute from the age of six, and her strong-willed young daughter Flora (Anna Paquin) from nineteenth century Scotland to an arranged marriage and a new life in the barely colonized New Zealand wilderness. Ada takes an immediate dislike to new husband Stewart (Sam Niell) when he refuses to transport her beloved piano to their home. A neighbouring settler turned half-Maori (Harvey Keitel) offers salvation, buying the piano and then allowing Ada access to it as his tutor. The lessons become a series of increasingly charged sexual encounters and pent-up emotions of rage and desire soon rise to the fore.A poetic, sensory delight in which Michael Nyman's haunting score and stuart Dryburgh's cinematography illuminate the savage wasteland. The Piano is an intelligent, erotic and extremely powerful account of sexual awakening. The co-winner of the Palme d'Or, and the recipient of eight Academy Award nominations - including Best Picture and Best Director - it offers an acting master class that unsurprisingly saw both Hunter and Paquin rewarded by the American Academy. Campion also triumphed in the Best Original Screenplay category.
The Piano Movie Poster
Reprint Movie Poster; Rolled Poster; Poster Condition: New; Size: 24 x 36 inches approx. ... more
All our items are despatched from the United Kingdom. Starring - Holly Hunter, Harvey Keitel, Sam Neill, Anna Paquin, Kerry Walker We offer *** WORLDWIDE *** Delivery!, Manufacturer: MoviePostersDirect
Drama - Director: Martin Scorsese, Dennis Hopper - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Harvey Keitel, Albert Brooks, Jodie Foster, Cybill Shepherd, Robert De Niro, Jack Nicholson, Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper
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Production Year: 1981 - Drama - Director: Franco Zeffirelli - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Brooke Shields, Martin Hewitt, Shirley Knight, Don Murray, Richard Kiley, Penelope Milford, Beatrice Straight
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
A review by MAFARRIMOND on The Piano (DVD) July 18th, 2004
Author's product rating:
Did you enjoy it?
Loved it
Story
Outstanding
Characters / Performances
Outstanding
Special Effects
Good
How does it compare to similar films?
Outstanding
Advantages:
Superb soundtrack, cinematography and acting
Disadvantages:
Storyline stetches the bounds of imagination
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
The Piano, is a film that tells a story about a young woman’s personal and intimate journey from dependence and oppression to independence and freedom. Set in the nineteenth century, it contrasts the strict female repressed reserve of the married Ada with the eroticism of the Ada bargaining and winning free expression.
The film begins as the main character, Scottish Ada McGrath played by Holly Hunter, is transported away from her home to the unknown and distant New Zealand at the start of her journey. A marriage has been arranged for Ada to marry Alisdair Stewart, played by Sam Neill, a lonely Englishman working in the New Zealand bush.
She is accompanied by the two things in her life that are important to her, a piano and her 9 year old illegitimate daughter, Flora played by Anna Paquin. Not just important, but much much more. Ada has not spoken for nine years ever since her lover was killed by lightning. She communicates through her piano and using a unique sign language only understood by her daughter. The piano does not merely reflect her mood but voices her emotions clearly and strongly.
Ada’s loneliness and dependency is emphasised from the outset with the stark visual impact of the petite Ada, dressed in black hopped dress and bonnet standing beside her beloved piano her daughter sat on top, with the vast grey sea and sky behind her as she waits for new husband. When he finally arrives, he refuses to take the piano because it is too too heavy. Ada rages but to no avail. Her voice has been thoughtlessly taken away.
The piano is rescued by a neighbouring farmer, George Baines played by Harvey Keitel. He strikes a bargain with Ada that allows her to earn her piano back. By giving him lessons, she can have one key back per visit. Baines has no interest in piano lessons but instead maniuplates Ada into permitting him sexual favours. This soon escalates into an erotic and sensual affair as Ada’s expression and passion are allowed free reign.
Discovered by Her husband, his jealousy and anger at her betrayal and disobedience, explodes and he brutally chops off her index finger on her right hand.
I will not say anymore as this would spoil the ending. So to find out, what effect this act of cruelty had- you will need to watch the film. The Piano was Jane Campion’s, the director and screenwriter, first big film. Her previous films had been relatively short, Sweetie in 1989 and An Angel At My Table in 1990. For her work, Campion won an academy award for Best Original Screenplay in 1993. For the film, Jane Campion, a native New Zealander, chose experienced American actors.
Holly Hunter created the severe, pale look of a nineteenth century woman. She delivered a stunning performance, and in doing so she expanded her own horizons and won the Oscar. Anna Paquin is totally believable in her role as the daughter devoted and always aware of her mother. For her role, she won the 1993 Academy Award for best supporting actress.
Stuart Dryburgh uses superb cinematography contrasting grey dour tones with warmer colours matching and enhancing the changing emotions. The landscape of New Zealand is striking and dramatic.
The soundtrack written by Michael Nyman is both integral to and compliments the action of the film. Ada plays her piano with passion and meaning. The haunting melody of main theme, "The Heart Asks Pleasure First" is played solo piano while Ada waits on the beach. This is repeated again and again in different contexts. It is accompanied by strings in "The Promise” and "Deep Into The Forest".
The film originally released in the cinema in 1993, is now widely available in both VHS and DVD. I would urge anyone to watch the film. It is stirring, charming and sensual.
Advantages: great cinematography and soundtrack Disadvantages: a little boring at times, overlong
The Piano is a haunting and touching film, concerning the move to New Zealand of a Scottish woman and her daughter to be married against her will to a profiteerer. The cinematography is superb, and Holly Hunter and Sam Neill put in a good performance in the roles of man and wife. Perhaps the best performance comes from young Anna Paquin as the girl, who won an Oscar for best supporting actress for her role. The soundtrack, by Michael Nyman is a joy ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: Beautiful imagery, fine acting, very good music Disadvantages: A bit pretentious
...discovery in New Zealand at the turn of the century, and she succeeds on the level of telling the basic story which is compelling. It's only when she adds slightly surreal and abstract elements that I found it a little pretentious, particularly towards the end. I also found the idea of Holly Hunter using the piano as a communication tool a bit naive, and there was also an anti-male feel to the whole film. Nevertheless it is well told, subtly acted ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: A great film to watch, a very emotional film which is gripping to watch.. Disadvantages: none
The film, The Piano, is a film that tells a story about a young woman’s journey from oppression to freedom. The main character, Ada McGrath (Holly Hunter), is sold off in marriage to marry Alisdair Stewart (Sam Neil) and is thus sent away from her home to New Zealand. She is accompanied by her 9 year old daughter, Flora (Anna Paquin) and her beloved piano.
When Ada arrives on the beach of the New Zealand coast she is dressed in black dress ... ...provides a stark contrast with the vast backdrop of the crashing sea and grey skies. Ada has not spoken ever since her lover was killed by lightning. She communicates through her piano and sign language, understood by her daughter. The way in which she uses the piano reflects her mood in a very strong and clear manner. Understandably is then enraged when her new husband refuses to take the piano because it is too too heavy. The piano is rescued by ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
...it and I didn´t get the idea really! Everything was so black and white in the movie. I saw it once and I was so bored watching it I don´t even remeber what happened there. I remember only the time when some man cut the womans fingers and that´s the only part went in my mind. I think the idea of someone talking throught her music is kinda romantic but not very interesting in a movie when you don´t see what she´s saying becouse the woman, Holly Hunter, ...
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Advantages: This movie is a testament to a sister's love and faith. It's well worth watching. Disadvantages: None
... UNDER THE PIANO
1996
DVD 2003
*******************************************
INTRODUCTION
After discussing ?Rain Man? with a friend, they recommended that I watch this film ? ?Under the Piano?. I had never heard of the film, but it turns out that it is a Canadian film that was released in 1996, and is based on the true story of the astonishing bond between two sisters - Dolly and Henrietta Giardini, who lived in Canada during the1940?s/50?s.
Henrietta was autistic, their mother was a frustrated opera singer who was over protective to her daughter even when she was older. But Dolly, even though she had a paralysed arm, supported and encouraged her sister.
Is this another ?Rain Man?? You may ask. That may be the first impression you get from Under the Piano. After all, both deal with someone...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: long lasting very funny Disadvantages: none
...I've been a fan of lee Evans for a long time so i had to get this dvd, other lee Evans usually the older ones don't seem to be as funny but along with wired and wonderful this dvd certainly is one of the best, filmed live from Cardiff it does contain some welsh jokes. The dvd goes on for a long time which is another reason why it is so good, I can't go ten minutes of watching this dvd with out laughing, like all the lee Evans's dvd's it has the song at the end which he sings and plays on the piano. The dvd is a cert. 15 which personally i think is just right as this contains quite alot of swearing which also adds too the humour of the dvd.All in all I think any lee Evans fan would definately enjoy this dvd. no matter what the price....
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
Advantages: Classic standup, very funny, laugh a minute Disadvantages: Not really many apart from the obvious lack of extras
..., decribing his 3 second memory, and the problems therein. The second is called 'The Land Of Our Forefathers' - far better, proving that Lee is an excellent musican, possibly best when sat in front of a piano.
The extras on the DVD are poor. There's little going on by way of documentaries, as would be expected.
Anyway, as badly written as this review is, there's very few words to describe this man. Just watch it, he's stunning....
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Plot: A woman, her daughter and her piano arrive in the remote backlands of 19th Century New Zealand for an arranged marriage. But her future husband refuses to move the piano from the beach. In order that she might get her piano back she agrees certain favours with an illiterate neighbour.
Release details
DVD Region: DVD
Studio(s): OPTIMUM HOME ENTERTAINMENT; SONY DADC, ENTERTAINMENT IN VIDEO; CINRAM LOGISTICS
Release date: 10/07/2006, 30/08/1999
No of Discs: 1
Catalogue No: OPTD 0573, EDV 9027
Composer: Michael Nyman
Barcode: 5060034576266, 5017239190278
Languages
Main Language: English
Award information
BAFTA: Best Actress 1993 (Holly Hunter)
OSCAR: Best Screenplay Written Directly For The Screen 1994 (Jane Campion), Best Actress In A Supporting Role 1993 (Anna Paquin), Best Actress In A Leading Role 1993 (Holly Hunter)
OSCAR: Best Actress In A Leading Role 1994 (Holly Hunter)
OSCAR: Best Actress In A Supporting Role 1994 (Anna Paquin)
DVD Description
A mute woman arrives with her daughter and her piano for an arranged marriage in New Zealand. This controversially erotic film established screenwriter-director Jane Campion as a universally recognised talent. Holly Hunter stars as Ada, a mute 19th-century woman sent to New Zealand in an arranged marriage with a patriarchal landowner (Sam Neill). She brings along her daughter, Flora (Anna Paquin), and tries to also bring her beloved piano, much to the consternation of her new husband, who abandons the piano on a beach. Artistically and emotionally frustrated, Ada finds herself experiencing an erotic awakening when Baines (Harvey Keitel), an illiterate settler covered with Maori tattoos, rescues her piano, buys it from her husband, then strikes a strange bargain with Ada that gradually leads to her sexual awakening--and to an explosive confrontation. Jaw-droppingly beautiful with its purple and green palette of untamed New Zealand scenery, THE PIANO is both a ravishing love story and a psychosexual fairy tale on a par with WUTHERING HEIGHTS and JANE EYRE. Featuring a haunting piano score by Michael Nyman and brilliant performances, THE PIANO is an exceptional film.
Professional reviews
Review: A severely beautiful, mysterious movie that, as if by magic, liberates the romantic imagination....[The] principal performances are extraordinary (New York Times, 13/09/2006)
The lighting is crepuscular, the costumes heavy and the atmosphere brooding (Sight And Sound, 13/09/2006)
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