Rating: 
Summary: Fun production marred by poor camera work
Review: This is a taped version of the play performed in Central Park. I've watched many filmed plays and I was expecting the limitations and problems that come with any play taped under these circumstances - low quality sound, limited camera angles. What I didn't expect was that the principals would be shot from the back much of the time. I think I saw Rex Smith's back side more than his face! In several of the production numbers, the only close-up camera is one at the rear and side of the stage, so you can't see faces at all. I've seen other Broadway Archive tapes and they don't have these problems. It's disappointing because despite the camera limitations, the performance has a lot of energy and fun that even the movie version lacks. If they'd only used the camera at the front of the stage more often!
Rating: 
Summary: Poor Quality DVD
Review: This outdoor stage production seems like wonderful fun. It is playfully presented, and well acted and sung (for the most part). I was disappointed in the video since the colors seem to be washed out at times (especially when a white dress dominates the scene--it seems to bleed into the other colors). I was most disappointed in the sound quality. At times, the most prominent sound is a minor accompanying instrument. I strained to hear the faint voice in the background. Maybe my hearing is as bad as the nursery maid's, but you might want to look for another production.
Rating: 
Summary: Take Heart
Review: This production, though poor in terms of a/v, is intimate and otherwise outstanding. It differs from the movie in that you get to see the entire production (the movie cuts out a few songs) and see how "Pirates" appeared in its formative days before the sensation reached its peak. I own both versions (movie on VHS*), so offer the following observations:
- While the movie is extraordinarily choreographed and polished, the live show is more intimate in its own rough-cut way. Observe how the dialog seems fresher or sometimes less familiar to the cast than in the movie.
- The live show to me feels somewhat like a prequel or "before they were famous"; it's a logical addition to the collection.
- The live production should _not_ be regarded as abysmal due to technical shortcomings; I will watch it before I watch the movie again. Like most who have posted here, I was disappointed that the live production wasn't remastered or retouched in any perceivable way. It appears to have been recorded on vintage home video equipment. But that doesn't detract from the entertainment value. If you have any affection for the cast this is definitely worth owning. * We need to petition MCA/Universal to release the movie on DVD, along with the outtakes, interviews, etc.
Rating:
Summary: What part of the description do you not understand?
Review: This video is what it is; a piece filmed in the park at night, in less-than-perfect weather conditions. It is NOT a picture perfect, elaborately produced studio presentation. It IS a spontaneous, original, unique archival piece of some great talents truly live.
It's hard to understand why some Amazon customer reviewers are so furious about their purchase. The quality of the audio and video is made perfectly plain in the product description. If they can't appreciate the art, in spite of the production drawbacks, they should stick to watching network television.
Rating: 
Summary: The Pirates of Penzance
Review: We're doing this operetta at my school this year, so my parents bought the DVD for me for Christmas. This definetly isn't the best play ever...but I think the acting is pretty good. I'll give it 4 stars. P.S. I'm a policeman in the show! We have the best cast but our Mabel doesn't want to be Mabel and doesn't like the show at all...but she's the best singer/actress.
Rating:
Summary: Where's the Movie
Review: Who knows why they put the broadway show on DVD instead of the movie....hopefully they will put the movie version out soon....if you haven't seen it, its much better.
Rating:
Summary: It's Not The Movie Version But It's Still Worth Watching!
Review: Wow I can't believe all of the people who have mistaken this for the movie version when it very clearly says that it's the Routledge, Delacorte Theater version from the Broadway Theatre Archives, I think they just got so excited when they saw it was on DVD which the movie version isn't and they just ordered it without clearly seeing what it says and sorry if this seems rude but they acted in haste should have read more carefully and only have themselves to blame. I watched this and I liked it a lot and thought it was a lot of fun and it was very good despite the limitations of the small stage and it's being filmed at night with moths flying around etc but I think it's so worth watching just too see where the movie got it's start because if it wasn't for this version of the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta there would be no movie and it's so great to see Kevin Cline and Rex Smith singing, dancing and looking so sexy in their Pirate costumes and what woman could resist that? I highly recommend this version of The Pirates of Penzance and hopefully the movie version will come out on DVD soon!
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