Rating: 
Summary: Nossa Que filme maravilhosa!
Review: This film is positively brilliant! it takes place during carnival in Brazil and the maravelous city of Rio de Janeiro is captured in colours of every imangination. The cinematography and acting are wonderful. The film has mystery, suspense, romance, drama and comedy! The story by Albert Camus is really touching - based on a Greek tradgedy and taking place in 1960's Brazil! The film also captures the life of the favelados -Rio's famed poor people living in perhaps the best real estate of the maravelous city - the mountain sides - with such a fantastic view! It also presents the mystique of the intreguing life the macumbeiros of Brazil and the passion, spirituality and magic are all there - A must see for any one interested in Brazil or cinematography!
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful restoration of a magnificent film.
Review: This is a magnificent film beautifully restored and presented on DVD by Criterion. As other reviewers have noted, it is the story of Orpheus and Eurydice updated to Brazil at Carnival time. The photography and sound are superb. The music is outstanding. The story involves Orpheus, a fun loving ladies man who is finally talked into marriage by his current girl friend. When his neighbor's cousin arrives, Orpheus immediately falls in love with her. She is being pursued by a messenger from the underworld and has fled to Rio to evade him. The interplay among the women is fascinating and wonderfully acted. Against the backdrop of Carnival death finally identifies Eurydice. As she attempts to flee again Orpheus pursues her and inadvertently contributes to her death. His search for her among the numberless archives of the missing persons bureau is one of the most touching moments in the film. As in the myth, he turns around after locating her voice and loses her. His jealous fiancée's rage brings about an additional tragedy. The film closes with Orpheus' guitar being passed to the next generation as the sun rises over Rio. I first saw this film in the early 1960's in a small art house in college. It moved me then and has never failed to move me since. This gorgeous transfer does the film the justice it deserves. Very highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: A feast for the eyes and the senses
Review: This movie explodes onto the screen in a riot of color, music, dancing and drama so intense that it blows our minds. It's a retelling of the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, brilliantly transplanted to the favelas of Rio de Janeiro during Carnival week. The pulsing samba rhythm throughout the movie is so hypnotic that more than once I had to get up and dance while I was watching it at home. And what else could be more hypnotic than Brazil during Carnaval? "Black Orpheus" brings us a marvelous cast of black actors lead by Breno Mello in the title role and Marpessa Dawn as Eurydice; she is fleeing Death in the form of a sinister stalker and takes refuge with her cousin Serafina, winningly played by Léa Garcia. But Orpheus has a fiancée in the persona of Mira, a sexy bombshell played by Lourdes de Oliveira, who doesn't appreciate Orpheus falling in love with the beautiful and desperate Eurydice. Mira and her friends are the Furies relentlessly hounding Orpheus in the middle of Carnaval, while he tries to protect Eurydice who is being relentlessly stalked by Death. But Death and the Furies are too strong for both of them, and Orpheus can only be reunited with Eurydice in another world. The marvelous setting in the hills above Rio, the vibrant cinematography, and above all, the brilliant samba music by Luis Bonfa and António Carlos Jobim, all come together to work on our senses until we are totally caught up in the film. This movie is not so much for watching as for experiencing. And even after all the tragedy, we leave the film on a positive note watching the exuberant dancing by three very young children, who remind us that in the midst of death we remain gloriously alive.
Rating: 
Summary: a good film with famous music
Review: This review is for the Criterion Collection DVD edition of the film. This movie is credited with brining Bossa nova music into the spotlight. It is well deserving of this credit as the music is groundbreaking for an internatinal release. The movie itself is based loosely on the classic Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. Only this time it takes place during Brazil's famous Carnival. (similar to our Mardi Gras) The film itself is well written and has good acting. The DVD has an optional English language dubbed soundtrack, but I would suggest watching it in Portuguese as dubbing is often done by bad actors. The DVD also has a theatcical trailer that was used in France.
Rating:
Summary: A Sad Story
Review: This was a great film but it was sad. Eurydice is being chased by death (a dude in a death mask but the actual grim reaper) and we never know why. Perhaps Eurydice was supposed to have died and she somehow cheated death but she finds Orpheus while visting her cousin only Orpheus is engaged to Mira, a crazy but beautiful woman who immediately becomes suspicious of Eurydice. This film was made in Rio and the cinematography was wonderful considering how dated this film actually is. Be warned that it's subtitled and that it's a pretty depressing ending.
Rating:
Summary: poetry in color
Review: tragic love triangle story of simple,passionate people in modern day Rio De Janeiro. You will be deeply affected by the plot,unfolding during carnival time,filmed on location.Artfully blending romance and reality,while allowing the viewer to set aside the appalling poverty of Rio's favellas. The musical score is classic in its genre,the scenic ,practically birds eye,views of Rio are breathtaking,and will linger with you long after you watched the final scene. Standig out,among many memorable scenes,is the religious-spiritual ceremony,in which orpheus seeks contact with his loved one,through a clever spiritual medium. Lovers of Brazilian music are sure to enjoy a musical pearl at the beginning,played by a marching band. The movie,to me,is as powerful today,as when I first saw it,a masterful blend of passion and stark reality,based on Greek mythology.
Rating:
Summary: Nice Film, Bad Timing
Review: Well, this is a well illustrated integration of a well known greek myth known as "Black Orpheus." Although I really liked the film, it still has that complex that it was been filmed by an amateur. I'd rate 5 star for the storyline and that is because the storyline is really easy to understand and it isn't procrastinated. Also, the music in the background really captured my ears and my eyes. I first saw this film when I was in highschool but I'd like to see it once more if I have the chance.
Rating:
Summary: Keeping the for Orpheus alive
Review: When I first saw this movie in 74, I was in my early teens. I was aware of Africa and its many different people, but I had no idea (besides African Americans) that there were other people of African decent, and (who looked like me)spoke a foreign language. I was filled with even more Black Pride! In the 80's I purchased a VCR. I inquired to a friend as to whether I could find Black Orpheus on tape, my friend said "all movies were on tape now." Ever since then I have had several copys.I've shared my tapes with everyone, most of the time they were not returned but thats alright because it meant the person enjoyed it. Many of my friends and co-workers thought that they would not enjoy a foreign film but were intriqued by Black Orpheus. I would like say in closing that for many years I've searched for info on the cast of this movie, very little has been found. A couple of days ago I read that Adhemar da Silva (death) had died in '01. He was not only an actor but an outstanding Olympic athelete of the 52-56 games. Between both games he won seven gold medals in the triple jump. Mr.da Silva was also a lawyer. Why do we always allow good people to go to the wayside before we give recognition. I would definitely like to known about the lives of the surviving actors, especially the children whom are not that much older than I. PEACE
Rating:
Summary: Keeping the for Orpheus alive
Review: When I first saw this movie in 74, I was in my early teens. I was aware of Africa and its many different people, but I had no idea (besides African Americans) that there were other people of African decent, and (who looked like me)spoke a foreign language. I was filled with even more Black Pride! In the 80's I purchased a VCR. I inquired to a friend as to whether I could find Black Orpheus on tape, my friend said "all movies were on tape now." Ever since then I have had several copys.I've shared my tapes with everyone, most of the time they were not returned but thats alright because it meant the person enjoyed it. Many of my friends and co-workers thought that they would not enjoy a foreign film but were intriqued by Black Orpheus. I would like say in closing that for many years I've searched for info on the cast of this movie, very little has been found. A couple of days ago I read that Adhemar da Silva (death) had died in '01. He was not only an actor but an outstanding Olympic athelete of the 52-56 games. Between both games he won seven gold medals in the triple jump. Mr.da Silva was also a lawyer. Why do we always allow good people to go to the wayside before we give recognition. I would definitely like to known about the lives of the surviving actors, especially the children whom are not that much older than I. PEACE
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