Rating: 
Summary: The Easy Way To Get Into Opera
Review: 1954's Carmen Jones is a classic film of great value. Otto Preminger directed the film in the new CinemaScope, Dorothy Dandridge was a black actress in the pre-Civil Rights Movement period to be playing a serious role and it's an easy transition into the Georges Bizet French opera from which it was based. The movie used Bizet's music but they translated the lyrics into English. Dorothy Dandrige stars as Carmen Jones and Harry Belafonte as Joe, or Carmen and Don Jose respectively. The film was successful, since it was Rodgers and Hammerstein's concept. The film is like a realistic musical without too much sugar or sunshine. The story of Carmen, itself drawn from the French short novel by Prosper Merimee, is a dark story of passion and obscession that results in a crime of passion, the death of Carmen as she is stabbed by the jealous Joe. Carmen, a free spirit, gets into all sorts of trouble, oozes sensuality and sex appeal, and wins all the men with her Habanera song. When she seduces Joe in a World War II military camp, he abandons his homely and well-mannered girlfriend Cindy Lou (Micaela in the opera) he lives with Carmen as lovers. But the affair declines for Carmen who takes an interest in the attractive boxer Oscar Miller (a play on the name Escamillo from the opera who was a bullfighter). Joe gets decisively jealous and begs Carmen to forget about the boxer and continue their romance. The last scene is particularily impressive, and is full of taut, dramatic tension. The rest of the movie is of course all musical numbers and dramatic scenes, such as Carmen Jones discovering her doom through reading the cards and reading her death card. The whole thing is a miracle to watch, because it seems to work effectively as both musical and opera. It's highly enjoyable and I recommend anyone interested in the opera Carmen to watch it.
Rating:
Summary: The Best!!
Review: After seeing the first scene with Dorothy in the cafeteria I haven't been able to get her out of my mind. An absolutely incredible job by Dorothy!
Rating:
Summary: Like I always sayafter l watch a movie,not like carmen Jones
Review: Carmen Jones made me flew a thousand miles and made me walk thru all movie shops forgetting the tittle and always wondering how l can see that movie again.It 's been 15years since l saw it and l never forgotten Dorothy's outstanding Habenera musical show and her stlye.I think there would never be a movie like Carmen Jones
Rating:
Summary: a great film
Review: Dorothy Dandridge has so much pressence in this film.she commanded a screen.her style&elegence was ahead of it's time.Harry Belefonte& Dandridge have a good solid Chemistry.Pearl Bailey&Brock Peters give good performances as well.
Rating:
Summary: A must see!!! This movie is my new favorite!!
Review: Dorothy Dandridge is great in this musical and Harry Belafonte is sexy as ever. The songs are all familiar tunes and the story line will definitely keep you intrigued!! This is definitely one of the best movies made!!!
Rating: 
Summary: watch for Dorothy and songs
Review: Dorothy Dandridge is very good in this, but the rest of the cast (apart from Pearl Baily) seems lethargic in comparison. This is at least partly a result of the strangely static direction. Most of the dance/song sequences are in mediumshot with little or no cutting at all. Since the choreography is relatively static, this style tends to grind things almost to a halt. Most folks will find themselves really itching for some closeups, especially of the glowing Dandridge. She really is a joy to watch and and Harry Belafonte, though no great actor, is charming.
Rating:
Summary: watch for Dorothy and songs
Review: Dorothy Dandridge is very good in this, but the rest of the cast (apart from Pearl Baily) seems lethargic in comparison. This is at least partly a result of the strangely static direction. Most of the dance/song sequences are in mediumshot with little or no cutting at all. Since the choreography is relatively static, this style tends to grind things almost to a halt. Most folks will find themselves really itching for some closeups, especially of the glowing Dandridge. She really is a joy to watch and and Harry Belafonte, though no great actor, is charming.
Rating:
Summary: ABSOLUTELY GREAT
Review: GREAT MOVIE, GREAT RENDERING OF THE WONDERFUL CARMEN BY BIZET. A MUST SEE AND MUST HAVE. IF YOU DON'T LIKE OPERA, YOU WILL START APPRECIATING IT.......
Rating:
Summary: Excellent modernization of Bizet's immortal opera. Must see!
Review: Harry Belafonte is wonderful as Joe, Dorothy Dandridge is spectacular as Carmen and a supporting cast that boggles the mind. I watched this film with a general pedestrian knowledge of Bizet's opera. As the songs unfolded I was shocked by how I recognized more than half of them. Hammerstein's lyrics are a delight. I would recommend this film to anyone who find opera stuffy but still likes humming the tunes! Kids will appreciate.
Rating: 
Summary: A Gem, all that and a bag of...
Review: I loved this movie. To me it was all about Dorothy, she made the movie. I had already seen Halle Berry's rendition of this great lady and although I think Halle has a lot of sex appeal, trust me she ain't Dorothy Dandridge. I feel in love with Dorothy, she just has so much....flavor comes to mind, she was cool too. I instantly understood what all the hopla was about. The sister was fine! or Radiantly beautiful, if that works better for you. I'm not one to really like musicals. The music was tolerable because of all the charm rolled up into Dorothy. You get a sort of glimse of what it must have been like in those days also. This one comes in wide screen. A very young and thin Harry Belafonte was the perfect lead. I laughed, I cried, I will always keep this in my collection.
|
