Rating: 
Summary: An Absurd Attempt
Review: A video only a mother could love.I've heard the original D'Oyly Carte records of most G&S operettas and seen the D'Oyly Carte videotape of "The Mikado". I was hoping to get a better look at the stagings of these operettas by looking in the "Opera World" series. Bad idea. The staging for this is just absurd and the captain is overplayed while Sir Joseph Porter doesn't even sing. Everybody's dancing around the stage like a fool and destroying what little is left of G&S these days. Sullivan would be pleased because his music is performed beautifully. With the exception of Sir Joseph, the vocal aspect of the video is great. If only it came on CD... Gilbert would be astonished, ashamed, and confounded at how horrible his clever production became in the hands of these hacks. If you're a true G&S fan, you'll wince at this ridiculous staging.
Rating:
Summary: An Absurd Attempt
Review: A video only a mother could love. I've heard the original D'Oyly Carte records of most G&S operettas and seen the D'Oyly Carte videotape of "The Mikado". I was hoping to get a better look at the stagings of these operettas by looking in the "Opera World" series. Bad idea. The staging for this is just absurd and the captain is overplayed while Sir Joseph Porter doesn't even sing. Everybody's dancing around the stage like a fool and destroying what little is left of G&S these days. Sullivan would be pleased because his music is performed beautifully. With the exception of Sir Joseph, the vocal aspect of the video is great. If only it came on CD... Gilbert would be astonished, ashamed, and confounded at how horrible his clever production became in the hands of these hacks. If you're a true G&S fan, you'll wince at this ridiculous staging.
Rating:
Summary: A disappointment to G&S fans
Review: As a Gilbert & Sullivan fan (and a member of the Pittsburgh Savoyards G&S company), I was thrilled to learn that there is a series of videos of most G&S shows. But the series is very disappointing, and Pinafore is a good example of the series. Peter Marshall is a poor choice for Captain Corcoran, and Frankie Howerd is an incomprehensible choice for Sir Joseph Porter, KCB. Howerd appears to be making up the role as he goes along. The singing is credible (although far from the best I've heard), and the dancing is very good. But the staging is poor, and the entire effect is that the fun of a good Gilbert & Sullivan show is lost.
Rating:
Summary: A disappointment to G&S fans
Review: As a Gilbert & Sullivan fan (and a member of the Pittsburgh Savoyards G&S company), I was thrilled to learn that there is a series of videos of most G&S shows. But the series is very disappointing, and Pinafore is a good example of the series. Peter Marshall is a poor choice for Captain Corcoran, and Frankie Howerd is an incomprehensible choice for Sir Joseph Porter, KCB. Howerd appears to be making up the role as he goes along. The singing is credible (although far from the best I've heard), and the dancing is very good. But the staging is poor, and the entire effect is that the fun of a good Gilbert & Sullivan show is lost.
Rating:
Summary: A disappointment to G&S fans
Review: As a Gilbert & Sullivan fan (and a member of the Pittsburgh Savoyards G&S company), I was thrilled to learn that there is a series of videos of most G&S shows. But the series is very disappointing, and Pinafore is a good example of the series. Peter Marshall is a poor choice for Captain Corcoran, and Frankie Howerd is an incomprehensible choice for Sir Joseph Porter, KCB. Howerd appears to be making up the role as he goes along. The singing is credible (although far from the best I've heard), and the dancing is very good. But the staging is poor, and the entire effect is that the fun of a good Gilbert & Sullivan show is lost.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent, solid production of HMS Pinafore!
Review: Coming from a family of Gilbert and Sullivan fanatics, I've watched basically every video version and this is definitely one of the best. The Brits do this like nobody else. My family loved it because of the fabulous production that captures the period, but still makes it feel like an operetta, not a movie. The wonderful sense of silliness and fun is put across without losing the integrity of the music, and the acting is great (sadly a rarity in G&S). Peter Marshall must be the definitive Captain Corcoran! Not everything about this is perfect, but its very close. Wholeheartedly recomended - we're trying the others in this series and really looking forward to them for Christmas.
Rating:
Summary: "..... that infernal nonsense Pinafore."
Review: Having had the opportunity of watching the three different versions of "The Pirates of Penzance," I've always wondered just what the Major General meant when he made his rather disparaging remark about Pinafore. Well, while it may be nonsense, it was entertaining nonsense. Infernal is a bit harsh - but, then again - consider the source of that remark! My wife and I found this G&S presentation to be as lively, grammatical, and humoresque as only they are known. Opera World has done a commendable job in putting this video presentation together. We found the Douglas Fairbanks commentary to be very appropriate. As a twist, we have hardly ever been disappointed with a G&S opera - well never! We look forward to the day when we can see this play on stage.
Rating:
Summary: tuneful fun
Review: I enjoyed this version of Pinafore a lot, but have some qualms about the casting of Frankie Howerd. Not a perfect Pinafore, but a very good one.
Rating: 
Summary: Worst ever
Review: I have seen several versions of HMS Pinafore, as well as stage productions. This version is horrible. My family groaned and started leaving. I left when they murdered 'A British Tar'. I thought my son was sticking it out but he had simply fallen asleep. Costumes and acting poor, singing even worse. The play started off badly and tapered off from there. Don't buy this one.
Rating: 
Summary: LIVELY!!!!
Review: I have watched this tape four times and liked it better and better each time. Lucretia Grindle is right but not enthusiastic enough! The production works! I showed it to a group of 60 seniors and they all loved it.
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