Rating: 
Summary: Julie, Robert, you look marvelous!
Review: "People will see what they want to see," a conspiratorial Robert Preston tells double-cross-dresser Julie Andrews in "Victor/Victoria." Indeed, the many admirers of Blake Edwards' 1982 musical will want to see this DVD to relive all the fun from the best seats in their house. Part of a quartet of Edwards comedies just released on DVD, "Victor's" charms include handsome colors, slinky sound and a feel-good commentary from Edwards and Andrews, his wife and star. Edwards ("The Pink Panther," "10") speaks with great pride of "Victor/Victoria" as his favorite Blake Edwards movie. "It's as good as I can do," the director says softly. "A well-made film in all departments. ... It was just perfect." Warner wisely has released "Victor/Victoria" in widescreen only, working with a new transfer and a soundtrack remastered in Dolby Digital. Rhino and Turner Classic Movies get into the act with a new soundtrack CD featuring 11 previously unreleased Henry Mancini tracks. The DVD has minor speckling throughout. Colors are especially vibrant during Andrews' musical numbers, with the stage bathed in randy rouges or sparkling blues. Cinematographer Dick Bush's warm color scheme for Paris of the early 1930s looks great, with subterranean blacks providing plenty of contrast for the browns, amber yellows, pinks and off-whites. Bush ("Sorcerer") had a fine eye for widescreen composition, and his is work displayed to full effect here. Edwards and Andrew's talk should be required listening for those who belittle Hollywood marriages. The commentary is truly heartwarming -- filled with affection, wit, insight and appreciation for their friends and collaborators. It's as though you're watching a film with the couple in their living room, and when it's over you wish for a double feature.
Rating:
Summary: Sheer delight
Review: For my money this is Blake Edwards' most enjoyable movie. I've viewed it perhaps a dozen times, and its combination of a peerless cast, fine songs, supremely witty script and sure-footed direction make this a real gem that I will never tire of watching.Robert Preston (in a role originally intended for Peter Sellers) practically steals the show as Toddy, a gay nightclub perfomer in 1930s Paris. Preston's vitality and charisma make the character of Toddy so warm, humorous and believable that he feels like an old friend by the end of the movie. What a shame Preston made so few films! (We do, however, have his memorable aoppearance in SOB - another Edwards triumph - to be grateful for.) Julie Andrews is perfectly cast, with her distinctive voice and seemingly ageless face and figure all contributing to a convincing portrayal of a supposed female impersonator. The rapport between her and Preston is a joy to behold, and one can only applaud their classy professionalism. The rest of the cast is top-notch, and the film reunites Julie Andrews with James Garner 18 years after their first movie together, the 1964 Americanization of Emily. Garner shows a fine comic touch - as always - and Lesley Ann Warren is inimitable as his supremely irritating ex-girlfriend. The film positively overflows with 1930s Parisian atmosphere and sophistication. In short, Victor/Victoria is a real treat that offers a little something for everybody. Essential viewing.
Rating: 
Summary: "She's a winner!"
Review: This Blake Edwards film is a sort of valentine to the many gifts of his amazing wife Julie Andrews more than ten years since her last musical, and wouldn't you know it, it was a gigantic hit. It helped that the book poked a great deal of fun at the homophobia of the nascent Reagan era, that James Garner, Alex Karres, Robert Preston and (especially) Lesley Ann Warren (in her funniest role ever, as the idiot dancehall bimbo Norma). But the real reason the film takes off is because of Julie Andrews. She may be utterly unbelieveable passing as a man, but she does get to show her great gift for dry humor, and she sings several fine, fine songs, including what may be one of her absolute careeer highlights, "Le Jazz Hot." No one has ever been less appropriate for a jazz number than Julie--she of course sings every single note exactly on the beat, and with her siganture perfect diction--, but she gives the number so much zing and warmth and excitement it just doesn't matter. When she's up there in her Josphine Baker outfit snapping her fingers and smiling expansively, and showing off her astonishing and perfect vocal range, she is every bit as showstopping and iconic as when she was spinning round the Salzburg mountaintops in THE SOUND OF MUSIC: she's up there in movie history heaven at such moments. And if that weren't enough, you also get to hear her pronounce the word "heterosexual" (several times!) like no one before or since.
Rating:
Summary: Julie Andrews's finest hour.
Review: I love clever, smart, movies, which is why this movie appeals to me; it respects the smarts of its audience and speaks to them instead of *down to* them. Whether or not you buy (or approve of) the premise of an openly gay 1930's Paris, there is much broad, warm, and witty comedy to enjoy here. Julie Andrews, one of the biggest movie stars in history, had created something of a paradox after the phenominal success of 'Mary Poppins' and 'The Sound Of Music-' and wished for many years following to shed her nun/governess image. The tacky 70's sex farce 'S.O.B.' was originally thought to be the film which would do it, but she makes an even more impressive departure here as she essays a classically trained singer who discovers a new kind of independence while playing a female impresonator. In retrospect it seems like an increrdible challenge for an actor/ress, and Ms. Andrews rises to the challenge, and passes with flying colors. And the voice is incredibly fine, especially in "Le Jazz Hot" and "The Shady Dame from Seville," which has the distinction of showing the voice shatter glass. It's most beautiful in letterbox format, and has a magnificent score.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best Comedies & Best Musicals of the 1980's!
Review: Blake Edwards created a musical, comical, award-winning masterpiece with his film "Victor/Victoria", starring Julie Andrews, Robert Preston, James Garner, Lesley Ann Warren and Alex Karras. Julie Andrews received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress and won a Golden Globe for Best Actress for her portrayal of Victoria Grant/Count Victor Grezhinski, a divorced, American lounge singer struggling to make ends meet in 1934 Paris. Unable to pay for rent or food, she decides to use a ruse at a restaurant to earn a free meal. There she meets Carroll Todd ("Toddy"), played by Robert Preston who earned Best Actor nominations for both the Oscar and Golden Globe. Also having financial difficulties, Toddy is inspired by Victoria's somewhat masculine-sounding voice when she gets angry to have her pretend to be gay male drag queen. She agrees and she becomes an overnight success after her first performance at one of the most upscale nightclubs in Paris. In the audience are King Marchand (James Garner), his girlfriend Norma Cassady (Lesley Ann Warren, who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for both the Oscar & Golden Globe) and his bodygaurd Squash Bernstein (Alex Karras). What makes this film such a masterpiece is not just the excellent comedic writing by Blake Edwards, but also the Oscar-winning music composed by Henry Mancini. Count Victor Grezhinski (Julie Andrews) sings two of the most memorable songs "Le Jazz Hot" during her first nightclub performance and "The Shady Dame from Seville" during another nightclub performance. She also sings the theme song "Crazy World" during a tear-felt nightclub performance. Robert Preston as Toddy sings the fun song "Gay Paree" during a gay nightclub performance and does a hilarious reprise of "The Shady Dame from Seville" at the conclusion of the film. He also sings "You and Me" with Victor at an impromptu performance at the same gay nightclub. Another hilarious performance comes from Lesley Ann Warren singing "Chicago, Illinois" at King Marchand's nightclub in Chicago. The rendering of the film onto DVD is superb, as is the Dolby 5.1 sound quality. You simply cannot go wrong owning this DVD because you will be able to enjoy it for years to come!
Rating:
Summary: ONE OF THE BEST EVER
Review: Victor Victoria is a comedic masterpiece. I have seen it several times and never fail to be entertained. I am not really a Julie Andrews fan but she is priceless in this film. She is surrounded by a cast that is beyond superb. Everyone shines in this!! Robert Preston is hilarious as Toddy and that last scene in the movie when he is dressed up like a Spanish senorita is a scream. There is nice work from both James Garner as a Chicago gangster and Alex Karras as his closeted bodyguard. Leslie Ann Warren nearly steals the picture as James Garner's screechingly loud blonde girlfriend who can't understand his attraction to a Polish drag queen. I am anxiously awaiting my copy of this movie on DVD and reccommend that you add it to your collection.
Rating:
Summary: Blake Edwards - Musical Gender Bending At It's Best!
Review: This is most definitely musical gender-bending at it's best! Not many musical/comedies are produced nowadays, let alone good ones like Rocky Horror Picture Show & Little Shop Of Horrors to name a few that come to my mind. This 80's musical/comedy is set in 1934 GAY and I DO MEAN GAY Paree! This film is quite unparalled in the fact that Victor/Victoria was a movie BEFORE it made it to The Great White Way. Julie Andrews played Victor/Victoria in both movie and on stage. Great songs in - Julie's "Le Jazz Hot" & Lesley Warren's bimboesque "Kings Can-Can". The sexual chemistry is A+++ between Andrews & a sexually confused James Garner who plays "King Marchand" a Chicago club owner, who is so TOTALLY out of his element in Paris, let alone being sexually frustrated and confused over his crush on the beautiful, stylish and gay, Victor. Great cast, great songs and a greater storyline with lots of slapstick comedy make Victor/Victoria a classic of it's time! Happy Watching!
Rating:
Summary: Great film making
Review: This is one of the last musicals that did well. It's a comedy that will have you roaring out loud and totally entertain you. If you're narrow minded you may not like the subplot but if you're open minded it's a very funny movie that I'm sure will be a favorite for years to come. Get this and enjoy it, it's really that good. Doen't be hating
Rating:
Summary: A thoroughly enjoyable musical.
Review: The concept seems pretty farfetched, but the execution is lovely. It was cast perfectly, and every character is sympathetic. The actors, particularly the big three (Julie Andrews, Robert Preston, and James Garner) all put on fabulous performances, and the chemistry is great.
Rating:
Summary: On My Top 10 List
Review: Julie Andrews and Robert Preston. What a combo. This is an excellent musical comedy with both actors at their best. I watch this video repeatedly.
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