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Pygmalion - Criterion Collection

Pygmalion - Criterion Collection

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: For once, Shaw does more than talk (and talk and talk)
Review: The only HUMAN play that Shaw ever wrote; the ideas are yoked to real human beings for once, and what might have been little more than a rigged debate on the virtues of a good public education becomes a drama about how that education allows a very special woman to realize her potential.

And one of the things that that education allows that very special woman, Eliza Dolittle, to do is tell off Henry Higgins, who gives off the same empty, clever rattle as most of Shaw's mouthpieces, but is seen for once from a perspective other than the author's self-adoring mirror. And what a high-minded, high-handed bore he is! Higgins knows things, but not people; it is only the kindness and respect that Eliza gets from his friend, Colonel Pickering, that allows Eliza to survive the ordeal of being tutored by Higgins. And she uses that tutoring to help her find the words to finally tell Higgins to take a flying leap and goes to join the world of the living.

How and why Shaw transformed himself from a polemicist into a dramatist, never to do so again, I can't say. Perhaps it was the fact that the original production starred Herbert Beerbom-Tree and Mrs. Patrick Campbell, formidable performers who demanded a real play, not just a recitation of the latest ideas sure to upset the middle classes (the latter was also, intermittently, Shaw's mistress-you like to keep your girlfriend happy). At any rate, when I'm tempted to think of Shaw as little more than a spinmeister for Uncle Joe who couldn't keep his yap shut, I think of this marvellous play, and my attitude softens a little. A little.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: MY FAIR WENDY
Review: I personally enjoy this film more than I do MY FAIR LADY. Howard and Hiller are perfectly suited to their respective roles as Professor Henry Higgins and Eliza Doolittle. While this version doesn't contain the music, colour photography and admittedly grander production values that MY FAIR LADY boasted, it's pure in form and a classic well worth viewing. Hiller is truly splendid in her impossible role and she makes an amazing transformation from the illiterate cockney guttersnipe to a wistful, charming lady. Granted Hiller was no raving beauty, yet she possessed an aristrocratic air about her which is something essential in the evolvement of her role - her performance deserves kudos galore. Jean Cadell does excellently as Higgin's stern Scottish housekeeper with a heart of gold: her playing is a joy to watch; even the actor who portrays Eliza's ne'er-do-well father is terrific. Howard does most commendable job as the determined, vainglorius Higgins and the Pascal production is nigh flawless for its representation of Shaw's masterpiece which was written for the 45 year-old Mrs. Patrick Campbell (who, despite her rather advanced age, was said to have given a superlative performance as Eliza Doolittle).

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Wonderful Film
Review: This is the original version of My Fair Lady. I love this because Leslie Howard plays an excellent Professor Higgins and is very convincing. The romance is great in the end; both Eliza and Higgins cannot do without each other it seems. A most excellent film worth watching, Leslie Howard is great in it.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Pygmalion A Wonderful Story of Self Confidence!
Review: I bought this video after hearing I had received the role of Eliza in my drama club's presentation of Pygmalion. This is a wonderful story! I found much better than My Fair Lady because it didn't have any non-realistic sugar coating. It helped me out with my accent and proved a wonderful movie! I'd reccommend it to anyone!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Not for philistines
Review: Most of these "reviews" seem to have been written by ignorant high school students who cannot spell. This is just to drive up the average to a more acceptable level.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: best part was when I was done reading it!
Review: Pygmalion is one of the most annoying books I've ever read. You might like it if you enjoy reading about irritating characters that complain and argue throughout the whole story. I wouldn't have finished the book if my english teacher din't make me. I would also give it no stars if I could.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: rather interesting
Review: Pygmalion is rather interesting, it is just about the dream that every girl has! Someday a prince comes and rescues her from all the trouble and misery: He asks her to marry him and takes her to his castle after it, and they lived happily ever after! It is amusing to see Eliza become a lady, but I must confess that " My Fair Lady " is too long, I had to watch it for school and it was unbearable. You could reduce it to one and a half hours, that would have been enough.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Happiness without Money ?
Review: Pygmalion is really an interesting and nice story. G.B. Shawn wrote a text about the British classes of Great Britain. The moment, when Dolittle became rich he said that he was becoming unhappy, because Higgins was responsable for the fortune and the marriage of his girlfriend. It shows, that most people could be happy without much money, it shows how to live life, money does not make happy every time. He was able to show love, Higgins, that rich person couldn't do the same as Dolittle. - The movie "My Fair Lady" is an unforgetable mixture between music, love and tears. I can just say: It was LOVELY!

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: A ironical classic play
Review: In fact the story is funny how he learns her to speak like a higher social class. But if you think more intensiv about it, it is very stupid, because Mr. Higgins uses Eliza as an object and just wants to win the bet. There is no real friendship between them. You read and have always the hope that something interesting might happen. From the beginning you can see how the plot unfolds how it will end. The only tense moment occurs when the man who speaks so many languages, appears during the crucial moment of the bet during the party. Then you don't know for some instants what'll happen.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: an interesting play
Review: This play is a interesting. We think it's a destiny that Eliza is going to meet her teacher. The play is not easy to read. In this play you can see the difference between the rich and the poor. Eliza it's a pretty girl and it is funny how she is learning to pronounce the words. But she is almost a prsoner in Higgin's house. We think Higgins doesn't like Eliza as a human being.


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