Rating: 
Summary: A Moving Canvas of Riotous Color
Review: Many characters from the canvases and lithographs of Henri de Toulouse Lautrec come alive in this brilliant pastiche of Parisian café society during the late nineteenth century. They're all here: the elegant chanteuse Jane Avril, the saucy dancer La Goulue, the living caricature Vincent DeSossier, and the imposing Aristide Bruant, among scores of other well-known subjects of the times who were given immortality through Lautrec's palette. The film offers a tour de force by actor Jose Ferrer, whose portrayal of the tragic artist is unsurpassed in cinema history. Director John Huston exposes the harsh realities of that long-ago Parisian era while painting a moving canvas of riotous color and adding a touch of whimsy. A must see for every serious student of the arts.
Rating: 
Summary: Raising The Bar and Let's Get It Right
Review: Most everyone who has given an online review of Moulin Rouge has noted the color and clarity of this DVD release, and I agree with the consensus, the picture quality is excellent. For some reason what seems to be overlooked is the SOUND QUALITY of the film. Apparently, the sound wasn't cleaned-up as best as it could have or was not given the attention it should have been given or there was nothing that could have been done. I tend to believe if closer attention was given to the audio it could have been better. Let's not forget besides viewing the film we also have to listen to it. Quite a few times I had to go back to watch a scene over to understand the dialogue. Hopefully next time around when MGM updates this DVD the'll take another crack at the audio. When it comes to buying CD's and DVD's, sometimes we will only get the best quality if we demand it. Video and Record executives have earned a reputation for taking shortcuts and it is up to consumers to hold them to a higher standard.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Enough Life
Review: Moulin Rouge traces the life of artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and his paintings of the famous French nightclub. Jose Ferrer gives a strong, emotionally controlled performance as the crippled artist who is unable to accept love in his life. A large part of the film centres on his relationship with a streetwalker tiringly overplayed by Colette Marchand. Not a great deal of time is actually spent in the Moulin Rouge, which is unfortunate since it may have injected some needed life into the story. The film left me cold. Toulouse-Lautrec had a very difficult personality (at least as portrayed in this film), making him a hard character to relate to, and there wasn't enough spectacle or life in the story to at least hold on to. I wish I could add to the raves about this film, but for me it was a very unsatisfying viewing experience.
Rating:
Summary: Moulin Rouge - Jose Ferar: A classic Needing Restoration
Review: Of the millions of films made over the last century, only a few stand out as films which not only are true to the story they portray but are made so exquisitely that to release this film without significant TRUE Restoration would be a crime. The color in this film is worth the experience of watching it even if there was no plot. Like the restoration of Hitchcock's Vertigo, Moulin Rouge would glow once again and be an example of how to use color as exquisite and intelligently as possible. Please, if this is to be made into a DVD (and it must be for the sake of preserving Hollywoods best for future generations)only a full and pristine restoration DVD would be acceptable and most sought after by thousands upon thousands of true film afficianados around the world. I rank this film in the top 20 ever made.
Rating:
Summary: Peter Cushing and Christopher lee?
Review: Question: Name a film that the Hammer horror greats both appeared in pre ( HHG)?"Moulin Rouge" a feast for the eyes as well as the mind. Unlike John Hustons, ( Oswald Morris,) cinematography of sepia style in " Moby Dick" Huston here creates a world of great hues and colors. If saturation is the word that this is it. Costumes, sets and art direction are tops. The nuances of Montmatre are all on this film and we can drink it in. In a lifetime, this is one that should be viewed on the big screen. !
Rating:
Summary: A Touching Masterpiece
Review: The 1952 version of Moulin Rouge is truly a masterpiece. It captures the struggles and the life of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec beautifully. I found the movie profoundly touching as it displayed the pain felt by Henri as he searched for love and friendship, but could not find any that did not prey on his money. It also showed how he made his famous lithographs and paintings. I encourage everyone to see this movie... and to view the art of Toulouse-Lautrec as well!!!
Rating:
Summary: Memorable Biography of Legendary Painter
Review: The biography of legendary French artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec begins in his childhood, when he falls from a horse, causing his growth to be permanently stunted. As an adult Toulouse-Lautrec struggles with his handicap, which gives him an inferiority complex and drives him to alcohol and prostitutes. His "vulgar" paintings of dance hall girls, commisioned by the seedy Moulin Rouge, are cause for public outcry but do not harm his reputation as critically acclaimed painter. -- The final scene is sheer Hollywood magic! Listen for a different and much more elaborate rendition of the famous "Song From Moulin Rouge" sung by a young Zsa Zsa Gabor!
Rating:
Summary: Flawed but gorgeous Huston classic
Review: The characters and plot of Huston's 1952 ground-breaker can't be confused with Nicole Kidman's 2001 contrived schlock, nor will this revived classic be to everyone's taste. It's strictly an art-house product, though it earned big bucks in '52 and much critical acclaim. Like many Huston works, it refuses to become dated. Still, in hindsight, Ferrer's Toulouse-Lautrec is a brilliant but oddly remote portrayal (an odd mix that characterized Ferrer). The real Lautrec was an artistic outlaw of his day, a complex, talented, intractable rebel whose work was often considered pornographic (if only those critics could see Nicole's movies!) but who helped change 19th century sensibilities and even invented new printing processes. I think Ferrer plays him a little hard, but many might disagree. The editing seems rushed and choppy (having been finished mere hours before the film's debut); Suzanne Flon's playing of Myriamme flatly steals female honors from Colette Marchand, who wildly overplays Marie Charlet. Zsa Zsa Gabor's singing is flagrantly dubbed -- but "Bubbles, Bangles" is still a hauntingly lovely tune. Flaws aside, this movie has many seriously brilliant moments. Contrary to most Hollywood bio's of the era, Huston's Lautrec is unsanitized and unglamorous. The color is simply terrific, with many shots worthy of a gallery showing. Huston flaunted Technicolor's usual rules, creating images the way artists use paint, though the result often looks more like Matisse than Lautrec. I noted a bit of flicker in some sequences, visible on 3 DVD players. But few films approach the immersive color of many M.R. images, originally processed in British Technicolor. Some disappointments: with so much fascinating history behind the film's crew and the story's real-life characters, the only extra is a poorly rendered trailer. Some segments of audio are distorted. And the script wasn't all that great (though it easily trounces the 2001 insult). Not Huston's best film, but a landmark that seldom fails to fascinate and which is essential to every film buff's collection.
Rating:
Summary: 1952 VHS of Moulin Rouge
Review: The entire movie of Moulin Rouge was excellent.
I enjoy performances of arts that depict either near authentic or authentic period clothing, which this film provided both.
The Acting by Jose Ferrer was superb especially considering he is a tall male and played a "crippled" short fellow named Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec; which from my understanding this was done completely on his knees, how they portrayed him walking down the street where you see both the front and back of him must of only been accomplished with his feet tied to his upper legs (this is my guess - I could be wrong about that part). You can see his actual height while he is playing the character of the Count (Henri's father). By all standards, this film provides what seems to be "real life" people from 1890's of Paris. It shows many facets of life from the very poor to the extremely wealthy. However, this movie does not state it is based on a true story, but on the novel "Moulin Rouge" by Pierre La Mure. It is however, a work of art. I especially enjoyed the "can-can" dancing and music. If you are into the period clothing and dancing this is a good film to watch.
If you are interested in other movies that include "can-can" dancing and music, check out Can Can with Shirley MacLaine.
Hope this review has helped you.
Rating: 
Summary: Pan and Scan - DVD is NOT letterbox!
Review: The film deserves 5 stars but the DVD only gets 1. Why: no letterbox format. After waiting years for this fabulous film to come out on DVD, why would they give us full screen / pan & scan? Yes, the quality and color are great but oh, what we're missing on the sidelines.
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