Rating: 
Summary: FAB treatment to a Musical Classic! Barbra shines!
Review: I've been waiting for this new version of FUNNY GIRL since the announcement of a possible 30th Annivesary release back in 1998. I am glad Columbia waited and perfected the necessary to present this fabulous version with restored picture and sound. I went to see the limited re-release at the Ziegfeld Theatre in NYC on 9/8 (albeit we had a hack of a projectionist who was a last minute substitute for the regular one that didn't show up). This road-show edition adds back the Overture in its full version (as heard on the Quad copy of the soundtrack album vs. the edited on on the Stereo album and CD), the Intermission and second act music, as well as the Exit music over new credits regarding the restoration after the regular credits. The new technicolor print is glorious. Even on the big screen, the clarity was unbelievable. Watching the heartbreaking MY MAN at the end on the DVD, I actually for the first time saw the tears coming down Fanny's face as she sang....that's how much clarity.
The Widescreen edition lets you see the entire spectrum which make some scenes more logical vs. pan-scan. The songs and incidental music is the best quality, even surpassing the digitally remastered CD issued a few years ago. From what I understood originally, I was expecting a "deleted scenes" section or "director's cut" version that would show some outtakes, specifically 3 scenes (early in the film where Nick just lost a fortune, moved into a tenament, learned he just made another bankroll and went back to a swanky hotel; the full 9 minute or so SWAN LAKE sequence; and a scene with Anne Francis in the Arnstein apartment telling Fanny off just prior to the part where Fanny is on the phone, hangs up and her mother asks he if she ever butted into her life). These did not make it on the DVD or recut into the film. However, there are the treats of 2 pre-opening featurettes on where they filmed the train depot sequences and Don't Rain on My Parade, as well as another featurette called THIS IS STREISAND. You will also be amazed that in the beginning, after a montage of scenes from the film, an animation of lights come up recreating the marquee that you see in the beginning of the film, then listing your choices. The new bright-pink box also makes sure "you see it". Fans of this film, and novices wanting to see it for the first time, don't bother with a VHS. Get this one!
Rating:
Summary: One of the last great movie musicals!!!!!
Review: What a wonderful film "Funny Girl" is! From the opening chords of the overture to the final fade-out and exit music, it is a real treat for the eyes and ears!Wonderful direction, stunning costumes and sets and amazing performances all come together to make a truly memorable film. An added bonus of this particular incarnation is the widescreen presentation. This, coupled with a lovely, clear picture and great sound, probably make this the best available "Funny Girl" around. The bonus features are pretty good, too, particularly the two vintage featurettes which were made around the time that "Funny Girl" was filmed. All in all a terrific presentation which I would recommend to anyone, whether they like movie musicals or not!
Rating:
Summary: BARBRA'S FINEST!!
Review: Funny Girl is beyond "BEYOND"!!
Streisand is utterly spectacular!!I've seen this film at least 20 times and she still drives me wild...
and that voice! THAT GLORIOUS, GLORIOUS VOICE!!
So much has been written about the Streisand temperment and demands through the years...Well, friends, with the talent God blessed her with she is beyond reproach...
Sing on Barbra! Sing on!!
Rating:
Summary: THE GREATEST STAR
Review: This is the hotest film debute ever.Streisands enterance is treated like such stars as Garbo and Crawford were once treated.
a TOWERING OPENING LINE, FUNNY AND ODDLY MOVING.A few minutes later an extreme close up extremely flattering to Barbra before the film length flashback. Then with"I am the greatest star" She set a new standard for Musical comedies.This is the most tremendous moment in Musicals ever.Her talent exploded beautifully with this dazzling song and remains the best performance of a heartfelt song in films.The rest of the score sails.And Streisands first screen kiss is incredably touching and beautifully shot.Wyler made Streisand look like a Goddess in this film.
Rating:
Summary: Barbra Streisand is like Buttah
Review: What can you say about one of the best musicals ever to grace our screens? That its a piece of art? Funny Girl is just that a piece of art that will last forever and Barbra Streisand will always be known for the role of Fanny Brice. Barbra sings like an angel and her acting, singing in this movie is fabulous. Barbra rules and so does this movie.
Rating:
Summary: Beyond her vanity lies real genius
Review: Legendary director William Wyler brought out the very best in Barbra Streisand in this 1968 adaption of her Broadway hit. He had a lot of help from veteran cinematographer Harry Stradling, who photographed her so beautifully that you believe it when she looks in the mirror and says, "Hello Gorgeous." She looks great throughout the film and defines the meaning of a "Movie Star." I was surprised though at how many slow moments occur in the later part of the film when her marrriage to gambler Nick Arnstein begins to unravel.Funny Girl is an artist at her peak collaborating with other great artists. In later years, she took to running the show herself, sometimes to good effect with The Prince of Tides and also to bad with the utterly inconsequential Mirror has Two Faces. But hey... any artist deserves to spread his/her wings. I just hope Babs makes a few more films of this calibre before she retires.
Rating:
Summary: Barbra makes US the luckiest people in the world...
Review: I am SO happy that Barbra has decided to release this on DVD. I have the VHS version, but DVD will bring it back to it's theatrical life, that it deserves! There is no one like Barbra, and never will be again in our lifetime. My only hope is that she will include a lot of behind the scenes, making of, etc on this video. Also, Barbra, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE release your other movies AND just as important, your TV shows on DVD, especially the ones that were never released on VHS, Belle of 14th Street, Barbra Streisand and other Musical Instruments. How about a DVD showing all of your TV appearances. THAT would truly be a gift to your fans. How about it GORGEOUS?
Rating:
Summary: Streisand at her best
Review: It's no coincidence that when Barbra performed live, she looked back upon her repertoire of music and chose things like "People" and "Don't Rain on My Parade" to sing. The score to the Broadway show and this movie is one of the best musical scores ever, no doubt made better by Streisand's incomparable voice. The movie itself is beautifully filmed, and while some of the editing leaves a bit to be desired, it tells the story of the comedic legend Fanny Brice. Brice, whose career Streisand's seemed to have an uncanny likeness, was one of the Ziegfeld legends, and it's fitting that a legend in the making was chosen to play her on the stage and the big screen. Streisand turns in one of her best performances in all of her movies, and her ability to relate to her character is readily apparent in both her acting and her vocal interpretations of the many wonderful songs. While the VHS edition of the movie has been on my shelf for many years, I saw a preview of the DVD and it's simply awesome. Definitely one for the collection, whether you're a Streisand fan or not.
Rating:
Summary: FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: This is THE movie I have been waiting for on DVD! It has been my favorite film since I was a kid and saw it on a Sunday matinee on tv. I can't wait to see it in letterbox. Finally, we will see Anne Francis face when she sticks her head in the dressing room and asks "Did he fire ya yet??" I hope they punched up the color and hopefully there will be added stuff like on the Way We Were DVD. That is a great DVD also. This is THE star turn for Barbra. I feel safe to say it is her best performance ( although some feel TWWW is). All I know is I am SO thrilled to add it to my DVD collection. Now all we need is What's Up Doc? and On a Clear Day......ENJOY!!!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Oh My Man, I Depend On Him So
Review: Funny Girl perpetuates the concept of second-class citizenship for females, dependence upon "my man" and a woman's subjugation of her own life to the weaknesses and insecurities of a ne'er-do-well husband. Notice how Barbra's character continually gave priority to her less-than-honorable husband's preferences, always deferring to his need to save face and be "masculine." Given contemporary thought toward the equality of women in society, Funny Girl has not aged well at all, and should not be shown to impressionable, insecure adolescent girls. Funny Girl is a far cry from Barbra's other song/dance extravaganza, Hello Dolly. That film championed a woman's independence and self-direction, adducing a couple of take-charge entrepreneurs in the two main female roles, two strong and successful ladies who called their own shots. Hello Dolly sets a constructive example for young women. Anyone who considers Funny Girl a great film has serious internal guidance deficiencies.
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