Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris

Customer Reviews:

Brel-Bottoms.......2007-08-31

Jacques Brel was a genius singer-songwriter-troubador. The Englished off-Broadway adaptation of his work that opened in 1968 was brilliant; it's combination of poetry, music and movement -- all hung on a kind of loose thematic narrative -- had a very broad appeal: It ran for over 7 years. I saw a local semi-professional revival a few years ago that was terrific.

That said, a funny thing happened to this production on the way to the movies in 1974. Even with two of the original stars (and adapters), it couldn't avoid the temptation to become some mediocre hybrid of 70s counterculture sensibility and Broadway musical comedy.

Counterculture doesn't mean bad. In places the film achieves what it TRIES hard to achieve throughout: a poetic video rendition of the songs. The setting of "Marieke" with a lone singer and a little girl in a cemetery is particularly moving. The director wisely had the three soloists stand stll (against a backdrop of stars) for the grandiose finale of "If We Only Have Love"

Adding a clip of Brel himself performing "Ne Me Quitte Pas" was also a master stroke -- but one that exposes the mediocrity of the film production. When I ordered this DVD, I also bought "Infiniment," a great two-CD compilation of Brel singing Brel released in 2003. It's so much more powerful--even if, like me, you have to rely on the supplied translations from the French.

Four stars anyway, because the original stage production was so good that it shined through.

JACQUES BREL the original show.......2007-06-15

I bought the CD because Gay Marshall was in the revival of the show in New York. And I loved the CD. I bought the DVD with Elly Stone and company because I was curious to see the show in action. I don't think the original was as good as the revival this past year. Maybe it was the way it was filmed, you know too movie-ish, rather than filming a live production of the show. And it didn't seem the cast on the DVD was having any fun. Its okay, but I'd like to see the recent NY company filmed on stage. I think they were having a good time making the CD! Also, I would like to see a company in Las Vegas produce this show. Teri

Long searched for DVD found and treasured!.......2007-02-12

I have seriously been searching for this DVD for years (many, many). I remembered seeing the orig. showing on t.v., I believe. I think PBS or something. It's been haunting me for years and when I finally actually came up with it on Amazon... well... it was a moment to behold. It really is a treasure for me and anyone influenced by the passionate music of Jacques Brel MUST have this for their collection.

Pretentious and amateurish.......2006-11-27

Simply awful. An atrocious film.

Jacques Brel is a relatively recent discovery of mine. After listening to the new off-Broadway CD, I sought out the old CD and DVD. Well, the movie version is a morass of amateurish, ham-handed attempts at symbolism and avante garde film making. The "acting" is like something out of a sub-par community theater production.

I can't imagine ever watching this painful film again.

"A Film Worth Sharing".......2006-08-13

I have been a Brel Fan for many years. This film gives one the meaning of what all our dreams are about in his songs. I have always been a fan of the great Elly Stone. As a Singer myself, I worked with Elly Stone in New York at Carnegie Hall where I sang backup for her and studied with her also. She has such passion in her music. Brel is Passion. The late Joe Masiell has a great screen presence and his rendition of "Next" will always be remembered as the most moving song ever put on film.The late Mort Shuman is perfectly suited for this film as his comic flair shines in his singing. I recommend this Film for any Singer or Acting Student because you can feel the passion of the songs from the singer/actors. Jacques Brel will live on forever.

Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.0 Import - Australia ]

Average customer rating:

Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.0 Import - Australia ]
Director: Denis Héroux
Manufacturer: Umbrella Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000KKNNSG

Product Description

Australia released, PAL/Region 0 DVD: it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada. LANGUAGES: English (Dolby Digital 2.0), WIDESCREEN (1.85:1), SYNOPSIS: This filmed version of the popular (1800 performances!) off-Broadway musical by Eric Blau and Mort Schumann incorporates 26 songs written by Belgian-entertainer Jacques Brel. Three actors--Elly Stone, Mort Schuman and Joe Masiell--interpret Brel's sometimes angry, sometimes poignant ballads with strength and compassion. In the movie, the three are brought together when they seek refuge from a rainstorm. The songs are accompanied by vignettes which highlight the imagery and story in them. Jacques Brel himself sings a melancholy composition at intermission time. It's ironic that this film was produced by the American Film Theatre; Brel disliked America and refused ever to set foot in the country. SPECIAL FEATURES: Trailer(s), Interactive Menu, Featurette, Cast/Crew Interview(s),

DVD:

DVD

DVD