Legendary British Performers [DVD Video]

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Ingrid Bergman made her radiant Hollywood debut in this David O. Selznick-produced remake of a 1936 Swedish film, in which she played the same role, a gifted piano teacher. Leslie Howard costars as the brilliant violinist whose world tours often take him from the flow of life within his own family. Married to a fine woman (Edna Best) and blessed with two wonderful children, Howard's character only begins to realize that so much is passing by him when he falls for his concert pianist (Bergman). During a Riviera holiday, the two illicit lovers bask in passion while privately agonizing over the collapse of their separate destinies. Can two people find happiness built on the unhappiness of others? That's the question asked by the sage friend (Cecil Kellaway) whom they both share. In the same year Selznick cast Howard in Gone with the Wind, the sophisticated actor did a fine, sympathetic job penetrating the lost and tormented heart of his character in Intermezzo. But it is Bergman--the very picture of spring and a magnificent avatar of the perpetual conflict between mind and heart--who ultimately gives this film its soul. The Selznick machine, with its top-drawer production values and the dreamy gloss of its human stories, makes this film a more poignant experience than the average weepie. --Tom Keogh

Description

"Eloquent, sensitive, poignant" (The New York Times), this romantic and heartbreaking film has an "absorbing power" (Los Angeles Times). Legendary OscarÂ(r) winner* Ingrid Bergman (Casablanca), in her first English-speaking role, and Leslie Howard (Gone With the Wind) star in this "well-acted, expertly written" (Motion Picture Herald) tale that proves that music is indeed the food of love. Renowned violinist Holger Brandt (Howard) is delighted to be back with his family after a long tour. But when he meets his daughter's piano teacher, Anita (Bergman), and hears her play, he is captivated. Despite the devastating toll on his family, Holger and Anita begin a musical partnership that quickly becomes a passionate romance. But are they meant to live in harmony forever or is this merely an intermezzo? *1956: Actress, Anastasia, 1944: Actress, Gaslight; 1974: Supporting Actress, Murder on the Orient Express

Customer Reviews:

An "Intermezzo" of Romance.......2007-08-25

This film packs a wallop of romance! Starring Leslie Howard (Gone With the Wind) and Ingrid Bergman(Casablanca). Howard plays a sensitive violinist who falls in love with Ingrid Bergman- the only problem is that he is married and she is his daughter's music teacher. Despite these "complications," there love of music and each other prevail. His wife never really undertsood him and despite her desperately wanting to bridge the gap between them, there is a part of him that he could never really share. He found his soul's refuge in Bergman's arms and leaves his wife and two small children to be with her. Bergman undertsood him completely because, in many ways, they were two sides of the same coin with same outlook on life, love, and music. They tour the country together and end up living in Europe as lovers. Dilemma arises when Bergman is offered a prestigous scholarship to further her musical study and Howard's divorce papers arrive from his wife. Are they willing to cast all else aside in order to be together? Is Howard ready to sever ties with his family and is Bergman going to give up the chance of a lifetime? The film is a romantic journey through the perils and pitfalls of loving the wrong people. Sometimes love comes in as an "intermezzo" to reality, but whether or not it endures is hardly the point. The point is that it happened- and you remember.

Small-Scale Love Story Offers Fresh-Faced Bergman in Her American Debut.......2006-09-13

The familiar David O. Selznick gloss is all over this minor 1939 soap opera, most noteworthy as the American film debut of 24-year old Ingrid Bergman. She was brought over from Sweden by Selznick for this melodramatic remake of the 1936 film which brought her great acclaim in her homeland. Her fresh-faced beauty and natural manner are intoxicating as she plays Anita Hoffman, first a piano teacher to the young daughter of renowned violinist Holger Brandt and then his accompanist on a world tour. It's a brief movie, only seventy minutes long, directed by Gregory Ratoff (more famous as the ulcer-ridden producer Max in "All About Eve") focusing on the illicit affair that develops between Anita and Holger.

Much of the story has to do with the guilt they both experience in terms of the familial repercussions, and the ending reflects as much. A role away from his Ashley Wilkes in "Gone With the Wind", obviously the more important Selznick movie in production a the time, Leslie Howard plays Holger in his familiar erudite manner. Veteran character actor Cecil Kellaway (later the monsignor in "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner") plays the sage maestro who acts as the film's conscience. Scenes often seem strangely truncated to move the story briskly along. Beyond Bergman, the most accomplished aspects of the film are Gregg Toland's lush cinematography, Lyle Wheeler's art direction (making Monterey, California look very much like the Italian Riviera) and Max Steiner's romantic music (oddly uncredited). But the impossibly striking Bergman is the primary reason to see this predictably developed film. The 2004 DVD offers no extras.

7 Reasons Why Intermezzo Works.......2006-04-19

I normally don't gravitate toward melodramas or 'soaps' nor would I approve, frankly, of a film that centers around adultery. However, this film has such much going for it that I wound up loving this movie the first time I saw it, and still do six viewings later.
Off the cuff, here are seven reasons why:

1) There IS a good message here: that a married person having a fling with a pretty young woman might be an exciting prospect but in the end, "you reap what you sow" and if either of the two parties has a conscience, the illicit romance will be doomed, especially if there are kids involved.

2 ) For male viewers, Ingrid Bergman, making her English-speaking debut, is a real feast for the eyes. She was one of the more naturally gorgeous women to grace the silver screen, I think.

3) Gregg Toland's photography. To fully appreciate his work, get the DVD for this film. Toland was one of the best cinematograthers ever, and this is a beautifully shot piece of work.

4) At 70 minutes, the film flies by, which also makes it easier to watch and enjoy multiple times.

5) Leslie Howard and John Halliday also were excellent in here as the two male leads. I thought Halliday, in particular, had some great words of wisdom.

6) For those who appreciate how difficult it is to forgive people, this ending contained another nice message.

7) Classical music lovers will very much appreciate the soundtrack to this film.

Straightforward, but nicely crafted romantic drama.......2006-04-02

Leslie Howard and Ingrid Bergman (in her Hollywood debut) acquit themselves well in this pre-Brief Encounter slice of romance and adultery. The other thing that really lifts this production above the run-of-the-mill is Gregg Toland's Oscar-nominated photography and lighting.

I also enjoyed one or two of the supporting cast, in particular Cecil Kellaway. His humourous dialogue with the young Ann Todd at the birthday party is charmingly delivered.

The unforgettable Ingrid Bergman.......2005-10-12

Ingrid Bergman made her English-speaking film debut in the romantic tear-jerker, "Intermezzo." She plays Anita, a young pianist who gives piano lessons to the daughter of a famous violinist, Holger Brandt (Leslie Howard). Brandt is first attracted by her musical talent and soon they are a couple, meeting in dark cafes. He leaves his family and takes Anita on tour with him. They are having a wonderful time until a friend from home visits them.

Bergman is so young and luminous; who wouldn't fall in love with her? She's very good as Anita, having played the role in the 1936 Swedish film. Howard channels his Ashley Wilkes role; he's tortured, weak, and confused. At 70 minutes, the movie is too short; I would have liked for it to move slower and show the couple together more (they meet and in the next scene, they are already guilty lovers). The music, chiefly "Intermezzo" by Provost, is lovely and adds to the bittersweet quality of the film. A touching romance with beautiful stars.

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Anastasia

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Import from South Korea
Language: English (Dolby Digital 4.0)
Subtitle: English, Korean, Chinese
NTSC All Regions
2.35:1 Wide Screen

ASIN: B000V67RCM

Product Description

From the sensational Broadway stage success that had audiences crying its acclaim! An expatriate White Russian general sets in motion a grand hoax after he meets a destitute woman on the banks of the Seine River in Paris. He is amazed at her resemblance to Anastasia, the youngest daughter of Czar Nicholas of Russia, rumored to have somehow survived the Bolsheviks' execution of the Romanoff family in 1918. He trains her to impersonate the missing princess but soon begins to feel she may be the real Anastasia. Ultimately, the truth can only be decided by one person Anastasia's grandmother, the Dowager Empress.

Average customer rating:

Great Movie but distorted Swedish audio!

Intermezzo (1936 Swedish version)
Starring: Gösta Ekman , Inga Tidblad , Ingrid Bergman , Erik 'Bullen' Berglund , and Hugo Björne
Director: Gustaf Molander
Manufacturer: Fox Lorber
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 1572524286
Release Date: 1999-03-09

Description

Anxious to recapture his youth, a family man leaves his wife and begins an illicit love affair with his daughter's piano teacher.

Customer Reviews:

Great Movie but distorted Swedish audio!.......2004-02-08

I loved the movie and highly recomend it for Ingrid fans. Of course I needed the Swedish subtitles, but you must be aware that the audio in the movie is distorted and of very poor quality, so beware! The movie is expensive and one would think it would be of better quality. I kept the movie in my collection because in this case, I don't need the sound to follow the storyline. Thank god for the subtitles.

Average customer rating:

Intermezzo (Import)
Director: Gregory Ratoff
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Product Features:

KOREAN IMPORT
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
SUB-TITLE: ENGLISH, KOREAN
NTSC ALL REGIONS
FULL SCREEN, BLACK & WHITE

ASIN: B000TN3N3E

Product Description

A concert violinist becomes charmed with his daughter's talented piano teacher. When he invites her to go on tour with him, they make beautiful music away from the concert hall as well. He soon leaves his wife so the two can go off together. "Eloquent, sensitive, poignant" (The New York Times), this romantic and heartbreaking film has an "absorbing power" (Los Angeles Times). Legendary Oscar winner* Ingrid Bergman (Casablanca, Gaslight, Anastasia), in her first English-speaking role, and Leslie Howard (Gone With the Wind) star in this "well-acted, expertly written" (Motion Picture Herald) tale that proves that music is indeed the food of love. Renowned violinist Holger Brandt (Howard) is delighted to be back with his family after a long tour. But when he meets his daughter's piano teacher, Anita (Bergman), and hears her play, he is captivated. Despite the devastating toll on his family, Holger and Anita begin a musical partnership that quickly becomes a passionate romance. But are they meant to live in harmony forever or is this merely an intermezzo?

Secrets of Seductions - London Philharmonic (DVD Audio)

Average customer rating:

Bad mix or bad taste?

Secrets of Seductions - London Philharmonic (DVD Audio)

Manufacturer: Silverline
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: DVD Audio

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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Album Description

These performances by the London Philharmonic are presented for the first time in stunning six-channel surround sound include works by Mozart, Borodin, Haydn and Faure.

Customer Reviews:

Bad mix or bad taste?.......2002-12-30

Having listened to many DVD-Audio albums now I was sure that the 24-bit encoding of the London Philharmonic recording promised on the jacket was another ticket to a pleasurable listening and orchestral experience. OOPS! Not only were most of the interpretations questionable at best, the bass overwhelmed the system and was completely out of sync with the rest of the mix. The separation was muddy, and the execution of the pieces stilted at best. This is one of those times you don't want to buy a compilation DVD-Audio. Stick with the conductors and orchestras that specialize in some composers and their works and look carefully at the Silverline label.

Night in Paris - London Philharmonic (DVD Audio)

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Night in Paris - London Philharmonic (DVD Audio)

Manufacturer: Silverline
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: DVD Audio

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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Tracks:

Berceuse from Dolly Suite
Intermezzo from Carmen, Suite 1
Menuet from le Tombeau de Couperin
Intermezzo and Barcarole from Tales of Hoffman
Jeux d'Enfants from Petite Suite - No. 4 Duo
Clair de Lune
Cygne from Carnival of the Animals
Sicilienne from Pelleas et Melisande
Meditation from Thais
Reverie
Pastorale from Masques et Bergamasques
Jardin Feerique from Mother Goose Suite
Adagietto from l'Arlesienne Suite 1
Gymnopedie No. 1

Album Description

French composers are spotlighted in these performances by the London Philharmonic presented for the first time in stunning six-channel surround sound. This volume includes works by Faure, Bizet, Ravel and Debussy.

Album Description

Classical music with an emotional and passionate edge. These performances by the London Philharmonic are presented for the first time in stunning six-channel surround sound include works by Boccherini, Ravel, Rachmaninoff and Holst.

Product Description

George Cukor helped transform a moody Victorian stage melodrama (previously filmed in Britain in 1939) into a gothic Hollywood romantic thriller. Ingrid Bergman stars as a meek, uncertain heiress courted and married in a whirlwind romance by the debonair Charles Boyer, but when they move back into her childhood home she begins losing her grip on reality and becomes convinced that her husband is trying to drive her insane. Joseph Cotten, rather stiff and colorless next to the anguished Bergman and charming and lively Boyer, is the heroic Scotland Yard detective who becomes enamored of the skittish woman who is slowly succumbing to madness. The grand, glorious sets and elegant photography recall Hitchcock's Rebecca, another lush Hollywood gothic melodrama of a retiring young wife overwhelmed by the history of her abode, and Gaslight is still assumed by some to be a Hitchcock film (the Bergman connection doesn't help the confusion). It's really a rather straightforward thriller with a forced plot device, but under Cukor's control the tightly constructed script is given the full MGM treatment, then reined in for intimate moments of harrowing suspense. Boyer brilliantly played off his continental lover reputation by adding an undercurrent of malevolence and Bergman won an Oscar for her haunted performance. It also marks the memorable debut of Angela Lansbury as a saucy maid unwittingly drawn into Boyer's master plan. --Sean Axmaker

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Intermezzo-a Love Story
Starring: Intermezzo-a Love Story
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000PDZHDM
Release Date: 2007-04-10

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