The Pirates of Penzance
starring: Kevin Kline, Angela Lansbury, Linda Ronstadt, George Rose, Rex Smith
directed by: Wilford Leach
directed by: Wilford Leach
Amazon.com:
When New York theatrical producer Joseph Papp decided to bringGilbert and Sullivan to Broadway, he added typically broad, bold strokes to maketheir singular operetta format meaningful to 1980s audiences.In ThePirates of Penzance, Papp had a story that offered a mixture of potential action and comedy that was less arcane than other G&S chestnuts, which Papp's production underlined by playing up its antic conflict betweenits hapless, titular pirates and the citizens of Penzance, the Cornish town targeted for plunder.Adding to the new production's mainstream allurewas the theatrical debut for erstwhile country-rock siren Linda Ronstadt asthe virginal Mabel, along with a plum role for another putative popheartthrob, Rex Smith, as the "good" pirate, Frederic.
Naturally, such amendments piqued complaints from self-appointed G&S purists, for whom the duo's original satirical edge and theatrical innovation were obscured (if not ossified) by their canon's patina of respectability.Happily, for the rest of us, Papp's cheeky revisionsare generally on the money, and this 1983 film version preserves them with unusual fidelity.Instead of opening up his production with location shooting or intricate editing, director Wilford Leach savors theartifice of its stage sets and hokey, colorful costuming, celebrating thegenre's proud theatrical legacy.
The cast, meanwhile, tears into the farcical plot with elan, led byKevin Kline as the Pirate King, a role perfect for his skill at lampooning masculine bravado (not to mention his underexposed, generally strong singing).Broadway veteran George Rose proves the very model of themodern Major-General Stanley, and Angela Lansbury, added to the film's castfor marquee value, again shows her mettle as the ditzy maid, Ruth. Ronstadt justifies Papp's gamble, having trained rigorously to meet Sullivan's acrobatic melodies--indeed, this project marked her commitment to grow beyond rock, confirmed with her subsequentexploration of classic pop with arranger-conductor Nelson Riddle. --Sam Sutherland
When New York theatrical producer Joseph Papp decided to bringGilbert and Sullivan to Broadway, he added typically broad, bold strokes to maketheir singular operetta format meaningful to 1980s audiences.In ThePirates of Penzance, Papp had a story that offered a mixture of potential action and comedy that was less arcane than other G&S chestnuts, which Papp's production underlined by playing up its antic conflict betweenits hapless, titular pirates and the citizens of Penzance, the Cornish town targeted for plunder.Adding to the new production's mainstream allurewas the theatrical debut for erstwhile country-rock siren Linda Ronstadt asthe virginal Mabel, along with a plum role for another putative popheartthrob, Rex Smith, as the "good" pirate, Frederic.
Naturally, such amendments piqued complaints from self-appointed G&S purists, for whom the duo's original satirical edge and theatrical innovation were obscured (if not ossified) by their canon's patina of respectability.Happily, for the rest of us, Papp's cheeky revisionsare generally on the money, and this 1983 film version preserves them with unusual fidelity.Instead of opening up his production with location shooting or intricate editing, director Wilford Leach savors theartifice of its stage sets and hokey, colorful costuming, celebrating thegenre's proud theatrical legacy.
The cast, meanwhile, tears into the farcical plot with elan, led byKevin Kline as the Pirate King, a role perfect for his skill at lampooning masculine bravado (not to mention his underexposed, generally strong singing).Broadway veteran George Rose proves the very model of themodern Major-General Stanley, and Angela Lansbury, added to the film's castfor marquee value, again shows her mettle as the ditzy maid, Ruth. Ronstadt justifies Papp's gamble, having trained rigorously to meet Sullivan's acrobatic melodies--indeed, this project marked her commitment to grow beyond rock, confirmed with her subsequentexploration of classic pop with arranger-conductor Nelson Riddle. --Sam Sutherland
Related Items:
- Gilbert & Sullivan - The Pirates of Penzance / Kline, Ronstadt, Smith, Routledge, Delacorte Theater (Broadway Theatre Archive)
- Gilbert & Sullivan - The Mikado / Eric Idle, Lesley Garrett, Richard Van Allan, Felicity Palmer, Richard Angas, Bonaventura Bottone, Susan Bullock, English National Opera
- The Pirates of Penzance
- Gilbert & Sullivan - H.M.S. Pinafore / Trial By Jury - David Hobson, Anthony Warlow, Colette Mann, Tiffany Speight, John Bolton Wood, Richard Alexander, Opera Australia, State Theatre, The Arts Centre Melbourne
- Pirates of Penzance Vocal Score (Dover Vocal Scores)
- see more
Browse for similar items by category:
- VHS » DVD » Genres » Musicals & Performing Arts » General AAS
- VHS » DVD » Specialty Stores » Custom Stores » Actors & Actresses » ( K ) » Kline, Kevin
- VHS » DVD » Specialty Stores » Custom Stores » Actors & Actresses » ( L ) » Lansbury, Angela
- VHS » DVD » Specialty Stores » Custom Stores » Actors & Actresses » ( R ) » Ronstadt, Linda
- VHS » DVD » Specialty Stores » Custom Stores » Actors & Actresses » ( R ) » Rose, George
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- NOT THE RIGHT MOVIE
Unbelievably, the sellers of this product changed the credited name on the photo of the cover from "Patricia Routledge" to "Angela Lansbury."This is the STAGE VERSION, not the movie version which includes Angela Lansbury in the cast.If you are looking for that movie, it was not produced as a DVD in the US- you will either need to find a pirated (no pun intended!) copy or a VHS copy.
DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT unless you are looking for the stage version!
Rating: 
- Wrong production.
This is not the production of "The Pirates of Penzance" that was described in the Amazon information.I sought the coveted 1983 production with Angela Lansbury as the maid Jane.This production is another one which employed Patricia Routledge.I returned it unopened.
Rating: 
- Who is the Black Pirate?
In the 1983 "Pirates" with Kevin Kline, a jolly black pirate frolics with the cast right up to the end.He disappears in the final scene that disperses General Stanley's daughters among the pirates.There is no black daughter for him.The presence of a black pirate is, of course, an anomaly.In Victorian England, you will not find a black man in the company of "noble men" regardless of whether they are doing right or wrong. I have searched the Web for some reference to this black singer, but ... Read More
Rating: - Description does not match product
If you are looking for the 1931 movie (not the Broadway production), this is *not* it.The product picture (which lists Angela Landsbury in the cast) is incorrect and the text description is describing some other product.Film quality is also poor.
Rating: 
- looks like a dub
I love this movie, but the quality looks second generation, like it's been copied.The image is not as sharp as it should be. The packaging looks new though, so I can't figure it out.
- NOT THE RIGHT MOVIEUnbelievably, the sellers of this product changed the credited name on the photo of the cover from "Patricia Routledge" to "Angela Lansbury."This is the STAGE VERSION, not the movie version which includes Angela Lansbury in the cast.If you are looking for that movie, it was not produced as a DVD in the US- you will either need to find a pirated (no pun intended!) copy or a VHS copy.
DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT unless you are looking for the stage version!
- Wrong production.This is not the production of "The Pirates of Penzance" that was described in the Amazon information.I sought the coveted 1983 production with Angela Lansbury as the maid Jane.This production is another one which employed Patricia Routledge.I returned it unopened.
- Who is the Black Pirate?In the 1983 "Pirates" with Kevin Kline, a jolly black pirate frolics with the cast right up to the end.He disappears in the final scene that disperses General Stanley's daughters among the pirates.There is no black daughter for him.The presence of a black pirate is, of course, an anomaly.In Victorian England, you will not find a black man in the company of "noble men" regardless of whether they are doing right or wrong. I have searched the Web for some reference to this black singer, but ... Read More
- Description does not match productIf you are looking for the 1931 movie (not the Broadway production), this is *not* it.The product picture (which lists Angela Landsbury in the cast) is incorrect and the text description is describing some other product.Film quality is also poor.
- looks like a dubI love this movie, but the quality looks second generation, like it's been copied.The image is not as sharp as it should be. The packaging looks new though, so I can't figure it out.
