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The 1951 John Huston classic, set in Africa during World War I, garnered Humphrey Bogart an Oscar for his role as a hard-drinking riverboat captain in Africa, who provides passage for a Christian missionary spinster (Katharine Hepburn). Taking an instant, mutual dislike to one another, the two endure rough waters, the presence of German soldiers, and their own bickering to finally fall into one another's arms. This is classic Huston material--part adventure, part quest--but this time with a pair of characters who'd all but given up on happiness. Bogart (a longtime collaborator with Huston on such classics as The Maltese Falcon and Key Largo) and Hepburn have never been better, and support from frequent Huston crony Robert Morley (Beat the Devil, also featuring Bogart) adds some extra dimension and color. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (52)

Why this movie is considered so good
1) Based on the novel (of the same name) by C.S. Forester
2) Music performed by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
3) Directed by John Huston
4) Katharine Hepburn
5) Humphrey Bogart

The movie begins in German East Africa, September 1914 with the Germans invading and destroying a small town that missionaries Samuel and Rose (brother and sister) are living in. After the Germans take all the natives away Samuel falls ill and dies.

Mr. Alnutt (sailor of the African Queen), the man who delivers their mail, comes around and Rose goes with him for safety reasons. They hide (Mr. Alnutt feels the Germans will want his boat) and discuss what to do next. With the war all around them, they need to figure a way out of there.

With much pushing on Rose's part they decide to go down a very difficult river and torpedo a German ship to help their country.

The scenery and the wild animals are amazing to behold. I love when Rose calls Charlie "a coward". This very different pair has many adventures.

This is why the movie is considered so good!

Two Great Actors Make A Great Movie
Can two people carry an entire movie? When the two are Humphrey Bogart (who won an Oscar for this performance) and Katherine Hepburn (who did equally well but didn't get the Oscar), the answer is a resounding, "Yes!" Bogart plays a beaten up riverboat (the "African Queen" is his boat) captain in Africa at the onset of World War One. b Hepburn plays a spinster missionary who assists her brother, Robert Morley, in converting the locals to Christianity (or, at least, helps to get them singing hymns, whether they understand the words or not). After the Germans burn the church and kill her brother, Hepburn escapes with Bogart down the river aboard the African Queen. With memorable scene after memorable scene (leech attacks, German attacks, shooting the rapids and then shooting THE RAPIDS, disappearing tributaries, black fly attacks), John Huston directs these two veteran actors through a classic movie. Bogart starts off with many rough edges but gradually gets slightly tamed. Hepburn starts off very prudish, but gradually loosens up. They go from hating each other to getting married in a very predictable, but still realistic way. Adversity is the mother of romance. Buy this one and watch it every year (or more often) on a rainy afternoon or snowy evening. If it's a snowy evening, you might even feel better about the snow afterward.

Kate & Bogey Sparkle in this Classic Hollywood Gem
The chemistry between "old maid" missionary woman Hepburn and rough-guy Bogart streaming along a river together in WWI Africa is great. Through many perils the two manage to survive until they are captured by Enemy Germans who are about to execute the pair as spies. The ending of this Hollywood Classic is extremely satisfying.

Humphrey Bogart won his only Oscar for his role, while Katherine Hepburn chalked up another one of her 12 career nominations. This film is pure cinema-candy. How can anyone NOT love this movie??? Highly recommended.*****

Entertaining Mix of Genres
Bogie & Hepburn in perfect form. She plays an uptight missionary and he plays a carefree everyday guy. They learn to respect and like each other and fall in love and save the day. A perfect blend of romance, adventure, action, comedy, suspense, & war drama. The movie doesn't reinvent the wheel with fancy camera angles and plot twists. Its sheer star powered entertainment. If you're a fan of either star, you can't miss with this.

Cool movie
I watched the African Queen in social studies in 7th grade. It was Ok. I liked the whole idea. I know this will sound stupid but i didnt like the way that Rosie woman smiled.
But in general, the movie was OK. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Fun exercise video--perfect for beginners!
"Sweatin' to the Oldies 2" combines low-impact aerobics (about 30 min.) with toning (about 15 min.) to hit tunes such as, "Locomotion," "Windy," "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Respect," "Breakin' Up Is Hard To Do," and "Pretty Woman." Richard Simmons leads the exercise fun with real people of all shapes and sizes. The dance steps are easy after following the routines a few times. I have used this video to improve my overall fitness, including weight loss, and it has worked! I highly recommend this video, as well as the original "Sweatin' to the Oldies 1."

My Favorite workout Video
This right here is the best workout video. I first got into it late in my elementary school years. Ten years later, I still do it a couple times a week. Instead of using bottles as weights as they do in the video, I usually use soup cans. I have problems in my joints, and I cannot do any excersizes that put too much stress on my joints. I love this video because you can do it in your living room in your pajamas. I love it because it is easy to catch on to and I think it is a lot of fun. It is real motivational on those days you just dont want to excersize, but you see how much fun the people are having in the video, singing along, dancing, cheering, counting out the steps....I do it on those days when you just dont want to get out of bed. I do it as a warmup before i go running. I do it when I have too much energy or when I really have nothing better to do. I do it the week of finals when I need a study break but need to keep moving so I dont fall asleep. Basically, I do it all the time. I always bring it to 'workout video night'. My friends and I get together and everyone brings workout videos. I always make everyone start with this video because not only is it my favorite, I think it is a classic because it uses oldies that every knows and are fun to dance to. This is the perfect video to start a new workout schedule or to add some fun to a current one. I highly recommend this tape to everyone, all ages and sizes.

GREAT VIDEO HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS ONE
This is the only Richard Simmons video that we have and are looking
forward to getting more. This is lot of fun to excercise too. My husband has Parkinsons Disease and I believed by getting this video it would encourage him to enjoy excercising. I think it is helping him to excercise more and he seems to have fun and enjoys this one video, anyone familiar with Parkinsons knows the difficulty with movement. I shall continue to encourage him to push on as long as he can with this fun and easy, and do as he can with Richard. Neither one of us is over weight but we know the importance of excercise, being up in our years we find that Richard Simmons is an enjoyable way to work out. Music is great on this one. I give it five stars PLUS some. Glad we got this one. Thanks for the opportunity to share my opionion on this site. Have a nice day.

if you love dancin' then you'll love sweatin'
this tape was so much fun. i'm a very lazy person and hate exercise but when i bought this tape and put it on to see what it's about i just couldn't help shaking my tush!!! it's packed with stretching, low-impact aerobis, and weight training all done in a "dancy" fun manner! another thing i loved is that the people doing the workout in the video are all normal looking poeple of all shapes and sizes! if you love dancing to the oldies, then you'll love this tape.

My Favorite - From an overweight exerciser
There are some continuity problems and there is a move in Jailhouse Rock that is difficult on carpet, but I modified it for myself. Requires having a moveable chair handy (like a light weight kitchen chair) and hand weights (or 16 to 20 ounce soda bottles). Also requires floor work (crunches and leg lifts). It helps to have a mat for the floor work. This is one of my favorites because it does combine aerobics with strength training. 55 minutes of exercise. Plenty of short pauses where you can grab some water. ... Read more

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"You don't need to be thin, young, and a contortionist to do this program," says instructor Peggy Cappy. Yoga for the Rest of Us is a yoga practice for people who might be inflexible, out of shape, or feeling aches and pains. Cappy presents three 20-minute routines that work separately or together. Part 1 is a series of warm-up seated stretches. Part 2 presents standing poses, holding a chair if needed. Part 3 is a flowing series of Sun Salutations, building stamina, and again using a chair if necessary, followed by relaxation. Public television yoga instructor Cappy teaches gently and quietly, accompanied by demonstrators of various ages and conditions. Recommended for people who thought that yoga was beyond them because of age, medical conditions, or fitness level, especially those with functional challenges, such as not being able to bend down or reach for a top shelf. --Joan Price ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Absolutely Great for the Beginner and out of shape
This is a wonderful tape for all of us who are out of shape and no longer limber.
Peggy targets those of us who want to get started but cannot keep up with the tapes designed for the already physically fit.
It is broken into 3 sections so even the most out of shape can do at least the first part.
My 79 year old mother did the first 20 minutes of this tape with me.

Excellent yoga video
This is an excellent yoga video. It is easy to follow with good instruction and it is versatile for various body types and abilities. Highly recommend this video.

Perfect introduction course for beginners!
For a student of the Indian classical dance like me, this DVD proved quite helpful, especially the breathing instructions, although I would prefer to see some more spiritual explanations (yoga is not aerobics, after all!), and the psychological meaning and effect of the postures.
Peggy Cappy's presentation is very clear, and covers the basics. I particularly liked the Sun Salutations series, as these are practised by all professional Bharatanatyam dancers, who have to produce rather complex postures. I know I will never be as flexible and as agile as the young professional dancers, and I will hardly ever dance as effortlessly and gracefully as Medha Hari in her DVD, but Peggy Cappy's excercises will make you stay fit and healthy, if this is what really matters for an amateur dancer like me.

Wonderful
This was a wonderful discovery that has really transformed my entire life. It proved to be much more useful to me than the Pilates Beginning Mat Workout and the Living Yoga tapes I had gotten because I used to be fairly glued to the couch due to my weight. But this low-impact and low-stress approach to physical fitness has really created a whole new world for me to live my life in now with tremendous opportunities for self-expression and fulfillment. With this as a building block for physical change, I was able to move onto a great new diet approach with South Beach, and subsequently my husband and I found new sparks in our intimate life with the aid of the magnificent "New Sex Now" video training -- an experience that really got our hearts pounding like never before. All of these life-transforming products come with heartfelt thanks and the highest recommendations. Life is too short to waste it sitting on a couch watching the world pass you by. Do something to make your world a better place!

Yoga with a Chair
I saw Peggy Cappy on Public Television during the December 2003 fund drive. I was impressed with her ability to teach yoga to a diverse group of students. The class is primarily attended by persons over the age of 50 years that have limited mobility. Peggy uses chairs to enable students to stay safely on their feet while attempting unfamiliar ways of moving their bodies. The video covers most of the basic standing poses (tree, triangle, warrior I and II, downward facing dog, upward facing dog as well as a simple sun salutation). this is a must have for yoga teachers and for all others that have joint stiffness, limited mobility (because of age, infimity or weight). She has said it most aptly, Yoga for every body. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Peter Marshall - A Man for All Generations
"A Man Called Peter" is an excellent depiction of the true life story of Peter Marshall, an immigrant Scotsman who rose to Chaplain of the U.S. Senate before his untimely death in 1949. Marshall was a real man who served our real God. The movie is very true, generally speakly, to Catherine Marshall's book by the same title.
The part of the movie that shows Catherine Marshall's alma mater, Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia, was filmed on location. As a native of Decatur, Georgia, this movie had a huge impact on me. Especially since my mother had actually heard Peter Marshall preach and was greatly affected by his sermons.
Peter Marshall's message is ageless and inspiring. Young people who hear or read his sermons today feel as though Marshall is speaking to them just as he did to my mother's generation.

A Beautiful Movie
This is the true story of the Reverand Peter Marshall. It begins in Scotland where he is called by God for a special mission. It goes to Georgia, where Peter meets & marries Agnes Scott College student Catherine Wood (This part of the movie was filmed on the ASC campus). Finally, the movie takes us to Washington DC, where Peter is the minister at the Church of the Presidents and becomes Chaplain of the US Senate. The movie showcases some of him most memorable sermons - like his sermon on marriage. This is a great film for everyone in the family.

Bravo!
Bravo to Richard Todd and Jean Peters and the rest of the ensemble of this beatiful, inspiring and superbly made film based on the book by Catherine Marshall. Where was the Academy of Motion Pictures when this film came out? Both Peters and Todd deserved nominations. The film certainly did (it is far better fair than most others nominated in 1955 for Best Picture)
See it and feel 100% better about life - and living

A Man of Character Committment and Conviction
In our days of pluralism and completely relative morality embracing spirituality in any form, this movie sets a strong tone of inspiring faith and conficenc in God through Jesus Christ. Peter Marshall was an unusual minister of the gospel who made mistakes but loved his family and the Lord with no reservations. The movie is full of the traditional church persons who are more interested in maintaining their traditons than in establishing the traditions of the gospel. Peter's response to them is both loving and confrontive. I recommend this movie very much.

A Man Called Peter
An outstanding movie with uplifting characteristics. This is the story of a truly remarkable man and those who doubt the sencerity of this man ( and the movie ) do not know people who were exposed to Peter Marshall. This is a true classic with elevating overtones that should raise anyone's spirits. ... Read more

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Disney's first animated feature in CinemaScope is now available in widescreen presentations on video, and it is definitely good to get the whole picture. One of the studio's most original and charming movies, the 1955 film tells the story of a rakish, street-smart dog named Tramp, who helps an aristocratic pooch named Lady out of some trouble and then commences a romance with her. Sweet, funny scenes abound, and the combination of innocence and sophistication would have done well in a live-action picture. Peggy Lee cowrote the songs and provides the voice of the Siamese cats in one of the film's best-known musical sequences. This newly restored version spruces up both sonics and visuals, and a letterbox version is available. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (65)

How could I NOT give it 5 stars?
Lady and the Tramp is simply my all-time favorite Disney film! In my opinion, it is a 5 star masterpiece, and I would give it more if I could! I remember when I was just four years old, watching the characters Lady, Tramp, Jock, Trusty, and the Siamese Cats light up my eyes, as well as my TV screen, as very few films have done for me before or since. The music and songs are especially enjoyable, especially "Bella Notte" and "He's a Tramp." And the thrilling climax, which I won't spoil for the people who have yet to see it, ranks with the climaxes of "Beauty and the Beast" and "The Lion King." I remember having to wait almost a decade for Disney to re-release this classic so that I could replace my old worn-out copy. Now that I have it on both VHS and DVD, and both editions are in widescreen, I can enjoy it for years to come as I never thought I'd be able to! Your kids will love it, and so will anyone who's still young at heart. Buy it today! Don't make the same mistake I did over 10 years ago!

How could I NOT give it 5 stars?
Simply speaking, Lady and the Tramp is my favorite Disney film of all time! In my opinion, it is a 5 star masterpiece, and I would give it more if I could! I remember when I was just 4 years old, watching the characters Lady, Tramp, Jock, Trusty, and the Siamese Cats light up my eyes, as well as my TV screen, as no other movie (except maybe Pete's Dragon or Superman) has done for me before or since. The music and songs are especially enjoyable, especially "Bella Notte." And the thrilling climax (which I won't spoil for the peope who have yet to see it) ranks with the "Beauty and the Beast" and "The Lion King" climaxes! I remember having to wait almost a decade for Disney to re-release this classic on video so that I could replace my worn-out taped version. Now that I have it on both VHS and DVD, and both editions are in widescreen, I can enjoy it for years to come as I never thought I'd be able to! Your kids will love it, and so will anyone who's still young at heart! Buy it on DVD today! Don't make the same mistake I did over 10 years ago! (And don't let the lack of special features stop you, either!)

truelly magical
I grew up with this film. It was one of my all time favorite movies. The music the charictors the story the romance! Oh it is truelly one of the best disney movies I have ever seen! No pixie dust or fairy godmothers just a great film you could watch again & again & I'm sure the DVD is even better.
True This is based on VHS I got a DVD player only a month ago & cannot get ahold of a copy of the DVD. It is too much of a treasure bring it back out of the vault for all to enjoy! It is truelly not to be missed & always to be treasured.

Disney's 15th Animated Masterpiece!
Forget about princesses marrying princes or princes marrying peasent maidens, this is Disney's most romantic film ever. Lady and Tramp is the loving story of a beautiful girl dog named Lady who falls in love with another dog from the other side of the tracks named Tramp, after different adventures in the streets of the city, they both settle down for a nice, romantic dinner at a town's restaurant, this scene is probably remembered as one of Disney's most romantic moments ever, we all love this film. Something is troubling lady though, a new baby was born at the house where she lives, and she hasn't been receiving the attention her owners usually gave her, now in the care of Aunt Sarah, Lady is afraid to return home, but many different events will give this story one of the most beautiful happy endings ever.

This Limited Edition DVD, brings nothing in Bonus Features, this title really needs a much better release and it will get it since it has been officially announced as part of the Platinum Edition line, which will give the title a much better release.

How could I replace this movie from my heart?
This is an AMAZING movie. I feel really lucky to have such a movie. I read the other paragraphs in the category,and you can say I agreed with the other peaople whom liked it. I am glad i sticked to five stars for this amazing movie!!! It's an amazing love story that brougt my love for cartoons and animated movies back to life!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mykenna Tremblay age #12 ... Read more

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Lily Bunny practices counting by starting with herself as one andworking her way through her Busytown neighborhood until she counts 10 hatchingchicks at Farmer Fox's farm. But the stakes rise when Lily's parents suggest shego for 11 through 20. This takes the help of Huckleberry Cat and Lowly Worm, andsome adventures involving balloons, grocery store trips, and the like. Thenumerals appear on the screen each time Lily counts, and she recaps in songafter counting to 10 and then to 20, making it easy for young counters to followalong. Richard Scarry's classic animated characters provide a fun andeducational 24 minutes for kids ages 2 to 5. --Kimberly Heinrichs ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Great learning tool!
I am really anti-videos for young children, theoretically! However, I have found this video to be very helpful in getting my 2 year old to understand the concept of counting. She could count to 20 before, but now she counts out everything from goldfish to babies! and she does it correctly! She loves this video and I don't mind her watching it! It is very sweet and likeable and has some catchy songs. I highly recommend it.

Sweet little movie that will teach your child to count!
I had though about renting this movie many times but always passed because I just thought it looked sort of generic and outdated. Our library was having a sale of old videos so I ended up buying this one because it was too cheap to pass up. Boy am I glad I did!

My daughter isn't even two yet and can count to 15! She loved this video from the very first time she watched it. It is very very simple, from the animation to the songs. But myself I find this refreshing. I get so tired of watching choppy overproduced kids shows, especially when they are for the younger kids. I find this one just very sweet and to the point. I know my daughter agrees because she asks to watch it everyday and walks around telling everyone it's her "counting day."

I do have to say that like someone else mentioned in another review mom's and dad's beware. Yes you will be humming and singing these little songs long after you've pressed the stop button!!! But I find that happens in most videos and at least these songs aren't too terribly annoying. My only complaint which isnt' really even a complaint is that I found the main bunny's voice to be a bit high pitched. Maybe it's just me but sometimes it really gets to me.

But that's really nothing to complain about when everything else is so good about this video. Pick it up for your little one and I'm sure they'll be counting in no time!

A must have for your little one's video library!
A true classic! Both my 16mo. old and my 2 1/2 yr. old love this video. Very educational and sweet story. Only drawback is that Mom and Dad may be humming the tunes long after the tape is over!

Sweet, Innocent, Simple, Captivating...A Great Learning Tool
I bought this DVD for my 2yr old son, who had recently taken an interest in counting. I taught him to count to 10, and ever since he has been watching this video, he counts up to 16 now by himself! He really enjoys watching the movie, as does my 6-month-old daughter. I personally enjoy the DVD and its innocence. I like that it is simple yet captivating for them. It really holds their attention. I tend to be pretty particular when it comes to movies for my children, making sure they don't teach any bad habits and that it doesn't teach anything contrary to the Bible. I was very pleased to see there wasn't any reference to magic, fairies, etc, as many things tend to include such references these days. I am going to try out other Richard Scarry DVDs and hope that I will be just as pleased with them, too...

Wonderful!
My son is 22 months old and loves this video. It teaches counting while telling a story so it keeps the attention.
We play it almost everyday. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Hotel Rwanda:A Movie or Documentary?

I saw the movie and am ordering the VHS tape to show to aspects of genocide to my college class on homicide.

I have discussed this with other viewers:The movie makes you feel as though you are in Rwanda in the midst of the genocide.Its gripping nature depicts the scene more as a documentary than a movie.

It is a superb educational tool. There is no finer depiction of genocide inAfrica absent raw footage by news or human rights organizations.

There is a good reason its performers were nominated in the Oscars. I recommend it highly.

Howard Cooley
HGC1235@aol.com























































... Read more

Description

This picture is an adaptation of Shakespeare's classic comedy. The setting has been updated to the victorian era but the focus is still on the universal question of gender. ... Read more

Reviews (80)

Twelfth Night deserves one star per night!
This is one of the most imaginative interpretations of Shakespeare (or perhaps anything) I've ever seen. Although I have read the play numerous times, I never would have thought of doing it this way. The story was fleshed out even more than Shakespeare did to begin with, and was made to seem modern and old-fashioned all at the same time. Director Trevor Nunn did a wonderful job with this film (but of course he also formed the Royal Shakespeare Company, so what else would one expect?) :-)

Although each member of the cast does a great job, a few must be mentioned individually. Imogen Stubbs proves to have an amazing amount of talent and versatility in the complicated role of Viola/Cesario. Nigel Hawthorne is terrific as Malvolio, particularly in one hilarious moment where he tries to smile - something at which he is not too practised. Helena Bonham Carter makes a very appealing Olivia. Ben Kingsley is absolutely wonderful, and extremely expressive, as Feste the fool.

TWELFTH NIGHT is a film that is definitely worth watching over and over.

Present mirth hath present laughter.......
How wonderful that I should happen upon this movie one early summer evening not so very long ago - and that it should brighten the wettest, most overcast June immemorial!

Director Trevor Nunn set this Shakespeare play in the Victorian era, and his adaptation is overflowing with talent - Imogen Stubbs (Viola) shows herself to be a versatile actress who can brilliantly play this complex lead with ease! Also notable were Nigel Hawthorne (Malvolio), Toby Stephens (Orsino), Helena Bonham Carter (wonderful as Olivia, although I'd expected it as I've never seen her performances as anything less), Richard E. Grant (Sir Andrew Aguecheek), and Imelda Staunten (Maria) -- and Ben Kingsley (the fool, Feste) did such a magnificent job - and, incidently, he sings superbly - he would easily have stolen the show if it weren't for the flawless performances of the entire cast!

I had to give it four stars instead of five because it was very hard to follow what was being spoken much of the time. I actually had to pull out my "Riverside Shakespeare" to follow what was being said. Much of this movie is verbatim directly from the play itself - which I must say endears it further into my heart.

In the midst of a summer where, at least here in my little realm of the earth, it "raineth every day," a movie such as this eases the doldrums. This movie is a delight!

Fabulous!
My theater class and I saw this after I finished reading the play TWELFTH NIGHT, and I must say, it kept to the script really well. But the depth that it had was great- when I read the play, it was kind of like 'Hmmm... okay, this is cool, love triangles!' And then it skipped to the servant scenes and I started racing through those to get to the, I supposed, 'better' action taking place with the twins.

But the servants have some of the best character representation out of the movie, especially Ben Kingsley as Feste and Malvolio- they rocked. And the main cast was perfect, as well.

All in all, probably the best re-doing of a Shakespeare play that I have ever seen... I loved it!

Oh- and how can anybody help but love the music to this movie? Kingsley's voice is magnificent, and makes you finish the thing wanting more. (My theater teacher is a performer at heart, and after our class finished it, he memorized the closing song- The Wind and the Rain- and that's practically all he sings nowadays... and what's worse, he has our English teacher doing it, too. :)

But watch this, seriously. If you're skeptical about understanding a Shakespearean drama, have no fear. Everything's really easy to understand, and it follows the script almost word for word.

The most exquisite film rendition of Shakespeare ever
The wonderful review by "theviciouscircle" says almost all: this is a rare and beautiful filming of one of Shakespeare's most engaging comedies. Every role is played to perfection -- the entire production shows the cast's and crew's intelligence, deftness, sense of play and extraordinary craft. Every single actor has so embodied his or her part that I will never again see the play without seeing this cast in my mind's eye. Ben Kingsley and Imogen Stubbs stand out even in this exceptional group. The music fits every mood in the play; Shakespeare simply must have heard these tunes when he wrote the verses, and the themes and backgrounds further carry us into the spirit of the play.
The Cornish settings in autumn are almost too beautiful; at times, one almost misses the acting, so spellbinding is the countryside in which it takes place. Trevor Nunn and his crew are much to be praised for finding locales that hold the story so gracefully -- we may know this is Cornwall, but we believe we are transported to Illyria. All in all, it is difficult to imagine a more exquisite realization of a robust yet delicate play. I have long waited to see this film on DVD, and in the widescreen format in which it was made -- how can the studio not release it?

A bit of everything and a bit too much of everything
This film is basically great, because many of the scenes are merry and can make most people titter (which is not bad considering that Shakespeare's humour relies so much on word-play) and of course give you that "warm" feeling.

As for the well-known plot against Malvolio, the pranksters seem to waver between enjoyment and a bad concience for engaging in such an idle or childish activity. Unlike some other reviewers, I can accept the sometimes blank face of Sir Toby, the indifference of Feste and the sternness of Maria, although their behaviour creates an odd feeling, as if they are not really enjoying the revels. Maybe the director is trying to say that Malvolio is not the only "malvolient" character.

This is probably the play that has the best music of all, and Ben Kingsley's singing is good enough. It should not be more schooled than it is because Feste is obviously a street-wise singer.

The director deserves credit for slowing the pace down in the middle of the film. My favorite part is when "O mistress mine" is simultaneously played at the duke's court and sung by Feste elsewhere. Here, the plot finds unity and the many characters become powerfully united.

The best acting performance, if you ask me, is Imogen Stubbs as Viola. She comes across as a real person and somehow manages to show all her conflicting emotions at once. Many of the other characters come across as spirits, half human, which makes sense since they live in "Illyria."

The weaknesses lie in a gaudiness and, perhaps, in a fragmentation into too many clips and scenes. I've actually watched part of the film in black and white and liked it better that way. All music except that which is part of the plot should clearly have been done away with, including the overblown, flowery starting tune which completely drowns (sic) the misery of Viola after the shipwreck. There is no need to tell us at this early stage that it will be a warm and happy movie! A strength in some of Shakespeare's comedies is that they are in danger of ending tragically.

The ending has been criticised before and while I enjoy it and have shed tears over it I partly agree with the criticism. It also suffers a bit from the gaudiness.

Still, I'm very thankful for this movie and I could easily have given it a 5. But since it is Shakespeare my demands go up a notch. The film is good craftmanship and some of its problems are indeed hard to solve: the abundance of characters, the overflow of beauty - what can you really add in that department when there's already so much beauty in Shakespeare's lines? ... Read more

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This video for teaching little ones about the potty is one of the most successful because kids can easily relate to the characters from the popular series Bear in the Big Blue House. Even though each character has a specific problem (asking for permission, fear of the unknown, bathroom etiquette), the video scores points for the gentleness and calm it communicates to kids. Bear is always upbeat and helpful, a great coach for kids. The songs are catchy too--"Potty Chair" has a rhyming scheme that goes from "underwear" to "millionaire," and there's a hysterical psychedelic '60s number. Older kids may benefit from watching as a confidence builder. By the end, the kiddies may be running to the bathroom to practice their talents, shouting, "I'm a Toileteer!" Ages 2 to 5. --Doug Thomas ... Read more

Reviews (119)

Learning to Potty with Bear and His Friends
"Potty Time With Bear", is the best in "learning - to - potty" videos. Throughout this 25 - minute video, Bear helps his young friends Treelo, Tutter and Ojo in learning this common but sensitive lesson that every child must learn. Treelo, the lemur, is the youngest and is just getting out of diapers. He feels troubled, so Bear has a talk with him, telling him that learning to use the potty means that he is growing up. Treelo learns that growing up is a good thing, and he should be proud of his accomplishments. Tutter, the mouse, is out of diapers but still has to be reminded about some of the steps in going to the potty. At the beginning of the show Tutter and Bear are playing a game, and Tutter suddenly has to go to the bathroom. He doesn't want to stop playing long enough to go to the potty. So, Bear tells him that its OK to take time out to go and use the potty when you need to. He won't miss anything, and whatever he was doing will be waiting for him when he has finished. While Tutter is in the bathroom, Bear takes him through the motions of going to the potty, reminding him that one should wipe, flush and wash their hands when they are finished. Ojo, the young bear, has an accident while trying to make it to the bathroom. She is very upset and feels really ashamed. Bear helps her to realize that this happens sometimes and that it's perfectly normal. He encourages her to pay attention to her body when it's telling her that it's time to go. When she realizes she needs to go, she should go immediately and not wait. The catchy tunes and fun lyrics in the songs they sing throughout the show helps to bring everything together. Of course, there is the usual "Welcome Song" and "Goodbye Song," but there are two new songs as well: "Potty Chair" and "Toileteers." These songs help you get into the show, and make you feel like singing and dancing with the characters, while the words are teaching you about going to the potty. I would recommend this video to everyone. It's fun for kids to watch even if they have already learned to go to the potty. And, it's fun for parents to watch with their children. If you have seen any of the "Bear In The Big Blue House" TV shows, then you know how wonderful they are, but if you haven't then please give them a try. Bear comes on the Disney channel every morning, and there are many other episodes on video that you can buy.

Read more reviews on Bear products by prestidigitatr at epinions.com

Wonderful teaching video
This is a terrific teaching and entertaining video to aid in learning basic potty needs and steps. It certainly "speaks" to children on their level in clear and uncomplicated terms. The video uses situations that will be familiar to children and are carried out in both a simple and compassionate manner. When my child first saw this video he was beyond mesmerized. I think he watched it at least 4 or 5 times a day for several days in a row. This certainly is not common practice in our house, however due to his intense interest in the (agreeable to me) subject matter I allowed the viewings. My child is in the active threshold of potty training now. I believe when I first bought the video he had just been introduced to this new world of "pottydom". It has been a considerable time since my child has seen this video, but after having an accident this past weekend in cloth underpants he immediately began reciting the videos' basic potty instruction theme in a very thorough and understanding manner. Cleary it has left a significant and lasting (positive) impression on him.

Good video undermined by racist stereotyping
Like a lot of the Bear videos, this has great scripting, catchy tunes and good puppeteering. However, the big let down for me was the song introduced by Shadow, who is an annoying representation of a bog-Oirish charachter complete with inane diddly-eiddly fiddle music. The song is quite disgraceful really - cut-out figures supposed to be blacks in 1970s disco attire, complete with frizzy Afro hairstyles, thick lips and wide noses. At best you might say it's racist stereotyping, at worst downright insulting to African-Americans who might buy this video. Come on, Muppet People, you can do better than that!

What a pice of crap!
You call THIS potty training help?!

I bought this book for my 2 1/2 year old and he didn't even bother to sit down to watch it. My mistake was to assume it was potty training help for begginers when it's actually reassurance and advice for older kids who are ALREADY potty trained. It remarks about the importance of going to the toilet as soon as you feel like it to avoid accidents and encourage those who already wet their pants not to be embarassed about it, which is good but is not basic training. I expected to see a 2 to 3 year old character who was still in diapers to be INTRODUCED to the potty and in a simple and easy way .

There is lots of confusing and unnecessary blah, blah, blah before they get into the subject and the song lyrics are quite complicated for a 2 year old to fully understand what he's supposed to do. The part where kids are encouraged to wipe, flush and wash hands is important but I would have been better if they had shown the character do it and not just hear from behind a door.

GREAT potty training video
This is really a fun video. It's fun for children and my husband & I couldn't help but smirk too. You may find yourself singing "Toileteers" at your job and have to explain to your co-workers, but it is just that catchy-ness that makes it great. Your child will be singing the songs and therefore REMEMBERING that there IS a potty that they can use now too. I think it's a lot of fun. Get on the POTTY TRAIN! :) ... Read more

Amazon.com

Yoga focuses on keeping the spine open and supported, so it is understandable why millions of people turn to yoga for self-care of their back, explains instructor Rodney Yee in Back Care Yoga for Beginners, a gentle, easy 30-minute introduction to yoga. Its 20-minute yoga workout maximizes the movements of the spine and Yee carefully demonstrates the back-strengthening yoga postures, sometimes using a chair (sitting in it or standing and propping one foot on it). His form is beautiful, his explanations clear. If you're a beginner, realize that you cannot begin to approximate his degree of flexibility. Your goal is not to get as deeply into each posture as the instructor, but to reach your own comfortable limit. Cautions are given for pregnant women. --Joan Price ... Read more

Reviews (53)

Great for bad backs
I have a bad back due to an accident. It makes it hard to get around. I'm also overweight. other videos hurt my back or were too complicated with the moves.

I decided to give yoga a try.
Rodney Yee's video was AMAZING. He doesn't talk while doing the yoga- he has a voice over that goes along with you. He is not annoyingly peppy nor is he so boring that you want to fall asleep. His voice is relaxing in just the right way.

The positions are simple enough for ANYONE to understand. I got it my first time through. Most of the movements were so easy to do that I could focus on doing them rather than looking at the TV trying to figure it all out. Also, they recommend that you have a yoga strap to do these poses, you can easily use a belt, piece of rope etc. I didn't have to buy anything extra to do all the positions in this video.

I have discovered that I really like yoga- my back felt GREAT after I was done. I will buy more of Rodney Yee's yoga videos and I recommend that any yoga beginner's & people suffering from back pain try this video.

Good, but be careful!
Be careful when doing this video! If you are like me, your back is okay a good majority of the time, but occasionally, you "throw your back out" and spend 3-5 days recovering(thus the need for continual back care exercises). I tried this video as part of my "recovery" and severly injured my lower back muscles. During a few of the exercises, I experienced severe burning pain. I rationalized this by thinking I was using/stretching muscles that aren't normally exercised. I thought this might actually be a good thing. I tried the tape again a second day and experience the same problems. Finally I wised up and stopped using the tape. I went back to my old recovery exercises(pelvic tilt, crunches, stretching, etc). It took 2 months before my muscles finally started to recover. I'm still not back to 100% and it's almost been 3 months.

I do plan on using this tape again once I'm fully recovered. I can tell from what I've seen, this would be a good tape for back care. He does move pretty quickly through the exercises so it will take you a couple of times before you can keep up.

Remember, if you feel pain, don't continue the exercise!

Twenty minutes well-spent
These comments respond to several made in earlier reviews.

This video does more for my back pain than any medication doctors prescribed. It's a good idea to pre-view a new exercise video before you start. For this one you'll need a chair and a fabric strap of some kind (I use a bathrobe belt). Any exercise coach worth their salt will tell you if it hurts, don't do it. I certainly don't have the flexibilty Rodney displays, so I just do what I can and know that over time things will improve.

When it's time to rewind, only go as far back as the beginning of the exercise segment so you don't have to watch the disclaimers and promotional announcements over and over.

Back care to keep your healthy back healthy
From my personal and professional experience I can tell: this is not recommended if you ve a serious back problem, in that case go for "Somatics"...

Great for Back Flexibility-With a Tummy Tuck Bonus!
I have been using this video for some time, and have found it to be a great way to stretch and strengthen the muscles in my back, especially my lower back. I have what is primarily a desk job, and this video has helped improve my posture significantly, as well as helping with my flexibility. As an added bonus, as my lower back muscles became stronger and posture improved, I noticed that my stomach was pulled in tighter and my spine was straighter. I highly recommend this video to anybody who sits at a desk all day-use it every other day for two weeks and see how you feel.

Rodney Yee uses a clear style of presentation, but be sure to watch the video through a couple of times before trying it, so you don't keep trying to twist around and see what he's doing. The postures are done with a chair, and I found that a basic, plain old kitchen table chair worked great. ... Read more

Reviews (159)

Simply Grand!
You have all 3 Wallace and Gromit cartoons in one package with this! Anybody interested in animation should see this. Nick Park (also known for Chicken Run and Creature Comforts) uses the Claymation technique (simmilar to The Nightmare Before Christmas) and I was reading 1 review which said his 1st movie, A Grand Day Out took 6 years to perfect. That explains why he has only made 3 films at this writing.

The 1st movie, A Grand Day Out, introduces Wallace, clever crackpot inventor in England who loves cheese, and his dog Gromit, the brains behind the two. Wallace invents a rocketship to take himself and Gromit to the moon (after all, the moon IS made out of cheese, isn't it?). They find out quickly that the "oven" they've been using to heat Wallace's moon-cheese is really a crater-skiing robot who doesn't take too kindly to their visit!

In the 1993 Academy Award winning The Wrong Trousers, Wallace gives Gromit a pair of walking trousers (designed to walk Gromit when Wallace has better inventions to think up!). Gromit feels ignored, especially after Wallace takes in a boarder, a mysterious penguin. Later, Gromit discovers the penguin is a notorious thief and makes plans to save himself and Wallace!

In the 1995 Academy Award winning A Close Shave, Wallace and Gromit go into the window washing business. When Wallace meets the sweet Wendoline (who owns a knitting business) and her evil dog Preston, Wallace invents the Knit-O-Matic, a yarn making machine which strips the wool of a whole flock of sheep as fast as you can say "Confound it, Gromit!". Then when Preston starts playing with the machine, trouble begins (and it's up to Gromit to save the day)!

Each one of these adventures is worth more than 1 view and I look forward to more Wallace and Gromit adventures (and other Nick Park produced efforts) in the future.

No Cheese, Gromit.
The WALLACE & GROMIT shorts have accomplished something very few other franchises can claim. They are as popular with cult-clasping-college students as they are with kindergarten children. For the First episode creator Nick Park needed an excuse to get a man and his dog to the moon... A GRAND DAY OUT was the result. The episode is quaint and filled with great character and humor. The second, and greatest to date, THE WRONG TROUSERS introduces an evil penguin to the mix. Thats right, an evil penguin. The last episode, A CLOSE SHAVE, is an awesome sequel but suffers from the same thing that haunts many live action sequels. It is given a bigger budget and more time is spent on the mechanics of the story than the human side. All three are laugh-out-loud. And coming in short of 30 minutes, they can easily be taken in in one sitting and you won't feel guilty for not getting your bank book balanced. This is the most recent DVD release and includes interesting making of material, commentary by creator Nick Park, and even 4 early animations. Great for the entire family...

The worst animation on Earth
If you can stomach "Wallace and Gromit",I admire you.This is the absolute WORST animation on Earth!I felt like I was punishing myself by watching this horrible DVD.The stories had no plots-they were just a bunch of adlibbed scenes slapped together in hopes of making a plot.The animation itself is sloppy,choppy and cheapThis is NOT worth your time-if you want a good cartoon-get "Tom & Jerry" or "Popeye" instead.

ARE THERE MORE WALLACE & GROMIT OUT THERE ?
We have purchased all the Nick Park/Aardman/Wallace & Gromit DVDs we can find on Amazon. Are there more out there? It seems to me from watching PBS, etc. that there might be. It may take a certain mindset to really appreciate this animation, but we'll take all we can get!

WALLACE AND GROMIT SUCK!
THESE SHORTS ARE NOT WORTHY OF THE ONE STAR WE WERE FORCED TO GIVE THEM. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ALL OF YOU PEOPLE???? WALLACE AND GROMIT ARE THE CREEPIEST THINGS ON TV AND SHOULDN'T BE ALLOWED TO BE VIEWED BY CHILDREN (MUCH LESS ADULTS!) WE'RE GOING TO HAVE NIGHTMARES FROM BEING FORCED WHILE BABYSITTING TO WATCH "THE WRONG TROUSERS" WITH A 2 YEAR OLD. WHAT ARE WE MISSING? WHAT IS SO EXCITING ABOUT THESE VIDEOS?? NOTHING!!!! THEY ARE SCARY SCARY SCARY!!! AVOID THESE FILMS AT ALL COSTS. EVERY REVIEW ON THIS SITE PRAISES THESE MOVIES LIKE THEY ARE THE GREATEST THINGS ON EARTH. IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THESE MOVIES- SAVE YOURSELVES NOW!! WE ARE REACHING OUT TO YOU!! P.S. We love you but yea craig ... Read more

Description

The most revered of all Disney films, SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS is alive with fairy tale magic, heart-pounding suspense, and rousing adventure. Once Snow White's vain stepmother, the wicked Queen, consults her Magic Mirror to learn that her stepdaughter's beauty surpasses her own, the lovely young girl must flee into the forest. There, she meets seven lovable dwarfs: Dopey, Sleepy, Sneezy, Bashful, Happy, Doc, and the rough-edged Grumpy. But even their devotion cannot save her form the Queen's spell ... the spell that can only be battled by a prince! Now, through high-definition direct-to-digital technology, you can own "The One That Started It All" -- the first full-length animated feature ever created, lovingly restored for a memorable entertainment experience for all ages! ... Read more

Reviews (247)

Great for kid and adults
WOW! I got this for my AFI 100 Best Films collection and this by far is one of my favorites. Kids will love this for the same reasons we and previous generations did. And adults and film buffs will love it for the sheer volume of extras that this DVD comes with. It's almost as if the movie is secondary! There is so much here it even comes with a guided tour which I highly recommend taking. Before you do that though, leave the disc on the main menu screen for awhile. The Magic Mirror will let you know what he thinks about you taking your time!

This is also a great way to introduce your kids to Walt Disney as he is clearly throughout the entire DVD. Hopefully they will be as entranced as we were. The "Disney Through the Ages" is my favorite featurette. It takes you decade by decade from the year Snow White was released until the year 2000. You have the option to play each separately or all together. This even has deleted scenes and songs from over 60 years ago!

Kudos to the Mouse for the time and effort on a format for much a beloved film! Get this while it lasts.

Disney Magic Makes SNOW WHITE Classic DVD
I was extremely excited to receive this DVD.... Upon opening it, one gets the feeling that it is truly a special edition. The packaging is very nice: the DVD box is sturdy with two openings for each disk. The pamphlet inside the DVD is gorgeously produced and very helpful.

My first impression is that Disney has spent much time making this DVD user-friendly. There is an abundance of directions and drawings showing you what is on the disk and how to get there. Since there are two disks and a KINGDOM of information to pour through, these directions are very welcome (even to this seasoned DVD-viewer!)

Disney pulls out some familiar faces to make the experience as warm as possible: Disney himself appears in various footage; Angela Lansbury narrates the documentary and provides a "tour" of the disks; Michael Eisner shows up; and Barbra Streisand sings a specially recorded version of "Some Day My Prince Will Come".

SNOW WHITE, the movie, looks gorgeous and, although old fashioned, is quite wonderful. SNOW WHITE, the double-disk, is a lot of information to wade through. I am amazed at the amount of behind-the-scenes film that exists! Disney must have suspected that he was creating a classic - he filmed every aspect of it! I especially enjoy the HALL OF ART section. There are 3 halls of various story art (i.e. "The cottage"; "The castle"; "the Forest"; etc.) Although initially I found it hard to move from hall to hall, I eventually figured it out. The animated HALLS are extraordinary and the art that "hangs" there is incredible -- various renderings and attempts at bringing the story and locales of SNOW WHITE alive. It's even more incredible that Disney Co. held on to these papers for all these years.

Well, in case you can't tell, I highly recommend the special SNOW WHITE disks. You will spend days looking at everything that is included -- or you can opt to spend an hour and a half viewing the original,gorgeous film that started the Disney empire....

Great movie for beauty experts
Snow White's Step Mother sure had the power to transform to an ugly witch, Why not use her power to transform fairer than Snow White ? In present situation there are so many people who wants quick fix, Liposuction, Facelift, Botox etc.But with Snow White's Step Mother She wished for her death instead,that's her quick fix.
There's one classic Wile E. Coyote scenario also, When the Witch was being apprehended by the seven Dwarfs, The Witch is about to drop a huge boulder onto the seven dwarfs but she was strucked by a lightning and the boulder fell with her in a cliff.
What's the moral of the story? Don't ask a mirror who's fairer but ask an Expert Doctor who does miracle face transformation instead.

The one that started it all and still the best of them all
This is my personal favorite disney movie the best moment is the ending where the prince wakes Snow White up and they go to the castel,I also loved the music very much,disney had done a great job with this movie,its also one of the most important films in cinema history,this is definitly a classic disney movie that every disney fan should add to their collection.

1.33:1 instead of the original 1.37:1 aspect ratio
I stand corrected. The original format is only slightly wider than the DVD format. This should clip or pan the video very little. ... Read more

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 ... Read more

Reviews (78)

Not Classic G&S, but Great, Nonetheless
This version of 'Penzance' isn't in classic Gilbert and Sullivan style. However, I fully enjoyed it.
Angela Lansbury plays Ruth very well. She incorporates a Scottish accent, giving her role a very homely and authentic feel. Her voice is superb.
Kevin Kline's Pirate King probably steals the show. He has a certain wittiness to his role, while at the same time being, plainly, stupid. Probably, he is the funniest out this, all in all, very funny movie.
George Rose plays Major General Stanley very well also. In his rendition of the perpetual classic, "I am the Very Model of a Modern Major General", he is topped by none other. The version is slightly adapted from Gilbert and Sullivan's original, with a presto-agitato ending flourish.
As Mabel, Linda Rondstadt has great vocals, reaching every high note perfectly. I noticed, though, her acting skills were highly below par.
Tony Azito plays a very comical Sergant. His vocals are a bit too nasally and over-comic, but his acting is flawless. All of his movements seem to flow together very well forming a VERY funny carachter.
All in all, this is probably the best version of 'Pirates' out there. Everything meshes very well. Buy it!!!

A Delightful Romp
Unlike a previous reviewer, I am a long-time Gilbert and Sullivan lover who loved this movie--I first saw it some 15 years ago, and I waited for many years for it to come out on video. Needless to say, when I finally bought a VCR, I bought this as soon as I could find it.

The three key roles in Pirates are the Major General, the Pirate King, and the Sergeant of Police. All are well cast here. Tony Azito has a bit less vocal heft than a true Savoyard would like in the Police Sergeant's role, but he is superb at the physical comedy the role demands. George Rose is a superb Major General (that's, in Anna Russell's immortal phrase, "the little man who prances around and sings the patter song.") Best of all, Kevin Kline turns in a terrific performance as the Pirate King, showing once again what a wonderfully versatile actor he is.

Of the rest of the cast, Linda Rondstadt and Rex Smith, as the young lovers, are good. As Mabel, Rondstadt's job is primarily to sing with gusto, which she certainly does. G&S purists may be annoyed by Smith's casting as Frederic, since he does not have the pure tenor voice the role calls for, but he acquits himself well in the comic moments.

All in all, this is a movie to be enjoyed over and over. And for any of you out there who don't like it, a suitable penalty has been prepared. Something with boiling oil in it, I fancy. Yes, boiling oil or molten lead.

The Slave of Duty
Kevin Kline who has performed in such diverse productions as "Hamlet" and "A Fish Named Wanda" gleefully buckles and swashes through the role of the Pirate King in Joseph Papp's 1983 movie of "The Pirates of Penzance." He's not a bad singer, either. If you prefer a slightly more British version of this Gilbert and Sullivan character, the Pirate King was once played by Prince Charles when he was a boy at Gordonstoun School in 1967. However, I don't think a movie was made of the Gordonstoun version.

Broadway veteran George Rose is the very model of a modern Major-General, and Angela Lansbury, added to the film's cast for marquee value, mugs a ditzy path through her role as nursemaid-turned-pirate. Linda Ronstadt is a suitably sappy Mabel, and her suitor, Rex Smith is a sexy ex-pirate, although I didn't particularly care for his crooning falsetto.

This is a very lively production, whatever purists might have to say about Papp's borrowing of the 'matter' trio from Ruddigore and Josephine's first act ballad from "H.M.S. Pinafore," not to mention a scene from 'Pinfore' which is turned into an operetta within an operetta at the climax of this movie. Even those of us who are not particularly fond of Gilbert and Sullivan can enjoy this 'Pirates' for its roguish, romping energy (Kevin Kline is a heckuva dancer, too) and spectacular sets. Except for George Rose and Angela Lansbury, the singing is a little hard to understand, but if you really need to understand all of the words get one of the Stratford Festival versions.

This 'Pirates' is too much fun to pass up.

fabulous production of a G & S classic
Anyone who enjoys the wit and merriment of Gilbert and Sullivan will adore this marvelous production. The cast is superb, with Kevin Kline giving us one of his most delectable performances, playing the Pirate King with bravura and remarkable athletic ability. Rex Smith is wonderful as the handsome Frederick; he has a gorgeous tenor voice, with a charming vibrato and fine timbre.
Linda Ronstadt is a cute and demure Mabel, and as her father, the Major-General Stanley, George Rose is a riot. His of course is one of the most famous fast-patter songs ever written, "I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General", and he makes the most of it. Other notable performances are by Angela Lansbury as Ruth, and Tony Azito, who is a terrific dancer, as the Sergeant.

The staging and choreography are top-notch, and I'm especially fond of the sets, which look like three-dimensional paintings, contrasted by usually having running water in each scene. Lovely cinematography (Douglas Slocombe) and excellent direction by Wilford Leach make this one of the best G & S films ever.
Gilbert loved to parody the conventions and society of his time in his lyrics, and Sullivan did the same with grand opera. There are sections of "Penzance" that spoof Verdi's "Il Trovatore" and "La Traviata".

The official premiere was in 1879 in New York City, and the opera still sparkles with cleverness, its silly plot devices are still inanely funny, and the characters still lovable.
The subtitle to the opera is "The Slave of Duty", and the story concerns a boy who was mistakenly apprenticed to pirates by his nurse, who hard of hearing, thought her master said "pirate" instead of "pilot"; when he meets Mabel, feelings, sense of duty, and being born on February 29th (one of those silly plot devices !) collide, and chaos ensues.
This performance, based on the N. Y. Shakespeare Festival production, will thoroughly delight anyone who appreciates Gilbert and Sullivan, and Kevin Kline fans will love to see yet another facet of his talent. Total running time is 1 hour and 52 minutes.

Pleasingly fun
Pirates of Penzance is a truly special production to be sure. The comical performance by Rex Smith makes up for any poor singing, Linda Ronstadt's graceful tones and beauty adds a gentle touch and Kevin Cline took even my Father by surprise with his athletic movement and deep tones. But I can not possibly leave out the policemen, they did a remarkable job as well and gave the later half of the video the spark it needed.
Alright, I will admit my Mother left the room after half to read her emails and my Father was nearly asleep, but neither hurdles stopped me from watching it more than once everyday for over a week until I had to return it to it's anxious owners. Over all, though I'm no expert, I consider it a must see for anyone who simply wants to sit back enjoy a laugh and maybe even sing-a-long. ... Read more

Reviews (76)

It's great to walk three miles in your living room!
I have a reasonably large library of exercise videos and must rate this as one of my favorites. The workout is a good one in that I really work up a sweat and can feel the burn, yet it is easy to follow with good cues and steps that aren't too complicated. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I didn't just exercise my legs, but also my arms, waist, and pretty much everywhere else, too. I also like the fact that it is possible to do the exercises with or without weights and can vary the intensity by making bigger or smaller movements. I am an avid walker, but living in New England means that I can't always actually walk outside so being able to get three miles in my living room is a very good thing! The only negative is that Leslie just plain talks too much which I find annoying at times. Fortunately, though, since you don't need every ounce of gray matter to follow the movements, it is easy enough to tune her out on those mornings when I would rather just exercise and not hear Leslie's banter.

I Love These Tapes and got Great Results!!
Okay, everyone, i've been reading all of the reviews and would like to say something first of all: Leslie is not annoying. shes a lovely instructor and a bit dorky but shes her own unique person and is great when it comes to this workout. i just watch what she does and listen to music. if you have a problem with it then do that too. its very simple. so to all of you complainers: get over it. I've been doing these tapes for 3 weeks and within 2 weeks i lost 8 pounds. may i add that a dedicated diet that suits you is also very effective. i am 16 years old...and i've had a medical problem for 2 years and never thought i'd get rid of weight. since i started these tapes i am motivated to loose and cant wait to reach my goal. (i started at 200 and im 5'6 which is not healthy for my age) now im 192 and it keeps going down and down and everyone i know is saying how fit im looking. it makes me feel great. if you have 30 minutes a day then i suggest that this will work great for you. also if you have a medical problem and need to start slow and everything the 1 mile would be perfect for you for a while but i do 2 miles a day and it is working great so make sure you get this tape if you are interested!!!!!!!!~

My Favorite Leslie Sansone Workout
Leslie is the "Queen of In-Home Walking." This is different than walking on a treadmill, but seems equally effective. You can also walk any day of the year, rain or shine, day or night. There are no limits.

Leslie travels all over the world promoting fitness and holds six certificates from the American College of Sports Medicine. She also owns Club Fitness and makes appearances on the QVC Home Shopping Channel.

After trying a few of Leslie Sansone's workouts, this is now my favorite workout.

This Super Fat Burning - 3 Mile workout took me to new places in my fitness level. I really saw some good results in the stomach area. I had to keep looking in the mirror to make sure it was true. This workout firms the upper and lower body, improves coordination and balance and boosts cardio strength. (47 minutes)

Since I'm not the queen of coordination, the Leslie Sansone workouts allow me to exercise without worrying about fancy footwork. If you can stand in one place and move forward, back and put your arms up and down, you can do this! Therefore, this is really for anyone! The use of weights really takes this video to a new level. This workout really does tighten and tone you all over.

I highly recommend this workout or the three workout set with weights. This workout is for anyone starting a new workout program or for anyone who just wants to have a little fun with their workouts. You just become one of the group and Leslie creates a very friendly, accepting environment. I really started to look forward to working out in such a positive environment and enjoy being in the presence of some positive energy, plus it gave me an added boost of "I can do this." The music also just keeps you moving!

If you have a 5' x 7' space anywhere near a TV, these are perfect. You don't need a lot of room like many aerobic videos require.

Leslie's workouts that add a smiley burst of energy to your day. If you are on your couch, you better be looking out for Leslie Sansone cause she is going to "come over and get you" off that couch! At least that is what she says. ;)

I sent my aunt the 1-mile workout and she now says that
she does the workout with my little second cousin who is
now living at her house. So apparently even kids love
Leslie's workouts. ;)

~TheRebeccaReview.com

My favorite of all 4 of Leslie's workouts (so far!)
Last fall, when I first heard about Leslie's workout tapes, I bought the 3-DVD set of the 1-mile, 2-mile and 4-mile DVDs. I was able to move quickly from the 1-mile to the 2-mile, but going from there to the 4-mile proved much more challenging. I thought I'd try a 3-mile as a middle step until I could easily get through the 4-mile and bought this one earlier this year.

I love it! Things I like alot: 1) there are more people participating in the workout than in my other Sansone DVDs; 2) Leslie has MUCH more interaction with the people in the workout than in my other Sansone DVDs; 3) the set/studio where the DVD is filmed is a hundred times better than those in the other Sansone DVDs I have; 4) the transitions in music/pace are a hundred times better than in the other Sansone DVDs I have; 5) the music, while not hugely inspiring, is good; and 6) while it's a shallow and silly thing, this DVD is MUCH more up-to-date than the others and I don't have to look at terribly outdated workout outfits and hairdos anymore. :)

I have no major dislikes. After watching/listening to the DVD repeatedly over a course of months, there are LITTLE things that bug me like the fact that Leslie so often refers to "the girls" and ignores the fact that there is a man participating (Randy). I noticed that Randy was dressed differently than the girls (their outfits are all in a matching color scheme and by the same company), so I wondered if maybe Randy was a "fill-in" for someone who couldn't make it at the last minute and therefore Leslie was used to it being all girls and kept forgetting he was back there (he was in the back row).

All in all, a WONDERFUL exercise tool!

Great for those days...
when you don't want to think about it. I alternate this tape with other workouts (elliptical trainer, walking outdoors, biking) and it's a nice variation. The weights give it just enough "umph" and even when I'm unmotivated, I can usually make myself do this tape. ... Read more