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Rating:  - BE WARNED: NOT THE DVD ADVERTISED
Potential buyers should be warned that this is not a DVD version of the made-for-film production that includes Angela Landsbury in the cast, though her name certainly appears on the box cover in the advertisement, the product description, and the reviews. It appears that none of the reviewers actually own a DVD copy of this film, and are therefore commenting on a different production than the one being sold (which I already own). As I remember, the production being sold here has sound issues, and the volume fades in and out. Nonetheless, "Hyacinth Bucket" gives a very strong performance as the foolish nursery maid, and the production has other appealing features to collectors.
Rating:  - Avoid confusion with this title
There is a lot of confusion in the reviews of this movie, and the reason is simple, there are 2 films with he same name and almost the same cast. There is a version which is the film of the broadway stage show, which I have not seen, but lots of people who have say its pretty horrible (the film and sound, not the actual broadway production which most people think was excellent). Then there is another version which is made on a soundstage with simple sets. The later version is, in my opinion, excellent. The singing is great, the acting is great (in this style), and the cast looks like there are having a great time. So there you have it, if you see a bad review, it is probably the film of the stageshow, and if you see a great review, it is probably a review of the soundstage version.
Now for the down side, the good verion (which you can pick by the fact it has Angela Lansbury playing Ruth), is at the time of writing this review not availbale on DVD. So, if you get a DVD it will be the crappy version. You can get the good version on VHS.
Rating:  - WARNING: DVD is NOT Lansbury
WARNING
The DVD version of this title (ASIN B000260R6E) stars Patricia Routledge as Ruth and NOT Angela Lansbury, despite the cover. It is identical to the version recorded live and sold under a different cover (ASIN B00006RCMW)
The VHS version (NTSC ASIN: 6300182762) I hope does star Angela Lansbury - I have it on order!
Rating:  - WARNING: Inconsistent info on box. Which version is this?
The cast list on the cover mentions Angela Lansbury, which suggests that this is the film version. I suspect that's a mistake.
The photo on the box shows Patricia Routledge, not Lansbury, and the label at the top says "Broadway Theater Archive." In other words, this is almost certainly the well-performed but badly recorded live 1980 performance in Central Park.
That stage production, which later transferred to Broadway, was taped for television. It apparently never aired due to serious technical faults (including a miscalibrated camera that produced overexposed, washed-out images; audio problems, etc.)
To make matters worse, the only known copy of the video -- used by Broadway Theater Archive for their release of the performance -- is a badly copied and timeworn workprint that exacerbates the existing flaws. It is not up to the professional broadcast standards of ANY decade, much less ours.
It's wonderful that a record of this performance exists, but know what you're buying. In any case, the Central Park performance is already available in a Region 1 disc, so there's no reason for people in North America to buy this Region 2 import.
Rating: - The Pirates of Penzance
I saw this version when it first came out on video in 1983. It created a love for Gilbert and Sullivan as well as operas. Angela Lansbury and Kevin Kline make this version the very best there is. They are funny and witty as well as suttle. The sword play by all, is excellent. Rex Smith's singing was very good and his acting in this part was exceptional. Linda Ronstadt's voice was superb and she played the part to the hilt. I have one other version with the same actors except Angela, and it just isn't quite the same. The sets were well done and still looked like they were on a stage. I prefer this version above all others.
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