A Little Night Music

The film version of "A Little Night Music" is more like that of "Pal Joey" 20 years before- changing plot, setting, and score- more than like say "Mame". Whereas in "Mame" the movie everyone EXCEPT the star was perfect, "A Little Night Music" isn't nearly as bad as has been reported. Elizabeth Taylor, yes, was hefty but sincere as 'Desiree'. Looking back it is not so much her weight but her hair (!) that hurts her performance. Worn DOWN it looks ghastly, Medusa like, in 'You Must Meet Me Wife'. Otherwise Liz is fine. Okay, yes, the one lyric- 'If She'd only been fat' still gets twitters from a audience, and should have been altered- but to what? Way back at an early film screening in Manhattan, our audience applauded after the very well-staged 'A Weekend in the Country'. And Stephen Sondheim's witty lyrics remain fresh and often hysterically funny (and Diana Rigg was perfection)!

I was never lucky enough to see the Broadway production of A Little Night Music. I thoroughly enjoyed watching this movie musical. While Elizabeth Taylor might not have had a strong singing voice I could not take my eyes off of her. I felt the same for Diana Rigg. Len Cariou, I was lucky enough to see in Sweeney Todd and have always loved him. Everyone looks like they had a blast making this movie and Sondheim’s lyrics and music always amaze. I saw don’t listen to all the negative reviews, check it out!

I used to be very disappointed in this version. Not only that songs were cut, but Elizabeth Taylor? Now I realize that she is perfectly cast. “Send in the Clowns” was written specifically for an aging actress who can’t sing. I’m happy with it now. (Though I would still love to see Hermione Gingold’s “Liaisons”)

This film wasn't very well received, but I'm enriched by having this "A Little Night Music" in my movie library... especially after hearing Steve speak in person about making it, and reading about the experience in his book "Look, I Made a Hat." For me, the film works even with its faults. Yeah, the quality of the disc is mediocre, and much of the complex music of the stage version is omitted, BUT this is an interesting watch. If you're into theatre, this is a fantastic learning tool. By now, everyone's heard the "Elizabeth can't sing a note if it were duct-taped to her" story, but I loved what she did with the role of Desiree! The casting was brilliant, with several leads from the Broadway cast reprising their roles. It's all about the music too, and Jonathan Tunick did win an Oscar for his work.

It's hard to know how to rate this movie. As a movie, it gets 4-1/2. As a rendering of Sondheim's musical, it gets a 1-1/2.The movie is excellent and I'm glad to have it. Elizabeth Taylor isn't very good in this role, but most of the others are excellent. My objections are due to the fact that so many of the songs are missing, and the tone of the show is bent out of shape by the movie.In addition to several feature songs being eliminated or cut down, the whole concept of the "Greek chorus" is missing. In the original musical, there is a quintet of singers who are not characters in the movie, but stand apart from the action and provide commentary. They generally (always?) sing as a quintet, and they have several numbers. Only one of their songs is included in the movie, and it is sung by various of the featured characters. The Greek chorus quintet is entirely absent.Now this is a device which probably works better on a stage than in a movie. So here is my fervent wish: This is one of my very favorite musicals, and I hope that someone will re-do it on film or video, re-instating all the missing music including the Greek chorus, and do it as a filming of a stage production, eliminating all cinematic effects except for use of multiple cameras for different angles and close-ups. This monumental musical deserves this!

The musical is great, although the editing leaves much to be desired. The problem I have with the DVD is that the sound, which played through two different systems that have multiple speaker surround sounds with Dolby Decoding is that there are several scenes that have very annoying background bass that detracts from the scenes. However, when played through two systems that do not have surround sound systems, the terrible bass sound is not present. Both these systems use Dolby decoders as well, but have not separate bass spreaker, so that the bass is not enhanced. I sent back the original DVD thining it was a flaw in the disc; however, the second disc had the identical problem. Otherwise I enjoy this musical and am willing to put up the the minor irritation. Playing it without the surround system is best, if possible on your system.

Absolutely beautiful music!! Stephen Sondheim is a musical genius when it came to composing the music and lyrics for this great movie musical!! Love getting to see Dame Diana Rigg in this! The costumes are beautiful. Plus if you’re a big/major fan of both movie musicals and soap operas this is the movie for you!!

This fairly decent production of A Little Night Music has some serious flaws. First and most obvious, Elizabeth Taylor just looks ridiculous. Second, this is not the entire score. Third, some of the blocking becomes extremely awkward and the characters do not always relate to each other naturally.On the other hand, the opening sequence, with appropriately costumed and mannered members audience members entering a beautiful (and appropriately old) theater is very well done.

Delightful DVD. Needed this to help with 'A' Level Music. Great.

Erfüllt in keiner Weise die Anforderungen an eine Musical DVD.Ton nur in Engl.und in schlechter Qualität.Mäßige Regieund kalte Darstellung!

Given the generally poor critical response to the film, I was really surprised that I enjoyed it! I am a huge fan of the stage show and there is no getting away from it that moving the piece from Sweden to Vienna does not help it and some of one's favourite songs are missing.That said, I knew this was going to be the case and I am reviewing what we have got rather than what we would like to have had. The biggest downside is that we are not looking at a digitally remastered print and there are some scratches visible from time to time. The second is that the third smile of the summer night is somewhat abruptly and confusingly handled.What there is to enjoy are the fact the extremely witty dialogue is virtually intact, the performances and what is left of the score. Elizabeth Taylor's take on Desiree is less glamorous than usual but it works very well and, as usual, no one can accuse her of not giving everything to the project. Diana Rigg is superb as the Countess and makes the most of the very witty lines whilst making us very aware that this is a very disturbed lady. Hermione Gingold, shorn of her wonderful "Liaisons" number still sparkles with malicious wit and the rest of the cast, several of whom were in the original Broadway production are very good indeed.Would I recommend this? Yes, I would as a film of the show adapted for the screen. The piece has suffered amputations and changes but the important thing is that it is very enjoyable while you are watching it. If you want a record of the original stage show, however, you will be disappointed

Unfortunately, it's a VHS rip. Plays great without issue.

Always wanted this in my Sondheim collection