Rent The Tales of Hoffmann (1951)
3.6 of 5 from 96 ratings
1h 59min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
Based on Jacques Offenbach's opera of the stories of romantic poet E.T.A. Hoffmann. "The Tales of Hoffmann" gave close collaborators Michael Powell and Emeric Bressburger another opportunity to eschew realism and celebrate artifice and creativity. In "Black Narcissus", Powell had worked closely with composer Brian Easdale to create an extended sequence in which sound and image were intimately intert wined. The ballet sequences of "The Red Shoes" offered an obvious arena into which to continue this experiment, culminating in "The Tales of Hoffmann", in which the entire film is shaped by Offenbach's score, given a rousing rendition by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of the legendary Sir Thomas Beecham. The choreography, courtesy of Jane Ashton is equally inspired, resulting in a charming fantasy that's a triumph of design and a sumptuous feast for the senses. - Actors:
- Moira Shearer, Robert Rounseville, Ludmilla Tchérina, Ann Ayars, Pamela Brown, Léonide Massine, Robert Helpmann, Frederick Ashton, Mogens Wieth, Lionel Harris, Philip Leaver, Meinhart Maur, Edmond Audran
- Directors:
- Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger
- Producers:
- Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger
- Writers:
- Dennis Arundell, Jules Barbier, Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger, E.T.A. Hoffmann, Michel Carré
- Others:
- Hein Heckroth
- Studio:
- StudioCanal
- Genres:
- Classics, Music & Musicals, Performing Arts, Romance
- Collections:
- 10 Films to Watch if You Like The Magic Box, Cinema Paradiso's 2024 Centenary Club: Part 3, Dancing Queens: Guide to the Musical Films That'll, Films by Genre, Films to Watch If You Like..., A Brief History of Film..., The Instant Expert's Guide, The Instant Expert's Guide to Martin Scorsese, The Instant Expert's Guide to Powell and Pressburger, Top 10 Films Set in Venice, Top Films
- Awards:
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 23/03/2015
- Run Time:
- 133 minutes
- Languages:
- English LPCM Mono
- Subtitles:
- English Hard of Hearing
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Full Screen 1.33:1 / 4:3
- Colour:
- Colour
- BLU-RAY Regions:
- B
- Bonus:
- Introduction from Martin Scorsese
- Stills Gallery
- Interview with Thelma Schoonmaker
- Trailer
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Reviews (1) of The Tales of Hoffmann
Composed in Every Sense - The Tales of Hoffmann review by griggs
Nobody but Powell and Pressburger could or could’ve made this. Every frame is a Technicolor painting. Robert Helpmann chews through all three tales as the shape-shifting villain. Moira Shearer — as the doll Olympia and the framing figure of Stella — dances with the same otherworldly grace that defined The Red Shoes. I’m not sure my jaw left the floor for the entire second act. Romero called it his favourite film of all time. Scorsese recorded a commentary track. I need to see this on IMAX
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.