 | |
List Price: $24.95 | | Label: WGBH BOSTON
Salesrank: 14010
Released: October 17, 2006 |
| Our Price: $13.19 |
| Used Price: $12.83 |
|
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Media: DVD |
|
Editorial Review:
Casanova (David Tennant Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Bright Young Things) takes us from the decadent streets of the 18th Century Venice to the salons of pre-revolution Paris and on to the London courts of George III until a trip to Naples finally breaks Casanova s heart. In the Age of Reason and Science gambling and gallantries of pleasure and entertainment Casanova has it all does it all. In turn he is a violinist a priest a gambler a lottery director and intellectual. He is both peasant and nobleman rich and poor. But he is one thing above all others a lover. Sex is Casanova s lifeblood. But he is never casual nor flippant. He loves with total commitment and total sincerity however temporarily. He sleeps with courtesans actresses and even a nun. His life is dedicated to pleasure. But one thing eludes him throughout his life perfect happiness with his one true love Henriette (Laura Fraser Vanilla Sky A Knight s Tale). 44 years later Casanova (Peter O Toole Troy Gulliver s Travels) a librarian in a castle fare exiled from Venice is dying. Into his life comes Edith (Rose Byrne Troy I Capture the Castle) a young parlour maid. Something in Edith ignites the old passion in Casanova and he finds himself regaling her with tales of his adventures. Through Edith he learns to love the old Casanova again and sends out messengers in search of Henriette. It is one last desperate attempt to see the woman he loves before he dies System Requirements:Run Time: 174 minsFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: NR UPC: 783421414198 Manufacturer No: WG41419
Description of Casanova (Masterpiece Theater):
And now for something completely randy and ribald from Masterpiece Theatre. This re-telling of the Casanova legend is a thoroughly modern romp with rollicking escapades, a sly anachronistic tone, and wardrobe malfunctions. More, it is graced with a poignant performance by Peter O' Toole (Lawrence of Arabia, My Favorite Year) as the aged lothario. Toiling in obscurity as a count's librarian, he regales an appalled, yet intrigued, parlor maid (Rose Byrne) with the story of his eventful life. David Tennant (Doctor Who) stars as the opportunistic, charming, and indefatigable young Casanova, illegitimately born to a neglectful actress mother. He becomes a scholar and sets about reinventing himself (as lawyer, doctor, and astrologer) to gain entry into Venice's noble circles. Here, he meets the enchanting Henriette (Laura Fraser), his one true love, but who is determined to marry for money and security. The first of Casanova's two parts is the most fun. Our tireless heroes' prodigious sexual exploits are rendered more comic than carnal. From two sisters (simultaneously!), he learns the secret of seducing women: "Just listen." Nina Sosanya (Love, Actually) costars as Bellino, a castrato, who presents Casanova with a Victor/Victoria-like conundrum. Casanova cannot keep up the pace of the cheeky first half as the stakes get higher in his pursuit of the elusive Henriette. He runs afoul of her jealous and powerful fiancé, Count Grimani (Rupert Penry-Jones), setting the stage for an ultimately heartbreaking love story that will span a lifetime. Casanova is as smart, seductive, and sad as its hero. As one character tells Casanova before a Bellino performance, "You are in for a treat." --Donald Liebenson
Casanova (Masterpiece Theater) Reviews:
not a keeper 
2009-09-27 - was too long. David Tennant's mannerisms grate on you, early parts were funny, I never finished watching the whole show, have given it away. Not a keeper for me
Excellent entertainment 
2009-07-06 - Russell T Davies is probably the UK's most accomplished popular scriptwriter. In Casanova he's at the peak of his form, creating a confection that charms and entertains with just the right mix of bawdy, funny, poignant, and ephemeral. O'Toole as the older version and Tennant as the younger version of the Viennese rake are both admirable in their different ways, though the gulf between them is perhaps just a touch too wide for comfort at times. The supporting cast is magnificent all round - there is no weak performance anywhere.
Casanova was a real historical figure but his life was too varied to be appropriate for a three-hour mini-series so Davies has taken considerable liberties to fabricate a charming work of fiction. So long as you don't mind being manipulated by a master writer, Casanova is brilliant from start to finish. There's nothing profound and the depth is only illusory, but it succeeds perfectly as a delightful entertainment. There is sparkling dialog and wonderful interplay between the principal characters and three hours just flies by. This is suitable after-dinner fare for adults and children over the age of 10 alike. While there are what US censors might term "Sexual Situations" there is no nudity and no sex; there are very few sexually-charged words either.
Given the propensity of US versions of British shows to be edited in a heavy-handed manner, it's probably best to buy this from Amazon.co.uk and view it via a zone-free DVD player.
Good, naughty fun.
2009-04-01 - The highlight of this production is Peter O'Toole. Hands down, bar none. There are the remains of a drop dead gorgeous (go see Lawrence again) man here and his story is believably supported by David Tennant; who manages the rather remarkable feat of living up to Mr. O'Toole's talent -- and looks.
Stunning script, but that's to be expected from those who loved this writer's Dr. Who -- however the wardrobe stuff and the occasional set decoration, what, malfunction? maladjustment? downright weirdness? is -- well, jarring. However, not enough to dim the emotional impact of this really fun, funny and emotionally satisfying story. Thank God the Brits made this; it's actually sexy -- as opposed to sterile or gratuitous, without being peruile about it.
Casanova - David Tennant - Great DVD
2008-12-28 - I am a fan of David Tennant's and I really enjoyed this DVD. It is a lot different from anything I have seen him in so far, but I liked it a lot. I have always liked Peter O'Toole so I knew the movie would be good with both of these great actors in it.
Good entertainment 
2008-12-12 - Casanova was purchased because of Rupert Penry Jones. David Tennant is wonderful. Good entertainment
