Rose Byrne Movie:

Editorial Review:
When New York theatrical producer Joseph Papp decided to bring Gilbert and Sullivan to Broadway, he added typically broad, bold strokes to make their singular operetta format meaningful to 1980s audiences. In The Pirates 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 between its hapless, titular pirates and the citizens of Penzance, the Cornish town targeted for plunder. Adding to the new production's mainstream allure was the theatrical debut for erstwhile country-rock siren Linda Ronstadt as the virginal Mabel, along with a plum role for another putative pop heartthrob, 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 revisions are 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 the artifice of its stage sets and hokey, colorful costuming, celebrating the genre's proud theatrical legacy.

The cast, meanwhile, tears into the farcical plot with elan, led by Kevin 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 the modern Major-General Stanley, and Angela Lansbury, added to the film's cast for 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 subsequent exploration of classic pop with arranger-conductor Nelson Riddle. --Sam Sutherland

The Pirates of Penzance Reviews:
Lousy copy
2009-11-18 -
I was so disappointed with this copy of the Pirates of Penzance. If you want a good copy, don't choose the play version, choose the movie version.
What a waste of money this was!

Why not yet on DVD?
2009-11-14 - This is by far my favorite movie musical. The scene of the policemen dancing followed by the pirates doing their incredibly physically demanding dance -- I could watch those two scenes a hundred times and not be tired of it. The blending of the voices is incredible too. Perfect casting to make the most of all the roles. Please, please, please bring it out on DVD!

My six year old LOVED it as hoped, but -
2009-09-28 - We rented this from our local library to introduce our kindergartner to Gilbert & Sullivan. Anything with pirates ...

The video's quality was bad, and that is why I'm looking for another version right now, as he's requested. If there were some way of bringing this version's audiovisual quality up to par with its performances - which along with the singing are EXCELLENT - this would be the perfect classic rendition of Pirates of Penzance. I hope that somehow happens.

Still not out on DVD?
2009-09-07 - What are they thinking? It has been years since this was released on VHS. I own a copy. It is perhaps the best filming of a Gilbert and Sullivan EVER. Whoever owns the rights is making a major mistake.

Historical value but limited playing capability
2009-07-10 - Product will not play on a Blu-Ray disc player. Had to play it on my laptop. Still -- it is historically a gem to see Patricia Routledge in this role captured on film.