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Product Description
Languages: English, French
Subtitles: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Danish, Norwegian, Finnish
Subtitles: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Danish, Norwegian, Finnish
From the Back Cover
Richard Attenborough directs Michael Douglas in Chorus Line, a story of the hardships and rejections in the theatre world. Zach (michael Douglas) is auditioning dancers for a new Broadway musical, narrowing down the hordes to a small number of hopefuls who want to be in the Chorus Line for his new show. When reduced to sixteen men and women, Zach asks each contestant to step forward into the footlights. Here he questions them about their ambitions. While probing into their pasts Zach is confronted by his own in the shape of his ex-girlfriend Sheila – who once a successful actress now needs work.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
39 of 40 people found the following review helpful
By Fini McWini
Format:DVD
I was really quite surprised to read some of the condescending reviews about this Master Piece! Purhaps, having not seen the stage show, I do not miss the 'better sequences' that have been cut. However, watching this movie time and time again, I never bore of its electric cast that shine with such presence throughout. I can totally believe how this film has been responsible for peoples careers..as a performer I was hugely tempted on first seeing this film, to become a dancer. It is so dynamically full of life and influencial in that way... All the 'chorus line' show great potential, though you can easily distinguish between who will 'get it' at the end and who will not. 'Surprise Surprise' a classic, so full of spark and even sexual tension!!! 'I can do that' and 'The one' obviously stand out to me, but 'Nothing' is performed with great pinazz too... The one star lost because I felt it focussed too much on Cassies relationship with Zak. Overall however, a very striking and memorable production. I would highly recommend to anyone considering the stage....
29 of 30 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:VHS Tape
"A Chorus Line" follows the fortunes of a multitude of dancers as they audition for a new show on Broadway. The gritty reality of the audition process to which dancers, singers and actors subject themselves is sympathetically portrayed, including some wonderful 'private moments' from some of them, detailing why they chose to become a dancer. Those from a theatrical background will find much to recognise (eg one of the first songs - "I need this job!"), but the film does not exclude those who have never experienced an audition procedure. The music is great, as is the choreography, and the film brings to living colour a show originally produced for the stage. It is one of those films that leaves you humming the music, tapping your toes, refreshed by the humanity of it all, and wanting to watch it again.
27 of 28 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:VHS Tape
The nightmare of dance is its speed and timing. The chorus line is a fantastic example of proffesionalism at its best and gives you great understanding of the gruelling tasks set upon old and younge dancers in this very distinguishable era. I have many times done the opening dance "I hope i get it" and the difficulty level is phenomenal. Standing ovation!! Brilliant!!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Eleni
TOP 100 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
This is a fantastic and moving musical, directed by Richard Attenborough, with music by Marvin Hamlisch and lyrics by Edward Kleban; the story is great, the characters are convincing, the music is wonderful and the dancing spectacular.
The story takes place during an audition for what is known as a chorus line; a group of dancers and singers who perform synchronized routines in musical theatre. I know it doesn't seem much and I know that it is impossible to explain what takes place during and audition to anyone who has never participated in one, but this lovely musical and indeed this film are the closest an 'outsider' can get to the harsh, sometimes unfair, passionate and wonderful world of theatre. What I love about this story is that the very skilful dancers in this audition are not competing for a glamorous staring role in the musical, but for a very small part; just a spot in the chorus, one of the many dancers in the background. The competitors for this most desired spot are all extremely skilful, likable, and each with a heartbreaking personal story and a passionate desire to "get it". Throughout the film, as their individual stories unfold, we know that almost their life itself depends upon getting this job, and so we hope that there was some way the could all get it, they certainly deserve it, and yet we know as does the choreographer who conducts the audition, that only few will have a happy ending.
With excellent performances by each and every actor and great songs like "At the Ballet", "Dance: Ten; Looks: Three", "What I Did for Love" and my personal favorite "Nothing", this film is as contemporary today as it was when it was first produced, and is indeed a classic.
The story takes place during an audition for what is known as a chorus line; a group of dancers and singers who perform synchronized routines in musical theatre. I know it doesn't seem much and I know that it is impossible to explain what takes place during and audition to anyone who has never participated in one, but this lovely musical and indeed this film are the closest an 'outsider' can get to the harsh, sometimes unfair, passionate and wonderful world of theatre. What I love about this story is that the very skilful dancers in this audition are not competing for a glamorous staring role in the musical, but for a very small part; just a spot in the chorus, one of the many dancers in the background. The competitors for this most desired spot are all extremely skilful, likable, and each with a heartbreaking personal story and a passionate desire to "get it". Throughout the film, as their individual stories unfold, we know that almost their life itself depends upon getting this job, and so we hope that there was some way the could all get it, they certainly deserve it, and yet we know as does the choreographer who conducts the audition, that only few will have a happy ending.
With excellent performances by each and every actor and great songs like "At the Ballet", "Dance: Ten; Looks: Three", "What I Did for Love" and my personal favorite "Nothing", this film is as contemporary today as it was when it was first produced, and is indeed a classic.
23 of 26 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
This movie to me was one of the greatest influences in my dance career because it captured the energy and the love for dance that only a dancer can know. I did not see the broadway show because it will ruin the movie for me. They are two seperate performances. A great young talented cast headed by a great director is a plus.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This film received much unjustified adverse comment when first released but has stood the test of time. I purchased this for my sister-in-law whose video of it has worn out from viewing! Well lit, well directed, well filmed but above all Superb Dancing!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Alona
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Short & Sweet Revue
A great film well acted, danced & directed. You really get involved in the story & feel the anxiety of the dancers hoping they are going to get the job. Most importantly you want to get up & dance 2 left feet and all.
A great film well acted, danced & directed. You really get involved in the story & feel the anxiety of the dancers hoping they are going to get the job. Most importantly you want to get up & dance 2 left feet and all.
26 of 30 people found the following review helpful
By C. Moorcroft
Format:DVD
For fans of the stage show, avoid this. Remember that this is not a recording of a stage performance. It was turned into a movie, and Dickie Attenborough succumbed to the old Hollywood habit of ruining stage musicals.
There is unnecessary expansion of the back story of the relationship between Zack & Cassie. The one song in the show that doesn't quite work for me, "Hello Twelve, Hello Thirteen, Hello Love" is replaced by a new song "Surprise Surprise" that is worse! One of my favourites, "The Music and The Mirror", is also replaced! The greatest sin of all is missing the point of "What I Did For Love": by giving it to Cassie it now becomes a throwaway lost love song, instead of the summary of why we're all here. For this show, we need the music, the mirror, and the white line on a bare stage - not this film version.
There is unnecessary expansion of the back story of the relationship between Zack & Cassie. The one song in the show that doesn't quite work for me, "Hello Twelve, Hello Thirteen, Hello Love" is replaced by a new song "Surprise Surprise" that is worse! One of my favourites, "The Music and The Mirror", is also replaced! The greatest sin of all is missing the point of "What I Did For Love": by giving it to Cassie it now becomes a throwaway lost love song, instead of the summary of why we're all here. For this show, we need the music, the mirror, and the white line on a bare stage - not this film version.
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3.4 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not as good as the stage show!
Often musicals benefit from the silver screen but not this one. There is to much time wasting with the director/main character back story. Read more
Published 7 days ago by susan Stokes
5.0 out of 5 stars
what a good show
Glad i sent for this there is a big gap in price for the same dvd for the new one which contains the same artists will watch this a lot
Published 1 month ago by coppernob
5.0 out of 5 stars
film of a chorus line
excellent production and extra enjoyable after going to London
to see the show. See it if you can but expect a dark story.
to see the show. See it if you can but expect a dark story.
Published 2 months ago by Anita Tanner
3.0 out of 5 stars
Ah well
We thought that we would like this. We hadn't seen it ever, and it still seems to be popular. Not to our taste, but no fault of the DVD or the supplier
Published 3 months ago by Margaret Cunningham
3.0 out of 5 stars
Chorus Line DVD
I watched this DVD having recently watched the stage version, which is superior by far. The back story of two of the characters, Cassie and Zach is unnecessarily drawn out. Read more
Published 4 months ago by C. Mander
2.0 out of 5 stars
A Chorus line
As I had requested this item I am happy with it, I was told that it would take approximately two weeks to
arrive but it arrived much sooner which I was delighted with. Read more
arrive but it arrived much sooner which I was delighted with. Read more
Published 5 months ago by W. T. Kippax
5.0 out of 5 stars
:D
Amazing DVD, one of my favourite musicals on dvd. love love love it. espically the ending 'One..... singular sensation every little step she takes'.
Published 6 months ago by Cat
3.0 out of 5 stars
pales in comparison with the broadway show
I saw this when it came out and was utterly riveted by it, in characters, acting, singing, dance. It stuck with me for over 35 years, in my imagination. Read more
Published 14 months ago by rob crawford
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Music
We saw the stage show and now the film. Absolutely brilliant. Some interesting thought provoking moments also very entertaining. Loved it.
Published 20 months ago by Jock
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great DVD, Thanks
Great DVD. Wonderful reference for Theatrical inspiration. The music and acting is something to behold. Hope all others get as much enjoyment from this as I did.
Published 20 months ago by Blanaid
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