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Spain released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 5.1 ), Spanish ( Dolby Digital 5.1 ), English ( Subtitles ), Spanish ( Subtitles ), WIDESCREEN (1.85:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: Cast/Crew Interview(s), Interactive Menu, Trailer(s), SYNOPSIS: The lives of a great artist, a corrupted holy man, and a beautiful woman cross paths at a crucial moment in history in this epic-scale historical drama from director Milos Forman. Near the end of the 18th century, Francisco Goya (Stellan Skarsgård) is a gifted but controversial artist whose provocative and often satirical work has earned the enmity of the Spanish government as well as the Catholic Church, who hold tremendous power as the Inquisition rages. Surprisingly, Brother Lorenzo (Javier Bardem), a monk involved in the Inquisition, has hired Goya to paint a portrait of himself, and to prove to the Inquisitor General (Michel Lonsdale) he's not in cahoots with the renegade artist, Lorenzo targets Inés (Natalie Portman), one of Goya's favorite models, as a possible heretic. Under torture from Lorenzo, Inés signs a false confession, and her wealthy and powerful father, Tomás Bilbatúa (José Luis Gómez), offers Lorenzo a taste of his own medicine by brow-beating him into signing a document confessing that his mother was an ape. Lorenzo flees Spain as his reputation lies in tatters, and Goya earns greater infamy as he paints a wildly unflattering portrait of Queen María Luisa (Blanca Portillo) under commission from her husband, King Carlos IV (Randy Quaid), but Inés remains in prison thanks to her coerced confession. Fifteen years later, Lorenzo has become a follower of the Enlightenment, and returns to Spain as Napoleon's forces storm the nation and the Inquisition finally collapses; Lorenzo attempts to liberate Inés from prison, but a shocking discovery awaits him. SCREENED/AWARDED AT: Goya ...Goya's Ghosts ( Los Fantasmas de Goya )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 28 people found the following review helpful
By Iain S. Palin
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
This is a haunting, visually-striking, absorbing film. Set in Spain just before and then during the Napoleonic War it centres on the life and work of the celebrated artist Francisco Goya. Stellan Skarsgard turns in an excellent performance in this role, far from the sort we usually se him in, but in terms of impact the main character is the fanatic Lorenzo. Javier Bardem turns in a stellar performance as a softly-spoken well-mannered man who gives the impression of having a soft human side but who is capable of the most extreme cruelty (all for a higher cause, of course): the sort of man who over dinner will calmly explain that it is perfectly in order for the Inquisition to use confessions obtained by torture as proof of guilt because God will give the innocent the strength to withstand the pain. The relationship between these two men and the woman Ines (Natalie Portman) is really what the film is all about.
It is difficult to go into details about what happens without giving away some of the intricacies and issues of the plot, which is well-crafted and catches the spirit of a turbulent time and what it did to people. This is a pity, there is much one could say. But if you want a good, thought-provoking drama well presented it's worth watching. (Though if you're after a relaxed and happy film, this isn't it.)
It is difficult to go into details about what happens without giving away some of the intricacies and issues of the plot, which is well-crafted and catches the spirit of a turbulent time and what it did to people. This is a pity, there is much one could say. But if you want a good, thought-provoking drama well presented it's worth watching. (Though if you're after a relaxed and happy film, this isn't it.)
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By L. Davidson
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
I am somewhat surprised by the lukewarm reception that "Goya's Ghosts" has got from the critics.I thought that it was a captivating film, well acted in the main with excellent characterisation and frequently stunning cinematography.The historical backdrop of late 18th Century/early 19th Century Spain was interesting as well, featuring as it does the Spanish Inquisition and the Peninsular War. "Goya's Ghosts" is less a film about the renowned Spanish painter ,Francisco Goya, and more of a film about his friend, Brother Lorenzo, played superbly by Javier Bardem,a Spanish Inquisitor turned French occupier and his life of villainy and repression.Natalie Portman plays Ines, a beautiful friend of Goya's ,who acts as his muse; she is falsely accused of heresy by the Inquisition and is raped by Lorenzo after being cast down into their dungeons. Goya (played by Stellan Skarsgard) is often merely a peripheral observer in this film which mostly follows the career of Lorenzo and the plight of Ines over a fifteen year period. In this respect perhaps the film's title is a misleading one and a more appropriate one ought to have been found. However this shouldn't detract from the fact that "Goya's Ghosts" is an enjoyable ,entertaining historical drama which,in my opinion, is worthy of better reviews than it has received to date.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Goya was a wonderful painter, and anyone who has seen his dark works in the Prado gallery of Madrid knows the depth of his passions and feelings about the Inquisition.
This film could never portray the full horrors of the Inquisition, even with an 18 certificate, but it goes a long way towards describing the political and financial motives that lay behind it.
Through excellent writing, acting and production, even using a spot of ironic humour on occasion, it is a highly watchable and thought provoking work that deserves a much bigger audience.
This film could never portray the full horrors of the Inquisition, even with an 18 certificate, but it goes a long way towards describing the political and financial motives that lay behind it.
Through excellent writing, acting and production, even using a spot of ironic humour on occasion, it is a highly watchable and thought provoking work that deserves a much bigger audience.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Goyas Ghosts DVDs
Arrived promptly and in tip top condition
Was bought as a gift for brother who loves supernatural films - he loved it. Says its suitably horrific.
Was bought as a gift for brother who loves supernatural films - he loved it. Says its suitably horrific.
Published 23 days ago by Ms. Lm Scatizzi
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved it
Every frame of this film could be an oil painting in itself. It was completely underrated when it came out, and it seems unappreciated by a couple of misguided morons who gave it a... Read more
Published 3 months ago by SammyDW
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
This is a excellent film........ Just buy it as its worth the money as was just under 6.00. have fun.
Published 3 months ago by Mr T
5.0 out of 5 stars
Goya's Ghosts
A very enlightening Film an incite in to hypocrisy of the Catholic Religion,
in Spain, which nearly swept the world and killed thousands.
in Spain, which nearly swept the world and killed thousands.
Published 9 months ago by Mrs. C. Shelmerdine
5.0 out of 5 stars
Goya is very Good
A very realistic film: done authentic and so a very realist film. costumes, language and scenery are perfect. After having seen it on TV I decided it was worth purchasing too. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Eric Victor Price
3.0 out of 5 stars
awkward plot devices ruin what could have been truly fine
I was hoping for a historical snapshot like the one in Amadeus, which is unquestionably one of the best in spite of all its inaccuracies. Read more
Published 21 months ago by rob crawford
3.0 out of 5 stars
A bit portentious but grew on me
Something of the Milos Foreman bombast here, and initially I thought this was in danger of being a sub-standard Amadeus. Read more
Published on 1 Mar 2011 by J. Waite
4.0 out of 5 stars
Involving movie.
I find so many movies boring but not this one. It is not for everyone because there is a certain amount of analysis of the characters rather than all out action. Read more
Published on 23 Jan 2011
5.0 out of 5 stars
Highly recommended
The painter Francesco Goya played by Stellan Skarsgård, becomes involved with the Spanish Inquisition when his mus Ines (Natalie Portman) is arrested and tortured by the... Read more
Published on 2 Jan 2011 by Gary Selikow
1.0 out of 5 stars
Oh no, more drivel from Hollywood
I bought this film in error. I thought the title was "Goya's Ghost" but having checked the back of the DVD i noticed that it said "Nathalie Portman playing the victim with the... Read more
Published on 26 Sep 2010 by Nrhlangman
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