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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This could be Ken Russell's greatest movie, for the cinema, that is. His television biographies of musicians come into a different category and of these, "Delius, A Song of Summer", is perhaps the finest, containing an unforgettable performance by Max Adrian as Frederick Delius. But "Valentino" is extraordinary both in terms of Russell's genius for finding wonderful locations for his set pieces, such as Bournemouth's Russell-Cotes Museum and Art Gallery, and for identifying unexpectedly brilliant players (frequently not professional actors) to take leading roles. As other Amazon reviewers have stated, Nureyev is in a class of his own in this film and despite some problems in convincing us that he is an Italian gigolo - the accent is not very good - in every other respect he is terrific. No-one else could have taken the role and dominated the screen in the way that this unique man does here. Michelle Phillips, again an unexpected but entirely successful choice, plays her part to perfection and complements Nureyev without being in the least bit overshadowed by him.
The weakness (and it is a serious one)is the screenplay, which is episodic and with stilted dialogue. Too many of the lines are merely facts designed presumably to provide the audience of the time with historical background. But taken as a whole however this is a very good movie which offers very beautiful settings, terrific costumes and, in Nureyev's performance, a record of an extraordinary artist.
Russell's greatest movie? No, that's "Billion Dollar Brain", of course!
The weakness (and it is a serious one)is the screenplay, which is episodic and with stilted dialogue. Too many of the lines are merely facts designed presumably to provide the audience of the time with historical background. But taken as a whole however this is a very good movie which offers very beautiful settings, terrific costumes and, in Nureyev's performance, a record of an extraordinary artist.
Russell's greatest movie? No, that's "Billion Dollar Brain", of course!
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I should say firstly that my interest in this film is more than a passing one. I was in it! OK, not a featured player, I was the young drummer in the orchestra during the boxing-match sequence. This was filmed in the Blackpool Tower Circus in 1976 and, although not a lengthy scene, took 10 days to film. Often for as much as 10 hours per day. Arriving early on the set we were treated to the sight of Nureyev 'limbering-up' with his ballet exercises. Spontaneous applause greeted his impromptu performance. After the passing of 35 years (!) this is still a good film to watch with dazzling visuals and handsome locations. OK, so Rudolph N's thick Russian accent falls short of being authentic, he gives a very workmanlike performance in a film which has been sadly neglected. Sound and picture quality are superb too.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Ken Russell could certainly do a period picture. Detail, feel, mood, elegance and style, you name it. In his depiction of 1920's Italian heart throb Hollywood star, Rudolph Valentino, all these key aspects are in place.
Lacking some of the more outrageous flourishes of sexual and violent depravities that marred/enabled (depending on your point of view) many other of Russell's flicks, this is still certificate 18 with some moderately explicit nudity.
The locations are inspired (the desert filming scene is superbly done), such as the Russell Coates Museum in Bournemouth and the dancing and set pieces dazzling and amazing. However, somehow the film doesn't gel as a whole and working out why is near impossible.
Some say that the casting of the Russian ballet icon, Rudolf Nureyev as Valentino to be a major fault, but I disagree. Sure, he's stilted and with the wrong accent, but he absolutely looks the part and with that immensely athletic body of his, well....and the dancing is as you'd expect. As the dashing sheik in the desert, just mentioned, he looks uncannily like the real thing.
Maybe that the film covers a lot of ground and at a full 2 hours, there's a lot of visual information. Sometimes it feels that there isn't the narrative clarity to support all that and we don't always know what is going on. Or, at least I didn't.
The late, great Ken has produced a fine film but one that ultimately doesn't quite work.
Lacking some of the more outrageous flourishes of sexual and violent depravities that marred/enabled (depending on your point of view) many other of Russell's flicks, this is still certificate 18 with some moderately explicit nudity.
The locations are inspired (the desert filming scene is superbly done), such as the Russell Coates Museum in Bournemouth and the dancing and set pieces dazzling and amazing. However, somehow the film doesn't gel as a whole and working out why is near impossible.
Some say that the casting of the Russian ballet icon, Rudolf Nureyev as Valentino to be a major fault, but I disagree. Sure, he's stilted and with the wrong accent, but he absolutely looks the part and with that immensely athletic body of his, well....and the dancing is as you'd expect. As the dashing sheik in the desert, just mentioned, he looks uncannily like the real thing.
Maybe that the film covers a lot of ground and at a full 2 hours, there's a lot of visual information. Sometimes it feels that there isn't the narrative clarity to support all that and we don't always know what is going on. Or, at least I didn't.
The late, great Ken has produced a fine film but one that ultimately doesn't quite work.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Valentino
I was really surprised. It was a real masterpiece!!! The scenes were perfect and Ken Russell showed all his talent. GREAT!!!
Published 22 days ago by betoyamm
Absolutely engrossing film.
I purchased this DVD to replace my very old VHS version of "Valentino". I am a great admimirer of the late Rudolf Nureyev and of Ken Russells films. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Pam, Charmouth
The two Rudolphs
An interesting film on Rodolfo Valentino's life but more important are Ken Russel's talent and Rudolph Nureyev gifted and brilliant. An extraordinary tango with Nijinsky. Read more
Published 16 months ago by BEZZANTI DARIO
Valentino, Ken Russell
Rudolf Nureyev's limited acting skills are well offset by his extraordinary beauty and Russell's as ever OTT, voluptuous production. Read more
Published on 25 Mar 2010 by Juliet Gore
My favourite Ken Russell film
I tried to get this from HMV, but was told it was no longer available! I found it on Amazon, but had to wait over a month for it, but the wait was worthwhile. Read more
Published on 8 Dec 2009 by Mr. G. WOODWARD
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