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La Cage Aux Folles [DVD] [1980]
 
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La Cage Aux Folles [DVD] [1980]

DVD ~ Ugo Tognazzi
4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
RRP: £15.99
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Frequently Bought Together

La Cage Aux Folles [DVD] [1980] + La Cage Aux Folles 2 [DVD] [1980] + The Birdcage [DVD] [1996]
Total RRP: £47.97
Price For All Three: £14.14

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Product details

  • Actors: Ugo Tognazzi, Michel Serrault, Claire Maurier, Rémi Laurent, Carmen Scarpitta
  • Directors: Edouard Molinaro
  • Writers: Edouard Molinaro, Marcello Danon, Francis Veber, Jean Poiret
  • Producers: Marcello Danon
  • Format: Dubbed, PAL, Widescreen
  • Language French
  • Subtitles: Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish
  • Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Classification: 15
  • Studio: MGM Entertainment
  • DVD Release Date: 1 Jul 2002
  • Run Time: 87 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B000067A9T
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 3,396 in DVD (See Bestsellers in DVD)

Reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
A likeable 1977 French farce (and the basis for the 1996 American remake, The Birdcage), this popular comedy was one of the most successful international films of all time, and even spawned a Broadway musical and two sequels. It tells the story of a gay couple who--when one man's son from a previous liaison brings home his fiancée--masquerade as husband and wife for their prospective in-laws. Le Cage Aux Folles is saved from becoming an exercise in silliness by the heartfelt characterisations of the gay nightclub owners. La Cage aux Folles is one of the funniest imports from Europe and a great comedy in any venue. --Robert Lane

Amazon.co.uk Review
In the French farce La Cage aux Folles, Ugo Tognazzi and Michel Serrault star as Renato and Albin, a middle-aged gay couple and co-owners of a nightclub, the titular Cage aux Folles, where hysterically effeminate Albin stars as drag act Zaza. The long-suffering Renato once briefly enjoyed a heterosexual relationship and has a 20-year-old son, Laurent. When the latter turns up one day and announces he is to marry the daughter of one M Charrier, deputy leader of the Moral Order party, Renato is initially appalled. However, he comes round and reluctantly agrees to a meeting with the girl's parents, in which he will pose as a high-ranking diplomat, rid the apartment of all its queenly trappings and try to persuade Albin to lie low. The final 20 minutes of the movie, in which this charade of austerity and propriety falls entirely to pieces are among the most aisle-rollingly uproarious ever committed to celluloid.

It was remade by Hollywood as The Birdcage, but this original is far funnier. Although perhaps a little dated and stereotypical in its depiction of gay life there is real sympathy for, and affection conveyed between, Renato and Albin. The scenes with the Charrier family, who, it turns out, have problems of their own, cut an utterly gloomy bourgeois contrast with the screaming flamboyance of the nightclub scenes. The Charrier's unscrupulous chauffeur is one of the film's many treasures, his final "Combien?" provoking the film's crowning guffaw. All this iced with a delicious soundtrack from Ennio Morricone which wafts with the nostalgic scent of late-1970s South of France.

On the DVD: La Cage aux Folles is unfortunately presented in a not terribly good 1:66:1 transfer: much of the crackle and faded colours of the original remain, while the soundtrack is fuzzy in places. The only extra is the original trailer. --David Stubbs

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Customer Reviews

10 Reviews
5 star:
 (7)
4 star:
 (1)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:
 (1)
1 star:
 (1)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.2 out of 5 stars (10 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A Scream, 21 April 2006
Although to younger viewers the style and presentation of this film may seem dated- stick with it. This is classic French farce. There are moments in this film which cannot be copied or bettered (i.e.the opening of the bottle of champagne). For best results, watch the film with the original soundtrack and use the subtitles. The dubbed soundtrack is camp and silly (Andrew Sachs sounds very silly and soppy). The French version is camp but brilliantly playful and in parts, trés elegante!
A great film that never disappoints, even after multiple viewings.
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24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Five stars aren't enough, aren't enough!, 3 Aug 2003
By Karlis Streips (Riga, Latvia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
Some years ago, Hollywood decided that there was a reason to retell this story, and the result was a pathetic excuse for a film called "Birdcage". Though it featured one of the great actors of the American film industry, Gene Hackman, it absolutely paled in comparison to the French original. In 1979, "La Cage Aux Folles" was not encumbered with the thoroughly modern concept of "political correctness", pathetic as that concept is. "Birdcage" was, and enough said about that. I defy any viewer to keep from laughing out loud at the antics of the magnificent Zaza and, especially, of the houseboy Jacob. This is a love story, a comedy and a farce all rolled up into one, and if you don't like subtitles, suspend your disbelief for a while. This film is entirely and more than entirely worth it!
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23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Feydeau for 1970s, 25 Mar 2004
By Andy Millward (Broxbourne, Herts, UK) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)      
Unlike the commentator from Stockport, I'd disagree that the remake is better than the original; matter of opinion, but I'd say classic farce is always better with reference to its context and time.

Since the days of Feydeau, the French have done farce far better than Americans, largely because American audiences miss the deep undercurrents of irony and see only the surface froth. The French version is drenched more naturally in social tension in the way only a collective and paternalistic society can, but retains a patina of freshness and charm. It's also more theatrical, though I rather like the performance element - it seems somehow more spontaneous.

Furthermore, Ugo Tognazzi and Michel Serrault are delightful. By comparison, the performances of Nathan Lane and Robin Williams seem worthy but derivative.

While I'd agree that the DVD translation could be better, many of the extras are worth having.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars La Cage aux Folles
This is a hilarious film, acted with perfect timing, all the better for having the option to avoid the dubbing and to hear the original language.
Published 2 months ago by M. A. Tribe

5.0 out of 5 stars The Original Bird Cage
Ugo Tognazzi and Michel Serrault star as Renato and Albin a middle aged gay couple and proprietors of la Cage Aux Folles, English speaking audiences may recognise the film from... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Gms Carroll

2.0 out of 5 stars i refuse to accept the truth
What was beautiful, stylish, positive and gay (!) in the Birdcage is ugly, cheap, kitschy, pathetic and sad in La Cage Aux Folles. Read more
Published 13 months ago by su

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic
I could watch this all day. Best to use original French soundtrack with subtitles.
Published 15 months ago by C. Gibson

1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing
One of the few films where the original is worse than the remake. If you enjoyed the hilarity of 'Birdcage' you will be disappointed by the maudlin approach of 'Cage aux folles'... Read more
Published on 22 Jan 2004 by H. Laasch

5.0 out of 5 stars Camp Classic
What can I say it may be dated but it's a camp classic.
Published on 22 Jan 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars Probably the best drag film ever
What an unforgetable hugely funny film this was. It is all about two aging homosexuals who run a transvestite club called La Cage Aux Folles. Read more
Published on 28 Feb 2000

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