Join Amazon Prime and get unlimited Free First Class Delivery. Already a member? Sign in.

 

or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
 
   
More Buying Choices
14 used & new from £3.18
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
   
Once [DVD]
 
See larger image 
Share your own customer images

Once [DVD]

DVD ~ Glen Hansard
4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
RRP: £19.99
Price: £4.58 & eligible for Free UK delivery on orders over £5 with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
You Save: £15.41 (77%)
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
In stock.
Items for dispatch to UK will be sold by Amazon's Preferred Merchant. (Why?) Gift-wrap available.

10 new from £4.40 4 used from £3.18
Learn about Lovefilm
Amazon's choice for DVD rental.
With a 14 day FREE trial. Learn more

Watch a Related Video
01:59

Frequently Bought Together

Once [DVD] + Once: Music From The Motion Picture + The Swell Season
Price For All Three: £17.54

Show availability and shipping details

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Once [DVD]
83% buy the item featured on this page:
Once [DVD] 4.1 out of 5 stars (59)
£4.58
Into the Wild [DVD] [2007]
6% buy
Into the Wild [DVD] [2007] 4.1 out of 5 stars (79)
£4.97
Once: Music From The Motion Picture
4% buy
Once: Music From The Motion Picture 4.5 out of 5 stars (22)
£4.98
August Rush [DVD] [2007]
3% buy
August Rush [DVD] [2007] 4.4 out of 5 stars (51)
£3.98
Explore similar items

Product details

  • Actors: Glen Hansard, Markéta Irglová, Hugh Walsh, Gerard Hendrick, Alaistair Foley
  • Directors: John Carney
  • Writers: John Carney
  • Producers: David Collins, Martina Niland
  • Format: PAL
  • Language English
  • Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Classification: 15
  • Studio: Icon Home Entertainment
  • DVD Release Date: 25 Feb 2008
  • Run Time: 85 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B000ZK9SQM
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 465 in DVD (See Bestsellers in DVD)

    Popular in these categories:

    #13 in  DVD > Music
    #92 in  DVD > Drama

    •  Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

Buy This Product and Related Accessories

Once [DVD]

Once [DVD]

£4.58 Select this Item

Reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
Winner of the World Audience Award at Sundance, Once starts out as a small-scale romance, like Before Sunrise, before arriving somewhere unexpected. An Irish busker (Glen Hansard, the Frames and The Commitments) meets a Czech flower seller (Markéta Irglová) while singing on the streets of Dublin. (In the credits, they're listed as Guy and Girl.) She likes what she hears and lets him know. Turns out she's a musician, too. They work on a few songs together and a friendship is forged. She lives with her widowed mother, who doesn't speak English. He lives with his widowed father, who owns a repair shop. Since he broke up with his girlfriend, the guy has been drifting, unable and unwilling to get his life in order. The girl encourages him to pursue a record deal, and the guy emerges from his funk. Then he makes a move on the girl, who rejects his advances. He's confused, but as he comes to find, there's a reason she’s keeping her distance. Though Once is filled with appealing folk-pop by Hansard and Irglová (released on CD as The Swell Season), the movie isn't a traditional musical, but rather a more optimistic Brief Encounter. Filmmaker John Carney, Hansard's former bandmate, captures the real city--in all its affluence and poverty--rather than the picture postcard version. His beautifully shot film serves as a heartfelt ballad about all the underclass Guys and Girls swept aside amidst Ireland's economic miracle. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Once: Music From The Motion Picture

Once: Music From The Motion Picture

~ Glen Hansard
4.5 out of 5 stars (22)  £4.98
Into the Wild [DVD] [2007]

Into the Wild [DVD] [2007]

DVD ~ Emile Hirsch
4.1 out of 5 stars (79)  £4.97
The Diving Bell And The Butterfly [DVD] [2007]

The Diving Bell And The Butterfly [DVD] [2007]

DVD ~ Mathieu Amalric
4.1 out of 5 stars (29)  £4.98
The Kite Runner [DVD] [2007]

The Kite Runner [DVD] [2007]

DVD ~ Khalid Abdalla
4.1 out of 5 stars (56)  £4.87
The Swell Season

The Swell Season

~ The Swell Season
4.8 out of 5 stars (5)  £7.98
› Explore similar items

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
Check the boxes next to the tags you consider relevant or enter your own tags in the field below
(5)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
See all 16 tags...

Your tags: Add your first tag
 
See most popular tags
 

Customer Reviews

59 Reviews
5 star:
 (37)
4 star:
 (9)
3 star:
 (3)
2 star:
 (3)
1 star:
 (7)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.1 out of 5 stars (59 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully underplayed, 14 Dec 2007
By Jeremy Walton (Oxford, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
I saw the trailer for this on the internet, and liked the idea immediately: busker boy meets girl and they make beautiful music together. Conscious that this wasn't perhaps the first time that this storyline had been used, I wondered how they'd fare at steering past the obvious cliches, but I'd never have imagined they could be so wildly successful.

The hand-held camera makes you feel like you're watching a couple in the street, but they're so believable in their roles that you never suspect them of just acting. This is hard to do without some of the more obvious trappings of film, but it's totally compelling - just watch the subtle way Glen Hansard's character tries to master his confusion when he meets the girl's family in her bedsit. Or the way in which he teaches her his first song, which has to be the most accurate portrayal of this kind of scene I've ever seen. Or the final scene with his father, which appears to sum up the depths of a complex relationship with just a few lines.

Much of the film is given over to a careful attention on the music, with a generosity that's repayed many times over - there's a central, unbroken shot of her walking back from the corner shop late at night quietly singing to herself that seems to take a long time, but you realise that's just how it should be. To be sure, the instinct for avoiding cliche slips up sometimes: I wasn't surprised at the speed with which the recording engineer went from being cynical to impressed (though I was a bit surprised that the first song the busker decided to lay down was in 5/4, which is hard to dance to, at least).

But, especially considering the contrast with the previous film I saw Glen Hansard in (the disappointing "Commitments", which had great music but lousy acting), I don't think I've seen such a beautiful piece of work for a very long time.
Comment Comments (2) | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars in the mood for love, 17 Dec 2007
By William Rycroft "blogs @ Just William's Luck" (Hertfordshire, UK) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   
You would have to be some kind of hard-hearted person not to enjoy this film. It's just lovely. On the streets of Dublin a guy (Glen Hansard) meets a girl (Markéta Irglová). He works in his Father's shop fixing vacuums and busking, she sells flowers and looks after her family and they're both a little lonely. Through their shared passion for music they write songs together and whilst sharing the problems of their past loves something develops between them. As far as plot goes they go into a studio and record a demo. It's shot on a shoestring budget, a little rough around the edges and one of the most charming films you will ever see.

The music may not be to everyones taste but there is no doubting the genuineness of the performances, when they sing with each other they mean it (Hansard and Irglová are now a couple in real life). Dublin seems like the right setting as well, music is something that plays a huge part in the social life there and one scene where a group of musicians and singers come together for a dinner where you can eat if you sing a tune sums up that spirit perfectly. The combination of documentary style filming with the conventions of a musical is a surprisingly effective mix, the film slowly building up its themes, some tunes earning a reprise and the whole building to a genuinely moving climax. As the weather has got a little wetter and the days a little darker I couldn't think of a better time to surrender to a little romance.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A secret gem, 18 Mar 2008
By P. Wright (Scotland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
Arriving at this film from seeing the songs performed at the oscars and after hearing Dr Kermode reviewing it on 5 Live I wasn't sure of what to expect. It is incredable; simple, heart-warming, loveable film. With characters who are easily likeable and how they perform. I have never seen a musical piece in a film that can compare to when the two main charaters perform in the music shop... one to watch if you are feeling a bit 'arty'. GREAT!

A true musical, without the make-up and dresses! Watch it.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Once - DVD
The DVD arrived very promptly and well within the time frame - this film is one of the best I've seen in quite a long time. Great music!
Published 29 days ago by Mrs. Carole Newman

3.0 out of 5 stars Once is all I shall see this movie!!!
"Once" is one of those movies that seems to have everything going for it but somehow never manages to fulfil its true potential. Read more
Published 1 month ago by A. Lalor

4.0 out of 5 stars really good film
i initially got this film as i remember seeing a trailor for it and loved the song the main characters play, which i later find out is around the piano in the music shop. Read more
Published 1 month ago by C. Blackwood

5.0 out of 5 stars Who needs actors?! One of my favourite films ever.
This is absorbing, heartwarming... an absolute pleasure from start to finish. I suppose how much you like this film will depend on how much you like its music. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Chintan Nanavati

4.0 out of 5 stars Not just 'the once'
This is one of those nice little films that stays with you long after seeing it. It's a very simple story that ambles along, a little shakily at times, to a not-so-predicatble... Read more
Published 3 months ago by David Kirwan

5.0 out of 5 stars A lil' gem of a romantic musical from the streets of Dublin
Although this film is technically a musical, it never feels contrived as you watch it as most musicals do; the performances are intertwined very naturally with the story, and as... Read more
Published 4 months ago by N. Whelan

5.0 out of 5 stars awe-inspiring for anybody with a love of music
This film was a breath of fresh air in an industry where predictability is rife. A simple film and original concept complemented with some touching humour and above all else Glen... Read more
Published 4 months ago by M. PERRY

5.0 out of 5 stars Just really really nice
I really enjoyed this film, mainly because it is a really realistic story based in Ireland that is accomponied by amazing music. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Nm Verbij

4.0 out of 5 stars Simple and engaging
This is a lovely little film built on a simple premise and all the better for it. There are no pretensions here - it's low budget and looks it and that is the point. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Andy Caddy

5.0 out of 5 stars A hidden gem to make you feel good.
I only came across the film when browsing through Amazon. It sounded good and a great film to watch as a family. Read more
Published 6 months ago by pauland

Only search this product's reviews


Customer Discussions

 Beta (What's this?)
This product's forum (1 discussion)
  Discussion Replies Latest Post
Subtitles 0 October 2008
› See all discussions...  
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
  [Cancel]


Active discussions in related forums
   
Related forums
  • drama  (113 discussions)

Listmania!

Create a Listmania! list

Look for similar items by category

Feedback

The Body Shop

The Body Shop - Vitamin C Skin Boost
Protect and boost your glow with The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost.

›Shop The Body Shop

  

Make A Wish

Get what you want with an Amazon.co.uk Wish List Make sure you always get what you want with an Amazon.co.uk Wish List.

›More info on Wish Lists

  

Boys Smell

Lynx Africa Body Spray and After Shave Gift set
But we make sure they smell good...

›Discover male grooming at Amazon.co.uk

  

Treat Someone

Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificates--available in any amount from £5 to £500 With an Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificate, you can get them what they want (even if you don't know what that is).

›Learn more about Gift Certificates

  
Ad

Where's My Stuff?

Delivery and Returns

Need Help?

Your Recent History

  (What's this?)
You have no recently viewed items or searches.

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.

Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session.
Continue Shopping: Top Sellers

amazon.co.uk Amazon Home
International Sites:  United States  |  Germany  |  France  |  Japan  |  Canada  |  China
Business Programs: Sell on Amazon  |  Fulfilment by Amazon  |  Join Associates  |  Join Advantage
Customer Service  |  Help  |  View Basket  |  Your Account
About Amazon.co.uk  |  Careers at Amazon
Conditions of Use & Sale |  Privacy Notice  © 1996-2009, Amazon.com, Inc. and its affiliates