For the First Time (1959) (Region 2)

One of the great musical movies from the 1950's! It has been a few decades since this has been broadcast on UK Freeview television, so it is great to be able to see it in DVD quality instead of the old TV-recorded VHS tape tht I have bee using.

Though the story is as sweet as my grandmothers lemonade, it's the singing that does the trick. Mario performs as good as in his best years.

Mario Lanza's last film is a lightweight romantic vehicle for his talent, in which he sings a range of songs from calypso to operatic arias, including of course the title song. He plays a character not unlike himself: an opera star whose career is going down the drain because of his bad behaviour and unreliability, until he falls in love with a beautiful deaf girl and devotes himself to finding a cure for her deafness. After a few ups and downs, it all ends happily.Johanna von Koczian, an actress somewhat reminiscent of the young Audrey Hepburn, gives a touching performance as the girl. The colour photography of Capri is beautiful, and opera lovers will relish the splendid arias, particularly what is perhaps the best-ever performance of 'Vesti la Giubba' (have a look on YouTube). There's nothing to dislike here!

I chose 5 star because I tried to consider it as a 50+year old film and made certain allowances. The singing is absolutely excellent although the plot is a little 'wooden' and Zsa Zsa Gabor is an irritation in her first outing on the silver screen.I had some doubts about procurement as I tried to order this item via Amazon some 18 months/2 years ago and am still waiting for a delivery from Brazil !This product arrived in a timely fashion.

what can you say the wonderful voice off Mario Lanza I have been a fan since I first saw THE GREAT CARUSOE in BELFAST in the early 50 and I will enjoy all the Mario movies hours off sheer bliss yours thankfully JOHN W . [

Bought for my father ... quality decent.

Bought this for my dad for Christmas. I tried it before and loved the film and it took me back to Capri and Sorrento on my holidays. Loved the film even though the story was a bit predictable. I could not believe a film 50 years old could look so good.

Very good quality