Moulin Rouge [DVD]

This costume drama features a serviceable screenplay from John Huston that tries hard to inject some life into the notoriously dead hand of biopic drama, and Huston as director elicits a thoughtful and unsentimental performance from Jose Ferrer as Henri Toulouse de Lautrec, the aristocratic recorder of Parisian low life. Not only does he look the part, not far off a ringer for the man from his photographs, but he captures his melancholia and alcoholism, as well as the essential though often concealed sympathy that he possessed for the social condition of his subjects.Ferrer is well served by the actresses playing his various women friends with the inevitable exception of Zsa Zsa Gabor's mangling of the part of the cabaret artiste Jane Avril. This preposterous woman (Gabor, not Avril) does her best with her wooden movement and harsh tones (a sort of cross between Esther Rantzen and Judy in a Punch-and-Judy seaside show) to bring the movie to a grinding halt; an eminent reviewer tells us that Huston tended to favour interesting characters over great actors, adding that "Gabor is perfect for the part: she doesn't need to act, just be herself" which just goes to show that even Homer nods occasionally.But the outstanding feature of the picture is its visualisation of 1890s Paris, with sets, art direction, lighting, costumes and shimmering Technicolor combining to splendid effect. The first 15 mins are given over to the Moulin Rouge's can-can dancers (which means that dramatic thrust loses out at the outset to spectacle, and biopics generally cannot afford such a loss), and the eye is entranced by subsequent re-creations of some of Lautrec's poster art and pastel paintings, as well as of Manet's Bar at the Folies Bergere, one of the world's greatest paintings. You can see it in London at the Courtauld Institute, along with several paintings by Toulouse-Lautrec, in its small but very choice collection of impressionist and post-impressionist works.

Chose this supplier as postage was meant to be free. Received note from Royal Mail to say insufficient postage paid and we would need to pay a fee before they would deliver the item. Very misled and inconvenient.

The treatment to this great classic was really poor. I thought it was going to be of much better quality. Also the authoring was not totally supervised. The movie jumps to 3/4 of the way through the film. This happens in the first ACT, during the club scene at the establishment. Sad, this title wasn't inspected for overall quality. I had high hopes when seeing that it was available. I've seen better DVD's with much better color and sharpness than this bluray. In fact my DVD is sharper and brighter. I guess we will have to wait for a better restoration. Immediately asked for a refund, but with a sad heart.

For the 1950s this film is surprisingly raw, honest and unflinching in it's portrayal of late 19th century Paris. The colour photography is excellent and really breathes life and colour into the music halls of Paris and the art work of our protagonist, I don't think this film could have worked half as well if it had been done in black and white, full marks to the costume and set design too.All the characters in the film are flawed, at times capable of being supremely selfish, self centered and unsympathetic yet at other times compassionate and creative. Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec can be cold and bad tempered yet also caring and creative too, he often stops his carriage when he sees a woman who may need help. The complexity of characters gives the film a very mature realistic quality often lacking today when characters are written.The themes of the film are very mature too featuring abusive relationships, self hatred, art, moralism, pain, loneliness, alcoholism, poverty, fame and inspiration.

This is a wonderful film and story about one of history's most colourful and troubled artists Toulouse Lautrec. The sets are completely convincing and it all takes you back to the impressionist era in Paris in great style. The film is obviously a bit dated now but that seems to suit the period the film represents. Performances are excellent especially Jose Ferrer playing Toulouse. Zsa Zsa gets a bit tedious sometimes dwarling, but then you can imagine her being part of that scene anyway. Unfortunately the film is spoiled by an awful DVD transfer which is misty and grainy, the worst I have ever seen ( hence the 3 star rating) . I actually now have a much better copy I took from a TV showing of the film so Wienerworld have let the side down here. Buy it for the sake of the story but don't pay too much for it or you'll be disappointed by the poor quality of the DVD transfer.

If you are looking for examples of hidden or not so hidden messages about human beings, their reactions and behaviour and how they treat not only eachother but a not so perfect but talented person, then this is the movie for you.Combine this with a very intelligent story, an excellent actor taking the lead, colourful backdrops, dancing and music and you have a very entertaining and thought provoking package.

Done a long time ago too ! Satisfied by reception, quality of the copy and the movie too ...

An insigtht into the tormented life of Henri Toulouse Lautrec, magnificently acted by Jose Ferrer. An Oscar winning performance, along with the self-worshipping ZsaZsa Gabor..It shows his early tragic accident with his legs. His move from aristocratic surroundings to a garret in Paris, and how he was exploited by a ruthless prostitute. Despite many setbacks, like a true aristocrat, he maintains his direction and his dignity.Towards the end the film depicts his resounding success in promoting the Moulin Rouge through his iconic posters.A masterful work by a superb director.