Customer Reviews

Carousel

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I don't think I have ever seen Carousel on stage but my folks had a record of it when I was young, and I really liked it. Unfortunately, that leads to my only real complaint about the movie...

The music is splendid ("Carousel Waltz" in particular), the story compelling. There's even a bit of philosophy (the blossoms fell because it was their time). And Carousel isn't padded out with interminable dance scenes -- just one, six minutes of dancing on rooftops. The other big dance scene, Louise's Ballet, is the only dance I can think of that kept keep me not just away from the fast-forward, but glued to the screen! Susan Luckey, as Louise, is the star of the show (for her fifteen minutes).

One real problem with movie musicals is the opening up of the stage. We don't want to lose the stage, since this is, after all, a fantasy; but neither do we want just a filmed play. Some go too far into location (e.g., South Pacific) and others go nowhere at all (Oklahoma). Even Music Man is a bit too stagey. But Carousel has found just the right mix between the stage and location. The transitions from one to another are particularly well-done.

BUT... Somewhere between the play and the movie, we lost at least two songs, and whole verses of other songs! If I hadn't listened to that cast recording in my youth, I would never have known. But I did, and the missing music sorta spoils an otherwise superb movie.

NOT R and H material! They should have spent the whole movie at the carnival, but NOOOOOOOO!!! They spent the majority at the sea. Too lovey dovey. I expected something more brighter. I vow, I will never watch this movie again unless I have too. Oklahoma! was better and happier. In my book, R and H failed this time. Sorry.

"Oklahoma!" was the first and broke with tradition; "South Pacific" has the most significant message; "Carousel" has the best score. The songs run from happy to inspirational. Music and lyrics are perfect.

The colors are rich, the scope wide, and the singing voices of even supporting players are magfnificent. The official review gavce picture a "3 of 5" while I think it is a "4". The only reason for the deduction is the letterbox format that creates black bars at top, bottom,and sides of my 16X9 high definition TV (no, DVD is not high definition, but it is digital). I like it much better when the, in this case the 2.55 aspect ratio, is enhanced for 16X9 so there are no side bars.

When you watch this re-mastered filmn it is difficult to believe it was made more than 35 years ago. Of the 66 musicals in my collection it is among the top four [no I can't further differentiate] and definitely the best R&H.

Carousel is definiely worth watching. It has a wonderful story and the music is fabulous!!! It's a classic movie that everyone will enjoy. Great ending!!!

For the record, this is one of my favorite musicals of all time. Five years ago I saw the fabulous Nicholas Hytner revival on stage, which only confirmed my feelings. It's a lovely story, with gorgeous music, and if handled correctly, the "darker" elements of the plot(sexism, Billy hitting his wife) are not trivialized or excused, but actually lend a layer of complexity to the characters and the story.

I'm not so keen on the movie, though. As much as I adore Shirley Jones in "The Music Man", she's rather shrill here and seems to talk in a falsetto voice, which is just plain weird. She sings beautifully, though. Gordon MacRae looks like he's not enjoying making the movie at all. I love the ballet scene with their daughter, but the switch between real beach shots and soundstage shots is almost funny -- yeah, we KNOW those rocks are made of foam. And Shirley Jones seems to wear different versions of the same dress throughout the whole movie. I mean, I know it's small town Maine, but come on -- there must have been more than one dress pattern in the general store.

There is a certain cheesy charm in the movie, and the ending scene does make me tear up every time, but that's more due to the glorious music than to the actual movie. It's a jewel of a musical play, and, as much as I hate movie remakes, I'd love to see a contemporary director take a crack at it. We need to have a "Carousel" that does justice to the score.

When I rented this film, I thought that it would be rather interesting. However, I found it to be very dull, depressing, and long. Also, the characters speak about clams for around ten minutes! How DULL! However, the ending makes you think how much you should'nt take life for granted and brought tears to my eyes. OK for watching once, but, a second time could kill you.

This musical has about the best songs of any musical ever written/composed. The lead male character has, with the passage of time since the late 1950s, been given a complete pass on his personal behavior due to his membership in the Democratic Party, which ignores such activities if the perpetrator's ideology is congruent with theirs. Shirley Jones and Gordon MacRae were at their peaks, they were just terrific.

The VHS version of "Carousel" is good, but not like on a widescreen. The location of Maine is just beautiful and takes you back to that time in the 1870's. Shirley Jones captures the essence of "Julie" and she gives her depth to stand up to "Billy". She falls completely in love with him no matter what he says to her. The issue of spousal abuse is evident when it's brought up that he hit her. She defends him because he is unhappy and gives her support to that. Billy on the other hand,isn't the type to be married as he can't do what he wants. (I wonder how Frank Sinatra would have played this part) Gordon MacRae is good and paired again with Shirley to play a different pair. They do have the screen chemistry here very much. As far as the plotline for Billy goes, he changes his tune after he finds out he's to be a father and decides to provide for his family. But, when he and his ruffian friend, Jigger plan a robbery and it goes wrong, who is the one that is blamed?

Billy of course and he falls on his knife. No matter what kind of person he was, I think he has changed in all the time he was waiting to get into heaven. He almost spoils it by slapping his daughter. Louise seems to be just like he was at the age of fifteen. She is young and impressionable and thinks alot of people are conceited. Her schoolmate, the elder son of the Snow's isn't convinced of her actions. His mother, Julie's friend Carrie isn't too happy to be the mother of the many children and says so to her husband. Although, you know that she wanted to be "Mrs. Snow" as earlier in the play. But, the main focus is on Julie, Billy and their young daughter. The song "If I Loved You" seems to be the main theme of the star-crossed lovers. Does he love her? Does she love him? In the end you know they probably did love each other. The final scene of the graduation and "You'll Never Walk Alone" is so touching and when you see Billy go back, you know he did something right. It gives you hope for Julie and Louise ,her daughter. I think you have to have a heavy in this film as it would change the meaning of how it was written. You know that Billy is not a bad guy, but underneath a good guy.

Don't watch this one with your kids. It is hard to explain to young children why women were treated with such disrespect in the timeframe the movie represents. As a musical, its all Rogers and Hammerstein.

Taking these words and the words from all the other songs and put them together, this ends up being a Rogers & Hammerstein musical and one of the best indeed.The editorial reviewier and some of the customer reviews about spouse beating and hidden messages of life-after-death is all rubbish. We have become so critical of EVERYTHING in life and instead of just enjoying the beautiful songs, the wonderful acting and the breathtaking scenery we try to pick this film apart. Do you really think that's what Rogers & Hammerstein wanted us to do? Personally, i don't think so. Just enjoy this beautiful remastered masterpiece.As far as the sound goes and i'm speaking first hand, hearing this on a THX system is the most wonderful fullness sound your ears will ever hear. My five speakers and sub-woofer were just playing their heart out during this film. The editor gives the sound 3.5. I give it 5.0. It's perfect.I'm sure the fans of this movie will know everything that i'm saying about this film is true. If you are a first timer with this movie, providing you enjoy musicals, trust me, you will display this musical with pride and wonder why you haven't seen it before.