Juliet Of The Spirits - Criterion Collection

Description

Cinematographer Gianni di Venanzo's masterful use of Technicolor transforms Juliet of the Spirits, Fellini's first color feature, into a kaleidoscope of dreams, spirits, and memories. Giulietta Masina plays a betrayed wife whose inability to come to terms with reality leads her along a hallucinatory journey of self-discovery. The Criterion Collection is proud to present the fully restored version of one of Fellini's most dazzling dreams.

Customer Reviews:

Trippy.......2007-08-27

Not as powerful as several of his other films but Juliet has always been a fun watch for me. Arguably the weakest flimsiest plot of any Fellini movie and that's saying something. Even Satyricon and 8 1/2 have discernable plots that figure into the overall understanding of the film's intent or message. In Juliet a woman hallucinates about her suspicions about her husband and her childhood. That's it. That's the entire plot. Fellini might be trying to say something deep about loneliness, longing, disillusionment and betrayal but the message seems to be subordinate to the images in this case. It is as if Fellini had all of these bizarro images floating around in his head and needed some excuse, any excuse, to put them on celluoid for his first shot in color feature. Consequently, the viewer is treated to over two hours of loosely held together intriguing, beguiling, provocative, confusing, funny, fascinating and beautifully filmed images. I'd like to watch it high sometime.

Accessible film about a Fantasy life transforming and informing reality........2007-04-11

One of Fellini's most accessible films (his use of color really helps), he once again plays reality against an active fantasy life... fantasies that combine memory, fears, fleeting desires and the way we imagine the lives of others. For me, one of the things that makes a film 5 star is that it provides something that only film can provide, and this is it; while the presentation is very theatrical, this quick intercutting of time/memory/mood can only be done in film.
While the overall message is a very conservative (pre/anti-feminist) one of it's day, Fellini DOES liberate a woman's fantasy life, and this is the essence of his leading "little woman." The predominant action of the film is in her imagination.
This was the day when middle/upper class Italian women did not work, and Masina represents the "good little woman." Rich enough to have servants, there was little to occupy her time or mind, other than similar friends who have veered to the outre and wierd just to have something to do. Masina's character searches more internally, and her fantasies color her vision of the lives of others. (Note that her usual circle of friends are equated with a fantasy of death, and you'll be clued into her psyche as these begin.)
I think you have to have lived a bit to "get" Fellini - I didn't like his work when I was younger - I love this. Also note his use of color as "percieved color" not literal color and this is worth many viewings.
And finally, if you are a larger woman... nothing makes you feel so great about being a large woman as watching Fellini's glorious Amazons!

My favorite film.......2006-09-13

This was the first Fellini film I ever saw and I was awestruck. I saw it ironically on a videotape that my English teacher had taped it off of public television- channel 11 here in Chicago. However, she had erased over it(the first 3/4 of the movie), as I had asked her if she could tape the season finale of the first season of "Twin Peaks"-whoa, I'm dating myself! Thank you Mrs. Cantrell for introducing me to a master director and shaping me into what I am today; though I always tended to favor the weird, whimsical and offbeat. So, I immediately rushed to the video store and rented out a copy of "Juliet"("Giulietta degli Spiriti,") so I could watch the first part. The print on the video was pretty old and faded but I've been enjoying Criterion's excellent remaster. This dvd is stunning and the colors are so vibrant. It just reminds me of an Easter, pastel fantasy- all that is transgressing in Juliet's disturbed mind.
In the opening scene, Juliet sets up for a romantic evening with her husband to celebrate their wedding anniversary but instead is disappointed when Giorgio comes home with an entourage of their freinds. Later, Juliet and freinds engage in a seance session with the assistance of Genius, the mystic. It is determined that Juliet is also gifted and has sort of a sixth sense and gravitates to spirits. Iris, a spirit that has surfaced from the seance follows Juliet throughout the film and becomes her conscience. Juliet escapes in her fantasies and hears so-called spirits may lead the viewer to believe she has gone off her rocker! Juliet's visions and or images vary from the beautiful to frightening. She's a tormented soul since her younger days as her childhood freind Laura committed suicide for love. Now as a lonely housewife she witnesses her husband calling out another woman's name as they lie in bed together. She suspects her husband is having an affair and hires private investigators. Juliet also appears to have an inferiority complex towards her overcritical mother and more "successful" older sister. In the interim Juliet befreinds Suzy, the lady of the villa next door. Suzy head of the bordello style household throws extravagantly lavish orgy filled parties and immerses Juliet in her freinds, weird play acting, sex and wine and even sets Juliet up with her nephew for an evening rendevous. Juliet struggles with her self; she desires to fulfill her lust for sex and man but the spirit of Laura is persuading her not to act upon her desires as it is sinful.
Will Juliet find her inner peace? Will the spirits guide her or is it just all in her world of fantasy she has created for herself to escape from harsh realities of life including her husband's infidelity. Or will she follow the path of her childhood freind Laura who is in eternal peace.

Julius-Allan H.

Not up to the best of Criterion.......2006-06-28

Simply put, the sound sucks on this DVD (the music soundtrack especially - it sucked on VHS and sucks on this DVD) - with so much technology around, the sound quality could have been improved -
Visually, the main body of the film is cleaned up, with a decent (if not overwhelming) color palette, but irritating when you can see specks during the opening credits (not the first Criterion Edition to do this ) -

Becuase I find the film endearing I'll put up with these deficiencies - But this is not one of Criterion's best efforts -

Juliet of the Spirits (1965) - Federico Fellini.......2005-10-16

Juliet of the Spirits is a film that contains such lush colors, such nice cinematography, and enough visual, dreamlike imagery that it's a shame it all covers a rather emotionally shallow interior. The film has too much of a whimsical feel to it to really cut deep into the human psyche, but often times Fellini fills the screen with such nice imagery that you can excuse most of the film's shortcomings. Similar to 8 1/2 (1963), but from a woman's standpoint, Juliet of the Spirits is mostly an interesting experimentation in color and image because Fellini has a hard time finding the emotional core that makes his best films work so well. Still, Juliet of the Spirits is enjoyable, especially to look at, and there are a few scenes that will leave you in awe.

Juliet of the Spirits / Giulietta degli spiriti / Dzhul'etta i duhi

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Juliet of the Spirits / Giulietta degli spiriti / Dzhul'etta i duhi
Director: Federico Fellini
Manufacturer: Film Prestige
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Product Description

Dzhul'etta Mazina ("Doroga"), Sandra Milo ("8 1/2"), Mario Pizu ("ZHandarm v N'ju-Jorke") i Valentina Korteze ("Prikljuchenija barona Mjunhgauzena") v drame - "Dzhul'etta i duhi". Fil'm mozhno bylo by nazvat' "zhenskim variantom" znamenitoj kartiny "Vosem' s polovinoj". Federiko Fellini otkryvaet pered nami psihologicheskij mir zhenwiny iz intellektual'noj jelity. Ona - zhena uvazhaemogo sin'ora, kotoryj, kak zaurjadnyj ital'janskij muzhchina, ohvachen revnost'ju i podozreniem po otnosheniju k supruge. Puteshestvie v glubiny zhenskogo soznanija, gde suwestvujut manii, kompleksy i podavlennye zhelanija, stalo dlja rezhissera vozmozhnost'ju vpervye stol' krasochno i pyshno vyrazit' sobstvennye fantazii i jekstravagantnye videnija. Potrjasajuwaja vydumka Federiko Fellini byla nazvana odnim iz francuzskih kritikov "barochnym uraganom". Vydajuwijsja operator Dzhanni Di Venanco prodemonstriroval v kartine "Dzhul'etta i duhi", narjadu s cvetovoj palitroj, neverojatnuju gammu belogo cveta, kak by javljajuwegosja simvolom prirodnoj chistoty dushi Dzhul'etty.

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Bah Humbug!!
A Wonderful film
Best animation ever
Lackluster production - GREAT for kids and Winslet fans....
Great Voice Cast, Great Kate Winslet's Song & Poor Animation

Christmas Carol - The Movie
Starring: Simon Callow , Kate Winslet , Nicolas Cage , Jane Horrocks , and Michael Gambon
Director: Jimmy T. Murakami
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Animation | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B0000AM6I1
Release Date: 2003-10-07

Amazon.com

This animated adaptation of Charles Dickens's Christmas classic retains the essence of the timeless tale while introducing some fresh interpretations. A celebrity cast provides voices for the roles of Scrooge (Simon Callow), Marley (Nicolas Cage), and Belle (Kate Winslet), yet the beauty of the film flows from its artistic usage of CG technology, such as the "painted" scenery of Scrooge's thoughts during his journey through Christmases Past, Present, and Future. The script honors the original story while proving that it is indeed possible to be moved to tears by a group of animated characters. Dickens purists may argue that few movie versions of A Christmas Carol can compete with Alastair Sim's 1951 rendition, or George C. Scott's 1984 remake, yet this film does not need to supplant, but rather complement, such predecessors. It is an especially good choice for young viewers who may find the black-and-white version too scary. (Ages 5 and older) --Lynn Gibson

Description

Capture the spirit of Christmas with this delightful animated classic! Based on one of the most beloved holiday tales of all time and featuring the voices of some of today's brightest stars, this enchanting, heartwarming film is a very merry treat the whole family can enjoy! "Bah humbug,"says Ebenezer Scrooge, the grumpy miser who would rather count his money than celebrate Christmas. But as Yuletide cheer spreads through all of London and two friendly mice try to change Scrooge's ill-tempered ways, Scrooge receives three unexpected visitorsthe Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Futurewho take him on a wild and wonderful journey and help him discover the true meaning of Christmas.

Customer Reviews:

Bah Humbug!!.......2006-11-26

I received this dvd yesterday and have attempted to watch it 3 times and just cannot become interested in it. I have always been a huge Christmas cartoon fan and Christmas fan in general but this movie completely bores me and lacks the feeling of other versions that I have seen.
I gave it two stars for the theatrical beginning and ending being included in special features as I honestly enjoyed them, but the movie itself simply felt flat to me. To each his own though and if you decide to purchase this dvd I hope that you enjoy it. It just isn't one that I can recommend.

A Wonderful film.......2006-04-18

I just watched this version of the classic tale, and I am moved to tears. Forget what others here have said commenting on the animation, and pay attention to the story. The animation was superb with great use of shading and cg blends.

More importantly, this film has heart. It emotes. It conveys with power the ideals Dickens intended in his tale. Honor Christmas everyday. Keep its meaning and joy in your heart.

The only other animated film I have ever seen that comes close to this level of stroy telling and emotion is Grave of the Fireflies.

Buy this one. You will not be dissapointed. Share it with the family. Watch it on Christmas Eve. Watch it in July. Watch it whenever.

~William Nichols~

Best animation ever.......2005-01-26

Forget Shrek and The Polar Express. This little English film has the greatest animation ever. See for yourself!

Lackluster production - GREAT for kids and Winslet fans...........2004-12-24

It really wasn't all that bad!! If I had to choose between this and the Muppets version -- it would be the Muppets hand down.

What I really like about this adaptation is the dialogue. The interaction between the characters is lively, moving and very well acted. I did not pay any attention to the technical aspects mentioned in the other reviews. An animation is an animation to me -- I don't look for blowing hair or wrinkles in ones clothes. I tend to pay more attention to how well the movie is acted. That being said, I would not rate this one any higher than 3 and 1/2 stars -- simply because the supporting cast does not hold the story up too well. It seems that the film is purposely centered around the three main ("big name Holloywood) actors - Simon Callow, Nicolas Cage, and Kate Winslet. The other characters are very obviously pushed into the smoldering background.

I would recommend this as a buy if you have children, or if you are a big Winslet fan. The dialogue is very easy to follow if your kids cannot understand, or were afraid of, any other version. The cute little mice that accompany Ebenezer will surely delight them as well. They actually play a pivotal role of sorts towards the end of the movie. Winslet fans with be enamored with her singing debut on this soundtrack. She's actually very good! Her music video is also featured on the DVD extras.

Great Voice Cast, Great Kate Winslet's Song & Poor Animation.......2004-11-05

Yet another 'Carol' has traditional 2-D animations with great voice cast -- Simon Callow, Kate Winslet, Jane Horrocks, Nicholas Cage, Rhys Ifans, Micheal Gambon, and Juliet Stevenson. You also have a chance to listen to Kate's sister Beth Wislet's voice (who can be seen in a film 'Bodywork') and plus, you hear beautiful songs by Welsh singer Charlotte Church and Kate Winslet herself! And Ms Winslet is very good at that.

So, you ask, why 2 stars? OK, listen up, please. The story is a famous one, so you don't need my summery. And Scrooge is anyway going to be a good guy. But the process is the point, or the life of the story, and the film misses it very wide.

In fact, Scrooge (Simon Callow) in the first act is totally a bad guy here, feeding a mice, giving a chunk of cheese. After showing another side of him, the film is very slow in establishing his character, which should be more simple. To make it worse, Scrooge. out of the window, throws a jug of cold water (and it's winter) upon the chorus group on the street singing, among which you see the face of Tiny Tim, poor boy, drenched to the skin. And ... sorry if I'm wrong, but -- Did Dickens write that way?

There are many, many, unnecessary addtions and changes, which I do not introduce here. The real problem is, however, the animation itself. Jimmy T. Murakami is best known for 'When the Wind Blows' a quiet but very unnerving animated film about two elderly man and wife, who too innocently follows the government guidance to make a handmade shelter for the coming nuclear war. His 2-D animatiton worked at that time, but after about 14 years, it is no longer possible to grab our attention with that technique without good storyteling, character, or original designs. This 'Christmas Carol' has none of them, just making itself look like a Cliff Note of animation.

Sorry if I sound harsh, but as to this eternal classc, there are better choices out there, Alastair Simm or the Muppets (with Michael Caine, and the film is good), so why not them? The only good thing I could find about this version is Kate Winslet's wonderful yuletide song, which deserves more attention.

[VHS VERSION] lacks the opening and ending live-action sections in which Simon Callow plays Charles Dickens himself, touring in Boston, America, in 1867 (Dickens's celebrated reading performance in mind). If you want to see everything of this film, DVD is a better choice.

Average customer rating:

Trippy
Accessible film about a Fantasy life transforming and informing reality.
My favorite film
Not up to the best of Criterion
Juliet of the Spirits (1965) - Federico Fellini

Juliet of the Spirits
Starring: Giulietta Masina , Sandra Milo , Mario Pisu , Valentina Cortese , and Valeska Gert
Director: Federico Fellini
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00000JWW7
Release Date: 1999-09-14

Description

Writer/director Federico Fellini tells the tale of a woman (Giulietta Masina) dealing with her husband's possible infidelity. The result is a surreal and wild investigation into the psychology of a modern woman. Powered by Nino Rota's haunting score, "Juliet of the Spirits" was the winner of five Best Foreign Film of the Year awards and received Academy Award nominations for Best Art Direction and Costume Design in 1966.

Customer Reviews:

Trippy.......2007-08-27

Accessible film about a Fantasy life transforming and informing reality........2007-04-11

My favorite film.......2006-09-13

Not up to the best of Criterion.......2006-06-28

Juliet of the Spirits (1965) - Federico Fellini.......2005-10-16

Giulietta Degli Spiriti / Juliet of the Spirits - (Import)

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Giulietta Degli Spiriti / Juliet of the Spirits - (Import)

Manufacturer: Film Prestige
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000BMSZY0

Product Description

This is Russian NTSC formatted DVD release. Available audio tracks: original DD 2.0 ITALIAN and DD 2.0 RUSSIAN. Available subtitles: ENGLISH and RUSSIAN. ATTENTION: NTSC is North American video standard, please, get familiar with all details about DVD video standards to avoid any misunderstandings............................................................. SYNOPSIS: Juliet of the Spirits is a fantastical showcase for Federico Fellini's vibrant imagery, starring his wife, Giulietta Masina, as the titular leading character. Juliet is a wealthy housewife who constantly fears her husband, Giorgio (Mario Pisu), is cheating on her. While she yearns for a peaceful intimate evening on the night of their 15th anniversary, the egotistical Giorgio has forgotten about it and instead arrives home with his eccentric friends. After a trip to a seance, Juliet is haunted by images from the spirit world, including obsessions from her past involving religion and her late relatives. With her sisters and mother prying into her life, Juliet seems to be seeking an inner peace amidst all the sexual temptations surrounding her. She meets her neighbor, Suzy (Sandra Milo), a showy pleasure-seeker who lives in a sensual playhouse. It appears that all of Juliet's family, friends, and fantasies demand that she loosen up and embrace sexual freedom, yet she remains chaste and dowdy, lamenting over her unfaithful husband. The reasons for Juliet's repression are not clearly defined by the narrative, despite glimpses into her supposed imagination. Forced to endure the constant bombardment of sexually charged imaginings, the demure Juliet retreats on her own.

Juliet of the Spirits (Giulietta degli spiriti) [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.4 Import - Australia ]

Average customer rating:

Juliet of the Spirits (Giulietta degli spiriti) [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.4 Import - Australia ]
Director: Federico Fellini
Manufacturer: AV Channel
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000BNYBGK

Product Description

Australia released, PAL/Region 4 DVD: it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada. Languages: o English (subtitles) o Italian (Dolby Digital 2.0) Synopsis: Juliet of the Spirits is a fantastical showcase for Federico Fellini's vibrant imagery, starring his wife, Giulietta Masina, as the titular leading character. Juliet is a wealthy housewife who constantly fears her husband, Giorgio (Mario Pisu), is cheating on her. While she yearns for a peaceful intimate evening on the night of their 15th anniversary, the egotistical Giorgio has forgotten about it and instead arrives home with his eccentric friends. After a trip to a séance, Juliet is haunted by images from the spirit world, including obsessions from her past involving religion and her late relatives. With her sisters and mother prying into her life, Juliet seems to be seeking an inner peace amidst all the sexual temptations surrounding her. She meets her neighbor, Suzy (Sandra Milo), a showy pleasure-seeker who lives in a sensual playhouse. It appears that all of Juliet's family, friends, and fantasies demand that she loosen up and embrace sexual freedom, yet she remains chaste and dowdy, lamenting over her unfaithful husband. The reasons for Juliet's repression are not clearly defined by the narrative, despite glimpses into her supposed imagination. Forced to endure the constant bombardment of sexually charged imaginings, the demure Juliet retreats on her own. Special Features: o Interactive Menu o Scene Access

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