The Loves of Carmen [DVD]

"The Loves of Carmen" is a glorious Technicolor costume romp set in Spain. The film was promoted as based on the same novella that served as the source material for Georges Bizet's opera. There is a gypsy girl, Carmen (Rita Hayworth) who works in a cigarette factory; and a young dragoon, Don Jose (Glenn Ford), who inadvertently kills his Colonel in a duel over Carmen. This movie has its fair share of melodrama, but it is not the Bizet opera.This version is not a musical but there is a beautiful film score by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, and lively dancing choreographed by Rita's father, Eduardo Cansino. Rita Hayworth was a trained dancer who came from a family of dancers going back generations. In one of the dance numbers, her partner is her Uncle Jose.This was the first film from Rita Hayworth's own production company, Beckworth. She made it a family affair. In addition to hiring her father and uncle, her brother Vernon is one of the dragoons. The film also reunited her with her  Gilda  director, Charles Vidor, as well as co-star, Glenn Ford.The DVD features a beautiful restored print in glorious Technicolor. The audio track is crisp and clean. The film can be viewed with English or Portuguese language tracks; subtitles are available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean and Thai. Special features include stills of vintage advertising, theatrical trailers, `talent files' -brief biography and filmography information on Charles Vidor, Rita Hayworth, Glenn Ford, and Victor Jory; a featurette, "Rita Hayworth: The Columbia Lady" which gives an overview of her life and career and is available on other DVDs of Hayworth films, such as "Gilda."If you like full on Technicolor cinematography, gorgeous costumes, and melodramatic story lines, this is highly recommended.

"She's bad all the way through. She lies as easily as other people drink water. She's a liar, a thief and a cheat. Has no more manners than my Great Aunt's cat. She's really awful. And I'd sell my soul to hear her say just once she loves me."1948's The Loves of Carmen may dispense with Bizet, but this lavish `straight' adaptation of the classic tale of destructive love from the days when Technicolor was still glorious does reunite Rita Hayworth and Glenn Ford with their Gilda director Charles Vidor to good effect. The passion may not burn as hot or as deep as in Prosper Merimee's novel or Bizet's opera but it's fairly grand entertainment with all the production values that only the studio system at its height could provide even if idealistic young Spanish officer Ford's brooding over his ruined life and amoral gypsy temptress Carmen's fickle affections does threaten to get on your nerves in the last third. Hayworth wasn't yet a good enough actress to make the most of the part, but she certainly scores in the allure department.Columbia's DVD boasts a magnificent color transfer with the original theatrical trailer included.

I have seen the opera " Carmen " and have read the biography of Rita Hayworth. I was intrigue as to how " She " would portray Carmen as only Rita Hayworth would be qualified to project the role on the screen. 10 out of 10 Dancing, choreography and romance is just great to see. Done in technicolor makes it even better. The only thing missing in this film is the song and dance " Habanera " which is a part of the opera " Carmen " but not in this film. It was explained that this is not a film adoptation of the opera and that it is more true to the book version of " Carmen " Be that as it may...it is still a good on screen romance that only Rita Hayworth and Glen Ford can project with sincerely and truth of action....I have always enjoyed a good love story and would recommend this movie to those people who are romantically inclined as well.....On the question of good love story....Rita Hayworth's " Loves of Carmen " is right there at the " TOP ".

I have watched this movie again and again, and I can't imagine a better Carmen than Rita Hayworth! Her Carmen is a free spirit, proud, sensual, intelligent, and yet vulnerable too. Glenn Ford may have been slightly miscast as Don Jose, but he and Rita had such a chemistry that they make this film work.What really sets this film apart, though, is Rita's fantastic dancing! She was raised in the tradition of Spanish dancing from the time she was about 4 years old--she came from a famous family of renowned Spanish dancers--and it's such a pleasure to watch her do what must have come so naturally to her. No other dancer can match her for her sheer gracefulness and passion.I've only seen the DVD version of this movie, so that's the version I'm recommending. The colors are luscious and the photography is clear and crisp. And the musical score is very moving. This film may very well become one of your favorites, especially if you're a Rita Hayworth fan!

I saw this movie on TV once and I had to get it. The DVD is very good quality accept the sound was scratchy. I like to keep this movie on in the background while having people over for dinner. It made everyone so happy in a goofy way.

I recently decided to purchase this film on vhs instead of dvd, because I figured there were probably no extras. Needless to say I was extremely delighted at the superb quality of this movie on a used vhs tape!!! Rita was simply magnificent as the wild gypsy Carmen!!! She came alive as the red-haired vixen like no other. The dance scenes alone are worth seeing this passionate film. I agree with another reviewer who felt that Glenn Ford was miscast as the don who falls for the electrifying Carmen, but it's of very little importance because Rita Hayworth completely carries the film. When you have a film starring Rita Hayworth it doesn't matter who her co-star is!!!

The movie is a great showcase of Miss. Hayworth talent for her dancing and acting ability. The chemistry of Ford and Hayworth is fantastic. Great photography and in color the beauty of Miss Hayworth is worth the price of the DVD.

The Loves of Carmen is based upon the hugely successful 1875 opera Carmen by Georges Bizet. This film version places Rita Hayworth into the title role, as the wild, unpredictable and irresistible gypsy Carmen. The plot is set in historical Spain, with a strong military presence and bands of lawless roving gypsies, accompanied by a soundtrack from master composer Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco (whose many Hollywood pupils included John Williams, Henry Mancini and Jerry Goldsmith). Glenn Ford plays the soldier who abandons his career and destroys his life in pursuit of Carmen's love, only to realise too late his folly.Back in 1875 this was a genre-changing revelation in emotional betrayal. Although the storyline may now seem achingly familiar, it's still got the ability to pack a punch when done well. Here, Hayworth is mesmerising and fully convincing in her role. Ford was one of those ever-reliables who never quite reached the upper-echelons of superstardom, but was always a contender - his soldier is educated aristocracy with no real worldliness, and he does a good job in portraying that. There are some nice flamenco dance scenes, brawls and sword fights, some good bandit chases and plenty of dialogue and close-ups. It looks like it was probably all filmed on the studio back lot, rather than any locations, but doesn't suffer for that. Enjoyable.

I bought this as I was preparing to sing the role in Bizet's opera 'Carmen' and I found it captivating. Rita Hayworth is playful and mischievous and sometime a little petulant as she toys with Jose and other men. Her desire to be free from the clutches of any man is less dark in this than many of the operatic performances as it seems to stem from a boredom of the life she has been born into.The acting is good with some amusing accents typical of this era of film and the dialogue improves as the film progresses. I would recommend anyone interested in seeing an acted version of Carmen to watch this as it is entertaining and inspiring.

This is another on for my Glenn Ford collection of films a good price it arrived on time will you this company again there still quite a few i still need for my collection thanks Amazon for the service

Marvellous film, perhaps the best that Rita Hayworth has acted in. wonderful service too by Amazon.co.uk Very pleased with the purchase.

Well priced and good condition