Evita

( 11 )

Overview

Evita is based on the musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. Actually, the film is more of an opera, with only short moments devoted to dialogue. "Evita" is the friendly, family version of the proper name "Eva," and this film tells the story of Eva Peron 1921-52, a woman whose name evokes powerful feelings in her native Argentina. Throughout this film, as in the musical, the story is explained and commented on by a character known as "Che," played here by Antonio Banderas. The film begins with the news of ...
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Blu-ray (Anniversary Edition / Wide Screen / Subtitled / Dubbed)
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Overview

Evita is based on the musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. Actually, the film is more of an opera, with only short moments devoted to dialogue. "Evita" is the friendly, family version of the proper name "Eva," and this film tells the story of Eva Peron 1921-52, a woman whose name evokes powerful feelings in her native Argentina. Throughout this film, as in the musical, the story is explained and commented on by a character known as "Che," played here by Antonio Banderas. The film begins with the news of Evita's death, and then turns to a much earlier scene at her father's funeral. Eva Madonna was an illegitimate child one of many of a rural landowner and her seamstress mother. Hers is not a wealthy childhood by any means, and she is constantly discriminated against because of her lowly birth. She is refused admission to her father's funeral for this reason. This scene is contrasted with her own funeral, a spectacular affair, not different from the funeral of a beloved head of state. Eva Peron leaves her village at age 15, in the arms her lover Agustin Magaldi Jimmy Nail, a traveling singer. With his help, she goes to Buenos Aires and begins her campaign to become a performer, actress, and public figure. Many men help her during these years, and she is reported to have given her favors freely. That changes when she becomes involved with Juan Peron Jonathan Pryce. In 1944, when they meet, Peron is an ambitious young army officer, serving in the right-wing government of the time. When he falls afoul of the government and is imprisoned, Eva uses her position as a celebrity and radio performer to get him released. Peron marries his feisty mistress when he is freed from prison. Eva is a formidable supporter, and her help is crucial to his later becoming head of state. Once Juan Peron becomes the President of Argentina, Eva expects better treatment from Argentina's high society, but they snub her brutally. She, in response, diverts government money from society-led charities, and starts the Eva Peron Foundation. As its president, she works tirelessly to directly better the lot of Argentina's poor. For this work, and for having risen from poor origins to glory, she is beloved by huge masses of her fellow citizens, if not by those in high society. She also arranges for the enfranchisement of women in Argentina. Thus, her death of uterine cancer at age 33, while she was at the height of her power and influence, strikes the whole world as tragic.
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Special Features

The making of Evita; Music video by Madonna: "You Must Love Me"; Teaser trailer
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Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide - Jason Clark
Madonna finally scores an onscreen triumph in Alan Parker's visually resplendent, slightly overlong but always entertaining adaptation of the hit Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice musical of the same name. A risky project with the potential to be disastrous, the film is illuminated by its key performers, especially Antonio Banderas, whose surprisingly robust singing voice and fierce sexual charisma give the movie a much-needed jolt of electricity. Evita illustrates a return to musical filmmaking for versatile director Parker (following Fame and The Commitments), who does a commendable job opening up the picture from its stage origins, and Darius Khondji's luminous widescreen photography captivates. This project was apparently on the shelf for decades, with performers like Meryl Streep and John Travolta attached along the way, not to mention several top filmmakers. In an act of sheer will, however, Madonna won the coveted lead role after writing a passionate letter to Parker explaining why she was the perfect woman to embody the charismatic and complicated Eva Peron. Additionally, the film's one original new song, "You Must Love Me," won the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 1996 Oscars.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 6/19/2012
  • UPC: 786936823530
  • Original Release: 1996

    • Rating:

  • Source: Walt Disney Video
  • Region Code: ABC
  • Presentation: Anniversary Edition / Wide Screen / Subtitled / Dubbed
  • Time: 2:15:00
  • Format: Blu-ray
  • Sales rank: 19,954

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Madonna Eva Peron
Antonio Banderas Che
Jonathan Pryce Juan Peron
Jimmy Nail Magaldi,Agustin
Ina Clare
Technical Credits
Alan Parker Director, Producer, Screenwriter
David Caddick Musical Direction/Supervision
Richard Earl Art Director
Gerry Hambling Editor
Ros Hubbard Casting
John Hubbard Casting
Jean-Michel Hugon Art Director
Darius Khondji Cinematographer
Dennis Maguire Asst. Director
Lisa Moran Associate Producer
Brian Morris Production Designer
Oliver Stone Screenwriter
Vincent Paterson Choreography
Penny Rose Costumes/Costume Designer
Robert Stigwood Producer
Philippe Turlure Set Decoration/Design
Andrew G. Vajna Producer
Andrew Lloyd Webber Songwriter
Ken Weston Sound/Sound Designer
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 11 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(9)

4 Star

(0)

3 Star

(1)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(1)

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Sort by: Showing all of 11 Customer Reviews

  • Posted October 1, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    I Also Recommend:

    Evita [Motion Picture Music Soundtrack]

    I Love Evita

    Evita is probably the only Madonna film that I like. I don't care much for her music or her personality. However, as Evita she breaks through all that I hate about Madonna and truly becomes her character! Her acting is brilliant and her singing flawless! This is a movie I can watch again and again and because I am also addicted to the soundtrack I can sing along, not many movies move me so. Thank you Barnes and Nobel for selling Evita!

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    evita

    this was interesting and madonna actually did a surprising and good performance....its the story of a woman and her dreams finally coming true with consequences surrounding it. one thing i had a hard time was the never ending singing and very and i mean very little dialogue. the story was a little hard to follow. banderes is not bad for a singer and did a good job as well.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Excellent

    The only think I dislike more than a musical is a movie based on a musical. Not the case with Evita. I thouroughly enjoyed every minute of this enthralling film. Madonna blew me away and Bandaras entertained me as well. The music was catchy and fun - I even bought the soundtrack and memorized most of the songs! It's a must see.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Breathtaking!!!!!!

    This movie was unbelievable the best I've seen.....madonna and Antonio were perfect in their roles, the music was exquisite!!! I laughed, I cried, I cheered, every emotion flowed through me!!

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    I loved the expressive music

    I found the music enchanting and representative of Latin American music, featuring the tango, march, and even the waltz with a Latin flair. Andrew Lloyd-Webber did a fantastic job of making the music and its harmonies representative of the culture. I also loved the singing and dancing by Madonna and Antonio Banderas and the costumes.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Leftist Trash Brought to Us Through Song

    Eva Peron enjoyed the reigns of power her dictator husband wielded as they, like the dictators before them, ruined Argentina even more (if that was possible) but this seems to be missing from the film. Not surprising given that the people who made it and are in it, notably Madonna, are leftists who sympathize with Latin American socialist dictators and tyrants like the Perons and Allende in Chile. While it may be nice to think of evil people dancing around and singing whilst they are throwing people in jail for demanding economic and political freedom this movie comes as close to a serious attempt at ''Springtime for Hitler'' as I've ever seen.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 10, 2011

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    Posted June 17, 2011

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    Posted May 3, 2010

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    Posted October 29, 2008

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    Posted May 20, 2009

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Sort by: Showing all of 11 Customer Reviews