The Pirates of Penzance

The movie version of the Joseph Papp production is still one of the best versions of Pirates of Penzance. I watch it periodically and still enjoy it.

This is pure joy. Yes, it takes a few liberties but is utterly true to the G&S spirit. Warning: serious ear worms included.

Collecting musicals that I have loved in the past. This is so fun, my favorite Gilbert and Sullivan.

This Gilbert and Sullivan operetta is a delight. It's a fun story of 19th century British adherence to the rules. The score is a joy. The all star cast is terrific especially Kevin Kline and Linda Ronstadt. We are fortunate to have this film as a record of the singing talents of Ronstadt.

Possibly the original “Chad Vador” I think I smiled the entire time. Granted some parts must have been adapted to relate to the 21st century viewer, it strikes me as nothing less than incredible that something made in 1880 could still resonate on such a familiar humorous frequency 100+ years later. Give it a watch ye skallywag!!

A good adaptation of the Gilbert and Sullivan musical. Good music some funny parts.

The cast is fantastic- great comedic timing along with great music & dancing.

This version of Pirates of Penzance has always been rather amazing. Rex Smith's strong tenor vocals, Lind Ronstadt's surprisingly stunning soprano and Kevin Kline's aerobatic, physical, and vocal antics. It's just ridiculously silly, and the tiny touches that each actor adds,(which could only be captured by a camera and by viewing multiple times) makes this version of the operetta, just a festival of fun.Not unlike Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean, Kevin Kline as the Pirate King, is a scene stealer. If you just spend the whole film watching his unscripted mannerisms with his face, his movement and his blocking, he is really as funny as anything else that was written into the script. He supports any dullmoments in the play. If you are losing interest at any time(which I would doubt)just look to Kevin and he's hamming it up for the camera in every scene. I'd say he's just a master of shenanigans and for a piece like this, it's priceless.I have been waiting for a DVD version of this to show up since I heard about DVD's and finally, someone heard our pleas and really did this DVD up right.In WIDE-SCREEN, FINALLY, the film seems virtually brand new. There was so muchchopped off in the VHS presentation, that seeing it now on DVD, I hardly recognize it. It's Just like seeing for the first time. And the enhancement of the print is STUNNING. Now we can actually see the film the way it was intended. The colors are dazzling; the pastels on the beautiful sets, combined with the vibrant costuming and full scope of the lens, makes this DVD version just lovely to look at.Additionally, the enhanced and obviously remastered soundtrack is a JOY!Watching the VHS tape for years, there were tons of lyrics I never understood.This DVD has sound so clear and crisp and intense, that I finally understood every-single-word! The HARMONY is also now, actually audible! Previously, the songs on the VHS were "fun" and cute, but now, with the new DVD audio, they are just wonderful to hear! There is more than 6 part harmony in places, where on the VHS tape, it sounded as if it was only two.It was really worth the wait for this DVD,especiallywith as much effort as was put into the film's restoration.For anyone who wants to see Gilbert and Sullivan done well,this DVD is a great way to start! It's worth every penny!It is the very model of a modern movie musical!

This is my second attempt to buy a copy of this great video of a great show. The first time, a few years ago, I received the correct DVD case, but inside was a bad bootleg copy of the original outdoor stage show, which did NOT include Angela Lansbury. On this, my second attempt, I received the same DVD case, and inside was a DVD with the correct label which will not play on either an NTSC DVD player nor a PAL DVD player. To their credit, this seller refunded my money. If anyone out there is listening, I would really like to buy a DVD of the "Pirates of Penzance" production starring Kevin Kline, Linda Ronstadt, and Angela Lansbury. I will pay any reasonable finder's fee for this great production on either NTSC or PAL.

I have waited half my life for this to be available on DVD. I first saw it in the Athenaeum Cinema in Plymouth in 1983 while I was a student. All other versions are a pale imitation. Thoughtful reviewers over the years have been kind enough to point this out and for that I am grateful!I love every moment of it and only wish that other G & S operettas were given given this sort of treatment. Having said that we all have our favourites and this is mine.

WHY WHY WHY has this not been released on dvd in the UK??? Amazon, can you not do anything to get this issued for the UK?? you must have enough clout to do something! I have been looking for this for YEARS! I found on the internet that I could change my very cheap Tesco dvd player to play region1 dvds, so I ordered this as soon as I could! I am not sure if it is the dvd or my player, but there are issues with synchronicity of the sound and vision, but I love this version of POP so much that I tolerate it. If you are one of the people like myself who loves this version of POP, then there is an online petition to try and get this released in the UK, if you are interested, please look at petitiononline.com/POP1983.[...]

Arguably one of the best G&S operettas anyway. This is the award-winning 1983 Broadway version. Not to everyone's taste as it's so over the top, but why not? Kevin Kline is ridiculously brilliant, the main characters are all very well played and the singing excellent. Script, settings and additional music very clever. Its fun factor is that it doesn't take itself too seriously, the result being a glorious mash that just about everyone would wish to have done at school!My only crit is that this is an NTSC version and is not available on PAL, although most computers and DVD players will now handle it. I first saw this on Channel 4 many years ago and have wanted a decent copy (without adverts!) ever since. Why on earth is it not available in the UK???

I have been trying to buy this dvd for years,but it was out of print. At last,it is back in print! I had a copy of it in video form but can't play that as I haven't got a vcr anymore. It is brilliant!!! I saw it many years ago on tv and loved it and so did my children. Keven Kline's acting is very over the top,but that makes it so funny. All the actors and actresses in it are superb. There are many very funny scenes in it,which made me laugh out loud. The music and singing is really good,especially Linda Ronstadt. Very good film to watch with children,as nothing objectionable in it. Good clean old fashioned slapstick fun! One small problem,it is a region 1 dvd,so need a dvd player that can play it.