Black Orpheus

I was aware of Africa and its many different people, but I had

no idea (besides African Americans) that there were other

people of African decent, and (who looked like me)spoke a

foreign language. I was filled with even more Black Pride!

In the 80's I purchased a VCR. I inquired to a friend as to

whether I could find Black Orpheus on tape, my friend said "all

movies were on tape now." Ever since then I have had several

copys.I've shared my tapes with everyone, most of the time they

were not returned but thats alright because it meant the

person enjoyed it. Many of my friends and co-workers thought

that they would not enjoy a foreign film but were intriqued by

Black Orpheus.

I would like say in closing that for many years I've searched

for info on the cast of this movie, very little has been found.

A couple of days ago I read that Adhemar da Silva (death) had

died in '01. He was not only an actor but an outstanding Olympic

athelete of the 52-56 games. Between both games he won seven gold

medals in the triple jump. Mr.da Silva was also a lawyer.

Why do we always allow good people to go to the wayside before

we give recognition. I would definitely like to known about the

lives of the surviving actors, especially the children whom are

not that much older than I.

PEACE


Heartbreakingly beautiful, bosa nova, carnival!   November 30, 1998
19 out of 19 found this review helpful

This film is a re-telling of the Orpheus legend, set in Rio during Carnival (Brazilian Mardi Gras). An unremitting stream of bosa nova rhythms serves as a pulsebeat, quieted only during interludes of lyric beauty -- and a few of numbing horror. Not everyone is captivated by the film, however. It's a bit clumsy in its translation of the myth, and the sentiment verges at times on the sentimental. For those open to the charms of an innocent love story, ravishing music, and a dazzling carnival setting, Black Orpheus is an unparalleled experience. PS -- Important to see the subtitled version, rather than an earlier English dubbing; the sound of Portuguese, spoken and sung, is essential to the film's "music." -- JJR


A Brazilian Delight   April 30, 2000
Luis Hernandez (New York, New York, USA)
16 out of 19 found this review helpful

Marcel Camus's film recreates the Orpheus tragedy with an all black cast. Set in Rio de Janiero, the film captures the beauty of Brazilian culture. Whether it is the sambadromes or the rythmns of Brazil's Afro-Lusitanian music, the beautiful score written by Antonio Jobim and Luis Bonfa has become legendary and it help led a bossa nova explosion during the 1960's (similar to our present-day Latin explosion). While everything looks fine and dandy in this film, Brazil's society, especially in Rio, is a bit more grittier, and being a Frenchman, Camus ignored the realities faced my millions of "cariocas". Interested viewers should watch the films "Pixote," and "Central Station," to get more of a feeling for life in this city, but nevertheless, Black Orpheus remmains a classic in international cinema for years to come.


A feast for the eyes and the senses   May 25, 2002
JLind555
14 out of 14 found this review helpful

This movie explodes onto the screen in a riot of color, music, dancing and drama so intense that it blows our minds. It's a retelling of the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, brilliantly transplanted to the favelas of Rio de Janeiro during Carnival week. The pulsing samba rhythm throughout the movie is so hypnotic that more than once I had to get up and dance while I was watching it at home. And what else could be more hypnotic than Brazil during Carnaval? "Black Orpheus" brings us a marvelous cast of black actors lead by Breno Mello in the title role and Marpessa Dawn as Eurydice; she is fleeing Death in the form of a sinister stalker and takes refuge with her cousin Serafina, winningly played by Lea Garcia. But Orpheus has a fiancee in the persona of Mira, a sexy bombshell played by Lourdes de Oliveira, who doesn't appreciate Orpheus falling in love with the beautiful and desperate Eurydice. Mira and her friends are the Furies relentlessly hounding Orpheus in the middle of Carnaval, while he tries to protect Eurydice who is being relentlessly stalked by Death. But Death and the Furies are too strong for both of them, and Orpheus can only be reunited with Eurydice in another world. The marvelous setting in the hills above Rio, the vibrant cinematography, and above all, the brilliant samba music by Luis Bonfa and Antonio Carlos Jobim, all come together to work on our senses until we are totally caught up in the film. This movie is not so much for watching as for experiencing. And even after all the tragedy, we leave the film on a positive note watching the exuberant dancing by three very young children, who remind us that in the midst of death we remain gloriously alive.