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The Tales of Hoffmann (1951)

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Top Critics

100

Average Rating: 7.6/10
Reviews Counted: 7
Fresh: 7 | Rotten: 0

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Release Date: Apr 4, 1951 Wide

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Average Rating: 3.8/5
User Ratings: 289

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Movie Info

Most baby-boomers are familiar with the Powell-Pressburger production of the Offenbach opera Tales of Hoffman only through the full-color stills from the film which were reproduced in the "Motion Picture" section of The World Book Encyclopedia. If this is your only memory of the film, we advise you to seek out a copy of this lengthy but visually enthralling picture as soon as possible. Metropolitan opera star Robert Rounseville plays Hoffman, a university student who is spectacularly unlucky in

Unrated, 2 hr. 5 min.

Action & Adventure, Romance, Musical & Performing Arts, Classics, Science Fiction & Fantasy

Directed By: Michael Powell , Emeric Pressburger

In Theaters: Apr 4, 1951 Wide

On DVD: Nov 22, 2005

Cast

Moira Shearer
Stella
Robert Rounseville
Hoffmann
Pamela Brown
Nicklaus
Leonide Massine
Spalanzani [The Tale Of...
Meinhart Maur
Luther
John Ford
Nathaniel
Richard Golding
Hermann
Philip Leaver
Andreas
Ludmilla Tch�rina
Giulietta [The Tale Of ...
Lionel Harris
Pitichinaccio [The Tale...
Ann Ayars
Antonia [The Tale Of An...
Mogens Wieth
Crespel [The Tale Of An...
Jean Alexander
Mother [The Tale of Ant...
Frederick Ashton
Cochenille [The Tale Of...
Edmund Audran
Cancer
Dorothy Bond
Singer
Owen Brannigan
Singer
Bruce Darvaget
Robert Helpmann
Coppelius [The Tale Of ...
Monica Sinclair
Singer
Ren� Soames
Singer

Critic Reviews for The Tales of Hoffmann

All Critics (10) | Top Critics (1) | Fresh (10) | Rotten (1) | DVD (10)

As with The Red Shoes, the Archers achieve a truly amazing fantasy world, almost like a cartoon in which anything is possible.

June 12, 2009 Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid

| Comment

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

For all the spectacle, it is more abstract than involving and the film never pumps with the blood of romantic passion that flows through so many Powell movies.

January 1, 2009 Full Review Source: Turner Classic Movies Online

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Sean Axmaker

Turner Classic Movies Online

... a truly sumptuous opera--one of cinema's best efforts.

August 9, 2006 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews

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Dennis Schwartz

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Criterion offers a superb DVD treatment that will be heaven for fans of this largely unseen Powell and Pressburger effort.

November 26, 2005 Full Review Source: Slant Magazine

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Jeremiah Kipp

Slant Magazine

Eye candy for aesthetes.

November 26, 2005 Full Review Source: Slant Magazine

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Jeremiah Kipp

Slant Magazine

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Audience Reviews for The Tales of Hoffmann

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Didn't hit me like I'd hoped it would. I love the painterly look and melodramatic stories of The Red Shoes and Black Narcissus, but Hoffman didn't move me. I tried to be open-minded, but the singing was a real barrier I couldn't overcome. Still, some brilliant images peppered throughout, especially in the last segment.

January 7, 2009