Good old fashioned entertainment
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This beautifully filmed costume drama based upon the life of the post-impressionist painter Toulouse Lautrec is one of the best films of the 1950's. The opening dance sequence featuring Katherine Kath as the dancer 'La Goulue' is one of the finest dance sequences in the entire history of film. 'La Goulue' ('The Glutton' - real name: Louise Weber) was so called because of her habit of stealing and 'knocking-back' the drinks of all the men sat around the dance floor. But it is Jose Ferrer's beautifully sensitive portrayal of Lautrec which is the real treat and for which he deservedly received an oscar nomination. I have read some criticism that Ferrer's performance is too much of a caricature, but I feel that this criticism is wrong. Lautrec wasn't just a short man (5ft 1 inches) with everything in proportion; he had the torso and arms of a man of average height but owing to a congenital abnormality his legs refused to grow after breaking one and then the other one as a child. Consequently he had a 'long' body and very short legs. Comparison of contemporary photographs of Lautrec with Ferrer's portrayal of him will confirm that the actor's portrayal isn't a negative caricature of the artist at all, merely a truthful one. I think Lautrec would be pleased and honoured by such an intelligent and sensitive performance. The supporting cast are superb and this film really captures the atmosphere of La Belle Epoch.Read full review
A very moving film totally different to the new version.This is the life story of Toulouse Lautrec that despite an awful deformaty that totally formed his personality.Never finding true love or at least not recipricated.He entered a depression but his painting helped him prevent an attempted suicide.Truely inspirational!! he pulled himself from depths of despair to see his paintings hung in the Louvre,(usually you are dead before this happens).It's witty sad thought provoking a true story with rich content highlighting the contrast of riches and desperate poverty and the depths you reach to survive.What more can you want from a film,FANTASTIC,they don't make them like this anymore.
1950's story of the life of the famous artist Henri De Toulouse Lautrec.Epic costume drama directed by John Huston.The film received multiple Oscar nominations including a nomination for best leading actor for Jose Ferrer's performance as Toulouse Lautrec. The film lasts for 114 minutes which I think is probably too long. The film is good in parts but didn't hold my full attention for the 114 minutes. I bought the film for the part that Christopher Lee has but this is only a small role.Good film but could have been better.
A very good dramatisation, being well scripted and very well acted. A very colourful portrait of late 19th century Paris. If the modern version is rated 4/5 out of 5, then this version has to be 7 out of 5.
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