Product reviewsMoulin Rouge (DVD, 2004)

Color, Color, Portraits, Can Can, and a Wonderful Performance by Jose Ferre

This 1952 movie is an extravaganza of color--much of which depicts the 1890s vision of Henri Toulouse Lautrec (Jose Ferrer), the famous painter of the dancers of the bawdy Moulin Rouge night club and many more people of the time.

Henri was crippled as a boy in his family's Mont Martre castle. He fell down a flight of stairs and then experienced numerous surgeries to correct his legs, which were often re-broken on purpose to try again. As a result, Henri became what was called a dwarf. Thus, he became very conscious of his deformity and left the family castle to settle in Paris. He felt very unloved and inferior and became a hopeless alcoholic.

As a result, his first love was a Paris prostitute, Marie Chalet (Colette Marchand), in an Oscar nominated Supporting Actress role. She treated him badly and used every opportunity to take his money. Eventually, he painted her portrait, which is now very famous.

Later in the movie, he experienced love again with Myriame Hyam (Suzanne Flon), a famous Paris model, but Henri felt so inferior that he could not realize that it was true.

Watching the somewhat violent dancers of the Moulin Rouge as well as the famous can can dancers is very intriguing. Look for a surprising performance by Zsa Zsa Gabor as the singer Jean Avril. She wears the most fabulous clothes and gets to sing the famous Moulin Rouge theme song as well as another.

Jose Ferrer was nominated for Best Actor. He walks on his knees throughout the movie to shorten his height and to illustrate the awkwardness with which the real Toulouse Lautrec walked. He also portrays his father, the Compte.

Finally, this movie received 7 Academy Award nominations and won 2. Besides the ones already mentioned, it was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director (John Huston), and Best Editing. It also won the Oscar for Best Art Direction and another for Best Costume Design.

This movie is well worth your time to experience such a talented painter and his work as well as the time of Paris in the 1890s.Read full review...

Parisian Turn-Of-The-Century Underclass Entertainment

This older version of Moulin Rouge (1952) with Jose Ferrer was a moving and exceptional movie. Well acted, with color-rich, wanton vibrancy, pathos, and dignity; this held my attention throughout. Realistic settings, raucus music, incredible artistry, and costumes enhanced my viewing. I don't know how they made Ferrer into a "dwarf/midget" (to use their terms) after his childhood accident, but goodness, it was powerfully portrayed. The contrast of social classes was evident. I would watch this version of Moulin Rouge repeatedly. Fully recommended for adults and young adolescents.Read full review...

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Useful background on Lautrec

This DVD replaces an old VHS. As opposed to Van Gogh, there is not much on Lautrec in the movie list. The way that this movie brings to life scenes from Lautrec's posters and paintings plus shows the times and characters of the times is worth the purchase.Very imaginative. Jose Ferrer was really incredible. as Lautrec. A very sad story, but a vivid colorful testament to his art. Montmartre in Paris is where it all happened ..Some of the locations/buildings still exist. Lautrec portrayed the underworld of Montmartre and the movie tries to capture the spirit of the times with all its warts combined with the personal suffering Lautrec endured. The film is also is a time capsule that puts his work in perspective. Lautrec himself, I believe, would have approved.Read full review...

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A cinematic gem

John Houston's 1952 film poignantly chronicles the tragic life of French artist Henri Toulouse-Latrec, played by Jose Ferrer in one of his best roles. This flawless DVD restores the beauty of the original film, especially the color pallet of cinematographer Oswald Morris, which complements the colors seen in Toulouse-Latrec's work. This DVD will appeal to anyone interested in this artist's life and work, and in fin-de-siecle Paris.Read full review...

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The Best Moulin Rouge Movie

Jose Ferrer was one of filmdom's finest actors. In this movie, his understated depiction of a disabled, misunderstood artist is truly exceptional. There is very little over- acting throughout the movie, even though it was filmed at a time when period tales were often overdone. All in all Moulin Rouge is just as satisfying today as it was when released in 1952. It is far superior to the remake.Read full review...

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Great!

I saw this movie many years ago while in California as a young man. It made an impression on me then and I always wanted to see it again. I was not disappointed! I enjoyed "Moulin Rouge" even more, especially since I have been attending lectures at our local art institute.Read full review...

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Moulin Rouge is still my favorite!

Who knew Ewan Mcgregor had a phenomenal voice until this movie or that Nicole Kidman could command the screen with something other than her beautiful eyes and long legs. This movie had great music, a phenomenal plot with many twists and turns, and a soundtrack that combined elements and songs in such a way that was entertaining and humorous. The costumes and cinematography will keep your mind going well past the drop of the curtain and the last time the words are uttered--the only thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in returnRead full review...

THE BEST FILM OF MOULIN ROUGE

The best film of Moulin Rouge. The photography is stunning and the colors inside the Moulin Rouge is spectacular. Even,Zsa Zsa Gabor is a delight to watch. Jose Ferrer does a wonderful job as Toulouse.Read full review...

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Enjoyable vintage movie

Vintage movie (1952) of the life of Henri Toulouse Lautrec. No CGI was used, just film art & great actors.

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Ya hoo.

I have been looking for this movie for the past few years. No one could tell me where to get it. Now, I have a perfect picture.

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