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Saura's trilogy (Blood Wedding aka Bodas de Sangre, Carmen, and El Amor Brujo) is magnificent -- especially if you're a flamenco fan. Carmen was Oscar-nominated, but all 3 are classics, and all 3 are vehicles for flamenco dance. Saura casts the great Antonio Gades as a lead in all 3 (Gades is also choreographer). My interest was primarily in Blood Wedding as I am a guitarist prepping for a performance, but (surprisingly) the entire trilogy costs less to buy than any one of the 3 costs individually (at least based on my web search). Each of the trilogy is studded with magic scenes, and filled with the drama that a flamenco aficionados would expect. Example: the last-act knife fight in Blood Wedding is PERFORMED (NOT filmed) in slow motion, and it is so well done, with such perfect balance, control, and timing by the dancers that my wife still (after 4 viewings) refuses to believe it is slow choreography rather than a slow-motion special effect. If you don't believe me, turn the volume way up and you will hear their real-time breathing.Read full review
I have been a fan of Carlos Saura's "Carmen" with Antonio Gades and Laura Del Sol since attending my alma mater university in 1987!! I have watched "Blood Wedding" and "El Amor Brujo" as well, but "Carmen" is the best of the trilogy. I have watched my mother's VHS so many times that I'm glad I found it on DVD. If you love authentic Flamenco and Flamenco guitar, you will love this series. I enjoyed the dancing, music, and intense action between characters. These videos inspired both my mother and I so much that we took Flamenco lessons. I would say the only downfall would be if one does not like subtitles. Of course this series is in Spanish, but if you are studying the language and/or a true fan of the dance, the subtitles do not distract from the drama.
The trilogy showcases what's eternally compelling about flamenco and the gypsy sensibility. The performers are superlative, their performances are haunting. I feel expanded and deepened by the experience.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Finally this set of movies is available on DVD in NTSC format. They are, to put it simply, brilliant. The dancers are brilliant, the staging is fantastic, and the music sublime. Of the three, the final work, El Amor Brujo is a true masterpiece, with a (literally) haunting storyline and four of the sexiest Flamenco dancers ever. If you love dance, if you love music, if you love artful cinematography that will suck you in, buy this set while it is still available.
If you enjoy Flemenco, you'll love this series. Saura's version of Carmen is enough to justify the purchase. It takes all of the passion Bizet put into his opera, adds dancing shoes and a little more sex. It's hot; it's dramatic and remains wonderfully tragic. See it with someone you desire and don't forget the wine....
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