{"id":81238,"date":"2022-02-14T13:16:49","date_gmt":"2022-02-14T20:16:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=81238"},"modified":"2022-02-14T13:22:23","modified_gmt":"2022-02-14T20:22:23","slug":"tales-of-hoffman-the-1951","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=81238","title":{"rendered":"Tales of Hoffman, The (1951)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;I have lost my reflection!&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffman-Poster.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffman-Poster-201x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"201\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-81239\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffman-Poster-201x300.png 201w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffman-Poster-685x1024.png 685w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffman-Poster-86x128.png 86w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffman-Poster-181x270.png 181w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffman-Poster.png 731w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 201px) 100vw, 201px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nA poet (Robert Rounseville) enamored with a ballerina (Moira Shearer) recounts tales to his friend Nicklaus (Pamela Brown) about three previous loves: a mechanical dancer (Moira Shearer) created by a scientist (Leonide Massine) and operated by a devious magician (Robert Helpmann); a seductive courtesan (Ludmilla Tcherina) who steals his reflection for a magician (Robert Helpmann); and a consumptive young Greek woman (Ann Ayars) forced to sing to her death by an evil doctor (Robert Helpmann).\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Dancers<\/li>\n<li>Episodic Films<\/li>\n<li>Fantasy<\/li>\n<li>Michael Powell Films<\/li>\n<li>Obsessive Love<\/li>\n<li>Operas<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nMichael Powell and Emeric Pressburger produced and directed this Technicolor opera fantasy based on <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Tales_of_Hoffmann\">Jacques Offenbach&#8217;s 1881 opera of the same name<\/a>. It tells a series of episodic musical tales centered around Hoffmann (Rounseville) himself, with a recurring roster of evil characters all played by Robert Helpmann. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Helpmann.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Helpmann.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"986\" height=\"720\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-81240\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Helpmann.png 986w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Helpmann-300x219.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Helpmann-128x93.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Helpmann-768x561.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Helpmann-370x270.png 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 986px) 100vw, 986px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The sets and costumes (by Hein Heckroth) and cinematography (by Christopher Challis) are consistently a wonder to behold: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Sets2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Sets2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"986\" height=\"720\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-81251\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Sets2.png 986w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Sets2-300x219.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Sets2-128x93.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Sets2-768x561.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Sets2-370x270.png 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 986px) 100vw, 986px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Still.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Still.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"986\" height=\"720\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-81249\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Still.png 986w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Still-300x219.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Still-128x93.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Still-768x561.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Still-370x270.png 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 986px) 100vw, 986px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; as are the enjoyably clever yet low-tech special effects. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Cubist.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Cubist.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"986\" height=\"720\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-81255\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Cubist.png 986w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Cubist-300x219.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Cubist-128x93.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Cubist-768x561.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Cubist-370x270.png 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 986px) 100vw, 986px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, the film&#8217;s major and significant downfall (leaning me towards only recommending it rather than calling it must-see) is that, as noted in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1951\/04\/05\/archives\/the-screen-tales-of-hoffimann-arrives-lavish-british-picture-with.html\">Bosley Crowther&#8217;s review for the New York Times<\/a>, &#8220;it sates the senses without striking any real dramatic fire.&#8221; Lead actor Robert Rounseville is notoriously stiff throughout (though of course his vocals, for those who enjoy opera, are impeccable): <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Rouseville.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Rouseville.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"986\" height=\"720\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-81248\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Rouseville.png 986w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Rouseville-300x219.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Rouseville-128x93.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Rouseville-768x561.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Rouseville-370x270.png 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 986px) 100vw, 986px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; and the final sequence is overall quite dull. With that said, most film fanatics will likely be curious to check this unusual, visually vibrant film  &#8212; a favorite of both Martin Scorsese and George Romero &#8212; at least once; but don&#8217;t feel bad if it&#8217;s not quite your cup of tea. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Robert Helpmann as Lindorf, Copp\u00e9lius, Dapertutto, and Dr Miracle<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Helpmann2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Helpmann2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"986\" height=\"720\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-81242\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Helpmann2.png 986w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Helpmann2-300x219.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Helpmann2-128x93.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Helpmann2-768x561.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Helpmann2-370x270.png 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 986px) 100vw, 986px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Helpmann3.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Helpmann3.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"986\" height=\"720\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-81246\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Helpmann3.png 986w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Helpmann3-300x219.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Helpmann3-128x93.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Helpmann3-768x561.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Helpmann3-370x270.png 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 986px) 100vw, 986px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Pamela Brown as Nicklaus<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Brown.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Brown.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"986\" height=\"720\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-81244\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Brown.png 986w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Brown-300x219.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Brown-128x93.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Brown-768x561.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Brown-370x270.png 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 986px) 100vw, 986px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Highly creative production design<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Sets.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Sets.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"986\" height=\"720\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-81241\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Sets.png 986w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Sets-300x219.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Sets-128x93.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Sets-768x561.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Sets-370x270.png 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 986px) 100vw, 986px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Stepping.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Stepping.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"986\" height=\"720\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-81250\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Stepping.png 986w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Stepping-300x219.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Stepping-128x93.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Stepping-768x561.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Stepping-370x270.png 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 986px) 100vw, 986px\" \/><\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li>Fine special effects<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Head.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Head.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"986\" height=\"720\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-81245\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Head.png 986w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Head-300x219.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Head-128x93.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Head-768x561.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Head-370x270.png 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 986px) 100vw, 986px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Gorgeous Technicolor cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Cinematography.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Cinematography.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"986\" height=\"720\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-81243\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Cinematography.png 986w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Cinematography-300x219.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Cinematography-128x93.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Cinematography-768x561.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tales-of-Hoffmann-Cinematography-370x270.png 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 986px) 100vw, 986px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nNo, though it&#8217;s unique enough to be worth a one-time look. Listed as a film with Historical Importance in the back of Peary&#8217;s book. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0044103\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.qnetwork.com\/review\/1574\">Q Network Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/entertainment\/movies\/la-et-mn-tales-of-hoffmann-review-20150313-column.html\">L.A. Times Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1951\/04\/05\/archives\/the-screen-tales-of-hoffimann-arrives-lavish-british-picture-with.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/92273\/the-tales-of-hoffmann#articles-reviews?articleId=216337\">TCM Article<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;I have lost my reflection!&#8221; Synopsis: A poet (Robert Rounseville) enamored with a ballerina (Moira Shearer) recounts tales to his friend Nicklaus (Pamela Brown) about three previous loves: a mechanical dancer (Moira Shearer) created by a scientist (Leonide Massine) and operated by a devious magician (Robert Helpmann); a seductive courtesan (Ludmilla Tcherina) who steals his reflection for a magician (Robert Helpmann); and a consumptive young Greek woman (Ann Ayars) forced to sing to her death by an evil doctor (Robert&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=81238\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-81238","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81238","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=81238"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81238\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":81267,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81238\/revisions\/81267"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=81238"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=81238"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=81238"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}