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Movies / On DVD / Carmen Jones
Carmen Jones

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Carmen Jones (1954)

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Reviews Counted:17

Fresh:12

Rotten:5

Average Rating:6/10

Rated: U

Runtime: 1 hr 48 mins

Genre: Musical & Performing Arts

Theatrical Release:09-02-2007

Synopsis: A sizzling screen version of Bizet's Carmen updated for an all-black cast, including an especially sizzling Dandridge. Soldier Belafonte falls for Dandridge, a seductive factory worker. The lovers... A sizzling screen version of Bizet's Carmen updated for an all-black cast, including an especially sizzling Dandridge. Soldier Belafonte falls for Dandridge, a seductive factory worker. The lovers flee after the soldier kills his sergeant, but Carmen's taunting faithlessness drives her lover to a crime of passion. Hammerstein provided lyrics for Bizet's melodies, and Preminger added the snap. If you're curious what all the fuss over Dandridge is about, catch this. [More]

Starring: Dorothy Dandridge, Harry Belafonte, Pearl Bailey, Roy Glenn

Starring: Dorothy Dandridge, Harry Belafonte, Pearl Bailey, Roy Glenn, Diahann Carroll, Brock Peters, Joe Adams, Olga James, Sandy Lewis, Nick Stewart, Mauri Lynn

Director: Otto Preminger

Director: Otto Preminger
Screenwriter: Harry Kleiner
Producer: Otto Preminger
Composer: Georges Bizet

[See More Credits]

Reviews for Carmen Jones

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1 - 17 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Every frame, you feel, is freighted with the tension imposed by the never-appearing white folks. It was, however, laudable in its desire to showcase the talents of African-American performers who were denied opportunities in Hollywood.

Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | comment Comment
02/10/07
Andrew Pulver
Andrew Pulver
Guardian [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The best reason to revisit Carmen Jones lies in Dorothy Dandridge's electrifying performance, which saw her become the first African-American to be nominated for a Best Actress Oscar.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
02/10/07
Tom Dawson
Tom Dawson
BBC
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Woefully miscast in places and extremely dubious in its portrayal of African-Americans but does boast an on-form Dorothy Dandridge.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
02/09/07
David Parkinson
David Parkinson
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The somewhat heavy-handed direction and the ultimately two-dimensional characters leave you admiring the workmanship without plucking at the necessary emotional/romantic heart-strings.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
02/09/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A truly dreadful film. Preminger can't be faulted for ambition, but for once, his execution is sorely lacking.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
09/18/03
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A film in which talented, attractive people sing ugly lyrics to beautiful music in other people's beautiful voices amid ugly shot framing and ill-timed cutting.

Full Review Source: Goatdog's Movies | comment Comment
10/01/09
Michael W. Phillips, Jr.
Michael W. Phillips, Jr.
Goatdog's Movies

Electric performance by Dorothy Dandridge as the sultry whorish Carmen Jones.

Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment Comment
01/27/08
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Preminger's heavy-handed adaptation of a Broadway triumph combines gorgeous music with risible lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II; the project is saved by a terrific cast.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
10/23/07
TV Guide's Movie Guide
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Otto Preminger has transferred it to the screen with taste and imagination in an opulent production.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
10/23/07
Variety Staff
Variety Staff
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Impeccably liberal in its time, the film has not aged gracefully, although Dorothy Dandridge's performance in the lead remains a testimony to a black cinema that might have been.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
10/23/07
Dave Kehr
Dave Kehr
Chicago Reader

Slinking through director Preminger's CinemaScope widescreen in slit skirts and tight blouses, Dandridge is naturally carnal the way summer is naturally warm.

Full Review Source: DVDJournal.com | comment Comment
04/06/06
Mark Bourne
Mark Bourne
DVDJournal.com

The results are certainly flawed, but rarely less than fascinating.

Full Review Source: Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) | comment Comment
03/17/05
Ken Hanke
Ken Hanke
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

A crazy mixed-up film.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
05/20/03
Bosley Crowther
Bosley Crowther
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Worth seeing for Danridge's sultry, sweet performance.

comment Comment
03/30/03
Beth Accomando
Beth Accomando
KPBS.org

Interesting Preminger experiment. Modernizing with an all-black cast highlighted by Dandridge and Belafonte is first-rate.

comment Comment
10/23/02
Bob Bloom
Bob Bloom
Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)

While the embarrassment of talent onscreen is a joy to watch, I can’t help be overwhelmed and a little saddened thinking how much of that talent went ignored by Hollywood most of the time.

Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
07/30/02
Catherine Cantieri
Catherine Cantieri
Apollo Guide

No review available.

comment Comment
07/26/02
Jeffrey Westhoff
Jeffrey Westhoff
Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)
 
 
1 - 17 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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