Love, The Magician (1986) ( El Amor brujo ) ( Love The Magician ) [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2 Import - United Kingdom ]

Fantastic dvd.

Warning - this is not the classical ballet El Amor Brujo by Manual de Falla; it is film only slightly related, with different music (although the same story). It does include the original 25 min ballet, although with a lot of other material, largely focussed on Flamenco dancing. Look on Youtube for the original ballet, and on Wiki for more on this film.

Great good quality item

A wonderful film for anyone who loves the uniquely Spanish art form of flamenco. We wanted to see this having enjoyed 'Carmen' and were not disappointed. It's different, in that the action takes place in a gypsy shanty town rather than a dance studio, but Saura makes it very clear that there is nothing real about this place, it's a fantasy version of reality like the flamenco music and dancing.The story is a simple one of two men and two women for whom love takes the wrong road, leading to all kinds of trouble for them to agonise about in flamenco style. The whole film is filled with colour, overheated emotions and wild dancing. There is violence but not very much, and nothing revolting, and the DVD quality is excellent.

This for me is my third DVD in this wonderful trilogy and the set flamenco pieces are great particularly that which is choreographed around the fire. Antonio Gades and Christina Hoyes produce a chemistry between them that is palpable due to their body and arm movements. The realistic village set makes for a very atmospheric film that is perfect for this story.