Customer Reviews
My Favorite Musical - By: David R. Bishop, 17 Nov 2007 
This is Bizet's Carmen brought into World War 2 & given a black American cast. Oscar Hammerstein wrote new words for Bizet's music. The show was first produced drung WW2, & this movie was made in 1954.
Dorothy Dandridge & Harry Belafonte are grand together. What a shame they used opera singers for their singing voices, both had musical ability. I believe a more jazzy flavour to the music would have worked just as well. At least Pearl Bailey's singing voice got used, Her 'Rhythm On A Drum' is one of the film's highlights.
Just like Carmen, Carmen Jones is on the unstoppable route of tragedy & self destruction. She seems resigned to & even glories in her fate.
Otto Preminger's production make it an unusuallly lavish movie for a black American picture of it's time. It is in colour, & well worth watching today.
A memorable film accompanied by a great cast - By: Jenny J.J.I., 29 Jun 2007 Although it's been some time since I last saw this film, it is on my "must have" list based on the wonderful musical score, the charismatic leads, & its importance as a vehicle for Black American talent at a time when racial discrimination was rife.
Dandridge would have been a true Hollywood success story had her years in Hollywood been today. America was still hesitant to give black performers key roles in motion pictures. True, we had films such as Cabin in the Sky (1943) but where did that film go to? Otto Preminger must be credited for taking a big chance in making this alll-black picture concerning Carmen Jones, who works in a parachute factory, & the soldier, Belafonte, who must escort her to the magistrate when she has broken the law.
Dorothy Dandridge nailed this role as Carman Jones. She is catty, seductive, & has her men wrapped around her finger. Harry Belafonte is sensational as Joe, the naive soldier who becomes prey to Carman. It's interesting to watch Joe trying to tame the wild tendencies of Carman, while a love triangle grows outside of their relationship. It's like watching a cat on a hot tin roof. (oops, another great movie.) An added plus is the wonderful production numbers with dance choreography & songs. The costume, wardrobe, & props reflect the culture of city slickers & country folks, presenting the differences in lifestyles among characters. These differences became evident in Dorothy Dandridge performance, & earn her an Academy Award nomination for best actress. Hallle Berry's Oscar acceptance speech for Best Actress in Monster's Balll reminded me of just how far we have come & how long it has taken to reach this stage of the journey!
If you haven't yet seen Carmen Jones - take the time to view this milestone in American cinema history - you won't be disappointed.
Hammerstein's word magic - By: J. Higgins, 09 Oct 2006 For me the chief delight of the movie is what Oscar Hammerstein achieved with his libretto. He hears English speech rhythms in Bizet's music & finds appropriate speech for the story. Cindy Lou's 'My Joe' is a miracle of turning ordinariness into poetry.
Listening to 'Beat out that rhythm on a drum', I wondered what the original French words were & put on a recording of the opera. Guess what? 'La, la, la, la-la-la-la, la'.
Carmen Jones - By: Mrs Masha Woollard, 02 Dec 2004 This film is my favourite Opera Movie of alll time! When it came out I was in my teens, & saw it 12 times. The passion & drama of the Spanish Music transposes perfectly to an Afro-America cast & the American language. Because of the modern feel to it it reflects the impact the original Carmen must have had on the 19th Century audiences. The words of the songs are entirely approprioate to Bizet's intentions;" The Toreador song is alllocatedto the Boxer, who sings, "Stand up & fight until you hear the bell", The Train song, when Pearl Bailey & her friends seek to persuade Carmen to go away with the Boxer never ceses to thrill me. Other songs are; "Beat out that rythm on a drum," Carmen's seduction song , "You go for me, & I'm taboo" & alll the others have completely spoled me for classical versions of the Opera, which sound stilted & old fashioned.
The memory of this wonderful film has stayed with me for 50 years, & I am delighted to be able to buy it on DVD!
