Casanova (Masterpiece Theater)
Binding: DVD
Region: Region 1
Actor: David Tennant, David Foxxe, Tamzin Griffin, Peter O’Toole, Clare Higgins
Format: Color, DVD-Video, NTSC
Run Time: 172 minutes
ASIN: B000HEWGWE
Rated: Unrated
Manufacturer: WGBH BOSTON
Release Date: 2006-10-17
Average Customer Review: 
(From 24 total reviews)
List Price: $24.95
Amazon Price: $14.12 (30 new 8 used available)
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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com:
And now for something completely randy and ribald from Masterpiece Theatre. This re-telling of the Casanova legend is a thoroughly modern romp with rollicking escapades, a sly anachronistic tone, and wardrobe malfunctions. More, it is graced with a poignant performance by Peter O’ Toole (Lawrence of Arabia, My Favorite Year) as the aged lothario. Toiling in obscurity as a count’s librarian, he regales an appalled, yet intrigued, parlor maid (Rose Byrne) with the story of his eventful life. David Tennant (Doctor Who) stars as the opportunistic, charming, and indefatigable young Casanova, illegitimately born to a neglectful actress mother. He becomes a scholar and sets about reinventing himself (as lawyer, doctor, and astrologer) to gain entry into Venice’s noble circles. Here, he meets the enchanting Henriette (Laura Fraser), his one true love, but who is determined to marry for money and security. The first of Casanova’s two parts is the most fun. Our tireless heroes’ prodigious sexual exploits are rendered more comic than carnal. From two sisters (simultaneously!), he learns the secret of seducing women: “Just listen.” Nina Sosanya (Love, Actually) costars as Bellino, a castrato, who presents Casanova with a Victor/Victoria-like conundrum. Casanova cannot keep up the pace of the cheeky first half as the stakes get higher in his pursuit of the elusive Henriette. He runs afoul of her jealous and powerful fiancé, Count Grimani (Rupert Penry-Jones), setting the stage for an ultimately heartbreaking love story that will span a lifetime. Casanova is as smart, seductive, and sad as its hero. As one character tells Casanova before a Bellino performance, “You are in for a treat.” –Donald Liebenson
Product Description:
Casanova (David Tennant Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Bright Young Things) takes us from the decadent streets of the 18th Century Venice to the salons of pre-revolution Paris and on to the London courts of George III until a trip to Naples finally breaks Casanova s heart. In the Age of Reason and Science gambling and gallantries of pleasure and entertainment Casanova has it all does it all. In turn he is a violinist a priest a gambler a lottery director and intellectual. He is both peasant and nobleman rich and poor. But he is one thing above all others a lover. Sex is Casanova s lifeblood. But he is never casual nor flippant. He loves with total commitment and total sincerity however temporarily. He sleeps with courtesans actresses and even a nun. His life is dedicated to pleasure. But one thing eludes him throughout his life perfect happiness with his one true love Henriette (Laura Fraser Vanilla Sky A Knight s Tale). 44 years later Casanova (Peter O Toole Troy Gulliver s Travels) a librarian in a castle fare exiled from Venice is dying. Into his life comes Edith (Rose Byrne Troy I Capture the Castle) a young parlour maid. Something in Edith ignites the old passion in Casanova and he finds himself regaling her with tales of his adventures. Through Edith he learns to love the old Casanova again and sends out messengers in search of Henriette. It is one last desperate attempt to see the woman he loves before he dies System Requirements:Run Time: 174 minsFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: NR UPC: 783421414198 Manufacturer No: WG41419
Customer Reviews
A must for David Tennant/ Doctor Who fans! Delightful! by MamatheChef
If you missed this when it aired on PBS, you really should buy this DVD. Not only is David Tennant wonderful as usual, but you have the extra added genius of the great Peter O’Toole to look forward to. IMO, better scripted and performed than the more recent “Casanova” with the late Heath Ledger…A much better “romp” and extremely funny. Not for anyone under the age of 16 or 17, though, so please use your discretion, parents!
David Tennant is Fantastic! by GabrielMyCat
David Tennant is fantastic! Peter O’Toole is dry and lifeless, that is the reason for the 3 star rating. I surprised at the absolute non-life out of Peter O’Toole. He is usually one of my favorites. The plot is so-so, but overall entertaining. I’d have to say that Tennant’s fans would not waste their time watching this film.
Joie de vivre — the DVD is better by ennui
I’m glad that I saw “Casanova” on DVD before I saw the edited version on PBS. I loved the DVD; my impressions of Casanova were that it’s a great story, comic and tragic, full of joie de vivre. There were moments that made me laugh out loud, and moments touched with deep sadness. I think David Tennant is brilliant — he brings the youthful exuberance and resiliency and optimism, and Peter O’Toole brings the notes of cynicism and regret that come with age and experience. Last night, however, I caught the first half on my local PBS station (edited, of course), and it’s just not the same (although I did appreciate the subtitles, my DVD does not have subtitles). As far as I can tell (without doing a thorough study), they didn’t really cut out very much, mostly just the quick shots of various sexual romps; and, I got the impression that some scenes were framed differently but I could be wrong. Such small changes, but they leave the story feeling curiously flat. “Casanova” without the sex is like “The Sopranos” without the f-word; the recipe really is much better with that 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
Thoroughly Enjoyed it! by Sadhana Singh
I had never seen/read any account of Casanova’s life until I saw this BBC version and I was completely engrossed. This was both entertaining and informative and David Tennant’s portrayal of the young seducer was both hilarious and convincing. I am glad to have discovered two talents here: Tennant and the real man, Casanova.
I have a question however- I borrowed this copy from a friend and was pleased except that there were no subtitles and/or closed captioning. Does anyone know of another copy of this mini-series that includes closed captions/subtitles?
Thank you.
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Tags: bbc, casanova, colorful, comedy, cross-dressing, david tennant, doctor who, DVD, eighteenth century, europe, european society, period movie, peter o toole, soul mate, tenth doctor
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