Search

Release: September 25, 2018

$7.99

Description

Frankenstein builds the perfect woman (and lives to regret it) in this tantalizing marriage of horror, romance, and unbridled passion! Rock legend Sting plays the cunning scientist and Jennifer Beals (Flashdance, The L Word) lends her dramatic presence as his supreme, sublime creation. This sumptuously gothic tale, inspired by the indelible themes and characters originally brought to life by Mary Shelley, follows Frankenstein’s creations as they search for their place in the world: the gorgeous Eva by declaring her independence, and her grotesque intended mate Viktor (Clancy Brown, Highlander) by learning self-worth from a compassionate circus dwarf (David Rappaport, Time Bandits). Can Dr. Frankenstein survive when the monster returns to claim his intended? Alive with brilliant photography and lavish costumes. The Bride invites you to a wedding night you’ll never forget. " NEW Audio Commentary With Director Franc Roddam NEW Interview With Director Franc Roddam NEW Interview With Actor Clancy Brown TV Spot " Top About this item Similar From the Brand Reviews The Bride [Blu-ray]

Release: April 29, 2025

$6.99

Description

*This listing is for the standard edition version and does NOT come with a limited edition slipcase!* Vinegar Syndrome specializes in the masterful restoration and distribution of cult, horror, and erotic films from the 1960s-90s. Young con man Martin Taylor is out grifting on the streets of London when he happens across Tom Bates, a middle-class family man who, Martin quickly learns, has a disabled daughter at home who’s been left brain-damaged by a hit-and-run accident. Pretending to be an old love interest of the girl, Pattie, Martin soon tricks his way into the family’s countryside home, where he promptly charms mother Norma and convinces her to let him stay for a few days to be close to and care for Pattie - much to the wariness of Tom, who questions Martin’s intentions. As the young man ingratiates himself more and more into their family life, it soon becomes clear that he harbors a much more sinister purpose. Originally written for British television by legendary dramatist Dennis Potter, the resulting 1976 BBC TV play was deemed so controversial that it was pulled prior to airing and not broadcast until 1987. The 1982 film version of BRIMSTONE & TREACLE, adapted for the big screen by Potter and with director Richard Loncraine (The Haunting of Julia, Richard III) at the helm, is a haunting and deeply disturbing slice of modern British gothic with an electrifying central performance by Sting in the role of Martin Taylor, alongside celebrated actors Denholm Elliott and Joan Plowright. Accompanied by a pulsing score from The Police, BRIMSTONE & TREACLE, at last, arrives on UHD with a brand new 4K restoration from the original negative supervised by Richard Loncraine and cinematographer Peter Hannan, together with a host of revelatory new bonus features. Bonus Features: 1. 2-disc Set: 4K Ultra HD / Region Free Blu-ray 2. 4K UHD presented in Dolby Vision High-Dynamic-Range 3. Newly scanned & restored in 4K from its 35mm original camera negative 4. Newly recorded select-scene audio commentary with lead actor Sting and director Richard Loncraine (41 min) 5. "Trouble Brewing" (26 min) - an interview with director Richard Loncraine 6. "A House for the Devil" (16 min) - an interview with production designer Milly Burns 7. "Big Visions and Small Screens: Dennis Potter on Film" (23 min) - film historians Jon Dear and John Williams on the big screen adaptations of Dennis Potter 8. Original trailer 9. Reversible sleeve artwork 10. English SDH subtitles Top About this item Similar From the Brand Reviews Brimstone & Treacle [4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray Set]

Release: April 29, 2025

$7.99

Description

*This listing is for the standard edition version and does NOT come with a limited edition slipcase!* Vinegar Syndrome specializes in the masterful restoration and distribution of cult, horror, and erotic films from the 1960s-90s. Young con man Martin Taylor is out grifting on the streets of London when he happens across Tom Bates, a middle-class family man who, Martin quickly learns, has a disabled daughter at home who’s been left brain-damaged by a hit-and-run accident. Pretending to be an old love interest of the girl, Pattie, Martin soon tricks his way into the family’s countryside home, where he promptly charms mother Norma and convinces her to let him stay for a few days to be close to and care for Pattie - much to the wariness of Tom, who questions Martin’s intentions. As the young man ingratiates himself more and more into their family life, it soon becomes clear that he harbors a much more sinister purpose. Originally written for British television by legendary dramatist Dennis Potter, the resulting 1976 BBC TV play was deemed so controversial that it was pulled prior to airing and not broadcast until 1987. The 1982 film version of BRIMSTONE & TREACLE, adapted for the big screen by Potter and with director Richard Loncraine (The Haunting of Julia, Richard III) at the helm, is a haunting and deeply disturbing slice of modern British gothic with an electrifying central performance by Sting in the role of Martin Taylor, alongside celebrated actors Denholm Elliott and Joan Plowright. Accompanied by a pulsing score from The Police, BRIMSTONE & TREACLE, at last, arrives on UHD with a brand new 4K restoration from the original negative supervised by Richard Loncraine and cinematographer Peter Hannan, together with a host of revelatory new bonus features. Bonus Features: 1. 2-disc Set: 4K Ultra HD / Region Free Blu-ray 2. 4K UHD presented in Dolby Vision High-Dynamic-Range 3. Newly scanned & restored in 4K from its 35mm original camera negative 4. Newly recorded select-scene audio commentary with lead actor Sting and director Richard Loncraine (41 min) 5. "Trouble Brewing" (26 min) - an interview with director Richard Loncraine 6. "A House for the Devil" (16 min) - an interview with production designer Milly Burns 7. "Big Visions and Small Screens: Dennis Potter on Film" (23 min) - film historians Jon Dear and John Williams on the big screen adaptations of Dennis Potter 8. Original trailer 9. Reversible sleeve artwork 10. English SDH subtitles Top About this item Similar From the Brand Reviews Brimstone & Treacle [4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray Set]

Release: December 7, 2021

$6.99

Description

Meet the long and short of L.A.’s vice squad… Keneely (Elliott Gould, The Long Goodbye) is the lanky one… Farrel (Robert Blake, In Cold Blood) is the short one… they may not be the best cops in town, but they sure are the toughest. Stand by for plenty of action in this fast-paced thriller that marked the impressive debut of writer and director Peter Hyams who later went on to make Capricorn One, Outland and Running Scared. Gould and Blake play a pair of Los Angeles cops who find themselves in a bitter conflict with their corrupt superiors as they wage a two-men war against crime czar Carl Rizzo (Allen Garfield, The Organization). And even when they’re demoted after a hair-raising shootout, the two dedicated cops are ready to break every rule in the book to bring their quarry to justice. The stellar cast includes Antonio Fargas (Across 110th Street), Michael Lerner (Barton Fink), Sid Haig (Pit Stop), Cornelia Sharpe (Serpico) and William Sylvester (2001: A Space Odyssey). Special Features: • Audio Commentary by Director Peter Hyams • Audio Commentary with Star Elliott Gould and Film Critic Kim Morgan • Theatrical Trailer

Release: August 18, 2026

$7.99

Description

Ambitious actress Kate Loughlin is desperate for her big break in London's fierce film industry when she lands an audition for the coveted Prince of Chaos franchise. But her path to success is complicated by a sleazy agent, a powerful director's attention, and a scheming rival starlet.

$6.99

Description

Turtle's Tale 2: Sammy's Escape from Paradise 3D is a feature film presented on Blu-ray, following the central characters through dramatic events and conflicts that drive the story forward.

Release: April 1, 2025

$7.99

Description

From DreamWorks Animation—creators of How to Train Your Dragon and The Wild Robot—comes the canine crime-fighting film adaptation of Dav Pilkey's literary phenomenon: Dog Man. Part dog, part man, all hero! When a faithful police dog and his human police officer owner are injured on the job, a harebrained surgery fuses the two of them together and Dog Man is born! As he embraces his new identity and strives to impress his Chief (Lil Rel Howery, Get Out), Dog Man must stop the villainous Petey the Cat (Pete Davidson, Saturday Night Live) from cloning himself and creating an evil kitten, doubling his evil abilities. The story takes a turn when the kitten forges an unexpected bond with Dog Man and in the process, they discover the power of family to bring even the most hostile foes together. Bonus Content: Includes a digital copy of Dog Man (Subject to expiration. Go to NBCUCodes.com for details.) Top About this item Similar From the Brand Reviews Dog Man - Collector's Edition Blu-ray + Digital

Release: October 27, 2015

$6.99

Description

This set includes every episode of the first five seasons of the award-winning MASTERPIECE series Downton Abbey, following the Crawley family and their servants from pre-war England through the storms of World War I, and into the social upheaval of England in the 1920s as the lives of its inhabitants are shaped by romance, heartbreak, scandals, rumors, blackmail, and betrayal.

Release: October 27, 2015

$6.99

Description

This set includes every episode of the first five seasons of the award-winning MASTERPIECE series Downton Abbey, following the Crawley family and their servants from pre-war England through the storms of World War I, and into the social upheaval of England in the 1920s as the lives of its inhabitants are shaped by romance, heartbreak, scandals, rumors, blackmail, and betrayal.

Release: November 19, 2018

$6.99

Description

Following on from the enormous success of his breakthrough film Django, Franco Nero returned to the Wild West (Almería, Spain) to star in the same year s Texas Adios, which was released as Django 2 in some countries. Here he plays tough gunslinger Burt Sullivan, a sheriff who, along with his younger brother (Alberto Dell'Acqua, Endgame), journeys to Mexico to hunt down the sadistic bandit Cisco Delgado and avenge his father s murder. When Burt and his brother fall in with a group of Mexican revolutionaries, the stage is set for a violent climatic confrontation... Directed by veteran helmsman Ferdinado Baldi, best known for the cult Western Blindman (starring Beatles tub-thumper Ringo Starr) and the 3D extravaganza Comin' at Ya!, Texas Adios is a lesser-known Spaghetti Western gem, which boasts rapid-fire action scenes, stunning locations and stylish cinematography courtesy of Enzo Barboni (Django, Nightmare Castle). The film is presented here in an exclusive new restoration, with a wealth of extras which allow this film to be enjoyed as never before. SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS New restoration from a 2K scan from the original camera negative by Arrow Films High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation Uncompressed Mono 1.0 PCM audio Newly translated English subtitles for the Italian soundtrack Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing for the English soundtrack Audio commentary for by spaghetti western experts C. Courtney Joyner and Henry C. Parke Newly filmed interview with star Franco Nero Newly filmed interview with co-star Alberto Dell'Acqua Newly filmed interview with co-writer Franco Rossetti Hello Texas!, newly filmed appreciation by Spaghetti Westerns scholar Austin Fisher Gallery of original promotional images from the Mike Siegel Archive Original trailer Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Matt Griffin FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Fully illustrated collector's booklet featuring new writing by Howard Hughes, and original reviews

Release: June 28, 2022

$6.99

Description

Set in 1930s Harlem, this comedy of gangsters and gunplay from writer/director/star Eddie Murphy features Murphy and co-star Richard Pryor as nightclub/brothel owners threatened by a thug (Michael Lerner) who wants a piece of their action. Just when it looks like they're about to be muscled out of business, the pair sets up an elaborate boxing sting to make off with the mobster's cash. Redd Foxx, Della Reese, Jasmine Guy, and Danny Aiello co-star. 118 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital Surround, French Dolby Digital stereo; Subtitles: English; theatrical trailer.

Release: March 22, 2011

$6.99

Description

The Himalayas are defined by superlatives. They defy both description and comprehension while at the same time teaching us about the awesome power and grandeur of nature. Born during the ice ages, they form the highest mountain range in the world, and reach across Asia for two thousand miles. The mountains themselves are considered sacred. These are mountains that will take your breath away!

Release: July 26, 2022

$6.99

Description

That Dirty Black Bag - Season 1 A story over eight long days describes the encounter and clash between two men: McCoy, an apparently incorruptible sheriff with a dark past, and Red Bill, a dirty, taciturn bounty killer trapped in a desire for vengeance that cannot be fulfilled. Starring: Douglas Booth, Dominic Cooper, Niv Sultan “What ultimately makes That Dirty Black Bag both entertaining and intriguing isn’t its adherence to westerns past, but its own tweaks on the genre.” – Wall Street Journal “darkly funny” – Slant Magazine

Release: October 10, 2025

$6.99

Description

Message In A Bottle combines highly original dance with breath-taking music in an uplifting story of humanity and hope. Using the music of Sting, Message In A Bottle is an imagined story about one displaced family, and a universal tale of survival, hope and love. A village alive with joyous celebrations is suddenly under siege. Determined and daring, three parted siblings step out on their own extraordinary adventures. Songs including "Every Breath You Take," "Roxanne," "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic," and "Fields of Gold" feature in new arrangements by Alex Lacamoire, recorded by Sting and guest artists including Olivier Award-winner Beverley Knight. The show features the astonishing talents of dance storytelling powerhouse, ZooNation: The Kate Prince Company. 4K UHD/Blu-ray (2 discs).

Release: October 10, 2025

$7.99

Description

Message In A Bottle combines highly original dance with breath-taking music in an uplifting story of humanity and hope. Using the music of Sting, Message In A Bottle is an imagined story about one displaced family, and a universal tale of survival, hope and love. A village alive with joyous celebrations is suddenly under siege. Determined and daring, three parted siblings step out on their own extraordinary adventures. Songs including "Every Breath You Take," "Roxanne," "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic," and "Fields of Gold" feature in new arrangements by Alex Lacamoire, recorded by Sting and guest artists including Olivier Award-winner Beverley Knight. The show features the astonishing talents of dance storytelling powerhouse, ZooNation: The Kate Prince Company. 4K UHD/Blu-ray (2 discs).

Release: May 27, 2025

$6.99

Description

*This listing is for the standard edition version and does NOT come with a limited edition slipcase!* Vinegar Syndrome specializes in the masterful restoration and distribution of cult, horror, and erotic films from the 1960s-90s. With the impending release of her new book, “The Nesting,” agoraphobic New York-based writer Lauren Cochran decides to spend some time outside the city to find inspiration for her next novel. Arriving in the small town of Dover Falls, she happens across an isolated and dilapidated mansion that bears an uncanny resemblance to the one depicted on the cover of her latest work. Feeling a strange pull to the place, Lauren decides to rent the property and quickly gets herself set up and into writing mode. But it’s not long before she starts experiencing bizarre, vivid dreams and seeing ghostly apparitions. Soon enough, those around her start dying in strange and gruesome ways. What could all this have to do with the house’s murky history and a tragedy that occurred there decades before? The only mainstream feature directed by prolific illustrator and erotic filmmaker Armand Weston (Defiance, Take Off), THE NESTING - which was originally filmed as Phobia and subsequently re-released in 1983 as Massacre Mansion - is a stylish supernatural slasher expertly photographed by João Fernandes (Children of the Corn, Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter), and featuring Academy Award-winning actress Gloria Grahame (The Bad and the Beautiful) in her final screen role. Now newly restored in 4K from its original 35mm camera negative, Vinegar Syndrome is proud to unveil THE NESTING in its UHD world premiere, presented in its longer Phobia cut for the first time on home video, alongside a host of new bonus features and a wealth of archival material. Bonus Features: 1. 2-disc Set: 4K Ultra HD / Region Free Blu-ray 2. 4K UHD presented in Dolby Vision High-Dynamic-Range 3. Newly scanned & restored in 4K from its 35mm original camera negative 4. Commentary track with writer and critic Andy Marshall-Roberts 5. "Acting is Being Brave" (21 min) - an interview with actress Robin Groves 6. "The Outlaw Poet" (21 min) - an interview with actor Michael David Lally 7. "Low Budget Miracle" (30 min) - an interview with associate producer / production manager Don Walters 8. "The Sating of Desire" (29 min) - an interview with Nightmare USA author Stephen Thrower 9. Audio interview with co-writer Daria Price, conducted by extras producer Ewan Cant (57 min) 10. "The Nesting Outtakes: Preserving Armand Weston's Gothic Horror" (14 min) - a featurette produced by the Vinegar Syndrome Film Archive 11. U.S. theatrical trailer 12. Spanish theatrical trailer 13. TV spots 14. Radio spot 15. Alternate 'jump scare' from The Nesting cut 16. The Nesting title sequence 17. Archival image gallery 18. Cuts and trims 19. Unused dailies 20. Reversible sleeve artwork 21. English SDH subtitles

Release: May 27, 2025

$7.99

Description

*This listing is for the standard edition version and does NOT come with a limited edition slipcase!* Vinegar Syndrome specializes in the masterful restoration and distribution of cult, horror, and erotic films from the 1960s-90s. With the impending release of her new book, “The Nesting,” agoraphobic New York-based writer Lauren Cochran decides to spend some time outside the city to find inspiration for her next novel. Arriving in the small town of Dover Falls, she happens across an isolated and dilapidated mansion that bears an uncanny resemblance to the one depicted on the cover of her latest work. Feeling a strange pull to the place, Lauren decides to rent the property and quickly gets herself set up and into writing mode. But it’s not long before she starts experiencing bizarre, vivid dreams and seeing ghostly apparitions. Soon enough, those around her start dying in strange and gruesome ways. What could all this have to do with the house’s murky history and a tragedy that occurred there decades before? The only mainstream feature directed by prolific illustrator and erotic filmmaker Armand Weston (Defiance, Take Off), THE NESTING - which was originally filmed as Phobia and subsequently re-released in 1983 as Massacre Mansion - is a stylish supernatural slasher expertly photographed by João Fernandes (Children of the Corn, Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter), and featuring Academy Award-winning actress Gloria Grahame (The Bad and the Beautiful) in her final screen role. Now newly restored in 4K from its original 35mm camera negative, Vinegar Syndrome is proud to unveil THE NESTING in its UHD world premiere, presented in its longer Phobia cut for the first time on home video, alongside a host of new bonus features and a wealth of archival material. Bonus Features: 1. 2-disc Set: 4K Ultra HD / Region Free Blu-ray 2. 4K UHD presented in Dolby Vision High-Dynamic-Range 3. Newly scanned & restored in 4K from its 35mm original camera negative 4. Commentary track with writer and critic Andy Marshall-Roberts 5. "Acting is Being Brave" (21 min) - an interview with actress Robin Groves 6. "The Outlaw Poet" (21 min) - an interview with actor Michael David Lally 7. "Low Budget Miracle" (30 min) - an interview with associate producer / production manager Don Walters 8. "The Sating of Desire" (29 min) - an interview with Nightmare USA author Stephen Thrower 9. Audio interview with co-writer Daria Price, conducted by extras producer Ewan Cant (57 min) 10. "The Nesting Outtakes: Preserving Armand Weston's Gothic Horror" (14 min) - a featurette produced by the Vinegar Syndrome Film Archive 11. U.S. theatrical trailer 12. Spanish theatrical trailer 13. TV spots 14. Radio spot 15. Alternate 'jump scare' from The Nesting cut 16. The Nesting title sequence 17. Archival image gallery 18. Cuts and trims 19. Unused dailies 20. Reversible sleeve artwork 21. English SDH subtitles

Release: November 2, 2010

$6.99

Description

Product Description On October 29th and 30th, 2009, rock 'n' roll royalty held court at Madison Square Garden for what have been called 'the best concerts ever,' where 'rock 'n' roll history was made.' Recorded live with 30 camera angles plus state-of-the-art recording, we captured the sights and sounds from these electrifying and historic concerts in New York City. Now, this critically-acclaimed and highly-rated HBO special is available on Blu-ray for the very first time! 'THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME CONCERTS' features all 51 performances from the acclaimed HBO special, plus 16 performances not seen on HBO, all in a 2-disc Blu-ray set. In celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, the concerts featured a who's who of rock from the '50s to the '90s and included artists performing together in unique combinations that will most likely never be witnessed again. Highlights include: -Mick Jagger and Fergie in a blistering version of the Stones' classic 'Gimme Shelter,' with U2 as the backing band. -Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel on-stage for a rollicking rendition of 'Born to Run.' -Sting joins Jeff Beck for the Curtis Mayfeld classic 'People Get Ready.' -Paul Simon, David Crosby and Graham Nash join together for a spine-tingling 'Here Comes the Sun.' -Ozzy Osbourne sings with Metallica on the Black Sabbath classics 'Iron Man' and 'Paranoid.' -John Fogerty & Bruce Springsteen share vocals on Roy Orbison's 'Oh, Pretty Woman.' -Plus Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Simon & Garfunkel, U2, Dion, Bonnie Raitt, James Taylor, John Legend, Annie Lennox, Smokey Robinson, B.B. King, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Jackson Browne and more. Review '5 STARS. Jaw-dropping.' --Rolling Stone 'The big mother of all rock concerts.' --Philadelphia Enquirer

Release: November 2, 2010

$6.99

Description

Product Description On October 29th and 30th, 2009, rock 'n' roll royalty held court at Madison Square Garden for what have been called 'the best concerts ever,' where 'rock 'n' roll history was made.' Recorded live with 30 camera angles plus state-of-the-art recording, we captured the sights and sounds from these electrifying and historic concerts in New York City. Now, this critically-acclaimed and highly-rated HBO special is available on Blu-ray for the very first time! 'THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME CONCERTS' features all 51 performances from the acclaimed HBO special, plus 16 performances not seen on HBO, all in a 2-disc Blu-ray set. In celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, the concerts featured a who's who of rock from the '50s to the '90s and included artists performing together in unique combinations that will most likely never be witnessed again. Highlights include: -Mick Jagger and Fergie in a blistering version of the Stones' classic 'Gimme Shelter,' with U2 as the backing band. -Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel on-stage for a rollicking rendition of 'Born to Run.' -Sting joins Jeff Beck for the Curtis Mayfeld classic 'People Get Ready.' -Paul Simon, David Crosby and Graham Nash join together for a spine-tingling 'Here Comes the Sun.' -Ozzy Osbourne sings with Metallica on the Black Sabbath classics 'Iron Man' and 'Paranoid.' -John Fogerty & Bruce Springsteen share vocals on Roy Orbison's 'Oh, Pretty Woman.' -Plus Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Simon & Garfunkel, U2, Dion, Bonnie Raitt, James Taylor, John Legend, Annie Lennox, Smokey Robinson, B.B. King, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Jackson Browne and more. Review '5 STARS. Jaw-dropping.' --Rolling Stone 'The big mother of all rock concerts.' --Philadelphia Enquirer

Release: October 21, 2025

$7.99

Description

Long fascinated by the ways technology is transforming our bodies and minds, David Cronenberg returns with one of his most personal films, an audacious, elegiac exploration of grief, mortality, and love wrapped in the guise of a corporate-espionage thriller. Karsh (Vincent Cassel) is the enigmatic entrepreneur behind a new tech package that allows bereaved relatives to view their loved ones’ decomposing remains. When his futuristic cemetery is vandalized, he begins to suspect a conspiracy is at work, forcing him to confront the trauma of—and mystery surrounding—the death of his beloved Becca (Diane Kruger). Conceived in the wake of his own wife’s death, The Shrouds finds Cronenberg exploring heady ideas around sex, surveillance, and the ultimate body horror: the physical decay that awaits us all. SPECIAL FEATURES Meet the Filmmakers: David Cronenberg, a Criterion Channel original interview Trailer English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing Notes by critic Beatrice Loayza

Release: March 19, 2019

$6.99

Description

?Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse? introduces Brooklyn teen Miles Morales, and the limitless possibilities of the Spider-Verse, where more than one can wear the mask.

Release: March 19, 2019

$7.99

Description

?Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse? introduces Brooklyn teen Miles Morales, and the limitless possibilities of the Spider-Verse, where more than one can wear the mask.

Release: November 10, 2017

$6.99

Description

Sting’s 57th & 9th World Tour celebrates his first rock/pop album in more than a decade. This concert, filmed at the Olympia Paris in April 2017, reflects the impulsive energy of the 57th & 9th album recording sessions. Blistering performances of new songs including the infectious, guitar driven “I Can’t Stop Thinking About You”, and the anthemic “50,000”, alongside classics from The Police as well as Sting’s illustrious solo career, showcase the full range of his musical styles and songwriting influences. Sting is joined by a 4-piece band including his longtime guitarist, Dominic Miller, Josh Freese (drums), Rufus Miller (guitar) and Percy Cardona (accordion) with backing vocals from Joe Sumner plus Diego Navaira & Jerry Fuentes of The Last Bandoleros. Blu-ray Track Listing 1. Synchronicity II 2. Spirits in the Material World 3. Englishman in New York 4. I Can't Stop Thinking About You 5. One Fine Day 6. She's Too Good for Me 7. I Hung My Head 8. Fields of Gold 9. Petrol Head 10. Down, Down, Down 11. Shape of My Heart 12. Pretty Young Soldier 13. Message in a Bottle 14. Ashes to Ashes 15. 50,000 16. Walking on the Moon 17. So Lonely 18. Desert Rose 19. Roxanne / Ain t No Sunshine 20. Next to You 21. Every Breath You Take 22. Fragile Bonus Features STING & JOE SUMNER 1. Heading South On The Great North Road JOE SUMNER 2. Looking For Me, Looking For You 3. Don't Change The Love 4. Jellybean THE LAST BANDOLEROS 5. Maria 6. River Man 7. Take Me To It 8. I Don’t Want To Know 9. Where Do You Go?

Release: July 9, 2024

$6.99

Description

A mysterious object crashes into a rundown apartment building, and a little spider emerges from within. When young Charlotte finds the strange little creature, she names her secret friend STING, but she quickly realizes her new pet grows at a monstrous rate. With an insatiable appetite for blood, neighbors’ pets start to vanish…and then the neighbors.

Release: May 18, 2021

$7.99

Description

Winner of 7 Academy Awards®, including Best Picture, The Sting stars Paul Newman and Robert Redford as two con men in 1930s Chicago. After a friend is killed by the mob, they try to get even by attempting to pull off the ultimate 'sting.' No one is to be trusted as the twists unfold, leading up to one of the greatest double-crosses in movie history. The con is on! Bonus Content: Includes 4K UHD, Blu-ray and a digital copy of The Sting (Subject to expiration. Go to NBCUCodes.com for details.) Features High Dynamic Range (HDR10) for Brighter, Deeper, More Lifelike Color The Art of The Sting 100 Years of Universal: Restoring the Classics 100 Years of Universal: The 70's 100 Years of Universal: The Lot Theatrical Trailer Trailer 100 Years of Universal: The '70s

$6.99

Description

Two grifters plot an elaborate long con against a ruthless crime boss in Depression-era Chicago.

Release: February 11, 2020

$6.99

Description

The con is on… place your bets! Get ready for the next Sting! Those incredible con men are at it again and setting their next scheme in motion. The Depression is over and everybody wants an even bigger piece of the action. It’s twist after twist as Jackie Gleason (Smokey and the Bandit), Mac Davis (North Dallas Forty) and beautiful Teri Garr (Mr. Mom) try to out-sting both Oliver Reed (Burnt Offerings), a notorious gangster previously stung by this group and now out for revenge and profit, and Karl Malden (On the Waterfront), a local racketeer. It’s the con to outdo all cons and someone’s finally going to get stung... but who? Screenplay by David S. Ward (The Sting, The Milagro Beanfield War) and directed by Jeremy Paul Kagan (The Big Fix, The Chosen). Special Features: -NEW Audio Commentary by Director Jeremy Kagan -Optional English Subtitles -Dual-Layered BD50 Disc -Theatrical Trailer

Release: February 6, 2024

$7.99

Description

In the aftermath of World War II, a writer's love affair with another woman drives his wife mad with distrust. Realising his errors, he tries all he can to save her from literally losing her mind. Kohei Oguri's haunting adaptation of the novel by Toshio Shimao is shot in a hyperreal style that is equal parts painterly and unflinching. Featuring striking set design, powerful lead performances and a vivid evocation of small-town life in postwar Japan, The Sting of Death won the Grand Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival while stars Ittoku Kishibe and Keiko Matsuzaka won numerous awards for their performances. Radiance Films is proud to present this remarkable film on Blu-ray for the first time in the world.

Release: November 22, 2010

$6.99

Description

live in berlin e' il concerto che sting ha tenuto il 21 settembre 2010 all' o2 arena. questo esclusivo live contiene molti dei piu grandi successi del bassista dei police.

Release: July 18, 2017

$7.99

Description

In 1988, Mike Figgis (Internal Affairs, Leaving Las Vegas) made his feature directorial debut with Stormy Monday, a taut, noir-influenced gangster movie that drew on his key formative influences, including his youth in the Newcastle of the late '50s and early '60s, and the city's vibrant jazz scene. Sean Bean (Ronin) plays Brendan, a young loafer taken under the wing of jazz club owner Finney (Sting, Quadrophenia), who's under pressure from American mobster Cosmo (Tommy Lee Jones, The Fugitive) to sell up in exchange for a cut of a local land development deal. Brendan just wants to earn an honest crust, but his burgeoning relationship with Cosmo's ex-lover Kate (Melanie Griffith, Body Double) threatens to drag him into the middle of the impending showdown… A romantic crime thriller with genuine heart, Stormy Monday features striking, rain-drenched cinematography by 13 time Academy Award Nominee Roger Deakins (The Big Lebowski, No Country for Old Men) and a seductive jazz score provided by the director himself. Presented here for the first time in high definition in the US, there has never been a better time to discover one of this iconic filmmaker's most assured and uniquely haunting efforts. SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations Original stereo audio (uncompressed on the Blu-ray Disc) Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing Audio commentary with Mike Figgis, moderated by critic Damon Wise New video appreciation by critic Neil Young, and a ''then and now'' tour of the film's Newcastle locations Theatrical trailer Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Jacey FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Booklet featuring new writing by critic Mark Cunliffe

Release: September 29, 2009

$6.99

Description

Product Description Twin Spirits is a unique and intimate, live theatrical performance by a chamber ensemble of actors, singers and musicians, portraying the deep and ultimately tragic love between the composer Robert Schumann and his pianist wife Clara Wieck. In this intensely moving performance of words, song and music, the Schumanns’ long separation, so formative an influence on their lives, is reflected in the division of the ensemble into male and female groups. Robert's letters to Clara are read by Sting and his songs sung by Simon Keenlyside, with accompaniments and instrumental music played by Iain Burnside and Sergej Krylov. Clara's letters to Robert are read by Trudie Styler and her songs sung by Rebecca Evans, with accompaniments and instrumental music played by Natalie Clein and Natasha Paremski. The narrator, Derek Jacobi, links together the letters and lyrics to complete the essential outline of the story. Conceived and directed by John Caird, Twin Spirits was first performed in June 2005 at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London and has since been experienced only at private performances for charity by small audiences of all ages and interests, leaving them deeply touched and inspired. Press Reviews "Twin Spirits portrays the life and love of Robert and Clara Schumann through readings of their surviving letters. These are read by Sting and Trudie Styler, with Derek Jacobi authoritatively filling in any gaps in the story. In one sense it's a static productions, with everyone seated throughout, but it's actually quite engrossing - perfectly paced and beautifully filmed. It's impossible not to emerge with both a true empathy for the Schumanns and a renewed or awakened interest in their music. The acting stays just the right side of luvviness, with Sting and Styler delivering strong, subtly believable performances. They're supported by beautifully executed interludes from a top line-up of soloists. This is tender, moving, well put together, and supplemented by an enlightening bonus DVD." (Classic fM) "John Caird's Twin Spirits, filmed live at the Royal Opera House, is beautifully constructed and performed with extraordinary fervour… Sting and Trudie Styler's own marriage undoubtedly informs their profoundly affecting portrayal of the Schumanns… Musical choices are mostly Schumann, a bit of Clara and some evocative Mozart and Chopin... often in special arrangements. Bonus material is generous... The issues are fascinating, though. How good is Clara's music? The jury is still out." (BBC Music Magazine) Cast Sting (Actor) Trudie Styler (Actor) Derek Jacobi (Narrator) Simon Keenlyside (Tenor) Sergej Krylov (Violin) Iain Burnside (Piano) The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Production Company: Royal Opera House Stage Director: John Caird Disc Information Catalogue Number: OABD7043D Date of Performance: 2005 Running Time: 206 minutes Sound: 2.0 & 5.0 PCM Aspect Ratio: 1080i High Definition / 16:9 Subtitles: EN, FR, DE, ES, IT + EN (SONGS ONLY) Label: Opus Arte Review A Great Love Story is Told in Words and Music The nearly legendary story of Robert and Clara Schumann was staged and filmed at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, in 2007. The production, titled "Twin Spirits," is now available in a 2-DVD set from Opus Arte, and it is impressive and unusual. As Narrator, Derek Jacobi has center stage. On his right are actor Sting to read from Robert Schumann's letters, baritone Simon Keenlyside to sing Schumann's songs, Sergej Krylov (violin), and Iain Burnside (piano). On his left are actress Trudie Styler to read from Clara's letters, soprano Rebecca Evans to sing selections as a solo or as a duet with Keenlyside, Natalie Clein (cello), and Natasha Peremski (piano). The first disc contains the performance, which is an expert balance of narration and dramatic readings with solos and accompaniments from the musicians. As is explained in the program notes, some of the selections were edited in various ways for theatrical effect. All in all, it provides a fascinating insight into two human beings who loved, created complex and beautiful music, and finally suffered when Robert had a mental breakdown. The second disc offers another set of insights into the genius of the two when different members of the cast, actors and players, discuss the personalities and works of the two Schumanns. The educational value of this disc alone is great. I would like to see similar formats used for other famous musicians--but only with such skilled artists as were used in "Twin Spirits." But when will art departments stop using white print over colored backgrounds in the booklets, which might please their eyes but ruin ours? -- Art Times, Frank Behrens, December 2009 Better than you'd expect. This entertainment comes out of a charity event held at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. If you don't blink, you can see Alfred Brendel schmoozing before the curtain goes up. Basically, it pairs the music of Robert and Clara Schumann with their writings to and about one another (with side trips to Mozart and Chopin). The texts and notes don't line up chronologically, but emotionally. The words, from letters and diaries (particularly the so-called "marriage" diary which they kept jointly), chronicle the couple from pre-courtship to Robert's insanity and death, with a bit on Clara's long widowhood. A whiff of the "high-class" charity event lingers a little over the enterprise. Frankly, when I saw Sting's name, I muttered, "God save us from arty rockers." However, Sting surprised me. His delivery was intelligent, understated, with just enough "characterization" that you felt the presence of another personality, perhaps even Schumann's. In other words, he convinced me. It's the professional actors -- Jacobi and Styler -- that I occasionally caught "acting." Jacobi at times became a Masterpiece Theatre compère, while Styler here and there over-emoted. Her young Clara Wieck was a little too cute. However, Jacobi's lines functioned simply for set-ups and connections, and Styler became genuinely moving as Clara bears the family catastrophe. However, the real glory of the evening lies -- don't be too surprised -- in the music and the performances. Evans does well with her songs, although she occasionally slips into opera mode. Burnside supplies sensitive accompaniments -- a pro who knows his Schumann. The cellist Natalie Clein . . . well, I couldn't concentrate too well on her music-making, she's so gorgeous -- a bit like the young Argerich. What I did get showed a fiery but musical personality. She's wonderful in chamber music. American pianist Natasha Paremski negotiated some fiendish passage-work from Clara's piano concerto with spirit and aplomb. Violinist Sergei Krylov seemed uncomfortable in a chamber setting, but he certainly set the tone of the playing. You couldn't accuse him of bland good taste or timidity. However, baritone Simon Keenlyside stood out. I've heard few better Lieder singers. Furthermore, his duet with Evans in Mozart's "Là ci darem" from Don Giovanni provided the musical highpoint of the enterprise -- silkily seductive and a better aphrodisiac than oysters (though not as tasty). It strikes me as ironic that Mozart beats out Schumann in a Schumann documentary -- home-field advantage notwithstanding. The music, for the most part, serves the drama. Sometimes, we get abbreviations or cutoffs so the readings may continue. At other times, piano pieces have been "orchestrated" for the instrumental ensemble and at least one solo song turned into a duet. However, Martin Ward displays great taste, even in a chamber arrangement of something like "Träumerei" -- a trap that can lead to sugar coma if you don't take care. Some of the best bits come from the bonus disc, which contains, among other things, interviews with the musicians and the actors as well as a short documentary made at the Schumann-Haus in Zwickau, the composer's birthplace. John Caird serves as interlocutor. As he talks with the actors, it becomes clear that the group brings contemporary cultural perspectives to the marriage. Clara becomes the put-upon mother of the brood, while Robert flits about doing as he pleases -- writing symphonies and music criticism, preparing to conduct, and so on. This really doesn't survive a moment's thought. Clara, one of the greatest pianists of her day, was the primary breadwinner (one of her tours paid the family's expenses for three years) and had plenty of domestic help. She couldn't have practiced otherwise, and she set herself challenging programs. Don't get me wrong. She had plenty to put up with otherwise from Schumann, who among other things couldn't bear extraneous noise while he worked. I don't remember how they worked it out. She may have had to practice off-premises or Schumann may have composed off-premises. At any rate, musicologist Daniel Gallagher sits in and occasionally and gently puts things right. I should point out that these are extremely informal conversations among intelligent people. My favorite moment comes from pianist Natasha Paremski, who uses the word "vibe" and then asks, "That's not too American a word, is it?" Iain Burnside replies in his Best British Manner, "It's a word, yes." For me, however, the documentary, One Heart, One Soul, counts as the most interesting portion of the bonus features. It consists of the director of Schumann-Haus, Gerd Nauhaus, a man who knows his Schumann as well as anybody, discussing the composer. He too corrects some of the misperceptions that have arisen during the other interviews. Nauhaus speaks German, but you can choose subtitles from among several languages, including English. One may very well ask what audience these discs serve. Sting provides one answer: those not normally interested in classical music can come to the genre by getting involved in the story. It is a cracking good story, if a little weepy -- a Romance novel that happens to be true. Die-hard Sting fanatics will probably want it, even though he doesn't sing. Those who know their Schumann may or may not find something to interest them. The performances all shine, but it's not a Schumann concert, after all. You'll just have to work it out for yourselves. -- Classical CD Review, Steve Schwartz, February 2010 Having brought John Dowland to the masses with his album Songs from the Labyrinth, Sting takes another shot at presenting classical music to a wider audience which has developed the infuriating habit of not taking any notice of it. In this live performance, Sting portrays the passionate and tragically short-lived Robert Schumann by reading from his letters, while his wife Trudie Styler enacts the role of Robert's spouse Clara Schumann (formerly Wieck). In between, selections from the Schumanns' music are played by an ensemble comprising cellist Natalie Clein, pianists Iain Burnside and Natasha Paremski, violinist Sergej Krylov and singers Simon Keenlyside and Rebecca Evans. "I think it's a great `in' for people who don't normally listen to classical music," says Sting. Twin Spirits was devised as a fundraiser for a variety of charities, including the Royal Opera House, so we probably have to forgive its overtones of highbrow schlock. However, our task is not made easier by Derek Jacobi's performance as narrator. Ensconced on a throne and dressed like a Victorian philanthropist, Sir Del is at his fruitiest and most orotund. Fans of Frasier may be reminded of his guest performance as Jackson Hedley, the world's most preposterous Shakespearean actor. However, although Sting has suffered his share of critical brickbats, here he keeps a straight bat and delivers his readings with a mixture of wry humour and quiet sincerity. Trudie sometimes lurches into over-emoting luvviedom, but then again, she was a member of the RSC back in the day, which is how the RSC's John Caird was recruited to direct the project. And it can't be denied that the saga of the Schumanns' doomed greatest-love-of-all is a powerful tear-jerker. "There are moments in the story that make me very fearful," Styler admits. "The idea of losing my husband confronts me when I look at Sting as Robert. There are a few moments in the script where Robert and Clara are having a good time, so I try to make the most of them, just as I do in my own life." At 90 minutes, Twin Spirits cries out for some editing scissors, but perseverance is rewarded by the quality of the musical performances. Simon Keenlyside brings thunderous conviction to his musical portrayal of Robert Schumann, and the quartet performance of Traumerei, which marks the composer's solitary and miserable death, feels lonelier than a coyote's howl. Surprisingly, the second disc of additional features contains some of the best bits, especially Caird's conversations with the participants. All the musicians offer useful insights into the music, with Iain Burnside contributing shrewd remarks about the way Robert Schumann's music demands active intervention from the performer to bring it to life. When Caird introduces musicologist Daniel Gallagher to supply commentary on the Schumanns' life and work, he's so fascinating that that even Sting and Trudie find themselves spontaneously quizzing him. Despite all this, if you really want to explore the Schumanns' work, you might consider buying a selection of CDs and playing them a lot. -- The Arts Desk, Adam Sweeting, October 1, 2009 In his lifetime, Robert Schumann remained in the shadow of his wife Clara Wieck, whose concert career as a pianist took her all over Europe while he labored as a music journalist and largely unrecognized composer. Clara's overbearing father had taught them both piano, but his callous objections to the growing romance between Robert and Clara resulted in a physical separation that -- happily for musicologists -- left hundreds of letters detailing the musical and emotional development of this fascinating couple. While in different cities, they would often arrange to play the same piece at the same time, and then write to each other about the emotions aroused; once they were finally married, they kept a joint "marriage diary" for three and half years that recorded their musical and domestic happiness. Sting and his wife, actor Trudie Styler, are joined by Derek Jacobi, soprano Rebecca Evans, baritone Simon Keenlyside, and four instrumentalists for Twin Spirits, an educational project from London's Royal Opera House that presents the lives and works of Clara and Robert Schumann. Sting and Styler portray the couple in words, Keenlyside and Evans in music. Jacobi narrates. Devised and directed by John Caird, the show was recorded live in an intimately arranged and lit studio space at the opera house. It weaves together musical excerpts, love letters, diary entries and narration to tell the story of their love and marriage, tragically shortened when Robert's mental illness forced his commitment to an asylum. The show itself, which has been given as charity performances since 2005, is both informative and affecting, with spontaneous and energetic musical contributions, especially Evans's urgent rendition of Clara's "Er ist gekommen" and Keenlyside's sweeping "Ich grolle nicht," capped by a powerful high A. Evans's controlled voicing of "Ich hab im Traum geweinet" and Keenlyside's "Stille Liebe" are also effective. Most of the musical selections are short, and many have violin and cello additions, which lend an appropriate salon atmosphere, though the opening of "Carnaval" sounds odd with strings. Because of its placement in the storyline (and the use of Chopin's variations on its tune), "Là ci darem la mano" receives an odd interpretation, but Keenlyside's and Evans's skill and naturalness are winning. Another huge plus is Styler's warm, expressive delivery. With her wispy hair, vulnerable face and a faraway look in her eyes, Styler embodies the romantic, artistic spirit who rejoices in her soul mate; in passages detailing the end of Robert's life, Styler makes Clara's pain palpable. Sting's spiky, contemporary look is a bit of a jolt, but his connection to the material and identification with the obsessive, suffering composer are genuine. All the artists contributed their time to the project without remuneration; only Jacobi (whose presence undoubtedly signals "class") seems arch and distanced in his narration. Several bonus offerings include lengthy, round-table discussions in which the singers, instrumentalists and actors speak of how powerfully the interaction of words and music affected their interpretations and delivery. A thirty-five-minute lecture at the Robert Schumann Haus in Leipzig provides biographical details and background on the Schumanns' careers and training, as well as on their marriage and children. All proceeds from DVD sales benefit outreach projects of the Royal Opera House Education Programme. -- Opera News Online, Judith Malafronte, Decmber 2009 Like cucumber sandwiches at high tea, this depiction of the romance between two German musicians is a uniquely English confection. It follows in the tradition of BBC radio's dramatization of biographical presentations. In this case, the extended courtship and all-too-brief marriage is rendered with convincing fidelity through an enlightened blending of the spoken word and musical examples from the respective compositions of Robert Schumann and Clara Wieck. Nobly narrated by Derek Jacobi, the dialogue is ably conveyed by Sting (when will he, as an emerging musical polymath, be granted a knighthood so that his real name may enter common usage?) and Trudie Styler reading the lovers' correspondence compiled over decades. An unusual form of entertainment, but it kept a capacity audience in rapt attention over a long evening at Covent Garden. The singers and musicians give heartfelt support to the story with immaculate performances. The set includes close to two hours of extra features. It is also available from Opus Arte on conventional DVD format. Highly recommended to admirers of the Schumanns and all collectors with a special interest in German music of the Romantic period. -- La Scena Musicale, October 2009 One of the most moving love stories in the world of music is the relationship between Robert and Clara Schumann. In 2007, the British producer David Caird put together a music theater piece called Twin Spirits at London's Covent Garden in which Derek Jacoby narrated the romantic and tragic story, with Sting and his wife Trudie Styler reading passages from Robert and Clara's letters and the remarkable diary they kept together in the first years of their marriage. Some excellent chamber musicians and singers punctuate the readings with excerpts from the works of both Robert and Clara. Twin Spirits tells the story of Robert Schumann coming to Leipzig to study with the renowned music teacher Friedrich Wieck. Wieck's daughter Clara was a piano prodigy, by far the most talented of his six children. Robert was nine years older than her. He lived with the Wiecks for a year. By the time Clara was in her mid teens, they had fallen in love. Wieck was violently opposed to this romance. Clara's career came first. He refused to permit the marriage and ultimately the two lovers went to court for permission. Clara was 21; Robert 30. Wieck eventually relented when the couple had the first of their eight children, only four of whom outlived their parents. Clara was much more famous than Robert, and traveled extensively giving recitals, which were admired by the greatest musical figures of the time. She inspired Robert -- the year before they were married, he wrote more than 100 of his greatest songs. And she helped further his career by playing his compositions. Robert Schumann suffered from periodic mental breakdowns; tragedy struck when he tried to drown himself. He was institutionalized, but Clara was forbidden to see him for more than two years, until he was actually dying. She spent the rest of her life giving concerts and performing her husband's music. In his musical selection, Twin Spirits producer/director David Caird is less concerned with chronology than with finding something appropriate for each part of the story. Purists might object to the way Caird has rearranged some of the original music for this production. But in this dramatic context, I find these new arrangements both tasteful and effective. Sting, we've come to know, has a serious interest in classical music; he's also a coolly expressive actor and reader. Trudie Styler is particularly affecting reading what Clara wrote during her final visits to Robert. The most disappointing element of Twin Spirits is the rather artificial narration by Derek Jacobi, an actor I usually admire. But the whole enterprise is a compelling and poignant retelling of the story, and the well-chosen and well-performed music make this an outstanding addition to the year celebration of Robert Schumann's bicentennial. -- NPR, Lloyd Schwartz, February 17, 2010 Sting has been taking ever braver leaps into the classical music world over the last few years. As someone who doesn't enjoy his singing, I heaved a sigh of relief that he is on speaking duty in this fascinating musical dramatization of the often difficult, artistically inspirational, romantically fulfilling relationship between composer Robert Schumann and Clara Wieck. Sting is Robert to Trudie Styler's Clara as they sit with narrator Derek Jacobi on the Covent Garden stage, surrounded by exceptional musicians, including tenor Simon Keenlyside, soprano Rebecca Evans and violinist Sergei Krylov. Excerpts from the lovebirds' letters are interwoven with Schumann's music (and a bit of Mozart and Chopin). Once you get into the slow, black-backdropped pace of the story, you come to appreciate what an amazing job director John Caird has done to make the 90-minute show absorbing. A second DVD has more than an hour of extras, including background interviews and a documentary. This is inventive classical programming at its best, though music purists might prefer to hear uncut versions of many of the pieces on the program. -- TheStar.com, John Terauds, November 17, 2009 This is an uncharacteristically small-scale production for writer-director John Caird, who is more closely associated with such spectacles as Les misérables and Nicholas Nickleby. It's a 90-minute account, through words and music, of the personal and professional relationship between Robert Schumann and his wife, née Clara Wieck, devised in 2005 for the education division of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and since then trotted out for various fundraising events with different performer rosters. This version was recorded before a silent audience in late 2007. Despite the number of artists on stage, it seems quite intimate; the actors are low-key, and the musicians, while rising to the passions of the music as necessary (particularly in the finale of Robert's Piano Trio No. 1, which closes the program), are direct and obviously under no pressure to play to a large hall. Although the proceedings are conveyed mainly through close-ups and two- and three-shots, the placement of the performers is interesting and deliberate. In the center, to the rear, on what looks almost like a throne, Sir Derek Jacobi offers bits of introduction and narrative context. Down front, at opposite sides of the stage, sit the actors portraying the Schumanns: pop star Sting, who has always struck me as more intelligent and subtle than he is generally given credit for, and Trudie Styler, best known in America as Mrs. Sting, but in England an accomplished actress with (like Jacobi) a Shakespearean background. Clustered near each of the two main actors is a trio of musicians, divided by gender. On Robert's side are a baritone and a male violinist and pianist; on Clara's, a soprano and a female cellist and pianist. The musicians do not remain segregated all the time; obviously, there's crossover in the trio movement, and both singers deliver Mozart's "Là ci darem la mano," which was important in the Schumanns' personal history. There's also an arrangement of "Träumerei" that manages to include all the instrumentalists. But for the most part, each historical figure is represented by his or her own group of musicians. As you might have guessed, the music comes in bits and pieces, mostly songs and instrumental miniatures (by both Robert and Clara), but for the most part each item is complete in itself and only occasionally, mainly in the beginning, do the actors talk over the music. The spoken lines are drawn from the Schumanns' letters; Caird has heavily edited them and mingled missives from various periods to create a coherent narrative. This overall approach will obviously not satisfy purists who seek an impartial documentary account of the Schumanns, nor music lovers who prefer to hear song cycles and chamber works in their entirety. But that's not the point of this project; it's an introduction to the general, intelligent, curious music lover of the personalities behind this music, and to Clara's essential role in Robert's life and career. If Sting and Styler, sometimes reading from scripts but often looking straight into the camera, don't fully convey the excitement of early love, they are very good at communicating the comfortable intimacy, affection, and mutual respect of an old married couple. Perhaps each is best when not speaking; they can communicate quite a lot in the cutaway shots of one watching the other deliver lines, or in listening to the musicians (who are also seen being quietly attentive during some of the spoken passages). The musical performances are quite good, even if Simon Keenlyside, like most baritones, finds Schumann's top notes taxing. Those requiring a more straightforward documentation of the Schumann situation may prefer the 35-minute documentary in which a curator from the Schumann House museum and archive speaks, in subtitled German, about their marriage and careers, repeating some material from the stage presentation but elaborating on other issues. There's also a surprisingly engaging series of chats with Caird, the performers, and musicologist Daniel Gallagher about the Schumanns and their music. Gallagher's contributions are especially good, even for non-specialists, and while the actors don't have much of substance to contribute, they do at least chime in with the occasional smart observation and perceptive question. The Blu-ray video quality is, as usual, superb, although there's nothing more technically challenging here than maintaining clarity on a rather dark stage. The aspect ratio is 16:9, and the audio options are limited to PCM 2.0 and 5.0. Subtitles are available for the songs and the German documentary. Old hands at this subject may feel that its treatment here is too superficial, but take this for what it is: an educational entertainment designed to introduce the Schumanns' music and cobiography to the uninitiated without insulting their intelligence. "Twin Spirits" surely succeeds on those grounds, most touchingly. -- Fanfare, James Reel, Mar-Apr 2010 Twin Spirits is a live theatrical performance that features narration, impersonation (in an epistolary manner), and chamber music centered on the lives and love of Robert and Clara Schumann. Evidently the work, created and directed by John Caird, toured in smaller venues before being presented at the Royal Opera House. It is indeed a unique experience, the letters of the Schumann's used as the basis for a story of their lives, dramatized here to excellent effect, and enhanced by their music. One can think of no more worthy subjects than these two hyper-romantic figures, celebrated in their day and long afterwards, with personal connections tying them into the fortunes and foibles of Brahms, Liszt, Mendelssohn, Joachim, and Chopin. Their love story is one that was well known even in their own day, and their passion for one another is marked only by the equal degree of tragedy and sorrow that graced their short time together. I will not dwell on aspects of that story here, as it is well known, and if unknown easily found in books and on the Web. Suffice it to say, the story begins with Robert's first studies with Clara Wieck's father (Robert was essentially self-taught), his aspirations as a pianist until he ruined his hands, his solicitation of love from Clara and desire to marry her (against her father's wishes), the frustration they experienced until they could get married, early bliss in their marital life and the success of each, Robert's seminal decline and mental instability, Clara's heartrending final years with Robert in an asylum, and her life after Robert's death. All of this seems like it might be too much for a stage production, but the letters have been carefully vetted in order to keep the action--such as it is--moving along. The story is given general guidelines by Derek Jacobi--superb as usual--and the parts of Robert and Clara taken by Sting and wife Trudie Styler. This might seem an odd choice at first, but Sting seems to have had a late-in-life classical-music conversion (remember his Dowland record?), and his performance as Robert is outstanding, as seasoned as from any actor I can imagine playing the part. Trudie Styler is equally affecting, and her moment of breakdown towards the end is truly distressing. But this is not a play at all--there is no dramatic movement or stage acting. Most of the time, Sting and Trudie are seated close to one another, and they often lean towards each other when speaking. Jacobi is seated pretty much center stage, and they all can be seen watching each other. Interspersed among the talkers are a series of musicians, an all-male group (baritone, violin, piano) on Robert's side, and a female group (soprano, cello, piano) on Clara's side. At different times in the "action," the music of one of the Schumanns is played by one of these groups, or a portion of each. For the most part, the performances are excellent, the singing of Simon Keenlyside being notable, along with the last selection, the Finale from the D-Minor Piano Trio, op. 63, a real barnburner and triumphant ending to an otherwise factual human misfortune that nonetheless had moments of supreme joy. But its protagonists were certainly as star-crossed as Romeo and Juliet ever were. If there is a downside, it would be the lack of more representative music on Robert's part. The very nature and intimacy of this production nixes the idea of large ensemble performances, but one feels like part of the emotional picture is missing without them. Some of the music has been doctored or altered, nothing egregious, but odd sounding to those who know it. This was probably unavoidable in order to make the music portion fuller while using only chamber pieces. The songs are what they are, and there are a few pieces pertinent to the Schumanns at certain times that are by other composers. The staging is wonderful, making it easy to follow what is happening; the sound is equally pleasing, LPCM stereo or DTS surround (my choice). The music however, is only secondary to the engrossing tale, and is chosen wisely to enhance the story where the words end. As bonuses, we get a substantial amount, the cast talks and the documentary being of more than casual interest. I enjoyed this thoroughly, and I can't imagine any music lover who wouldn't. -- Fanfare, Steven E. Ritter, Jan/Feb 2010 Top About this item Similar From the Brand Reviews Twin Spirits: Sting performs Schumann [Blu-ray]