« Les Misérables »
American and foreign film companies have been making this Victor Hugo story since early silent days. This Italian production of France in the late 18th and early 19th centuries is a neat version, with the dubbing into English highly successful for the most part. Pic has the added assets for the U.S. market of having Gino Cervi and Valentina Cortesa in the starring roles. Picture is a strong bet for arty houses and sure-seaters and might do on some circuit bookings if judiciously trimmed. Present running time of two hours and 20 minutes militates against dual booking in the latter category.
Cervi contributes greatly to the smooth development of this production. His is a superb portrayal of Valjean, who was able to come from 18 years of imprisonment to become a successful businessman and mayor of a French community. Miss Cortesa is not quite as creditable, either as Fantine, the husbandless mother, or Cosette, the grown daughter of this wedlock. But she adds comeliness to the roles.
John Hinrich is expertly villainous as Inspector Javert while Aldo Nicodemi serves okay as the hot-headed revolutionary in love with Cosette. Duccia Giraldi, as Cosette the child, makes a sad-eyed, much - abused youngster amount to something.
Lux Film may have had "Fabola" in mind when it decided to use English dubbing on "Les Miserables". And it is a better-done job than on the former, result being that, aside from several too-British accents, this picture runs nearly as smoothly on the dialog as if originally done in English.
Riccardo Freda's direction is expert most of the way although he appears to have been handicapped sometimes with an overly long script. The success he has had in maintaining maximum interest is all to his credit. The lens job of Rodolfo Lombardi is firstrate while Otello Colangeli has edited with skill if at times not sharply enough. Alessandro Cicognini's original score is a highlight.
« Les Misérables »
American and foreign film companies have been making this Victor Hugo story since early silent days. This Italian production of France in the late 18th and early 19th centuries is a neat version, with the dubbing into English highly successful for the most part. Pic has the added assets for the U.S. market of having Gino Cervi and Valentina Cortesa in the starring roles. Picture is a strong bet for arty houses and sure-seaters and might do on some circuit bookings if judiciously trimmed. Present running time of two hours and 20 minutes militates against dual booking in the latter category.
Cervi contributes greatly to the smooth development of this production. His is a superb portrayal of Valjean, who was able to come from 18 years of imprisonment to become a successful businessman and mayor of a French community. Miss Cortesa is not quite as creditable, either as Fantine, the husbandless mother, or Cosette, the grown daughter of this wedlock. But she adds comeliness to the roles.
John Hinrich is expertly villainous as Inspector Javert while Aldo Nicodemi serves okay as the hot-headed revolutionary in love with Cosette. Duccia Giraldi, as Cosette the child, makes a sad-eyed, much - abused youngster amount to something.
Lux Film may have had "Fabola" in mind when it decided to use English dubbing on "Les Miserables". And it is a better-done job than on the former, result being that, aside from several too-British accents, this picture runs nearly as smoothly on the dialog as if originally done in English.
Riccardo Freda's direction is expert most of the way although he appears to have been handicapped sometimes with an overly long script. The success he has had in maintaining maximum interest is all to his credit. The lens job of Rodolfo Lombardi is firstrate while Otello Colangeli has edited with skill if at times not sharply enough. Alessandro Cicognini's original score is a highlight. Wear.
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