Casanova (Masterpiece Theater) | 
| Director: Sheree Folkson
Actor: David Tennant; David Foxxe; Tamzin Griffin; Peter O'toole; Clare Higgins; Rose Byrne; Andrew Vincent; Dervla Kirwan; John Sandilands (ii); Rosanna Lavelle; Tim Scott-walker; Zac Fox; Mark Heap; Dominic Thomas-james; Joe Cooper (vi); Gabriella Greenblatt; Laura Fraser (ii); Rupert Penry-jones; Matthew Holness; Shaun Parkes
Studio: WGBH BOSTON
Category: DVD
List Price: $24.95
Buy New: $12.43
You Save: $12.52 (50%)
New (34) Used (11) from $12.43
Avg. Customer Rating:  25 reviews
Sales Rank: 12524
Format: Color, Dvd-video, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: Unrated
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 172
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: WGBD41419D
UPC: 783421414198
EAN: 0783421414198
ASIN: B000HEWGWE
Theatrical Release Date: 2005
Release Date: October 17, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: BRAND NEW AND FACTORY SEALED
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Hes cool & 18th century europe is his playground. Ladies & gentlemen (but especially ladies) meet the legendary casanova! Studio: Wgbh Wholesale Release Date: 10/17/2006 Starring: David Tennant Laura Fraser Run time: 172 minutes
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 fiance, 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
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| Customer Reviews: Read 20 more reviews...
 Another Masterpiece Winner October 2, 2008
As always, Masterpiece Theater has done it again. This is fun, campy, and at times very moving. It does explore sexual issues that some will find disturbing. With a subject like Casanove that is hardly surprising. Definitely worth a watch.
 A must for David Tennant/ Doctor Who fans! Delightful! June 15, 2008
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! June 7, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
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 February 19, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
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! January 29, 2008
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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