La Cage Aux Folles [1980] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
A likeable 1977 French farce (and the basis for the 1996 American remake, The Birdcage), this popular comedy was one of the most successful international films of all time, and even spawned a Broadway musical and two sequels. It tells the story of a gay couple who--when one man's son from a previous liaison brings home his fiancée--masquerade as husband and wife for their prospective in-laws. Le Cage Aux Folles is saved from becoming an exercise in silliness by the heartfelt characterisations of the gay nightclub owners. La Cage aux Folles is one of the funniest imports from Europe and a great comedy in any venue. --Robert Lane

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Amazon.co.uk Review
In the French farce La Cage aux Folles, Ugo Tognazzi and Michel Serrault star as Renato and Albin, a middle-aged gay couple and co-owners of a nightclub, the titular Cage aux Folles, where hysterically effeminate Albin stars as drag act Zaza. The long-suffering Renato once briefly enjoyed a heterosexual relationship and has a 20-year-old son, Laurent. When the latter turns up one day and announces he is to marry the daughter of one M Charrier, deputy leader of the Moral Order party, Renato is initially appalled. However, he comes round and reluctantly agrees to a meeting with the girl's parents, in which he will pose as a high-ranking diplomat, rid the apartment of all its queenly trappings and try to persuade Albin to lie low. The final 20 minutes of the movie, in which this charade of austerity and propriety falls entirely to pieces are among the most aisle-rollingly uproarious ever committed to celluloid.

It was remade by Hollywood as The Birdcage, but this original is far funnier. Although perhaps a little dated and stereotypical in its depiction of gay life there is real sympathy for, and affection conveyed between, Renato and Albin. The scenes with the Charrier family, who, it turns out, have problems of their own, cut an utterly gloomy bourgeois contrast with the screaming flamboyance of the nightclub scenes. The Charrier's unscrupulous chauffeur is one of the film's many treasures, his final "Combien?" provoking the film's crowning guffaw. All this iced with a delicious soundtrack from Ennio Morricone which wafts with the nostalgic scent of late-1970s South of France.

On the DVD: La Cage aux Folles is unfortunately presented in a not terribly good 1:66:1 transfer: much of the crackle and faded colours of the original remain, while the soundtrack is fuzzy in places. The only extra is the original trailer. --David Stubbs

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Customer reviews

review by: date: 2008-09-29 rating:
The Original Bird Cage
Ugo Tognazzi and Michel Serrault star as Renato and Albin a middle aged gay couple and proprietors of la Cage Aux Folles, English speaking audiences may recognise the film from the Robin Williams remake. Tognazzi and Serrault's humour is sharper because of the extreme conservatism of their soon to be in-laws and comic timing.

Although the mannerism of the couple are quite dated, this has the classic timing of a comedy of errors like The Mousetrap and well deserves its classic status. By all means watch Robin Williams, but don't let this film pass you by.

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review by: date: 2008-05-26 rating:
i refuse to accept the truth
What was beautiful, stylish, positive and gay (!) in the Birdcage is ugly, cheap, kitschy, pathetic and sad in La Cage Aux Folles. I wanted to move to Miami to have neighbours like Robin William and Nathan Lane though my wife kept telling me that real gays are never like that - and now I know she is right. I lived in the fairytale and now thanks to the French original I woke up. Which maybe is good - long live European realism - but I dislike the feeling. So I warn you, all those who are still in love with this incredible house on the Ocean Drive and the family who lives there - don't take the blue pill.

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review by: date: 2008-04-02 rating:
Classic
I could watch this all day. Best to use original French soundtrack with subtitles.

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review by: bobinspain date: 2006-04-21 rating:
A Scream
Although to younger viewers the style and presentation of this film may seem dated- stick with it. This is classic French farce. There are moments in this film which cannot be copied or bettered (i.e.the opening of the bottle of champagne). For best results, watch the film with the original soundtrack and use the subtitles. The dubbed soundtrack is camp and silly (Andrew Sachs sounds very silly and soppy). The French version is camp but brilliantly playful and in parts, trés elegante!
A great film that never disappoints, even after multiple viewings.


review by: date: 2004-03-25 rating:
Feydeau for 1970s
Unlike the commentator from Stockport, I'd disagree that the remake is better than the original; matter of opinion, but I'd say classic farce is always better with reference to its context and time.

Since the days of Feydeau, the French have done farce far better than Americans, largely because American audiences miss the deep undercurrents of irony and see only the surface froth. The French version is drenched more naturally in social tension in the way only a collective and paternalistic society can, but retains a patina of freshness and charm. It's also more theatrical, though I rather like the performance element - it seems somehow more spontaneous.

Furthermore, Ugo Tognazzi and Michel Serrault are delightful. By comparison, the performances of Nathan Lane and Robin Williams seem worthy but derivative.

While I'd agree that the DVD translation could be better, many of the extras are worth having.

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Similar categories

Video . DVD & VHS . Categories . Comedy . All Comedy
Video . DVD & VHS . Categories . Gay & Lesbian
Video . DVD & VHS . Special Features . Region 1
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . Format (binding_browse-bin) . DVD
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . Editions (feature_two_browse-bin) . Standard Edition
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . Region(feature_browse-bin) . Region 1
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . Release Date (feature_three_browse-bin) . 1970 - 1979
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . Language (theme_browse-bin) . English

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