Aida (1953)

Director:

Clemente Fracassi

Writers:

Clemente Fracassi (screenplay), Antonio Ghislanzoni (based on the libretto by),

Stars:

Sophia Loren, Renata Tebaldi, Lois Maxwell

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sophia Loren	...	Aida
Renata Tebaldi	...	Aida (singing voice)
Lois Maxwell	...	Amneris
Ebe Stignani	...	Amneris (singing voice)
Luciano Della Marra	...	Radamès
Giuseppe Campora	...	Radamès (singing voice)
Afro Poli	...	Amonasro
Gino Bechi	...	Amonasro (singing voice)
Antonio Cassinelli	...	Ramfis
Giulio Neri	...	Ramfis (singing voice)
Enrico Formichi	...	Il Faraone [The Pharaoh]
Domenico Balini	...	Il messagero
Paolo Caroli	...	Il messagero (singing voice)
Marisa Valenti	...	Un'ancella
Giovanna Russo	...	Un'ancella (voice)

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

lip synching | character name in title

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Taglines:

Now it comes alive on the screen! A grand drama of passion and power...of the love of two women for one man in ancient Egypt! A cast of thousands! Superb voices! Wonderful performances! One of the memorable experiences of your lifetime!

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Genres:

Musical

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian English

Release Date:

8 October 1954 (USA)

Also Known As:

Aida, i sklava tou neilou

Company Credits

Production Co:

Oscar Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Ferraniacolor: negatives) Color (Technicolor: prints)

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the movie "Aida" Sophia Loren lipsynched to the playback of Renata Tebaldi's recordings of the opera so that it appeared Sophia was actually singing.

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Connections

Version of Aida (1992)

User Reviews

How could they get this so wrong

On paper this looks like a dream of an opera. The voices of Tebaldi and Campora being mimed by Loren and Della Mara on a big screen production, its just got to be sublime, hasn't it? Unfortunately it fails miserably. Loren is simply lost in her role;Tebaldi would have been far better but I suspect she had read the final draft of the screen play, and Della Mara looked more toy-boy than rugged hero. Wait! there is still Verdi's music allied to those wonderful voices,yes they are there if you like your opera in snatches and excerpts, but if not you will quickly lose patience. For example I just happen to believe that one of the most glorious pieces of music is the Nume custode in the first act of Aida. Radames is in the temple and receives the sword and insignia which he dedicates to Ra for the forthcoming battle. The scene is a magnificent Bass-Tenor-Chorus ensemble; opera at its finest. Do not look for it in this film, it is cut, no tenor no chorus just a perfunctory handing over of the sword. Here you are son- Cheers guvnor. No this will not do, it is pretty dire stuff for any poor soul who thinks this might be a half decent stab at bringing opera to the screen