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Black Orpheus (1959)
"Orfeu Negro" (original title)

 -  Comedy | Drama | Music  -  21 December 1959 (USA)
7.4
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Ratings: 7.4/10 from 5,047 users   Metascore: 81/100
Reviews: 56 user | 52 critic | 8 from Metacritic.com

A retelling of the Orpheus and Eurydice myth, set during the time of the Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro.

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Title: Black Orpheus (1959)

Black Orpheus (1959) on IMDb 7.4/10

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Won 1 Oscar. Another 3 wins & 1 nomination. See more awards »

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Cast

Credited cast:
Breno Mello ...
Marpessa Dawn ...
Marcel Camus ...
Ernesto
Fausto Guerzoni ...
Fausto
Lourdes de Oliveira ...
Mira
Léa Garcia ...
Serafina
Ademar Da Silva ...
Alexandro Constantino ...
Waldemar De Souza ...
Chico
Jorge Dos Santos ...
Benedito
Aurino Cassiano ...
Zeca
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Maria Alice
Ana Amélia
Elizeth Cardoso
Arlete Costa
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Storyline

In Rio, Orfeo is a trolley conductor and musician, engaged to Mira. During Carnival week, he sees Eurydice, who's fled her village in fear of a stalker; it's love at first sight. Her cousin Sarafina, with whom she stays in Rio, is a friend of Orfeo and Mira, so the star-crossed lovers meet again. Later, during the revels, wearing Sarafina's costume, Eurydice dances a provocative samba with Orfeo. Not only is Mira enraged when her rival is unmasked, but she is being stalked by Death: Eurydice is in danger, pursued through noisy crowds and a morgue. Can Orfeo conduct her to safety? Don't look back. Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

trolley | samba | dance | carnival | brazil | See more »

Taglines:

The film that introduced Bossa Nova to the world...

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Music | Romance

Certificate:

PG | See all certifications »
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Details

Country:

| |

Language:

Release Date:

21 December 1959 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Black Orpheus  »

Company Credits

Production Co:

, ,  »
Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(70 mm prints)| (35 mm prints)

Color:

(Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The film's two stars, Breno Mello and Marpessa Dawn died within two months of each other almost half a century after the film was made. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Benedito: [to Serafina] Serafina, look how beautiful!
See more »

Connections

Referenced in City of God (2002) See more »

Soundtracks

"A Felicidate"
Written by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes
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User Reviews

 
Take me back to Rio de Janeiro
11 October 1999 | by (Chicago, IL USA) – See all my reviews

Truly a magical film! Black Orpheus (Orfeu Negro) transports you and makes you long for the Rio of the late 50s (slums and all). Marcel Camus has taken a classic tale of eternal love and transplanted it into "modern times" flawlessly. It has it all -- love, suspense, myth, music, dancing, tragedy -- set amidst the frenetic backdrop of the carnival. I'll always thank the friend who introduced me to this film.


10 of 11 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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The Golden Palm for this? Readerman
Marpessa Dawn MaryCherry
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what male singer was the actual singing voice for breno mello? bimbim14
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