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Black Orpheus

Original title: Orfeu Negro
  • 1959
  • PG
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
13K
YOUR RATING
Black Orpheus (1959)
A retelling of the Orpheus and Eurydice myth, set during the time of the Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro.
Play trailer1:18
1 Video
92 Photos
Jukebox MusicalTragedyDramaMusicalRomance

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

  • Director
    • Marcel Camus
  • Writers
    • Jacques Viot
    • Vinicius de Moraes
    • Marcel Camus
  • Stars
    • Breno Mello
    • Marpessa Dawn
    • Lourdes de Oliveira
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.4/10
    13K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Marcel Camus
    • Writers
      • Jacques Viot
      • Vinicius de Moraes
      • Marcel Camus
    • Stars
      • Breno Mello
      • Marpessa Dawn
      • Lourdes de Oliveira
    • 93User reviews
    • 63Critic reviews
    • 81Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 4 wins & 2 nominations total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:18
    Official Trailer

    Photos92

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    Top cast25

    Edit
    Breno Mello
    Breno Mello
    • Orfeu
    Marpessa Dawn
    Marpessa Dawn
    • Eurydice
    Lourdes de Oliveira
    Lourdes de Oliveira
    • Mira
    Léa Garcia
    • Serafina
    Adhemar Ferreira da Silva
    • Death
    • (as Adhemar Feirrera da Silva)
    Waldemar De Souza
    • Chico
    Alexandro Constantino
    • Hermes
    Jorge Dos Santos
    • Benedito
    Aurino Cassiano
    • Zeca
    Maria Alice
    Ana Amélia
    Elizeth Cardoso
    Elizeth Cardoso
    Arlete Costa
    Maria de Lourdes
    Modesto De Souza
    Agostinho dos Santos
    Agostinho dos Santos
    Fausto Guerzoni
    Fausto Guerzoni
    • Fausto
    Tião Macalé
    • Record player seller
    • Director
      • Marcel Camus
    • Writers
      • Jacques Viot
      • Vinicius de Moraes
      • Marcel Camus
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Breno Mello was a soccer player with no acting experience at the time he was cast as Orfeu. Mello was walking on the street in Rio de Janeiro, when Marcel Camus stopped him and asked if he would like to be in a film.
    • Goofs
      When Eurydice faints in the arms of Orfeu; her left arm is straight resting just above his right elbow. But on the next cut the orientation of her arm changed and is now bent and resting just below his elbow. Then on a following cut her arm changed position again.
    • Quotes

      Orfeo: Try to remember. It's a very old story. Thousands of years ago, Orpheus was sad and melancholic, like this little bird trapped in its cage. But one day, from the strings of his guitar that sought only one true love, a voice spoke to him of lost kisses from the lips of Eurydice. Eurydice's lips trembled anxiously, and her mouth opened slightly like a fragrant flower -

      [tries to kiss Eurydice and she pushes him away]

      Orfeo: No, you're too young to remember!

      Eurydice: But I do. I remember the words you sang.

      Orfeo: They were the same words.

      Eurydice: That's right. But it was the melody I liked best.

      Orfeo: [Eurydice leaves, Orfeo follows, finds her sitting on a rock looking at the landscape with a tear in her eye] Forgive me, Eurydice.

    • Connections
      Featured in A Huey P. Newton Story (2001)
    • Soundtracks
      Generique
      Traditional folklore, played over opening titles

    User reviews93

    Featured review

    Black Orpheus, modern masterpiece

    Black Orpheus is one of the truly great movies, and may be considered as part of the heritage of every true movie lover. The setting of the Orpheus story in the hillsides and streets of Rio, with the brilliant actors, is nothing short of a miracle. Everything in the movie is beautiful to look at, and the music becomes as much a part of the atmosphere as the very air these beautiful actors breathe. The final scene, with the children, being magically prepared to fall into the roles the adults have just left, must remain with the viewer as one of the most affecting things in this magnificent movie. Do yourself a great favor, and see it.
    • degatina
    • Jan 31, 2006
    • Permalink

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    FAQ16

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 21, 1959 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Brazil
      • France
      • Italy
    • Language
      • Portuguese
    • Also known as
      • Crni Orfej
    • Filming locations
      • Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
    • Production companies
      • Dispat Films
      • Gemma Cinematografica
      • Tupan Filmes
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 40 minutes
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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