Evita (1996)

The hit musical based on the life of Evita Duarte, a B-picture Argentinian actress who eventually became the wife of Argentinian president Juan Perón, and the most beloved and hated woman in Argentina.

Director:

Alan Parker

Writers:

Tim Rice (book), Alan Parker (screenplay),

Stars:

Madonna, Antonio Banderas, Jonathan Pryce

Won 1 Oscar. Another 10 wins & 25 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Madonna	...	Eva Perón
Antonio Banderas	...	Ché
Jonathan Pryce	...	Juan Perón
Jimmy Nail	...	Agustín Magaldi
Victoria Sus	...	Doña Juana
Julian Littman	...	Brother Juan
Olga Merediz	...	Blanca
Laura Pallas	...	Elisa
Julia Worsley	...	Erminda
María Luján Hidalgo	...	Young Eva (as Maria Lujan Hidalgo)
Servando Villamil	...	Cipriano Reyes
Andrea Corr	...	Perón's Mistress
Peter Polycarpou	...	Domingo Mercante
Gary Brooker	...	Juan Bramuglia
Maite Yerro	...	Julieta (as Mayte Yerro)

Storyline

High-flying, adored! The film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical depicting the infamous real-life story of Eva "Evita" Duarte de Peron, the wife of President Juan Peron, who rose from poverty to become the most famous Argentine woman in history. Her huge political influence and constant charity works earned her scorn and fear from the military and upper classes but adoration and love from the workers and descamisados. Evita's legendary life is displayed before your eyes as the most hated and most beloved woman in Argentina.

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Plot Keywords:

argentina | actress | poverty | military | politics | 

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Taglines:

The Most Anticipated Motion Picture Event of The Year

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History | Musical | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic elements, images of violence and some mild language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 January 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Эвита

Filming Locations:

Budapest, Hungary

Box Office

Budget:

$55,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

ITL 2,273,873,000 (Italy) (27 December 1996)

Gross:

$49,994,804 (USA) (25 April 1997)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hollywood Pictures, Cinergi Pictures Entertainment, Dirty Hands Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

135 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Madonna was cast after she wrote a long and desperate letter to director Alan Parker convincing him she was perfect to play the role. The letter was accompanied by a copy of her video for "Take A Bow" where she had specifically asked the director that it should resemble the '40s and '50s.

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Goofs

The glass cover over the croissants on the bar counter to Evita's left.

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Quotes

Eva's Dressers: Eyes! Hair! Mouth! Figure! Dress! Voice! Style! Movement! Hands! Magic! Rings! Glamour! Face! Diamonds! Excitement! Image!
Eva Perón: I came from the people. They need to adore me, so Christian Dior me from my head to my toes. I need to be dazzling - I want to be rainbow high! They must have excitement - and so must I!

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Connections

Featured in Music Movies: Evita (2012)

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Soundtracks

"She Is a Diamond"
(uncredited)
Written by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber
Performed by Jonathan Pryce and the Chorus
Produced by Nigel Wright, Alan Parker, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and David Caddick

User Reviews

Wonderful adaptation of the play

I liked this movie. I thought it kept it's edge and that was largely because of Madonna. I didn't want to like Madonna in the part...she seemed too flighty, too self-involved. I didn't hold out too much hope for her acting.

She really surprised me. Not only did she do a wonderful job with the script as given, she also went so far as to watch footage of Eva Peron and got the hand gestures and facial expressions down.

I also heard that she is credited in obtaining permission from the Argentine government to film at the Casa Rosada. Eva Peron is STILL considered a saint, and they were worried the movie would show her in a bad light. Madonna proved to them (and then followed through on film) that she was going to give the role dignity...to show Eva Peron in a balanced way as a person with flaws, not an evil woman bent on destroying Argentina.

She actually made the movie for me to the point where I couldn't envision anyone else in the role.

Antonio Banderas was also a bit of a surprise for me. I didn't know anything about him and kinda considered him eye candy instead of a serious actor. I was pleasantly surprised when I found out he can sing as well as act.

Jonathan Price was good at portraying a Juan Peron. He could be gentle and kind to his friends, but also showed no remorse for "removing" anyone who opposes him. I read in another review of this movie that Price wasn't barbaric enough for the part. Juan Peron WAS very charismatic...he had to be, or else he would NEVER had been elected president.

One of the things I liked most about this movie was that all the people in it seemed real. The extras were neither overly good looking or freakishly ugly. They looked like anyone you would see walking down any given street.

The cinematography is splendid, and it's hard to beat the soundtrack.

It's an 8/10 for me.