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The Tales of Hoffmann

  • 1951
  • Not Rated
  • 2h 13m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
3.7K
YOUR RATING
Moira Shearer and Ludmilla Tchérina in The Tales of Hoffmann (1951)
Trailer for The Tales of Hoffmann
Play trailer2:04
2 Videos
89 Photos
FantasyMusicMusical

A melancholy poet reflects on three women he loved and lost in the past: a mechanical performing doll, a Venetian courtesan, and the consumptive daughter of a celebrated composer.A melancholy poet reflects on three women he loved and lost in the past: a mechanical performing doll, a Venetian courtesan, and the consumptive daughter of a celebrated composer.A melancholy poet reflects on three women he loved and lost in the past: a mechanical performing doll, a Venetian courtesan, and the consumptive daughter of a celebrated composer.

  • Directors
    • Michael Powell
    • Emeric Pressburger
  • Writers
    • Dennis Arundell
    • Jules Barbier
    • Michael Powell
  • Stars
    • Moira Shearer
    • Robert Rounseville
    • Ludmilla Tchérina
  • See production, box office & company info
    • IMDb RATING
    7.1/10
    3.7K
    YOUR RATING
    • Directors
      • Michael Powell
      • Emeric Pressburger
    • Writers
      • Dennis Arundell
      • Jules Barbier
      • Michael Powell
    • Stars
      • Moira Shearer
      • Robert Rounseville
      • Ludmilla Tchérina
    • 52User reviews
    • 60Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Oscars
      • 2 wins & 3 nominations total

    Videos2

    The Tales of Hoffmann
    Trailer 2:04
    Watch The Tales of Hoffmann
    The Tales of Hoffmann - Rialto Pictures Trailer
    Trailer 2:02
    Watch The Tales of Hoffmann - Rialto Pictures Trailer

    Photos89

    Robert Helpmann and Ludmilla Tchérina in The Tales of Hoffmann (1951)
    Robert Helpmann and Ludmilla Tchérina in The Tales of Hoffmann (1951)
    Moira Shearer in The Tales of Hoffmann (1951)
    Moira Shearer in The Tales of Hoffmann (1951)
    Robert Helpmann in The Tales of Hoffmann (1951)
    Robert Helpmann and Ludmilla Tchérina in The Tales of Hoffmann (1951)
    Robert Helpmann in The Tales of Hoffmann (1951)
    The Tales of Hoffmann (1951)
    The Tales of Hoffmann (1951)
    Robert Rounseville and Moira Shearer in The Tales of Hoffmann (1951)
    Robert Rounseville and Moira Shearer in The Tales of Hoffmann (1951)
    Moira Shearer in The Tales of Hoffmann (1951)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Moira Shearer
    Moira Shearer
    • Stella…
    Robert Rounseville
    Robert Rounseville
    • Hoffmann
    Ludmilla Tchérina
    Ludmilla Tchérina
    • Giulietta
    Ann Ayars
    Ann Ayars
    • Antonia
    Pamela Brown
    Pamela Brown
    • Nicklaus
    Léonide Massine
    Léonide Massine
    • Spalanzani…
    Robert Helpmann
    Robert Helpmann
    • Lindorf…
    Frederick Ashton
    • Kleinsach…
    Mogens Wieth
    • Crespel
    Lionel Harris
    • Pitichinaccio
    Philip Leaver
    Philip Leaver
    • Andrés
    Meinhart Maur
    • Luther
    Edmond Audran
    • Partner to Stella in Dragonfly Ballet
    Thomas Beecham
    Thomas Beecham
    • Self - Conductor
    • (uncredited)
    Alan Carter
    • Casher (Act 1)
    • (uncredited)
    Elizabeth Christie
    • Corps de Ballet
    • (uncredited)
    John Ford
    • Nathanaël
    • (uncredited)
    Richard Golding
    • Hermann - Prologue and Epilogue
    • (uncredited)
    • Directors
      • Michael Powell
      • Emeric Pressburger
    • Writers
      • Dennis Arundell
      • Jules Barbier
      • Michael Powell
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      George A. Romero, writer/director of Night of the Living Dead (1968) and Dawn of the Dead (1978) has cited this as his all-time favorite movie, saying that it was the one that originally inspired him to get into filmmaking.
    • Goofs
      Giulietta's necklace is turned from jewels to wax by Dapertutto, however, in a longer shot, it is briefly shown as jewels again, before a close-up, where it is wax again until Dapertutto changes it back to jewels.
    • Quotes

      Chorus of Students: Some drink, drink, drink, drink, drink: do you hear us about? You lazy lout! We want some beer; we want some wine! Pour out the wine, and drink and drink till morning. Pour out the wine for drinking is divine. It is divine. We want some beer; we want some wine. We want some beer; we want some wine.

    • Crazy credits
      In the end credits, main actors appear taking curtain calls next to the singers who dubbed them.
    • Alternate versions
      The complete 138-minute version was available in 16mm black and white early television prints. The complete 138-minute version was also available in 16mm Kodachrome (color) rental prints. The complete 138-minute soundtrack was available for many years on LP (London Records).
    • Connections
      Featured in The Late Show: Michael Powell (1992)
    • Soundtracks
      The Tales of Hoffmann, A Fantastic Opera
      Music by Jacques Offenbach
      Arranged by Thomas Beecham (uncredited)
      English libretto by Dennis Arundell
      From the French text by Jules Barbier
      Conductor: Thomas Beecham (as Sir Thomas Beecham Bart.) with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
      Sung by Robert Rounseville, Dorothy Bond, Margherita Grandi, Ann Ayars (as Ann Ayars), Monica Sinclair, Joan Alexander, Grahame Clifford, Bruce Dargavel, Murray Dickie, Owen Brannigan, Fisher Morgan, Rene Soames, and The Sadler's Wells Chorus

    User reviews52

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    A nice two hours
    I liked the Red Shoes more, but Tales of Hoffmann is still an excellent Powell & Pressburger movie. While I did have trouble understanding the English opera (my first one at that), the episode character lists really helped. It's interesting to note that as Hoffmann tells his tales, the women in each episode become more "real." It did seem to drag on a bit at times, but I think it might be one of those movies that looks better with a second or third viewing. Still a wonderful and dazzling movie with amazing set & costume designs & expertly directed.
    helpful•23
    2
    • TravisD-2
    • Jul 6, 2000

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    FAQ1

    • I believe the rights to this film are in the hands of the Criterion collection. Why don't they release it on DVD?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 22, 1951 (France)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Hofmanove priče
    • Filming locations
      • Shepperton Studios, Shepperton, Surrey, England, UK(Studio)
    • Production companies
      • The Archers
      • Vega Film Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $91,930
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $23,340
      • Mar 15, 2015
    • Gross worldwide
      • $106,860
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 13 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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