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Aria

  • 19871987
  • RR
  • 1h 30m
IMDb RATING
5.7/10
2.9K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
5,446
2,900
Bridget Fonda, John Hurt, Theresa Russell, and James Mathers in Aria (1987)
Trailer for Aria
Play trailer3:16
2 Videos
99+ Photos
ComedyDramaMusic

10 short films by 10 different directors, set to arias by different composers.10 short films by 10 different directors, set to arias by different composers.10 short films by 10 different directors, set to arias by different composers.

IMDb RATING
5.7/10
2.9K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
5,446
2,900
  • Directors
    • Robert Altman(segment Les Boréades)
    • Bruce Beresford(segment Die tote Stadt)
    • Bill Bryden(segment I pagliacci)
  • Writers
    • Robert Altman(segment Les Boréades)
    • Bruce Beresford(segment Die tote Stadt)
    • Don Boyd(segment I pagliacci)
  • Stars
    • John Hurt
    • Theresa Russell
    • Stephanie Lane
Top credits
  • Directors
    • Robert Altman(segment Les Boréades)
    • Bruce Beresford(segment Die tote Stadt)
    • Bill Bryden(segment I pagliacci)
  • Writers
    • Robert Altman(segment Les Boréades)
    • Bruce Beresford(segment Die tote Stadt)
    • Don Boyd(segment I pagliacci)
  • Stars
    • John Hurt
    • Theresa Russell
    • Stephanie Lane
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 29User reviews
    • 22Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Videos2

    Aria
    Trailer 3:14
    Aria
    Aria
    Trailer 3:16
    Aria

    Photos245

    Amy Johnson in Aria (1987)
    Bridget Fonda and James Mathers in Aria (1987)
    Bridget Fonda and James Mathers in Aria (1987)
    Bridget Fonda and James Mathers in Aria (1987)
    Bridget Fonda and James Mathers in Aria (1987)
    Bridget Fonda and James Mathers in Aria (1987)
    James Mathers in Aria (1987)
    Bridget Fonda and James Mathers in Aria (1987)
    Bridget Fonda and James Mathers in Aria (1987)
    Bridget Fonda and James Mathers in Aria (1987)
    Bridget Fonda and James Mathers in Aria (1987)
    Bridget Fonda and James Mathers in Aria (1987)

    Top cast

    Edit
    John Hurt
    John Hurt
    • The Actor (segment "I pagliacci")
    Theresa Russell
    Theresa Russell
    • King Zog (segment "Un ballo in maschera")
    Stephanie Lane
    Stephanie Lane
    • Baroness (segment "Un ballo in maschera")
    Roy Hyatt
    • Chauffeur (segment "Un ballo in maschera")
    Sevilla Delofski
    • Maid (segment "Un ballo in maschera")
    Ruth Halliday
    • Companion (segment "Un ballo in maschera")
    Arthur Cox
    Arthur Cox
    • Major (segment "Un ballo in maschera")
    Dennis Holmes
    • Colonel (segment "Un ballo in maschera")
    Paul Brightwell
    Paul Brightwell
    • Assassin (segment "Un ballo in maschera")
    Frank Baker
    • Assassin (segment "Un ballo in maschera")
    Christopher Hunter
    Christopher Hunter
    • Assassin (segment "Un ballo in maschera")
    • (as Chris Hunter)
    Nicola Swain
    • Marie (segment "La virgine degli angeli")
    Jackson Kyle
    • Travis (segment "La virgine degli angeli")
    Marianne McLoughlin
    • Kate (segment "La virgine degli angeli")
    Marion Peterson
    Marion Peterson
    • Les Jeunes Filles (segment "Armide")
    Valérie Allain
    Valérie Allain
    • Les Jeunes Filles (segment "Armide")
    Jacques Neuville
    • Bodybuilder (segment "Armide")
    Luke Corre
    • Bodybuilder (segment "Armide")
    • Directors
      • Robert Altman(segment Les Boréades)
      • Bruce Beresford(segment Die tote Stadt)
      • Bill Bryden(segment I pagliacci)
    • Writers
      • Robert Altman(segment Les Boréades)
      • Bruce Beresford(segment Die tote Stadt)
      • Don Boyd(segment I pagliacci)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Orson Welles agreed to direct one segment, and asked for a contract to be sent to him in Los Angeles. He died before signing the contract, which had been sent, according to producer Don Boyd, to an address that turned out to be the funeral parlor in which he was laid out. Boyd is still unsure whether this was Welles' final joke.
    • Quotes

      Jeune Fille: [Armide segment] He looks like he's made for love. He hasn't found my eyes charming enough. He hasn't found my eyes charming enough.

      Jeune Fille: O how I'd love to hate him.

    • Alternate versions
      Amazon Prime has what seems to be an extended version, running 96 minutes.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: Who Framed Roger Rabbit/Aria/The Great Outdoors (1988)
    • Soundtracks
      Un Ballo in Maschera (extracts)
      Music by Giuseppe Verdi

      Performed by Leontyne Price, Carlo Bergonzi, Robert Merrill, Shirley Verrett,

      Reri Grist with R.C.A. Italiana Opera Orchestra and Chorus

      Conducted by Erich Leinsdorf

      segment "Un Ballo in Maschera"

      (extracts - "Prelude", "Re dell' abisso", "Di che fulgor che musiche", "la rivedra nell'estasi",

      "Ebben si t'amo", "Mezza notte" and "O giustizia del fato")

    User reviews29

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    erotic tension, great arias
    I'm an opera buff, and operas are full of sex, blood and death. It may help to know the librettos of the operas the arias are from to really appreciate this film -- my mileage is very different than Tug-3. I am a classical music lover, and I liked this film.

    I loved Ken Russell's "Nessun Dorma" segment, and would actually like to see him produce Turandot, because opera is supposed to be overwhelming, truly multi-media experience , but then I loved Lisztomania. I love *Turandot* and knowing the libretto so well may be why I don't find this segment the travesty that Tug-3 did.

    The Buck Henry/ Rigoletto segment is probably the most approachable for the average viewer -- they are likely to recognize the tunes, and its a classic bedroom farce. I like bedroom farces, so the silliness didn't upset me.

    The "Liebestod" segment is so outstanding that I recommend people watch this for that piece alone. "Depuis la Jour" was, for me, beautifully spiritual. And the Caruso recording of "Vesti la Giubba" (aka I Pagliacci) with John Hurt as the clown was wonderful. But people just wanting naked women may feel there is too much music and not enough bare flesh and sex.
    helpful•26
    2
    • jkcraft
    • Aug 2, 2003

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 30, 1987 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Languages
      • Italian
      • French
      • German
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Abaris ou les Boréades
    • Filming locations
      • Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
    • Production companies
      • Lightyear Entertainment
      • Virgin Vision
      • A Don Boyd Production
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,028,679
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $7,580
      • Mar 20, 1988
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,028,679
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 30 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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