Powell and Pressburger screen treatment of the Offenbach opera. An innovative use of various art forms and production design, it is a fascinating and very pleasant watch.
It looks very fine; the colour schemes and costumes fit well. Overall, this production can occasionally dissappear into confusion, but largely it remains well anchored in its Faust-esque story and with its high-faluttin' tales.
The actor playing Hoffman is excellent, and the singing (nearly all dubbed) certainly up to standard. As ever, Moira Shearer is excellent.
Taking up their own mantle from the great 'The Red Shoes', there is a smart use of montage and kaleidoscopic reptition. Largely, the camera does watch the ballet rather than become part of it. This film is at its best when the camera starts dancing too.
A difficult challenge, to have an opera and ballet on screen, but this comes out as a success.
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