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Topsy-Turvy (The Criterion Collection)

Allan Corduner (Actor), Dexter Fletcher (Actor), Mike Leigh (Director) Rated:
R
Format: DVD
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 188 ratings
IMDb7.3/10.0
$29.69
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DVD
March 29, 2011
The Criterion Collection
2
$29.69
$29.95 $11.96
Genre Musicals & Performing Arts/Musicals/General
Format Multiple Formats, Color, Widescreen, Special Edition, Surround Sound, NTSC
Contributor Dexter Fletcher, Wendy Nottingham, Mike Leigh, Allan Corduner, Sukie Smith, Roger Heathcott
Language English
Number Of Discs 2
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Product Description

Product Description

After the failure of one of their collaborations, Gilbert and Sullivancontemplate ending their working relationship. Their friends andcolleagues convince them otherwise and it leads to their most successfulopera of all time.

Set Contains:

As is often the case with Criterion Collection reissues, the bonus material for both the Blu-ray and DVD editions of Topsy-Turvy is generous and varied. Aside from director Mike Leigh's audio commentary track, a nearly 40-minute conversation between Leigh and musical director Gary Yershon, the only item newly created for this release, will appeal to film buffs, as the two discuss Leigh's decision to focus on The Mikado instead of other Gilbert and Sullivan works; the director's preference for lyricist Gilbert, the more conflicted and complex of the pair; the filmmakers' use of diaries and other material to give the film a strong factual basis; and various technical details. Deleted scenes and a brief (about 10 minutes) making-of featurette from 1999 are of middling interest, but the real gem here is "A Sense of History," a short (about 22 minutes) film from 1992. Directed by Leigh and both written by and starring Jim Broadbent, it's an amusing, increasingly strange satire of British nobility in which Broadbent portrays the (fictional) 23rd Earl of Leete. As a film crew accompanies him on a tour of his grand country estate, the earl details an outrageous catalogue of family horrors, ranging from an abusive father and narcotized mother to the earl's own macabre misdeeds. We're told that it was during the production of this film that Leigh and Broadbent first discussed making a movie about Gilbert and Sullivan, which explains its presence here; but this peculiar item could also stand quite well on its own. --Sam Graham

Product details

  • Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
  • MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ R (Restricted)
  • Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 0.6 x 5.4 x 7.6 inches; 4.8 ounces
  • Item model number ‏ : ‎ 16100032
  • Director ‏ : ‎ Mike Leigh
  • Media Format ‏ : ‎ Multiple Formats, Color, Widescreen, Special Edition, Surround Sound, NTSC
  • Run time ‏ : ‎ 2 hours and 40 minutes
  • Release date ‏ : ‎ March 29, 2011
  • Actors ‏ : ‎ Allan Corduner, Dexter Fletcher, Sukie Smith, Roger Heathcott, Wendy Nottingham
  • Studio ‏ : ‎ Criterion Collection
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B004GFGUCC
  • Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 2
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 188 ratings

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
188 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Chip Kaufmann
5.0 out of 5 stars Time Travelling With Gilbert & Sullivan.
Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2014
Verified Purchase
An observation that I have made before on many occasions has to do with film being the only true time machine that humans have come up with so far. Starting with the oldest films from the beginning of movies in the late 1890s through the latest releases, we have a visual and aural record of events, people, places, and the fashions and attitudes in favor at the time the movies were produced. In addition there are those movies which are deliberate historical recreations of a specific time and place with specific historical characters that are also subject to the attitudes present when they were made. TOPSY-TURVY is one of these latter movies and it is one of the best examples of that genre that I have ever seen.

It is set in 1885. Gilbert & Sullivan have lost their creative spark and are relying on revivals of past works to keep themselves and the Savoy Theater going. A chance visit to a Japanese exhibition in London gives Gilbert the idea for a "Japanese opera" and thus THE MIKADO comes into being. That's the story of the film in a nutshell. What director Mike Leigh does is to expand that basic scenario and give us much, much more. We not only see THE MIKADO come into being but get a good look at the lives of Gilbert & Sullivan away from the theater. We also get to see a detailed look at the world of Victorian London and a behind-the-scenes look at the D'Oyly-Carte Opera Company and how a show is created from scratch.

What makes TOPSY-TURVY truly stand out is that you really do feel as if you have been transported back in time to the late 19th century. Every detail from the opulent and repressive Victorian fashions to the cluttered rooms with heavy furnishings to the secret lives of the characters is captured with remarkable fidelity (or the illusion of it). Gas jets and horse drawn carriages, backstage dressing rooms and secret boudoirs, the lost art of elegant conversation and more are impeccably recreated. Only ANONYMOUS (2011) about the authorship of Shakespeare's plays with its vivid rendering of Elizabethan London gave me such a powerful feeling of being there not as an audience member but as an actual observer.

The performances are all flawless from Jim Broadbent and Alan Cordurer as G & S to Timothy Spall and Martin Savage as leading members of the company. Since this is a Mike Leigh film there are several strong roles for women with Lesley Manville as Gilbert's long suffering wife a standout. The look of the film is incredibly sumptious and to think that it was made for only 10 million pounds seems beyond belief. The film's length (160 minutes) and deliberate pace will frustrate some people and Savoyards will want more opera and less background but if you love history, it's a dream come true. The Criterion edition is a definite upgrade from the previous DVD featuring lots of extras with the only flaw being no subtitles.
10 people found this helpful
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geno
5.0 out of 5 stars FANTASTICK immersive film into victorian era theater and timeless key music meaningful NOW
Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2018
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This movie really makes you feel a good bit like you are seeing what it was like 100 years ago in a famous English theater company. the detail from costume to the famous real events, even seconds in a Dickerson like London and name drops, all shade and hint at what it must have been like as the world was really changing into the modern world we know. every person in this film the acting is so nuanced the dialects, the tiniest muscle moves in faces...let alone the actual music and lyrics can be beautiful witty or inspiring. If you are a philistine like me but lightly enjoy a tiny bit of opera, this might get you into it. I tried sowing a young-in this hope it works- along with the pirates of penzance movie the famous keystone cop scene is incredible like a live action cartoon Tony is incredible. Too bad these are not available in better quality but at least topsy is available in blue ray. not to mention besides the stars which are great chameleons, you got people like kevin kidd ( from the awesome series Rome, Journeyman and famous TV doctor stuff) and other pre harry potter notable actors as an easter egg.
3 people found this helpful
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James R. Grady
5.0 out of 5 stars Inside the world of musical theater
Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2023
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This is one of the best movies I have ever seen. The story of putting on Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado, with lots of insight about the trials of putting together a theater production. Uniformly superb cast.
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Krokodyle
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant Movie, Brilliant Presentation
Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2015
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Not much I can add that others haven't already. A wonderful (if slightly inaccurate) movie, presented in stellar Criterion fashion. Jim Broadbent and Allan Corduner are truly spectacular and believable in their roles (full disclosure: I do favor Mr. Broadbent's work), but in truth the entire cast really does shine. The movie's makeup, both 'actual' and 'stage', is impressive as well. As someone who has worked on the stage, I did find myself laughing at some of the smaller "theater moments" (like the cast in the wings mouthing the lines along with the ones being said on stage) but there's something here for everyone. I'm not a huge fan of G&S musicals, but one can't help but be captivated when hearing their songs being presented in such rich DTS sound and the stages being shot with such excellent cinematography.

It's not for the kids and it does run a bit long (2.5 hours), but you'll hardly notice. If you have any kind of decent home theater system, you'll appreciate this movie and Criterion's mastering of it very much. A highly recommended Blu-ray!
2 people found this helpful
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Downtown Girl
4.0 out of 5 stars G&S, together again!
Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2016
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Love this movie!!! However, only 2 of the 5 extra features on this DVD will play. A message comes up on the others which seems to state that Criterion did not have proper permission to include them. ???
That being said, I didn't buy this just for the extra features. this is a marvelous tale for anyone who loves opera, theatre, stagecraft, Gilbert & Sullivan, Edwardian England. Steeped in well-researched historical detail, it is a fascinating trip into the past, as well as into the vortex of the creative process. Highly entertaining, Beautifully done.
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M Markowitz
5.0 out of 5 stars One of my 5 all-time favorite films
Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2021
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Wow - what a movie. It is a perfect film. I loved every frame from first to last.
Topsy-Turvy is one on my all time favorite films. Casting is pitch perfect.
I don't have a negative thing to say. I watch this film at least once every
two years - it is that good.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Blake Heathcote
5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Mike Leigh Film
Reviewed in Canada on January 13, 2023
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I am a great fan of this movie. I'm certainly a great fan of Mike Leigh's work; but this film in particular evokes one of the best evocations of life in the theatre. Although the film is set in the 1880s, the personalities and the objectives of the theatrical characters is timeless. Highly recommended.
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NormanM
4.0 out of 5 stars Well done Criterion
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 31, 2017
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Excellent transfer by Criterion, much better than the inferior letterbox DVD version. Only criticism is that it is only available in Region A form so needs a multi-region player in the UK.
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Steven Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars A rare treasure of film
Reviewed in Canada on November 14, 2014
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The story of the conception and creation of 'The Mikado' by the light comic opera team, Gilbert and Sullivan. One of my favourite films, beautifully presented by Criterion, with a rich selection of extras, as one would expect. A must have for Gilbert and Sullivan fans and students of the late Victorian era. Beautiful costumes, impeccable casting, acting, cinematography and staging. Both very funny and sad.
One person found this helpful
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Anon
5.0 out of 5 stars a delightful film
Reviewed in Canada on June 8, 2020
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Mike Leigh's only period film. The cast and the set deign are amazing.
One person found this helpful
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egg lady
5.0 out of 5 stars The story of Gilbert and Sullivan.
Reviewed in Canada on January 21, 2015
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Love to follow the story behind the beloved Gilbert and Sullivan operettas.
One person found this helpful
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