Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7562 in VHS
• Released on: 1996-01-23
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Formats: Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of tapes: 1
• Running time: 130 minutes

Amazon.com
Fifteen years after directing the florid and commercially successful Chopin bio-pic, the 1945 A Song to Remember, director Charles Vidor headed up this lush, Technicolor production about Franz Liszt--only to die a few weeks into shooting and be replaced by George Cukor. (Cukor insisted the credit remain with Vidor, and indeed there is little of Cukor's touch visible in this film.) Song Without End stars Dirk Bogarde as Liszt, and while the actor's stints at the piano are effectively dubbed by Jorge Boyet, the story really concerns the composer's entangled love life. Much, much less flamboyant than Ken Russell's Lisztomania, Song Without End is, in its own way, just as indulgent, extravagantly presuming that love is the major inspiration for the creation of music. No film about a composer would be complete without a few of his famous contemporaries, and Song Without End makes a point of bringing George Sand and Chopin himself to the proceedings. The sets are impressive, and the cinematography is by James Wong Howe. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews

A Perfect Time Killer
I have gone through this film twice and still find this interesting.

This is not a documentary and as such don't expect too much depth or insight from this portrayal of Liszt, or else most of audience might be bored to death. Who cares about his study with Czerny or his religious faith in such a film anyway?

Instead, we have quite a lot of romances with pretty faces, elegant dresses and magnificent palaces. There was even a brief mention about Chopin and Wagner in the background. Visual effect was excellent and even the actor on the piano was so remarkable.

I'm not too sure though if Boglet would suit the taste of all piano lovers, probably not: Liszt is Liszt, who can compare with him when even Anton Rubinstein wanted to be his pupil. But for the general audience, it's just marvelous. The sound is wonderful too, not just the music,the dialoges too.

The plot was forceful and the rhythm fast and there is not a single scene that is boring. The result: one could easily sit still in front of it for the whole length of 130 minutes and for twice.

Highly recommended.

Fictional portrayal of Franz!
Why does Hollywood distort reality and fabricate (...) fiction? Liszt had one of the most fascinating lives in 19th Century Europe, so why not stick to facts rather than conjure up poor fiction. Right from the start it's evident that they had little knowledge of Liszt by starring Dirk Bogarde, with short curly hair, as Liszt! Did they bother to even look at a photo or painting of Liszt... who had long straight hair! That visual inaccuracy sets the tone for the rest of this character assassination Without End.
The ridiculous notion that Liszt felt inferior to Chopin for not writing music is utter nonsense. The early version of Liszt's monumental "Transcendental Etudes" began in 1828, long before he even met Chopin! These pieces are some of the most revolutionary scores ever written for the piano! Yet, this film makes Liszt out to be a sap as a composer. Likewise, it also distorts his relationship with the Countess, who is made out to be a poor angelic figure coldly trampled upon by Liszt. Factual History knows she had emotional problems before meeting Liszt, which flared and became worse culminating into the major cause of their separation. Her brutal retaliation was to write a biting novel about Liszt years later. Some of the story is accurate especially his devotion and philosophy towards Art, which saves this film from getting a half star rating. Watch knowing the falsehoods and strong points mentioned herein and you should find some enjoyment. Especially since Jorge Bolet's sound track is the redeeming part of this film, as no matter how hard someone tries to defame Liszt...his powerful music shall eternally and triumphantly rise above such mediocrity.

Dazzling Piano
I fell in love with Dirk Bogarde in "The Night Porter". I was fascinated by his acting, his expressions that revealed a dark, intrinsic tortured soul.
With this film, I discovered another Dirk Bogarde, younger and handsome, lively and passionate.
I grew tired of Liszt, but this film, with the superb piano sound, played by young Jorge Bolet, has renewed my interest for the composer.
The most enjoyable moments for me watching this film is obviously Bogarde's acting as a pianist. There are many piano recital scenes that made me realize how difficult it is to play Liszt's compositions.
Bogarde is equally moving and impressive as a pianist. He is irrefutably one of the most intricate actors I have ever seen.