Product Description

The dashingly handsome Andrea di Stefano (BEFORE NIGHT FALLS, Dario Argento’s THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA) delivers a riveting lead performance in THE PRINCE OF HOMBURG. The film is directed by Marco Bellocchio (HENRY IV, THE NANNY). Di Stefano stars as the Prince of Homburg, a haunted, impetuous young German general. During the 17th century, the Germans are at war with the Swedes. The Prince of Homburg is having trouble sleeping – lusting after his commander’s beautiful niece, and fretting the battlefield. In one crucial battle, the Prince leads his troops onto the battlefield before being ordered to do so. The Germans win the battle, but the Prince faces severe consequences. THE PRINCE OF HOMBURG is gorgeously shot in a candle-lit, painterly style, and features an evocative, murmuring score. It also features winning performances by di Stefano, Barbora Bobulova, Toni Bertorelli, and others. But the film’s crowning glory is the rich delicacy of playwright Heinrich von Kleist’s text, delivered here with tact, precision, and emotional force.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #141017 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-09-23
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.66:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, Subtitled, NTSC
• Original language: Italian
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 89 minutes

Customer Reviews

excellent screen adaptation of a play
This is one of the best screen adaptations of a play I've ever seen. From the first moment the intelligence behind this film is apparent - the Prince is in the garden, in sharp focus, and the others (Elector, etc.) approach with torches, but out of focus. So you have the dreamy quality of the play established immediately. The film is shot in virtual darkness, with faces highlighted, suggesting the murkiness and ambiguity surrounding the prince. Plus excellent performances, an evocative soundtrack, and Kleist's dialogue.

I was expecting to be disappointed. Bravo.