Oklahoma Reviews

[Highly rated reviewer]

Disappointing

The widescreen format may make the visual side of this film thrilling, but the music is banal beyond belief - it would really be unkind to quote some of the words - the choreography is corny and stale, and the story aims for complexity by introducing a dark overtone but then just muffs it. In addition there is zero sexual tension between the two leads, who are as anodyne as possible.

All in all, it's not a bad example of why films like this are not made any more. Compared to something like the 1953 'A Star is Born' it's just a bad joke.

I have given the film it's much deserved 5 star rating but this DVD is not the widescreen version so only 1 star for this version, it's the 4x3 full screen version, the film opens with the widescreen shot of Gordon Mcray riding his horse through the corn fields but as soon as the titles finish it's a cut a 1. 3rd of the picture area to fill the aspect of old TV's, it's a shock to see just how much of the image area is lost when it's suddenly cut on the same shot from a wonderfull crisp widescreen picture to a grainy Full screen, surely this is not how the director would want this film to be seen only the centre of the screen to be seen, I urge videoisland to get rid of this version and get the original widescreen one as soon as possible. this goes for all movies that were originally made in widescreen, who after all wants to zoom into a grainy portion of a classic spectacle of a film like Oklahoma. I for one could not bring myself to even watch this version so I sent it back.

Videoisland should tell there customers in the film discription what aspect the DVD is presented in.

Oklahoma

The first of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals to get the Hollywood treatment. The songs are great and stand the test of time. Gordon MacRae and Shirley Jones are teamed together for the first time and are perfect for the roles. (They were teamed again the following year for the musical 'Carousel')

Only the unimaginative direction by 'High Noon' director Fred Zimmemann lets the production done.

Worth watching anyway for the songs.

if l could have watched it

l was looking forward to watching this film, but the disc was no good ,kept missing p-arts of the film then stopped altogether so we could not watch it, the disc needs renewing.

Pure nostalgia

Thoroughly enjoyed singing along (baadly) to the songs.

Rogers & Hammerstein at their best

One of the best musical movies ever made, an absolute classic.

Call me an old softy if you like but I enjoy watching the early musicals from MGM and the like and this one is no exception. The songs are fun and catchy. The cast works well with each other, and they all give great performances. A particular standout would be Gloria Graham in the role of Ado Annie, she was just perfect for the part.

DODGY ACTING

DODGY ACTING IN THE FILM BUT CLASSIC SCORE.

Great music, but where's the drama?

With one of the best film soundtracks around, this is a rollicking, feel-good singalong. But somehow, the dramatic tension has gone adrift, while a lengthy mid-section ballet scene is just dated and boring these days. Normally I loathe the remake tendency, but I'd make an exception in this case. Keep the music, and for God's sake do it without irony, but give us a stronger version of the story.

if l could have watched it

l was looking forward to watching this film, but the disc was no good ,kept missing p-arts of the film then stopped altogether so we could not watch it, the disc needs renewing.