CINDERELLA DVD

Leslie Ann Warren and Stuart Damon were wonderful in this movie! The casting, acting, and scenery are all so perfect. Please keep in mind this is a very old movie and the special effects, like when the fairy godmother appears, aren't quite what we can do with computer graphics and AI today. That makes it all the more charming for me, reminding me of a simpler way of life, when fascination and magic still existed in the world. It doesn't take anything away from the story and the music is...sigh...I still know all the words to most of the songs. They really stick with you, like all great music! I'm so happy I found this version of Cinderella. I have a few other versions and this one makes it feel complete.

Old time favorite! Loved it

Okay, first, let me make one thing clear that some reviewers don't seem to understand: This is a made-for-TV movie filmed in 1965. It won't be in widescreen, it won't be in full screen. It'll be the standard square size of a TV in 1965. It won't have high-definition graphics. It won't have supreme special effects. It was recorded on FILM. Does anyone remember what "film" is? I was born in 1988 and we have a ton of VHS and cassette tapes at home... Do you know how physical film has evolved between 1965 and roughly the early 2000s when everything transferred to digital files? Also, this was obviously filmed in a studio, so don't you dare be upset about the fakeness of the setting and staging. It's a made-for-TV movie from the 1960s. You know how recently "Sound of Music" and "Peter Pan" were live performances on TV? Those were filmed in a studio too.... in the 2010s. There's been an upgrade in technology and resources, but nevertheless, those are in a studio too. Keep that in mind. Because this made-for-TV movie was recorded on film in 1965, you will see some cloudiness around the edges of the square frame, which is fine and natural AFTER 50 YEARS. In regards to the actual movie, this was the version I watched constantly when I was younger. While I haven't seen the full Julie Andrews adaptation, which came out several years before this Leslie Ann Warren adaptation, I think this version holds a more realistic simplicity and beauty to the story of Cinderella. She's a beautiful, but simple girl who wins the prince over with her kindness first, beauty second. And, no, her voice isn't as wonderful as Julie Andrews', but it goes back to the simple and relatable beauty of this young girl who is treated poorly by her stepmother and obnoxious stepsisters. Overall, I think it's a blessing this movie was transferred over a DVD in the condition that it's in. I haven't watched any of the extras, but the film is a perfect reminder of my childhood and what made it so simple and beautiful.

This was sooo much fun seeing this movie again-like watching a memory! My sisters and I watched it as a young girls in the mid sixties and when it was re-run annually after that. The music is well-written and memorable. Stuart Damon, the prince, just as handsome as ever. Every year, for the last 6 years, I have given a Princess Party for my family. I purchased this DVD to show after our Royal Banquet. There are 3 generations of ladies/girls that attend our parties and all the ladies and girls loved this movie. The girls, who are used to animation and special effects of today's movies, really loved it. This is such a sweet, romatic movie and like Stuart Damon says in the Retrospective Featurette, this kind of storytelling never goes out of style! I don't understand the reviews saying that it looks or sounds bad, because it looked and sounded fine to me. It does have the look of a filmed theatrical production, as other reviewers have said, and very simple sets and basic special affects with the appearing of the fairy godmother. Rogers and Hammerstein music is always so lovely-everyone who watched this movie was heard humming and singing it for several days afterwards! Sharing this movie with my family and seeing the looks on their faces as they were watching it and then hearing them hum/sing the songs later--priceless! I thoroughly enjoyed it, too, and would recommend it for all princesses/dreamers of all ages.

The above quote from one of Aesop's Fables reminds us that fables and fairy tales are above all moral lessons. The French story from which 'Cinderella' is adapted actually had two moral messages attached to the end, the first being the importance of graciousness. In the written tale, Cinderella graciously forgives her two stepsisters for their cruelty (the stepmother has mostly dropped out of the story by the end). In this TV version, graciousness (kindness and courtesy) is re-worked. The opening scene has Cinderella kindly giving the Prince a dipper of water, after which he says "Thank you most kindly," to which she replies "You are most kindly welcome". This exchange of courtesies is repeated twice, and at the end we understand that Cinderella's original kindness has been richly repaid, when the Prince rescues her from her horribly dysfunctional family. This moral lesson gives 'Cinderella' an emotional punch, but the story elements are enjoyable as well. Author John Gardner once said: "There Are Only Two Plots: (1) A Person Goes on a Journey; (2) A Stranger Comes to Town." This production uses both of these plots effectively. At the ball, Cinderella is the stranger come to town, that no one recognizes. And her journey is not just a trip to the ball, but also a journey from girlish innocence and immaturity to adulthood. In one of her early songs Cinderella fantasizes about being coy and flirtatious with the Prince, but when she is at the ball and the sparks begin to fly, she abandons these fantasies as she experiences adult longing for the first time. Lesley Ann Warren is a near perfect choice for the title role. At 18, she is just the right age to convey Cinderella's transition from girlhood to womanhood. Warren's warm brown eyes allow her to beautifully convey wide-eyed innocence in the early scenes, followed by sparkling excitement and happiness when she is at the ball. The costuming and makeup also help, as Cinderella's long, girlish tresses are swept up into a more sophisticated, womanly style. Note also how her ball gown and the Prince's outfit are practically feminine and masculine versions of the same costume--clearly they are soul mates! Overall, Lesley Ann Warren does an amazing job handling the pressure of the title role, even as she is surrounded by more experienced actors. The plot showcases her dancing and acting skills very nicely. Warren's singing is a bit uneven, but we shouldn't expect perfection in a TV studio production. And I'm glad they didn't dub her singing voice. Contrary to some other commenters here, I like the minimal, uncluttered sets. They make it easier to focus on the foreground action, and we shouldn't expect realism in what is after all a fairy tale. My favorite scene: 'The prince is giving a ball.' I just love the simple but catchy tune, and the positive energy of the singers and dancers!

I was 9 the first time I watched this on TV. 60 years later, and it is still as enchanting. Leslie Ann Warren is a dream, and so is Stuart Damon. A pure joy.

Brought back memories of my childhood....IMO, of All of the Cinderella TV versions, This 1965 Classic is by and far the BEST! The acting, singing, staging, dancing and of course the Genius of Rodgers and Hammerstein provided the most beautiful, romantic, and humorous (Stepsister's Lament perfectly performed by Barbara Ruick and the hilarious Pat Carroll) for the Cinderella Production. Lesley Ann Warren (at only 18) basically stole the show and it launched her into stardom ! (Victor/Victoria and others - TV and Film). I'm so Proud to now own the 50th Anniversary DVD and every time I watch it...it just seems to get better and better.....A Masterpiece like no other version....with an all-star cast including (a very young and not very well known)Stuart Damon - as the Prince - later to go on to be an integral character on the Soap 'General Hospital' as Alan Quartermaine (sp)? Nowhere else will you see the likes of Hollywood Legends such as Ginger Rogers, Walter Pidgeon, Jo Van Fleet, and the Wonderful Talent of Celeste Holmes as the 'Fairy GodMother'! All of these Icons on one stage couldn't help but contribute to the Pure "Magic and Romance" of CBS's 1965 version of Cinderella!! I would give it more than 5 stars if I could! Thanks for putting this Classic on DVD- Restored and Digitally Remastered Video and Audio enhance the entire experience! GREAT JOB !!!!

Memorable show from my childhood. Having grown up loving Rogers and Hammerstein musicals, this was a treat back then and after all these years was a treat to see once again; here I am 60 years old now. The most minimal made-for-60's-tv stage set, it had that dated feeling. It would have been absolutely corny and totally outdated but you know, I wasn't at all put off by it...., only because of the reasons above and songs so memorable i could have sang them word for word without having seen this movie in probably more than 40 years. I guess like someone else said here, this was shown a few years in a row so maybe that's why it grew on us so much. Just looked at the date, and I would have been 9 years old when this came out. If you relate to any of the above, and like a Cinderella story, you would probably like it.

I watched this when I was a child and really enjoyed it because it is fully acted out (not animated). Ginger Rogers is one of the great actresses form that era. I have been watching some of the movies from the 50's and 60's because I find the acting much better - there is style, the actor's have real character, more importance was placed on values brought forward. I think the director's had a way of bringing the best acting out of the actor/actress rather than just a performance. The costumes were well designed and for the movie. The stepmother and stepsisters appearance, dress and attitude were excellent for their parts. The Prince and Cinderella sing and dance perfectly. The entire family may enjoy this performance because it is a movie you can sit down to and just relax.

At last, a Region 2 version of this musical. And to me, the best version ever. Ginger Rogers has top billing but is merely a cameo role, yet she's an attractive, pleasant character and worth a watch. No revolting snorting from one of the stepsisters like in the other two versions I've seen... these two are merely a bit stupid and spiteful. Lesley Ann Warren is a bit soppy but looks a million dollars and has a decent singing voice, as does Stuart Damon. All the characters do well in their roles... and it's worth every penny to me for the glorious 'Stepsisters' Lament'.

Love this movie!!! Thank you

Un clasico

Great quality cd, got it for my mother she watched it a few times now. Thank you! 😊