Subgenre Sampler

Show: All FilmsRental Rental DVD Rental Blu-Ray Rental VHSSales Sales DVD Sales Blu-Ray Sales VHS

Broadway Idiot (2013): Dir. Doug Hamilton; Flashy, upbeat doco charts the journey of Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong from pop–punk rocker to Broadway lead in the stage version of…
Six by Sondheim (2013): Dir. James Lapine, Todd Haynes
Feat. Jeremy Jordan, America Ferrera; Very highly regarded HBO television documentary which explores the back–stories of six timeless Sondheim songs. Featuring a rare musical…
Cirque Du Soleil - Worlds Away (2012): Dir. Andrew Adamson; Kiwi dir. Andrew Adamson and the production muscle of James Cameron lavish this latest Cirque Du Soleil spectacle with 3D visuals and a high wire…
Jesus Christ Superstar (2012): Feat. Tim Minchin, Melanie Chisholm, Ben Forster; The latest stage version of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's classic rock–opera, featuring Aussie cult comedian Tim Minchin and former Spice…
In Search of Beethoven (2009): Dir. Phil Grabsky; Dir. Grabsky's scrupulous follow–up to his IN SEARCH OF MOZART examines classical music's other pre–eminent composer, Beethoven, in…
La Boheme (2008): Vivid German production of Puccini's immortal tragi–romance, performed my leading operatic couple Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazon.
An Evening with Whirimako Black - Live at the Holy Trinity Cathedral (2007): The first recording of a live performance from our most acclaimed Maori language singer – Whirimako Black at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in the…
Music in Me, The (2007): Enriching documentary following an inspirational group of intellectually and physically disabled performers called 'The Merry Makers' as they prepare…
Words from the City (2007): Dir. Natasha Gadd, Rhys Graham; Documentary on contemporary Australian hip–hop, exploring fresh ground through its focus on the poetics of the art–form and its place in…
In Search of Mozart (2006): Dir. Phil Grabsky; Thoughtful and well–orchestrated documentary about 18th century classical composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, which aims to not only put across…
B-Boy Masters (2005): Studious documentary covers a recent Hip Hop Elements All Star Weekend, where 'B–Boys' compete in various hop–hop competitions, including…
Cirque du Soleil - Solstrom (TV Series) (2005): Feat. Milla Jovovich, Christopher Lambert; A 13–part series featuring the amazing 'Cirque de Soleil' theatre troupe, episodes taking a different national tack on the theme of the…
Cirque du Soleil - Midnight Sun (2004): Dir. Victor Pilon, Mario Rouleau; Special 20th Anniversary show for the acrobatic theatre troupe Cirque de Soleil, filmed live at the Montreal Jazz Festival in 2004.
Dame Kiri and Friends - The Gala Concert (2004): A concert performed at the Aotea Centre, Auckland to celebrate the launch of the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation. Dame Kiri sings with other luminaries…
Giuseppe Verdi's Rigoletto Story (2004): Dir. Gianfranco Fozzi; A boldly imaginative version (with costumes by Vivienne Westwood) of Verdi's famous opera, concerning a court jester in 16th century Italy who seeks…
Hayley Westenra - Live in Concert (2004): The golden–voiced New Zealand singer in a spell–binding live setting at the St James Theatre, Wellington (August 2004). Singing a variety…
Company, The (Das Ensemble) (2003): Dir. Robert Altman
Feat. Neve Campbell, Malcolm McDowell, James Franco; Arch–auteur Robert Altman pirouettes his way through a multi–stranded drama about a Chicago–based ballet company, set mainly round…
Cirque du Soleil - Fire Within (TV Series) (2002): A 13–part documentary series which showcases the creative processes of the 'Cirque du Soleil' dance–theatre troupe who specialise in a…
Cirque du Soleil - Varekai (2002): Dir. Nick Morris; A splendid fantasy stageshow from Canadian troupe Cirque du Soliel. Combining jugglers, clowns, contortionists, trapeze and aerial artists, this…
Fonteyn and Nureyev (2002): Feat. Rudolph Nureyev, Margot Fonteyn; Considered the great dancing–partnership of our time, Rudolph Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn are here seen at their prime, in such ballets as Swan…
By Jeeves (2001): Dir. Alan Ayckbourne
Feat. John Scherer, Martin Jarvis; Apart from the American accents, this is an well–nigh flawless performance of Alan Ayckbourne and Andrew Lloyd Webber's stage musical based on…
Fosse (2001): A 1999 stage tribute to the master choreographer and director of such films (and the stage show versions) as CHICAGO, CABARET, SINGIN' IN THE RAIN…
Great Composers - Volume 1 (Bach, Mozart) (2001): Dir. James Runcie, Francesca Kemp; Excellent BBC series gives a substantial insight into its selected classical composers, combining biographical narrative with musical–analysis…
Great Composers - Volume 2 (Beethoven, Wagner) (2001): Dir. Jill Marshall, Kriss Rusmanis; Excellent BBC series gives a substantial insight into its selected classical composers, combining biographical narrative with musical–analysis…
Great Composers - Volume 3 (Tchaikovsky, Puccini, Mahler) (2001): Dir. Simon Broughton, Chris Hunt, Kriss Rusmanis; Excellent BBC series gives a substantial insight into its selected classical composers, combining biographical narrative with musical–analysis…
Cirque du Soleil - Dralion (2000): Dir. David Mallet; Splendid blend of music, dance and circus by French troupe Cirque du Soleil, giving one a close–up look at their dizzying opus.
Cirque du Soleil - Journey of Man (2000): A shortish stage concoction from the modernday circus troupe who combine magic, ballet and stylish costume in rich productions. This depicts the…
Jesus Christ Superstar (2000): Feat. Rik Mayall, Glenn Carter; Filmed stage version of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's rock–opera which dramatises the life of Jesus Christ. Glitzy, 'Las…
Shaolin - Wheel of Life (2000): Dir. Nick Morris; Unique stage–spectacle performed by the highly–trained Buddhist monks of China’s Shaolin Temple, performing…
Why Sing? - Opera Explored (2000): Music–writer Michael Shmith answers the question with a TV series exploring opera. 4 episodes covering the varying themes of 'Opera…
Art of Piano, The (1999): Dir. Donald Sturrock; Survey of 20th century classical pianists that starts with Hofman and ends with Arrau, taking in such diverse talents of the keyboard as Rachmaninov,…
Cirque du Soleil - Quidam (1999): Dir. David Mallet; European act Cirque du Soleil create a fascinating blend of circus, costumery, theatre and dance. Captured live in Amsterdam in 1999.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1999): Dir. Steven Pimlott, David Mallet
Feat. Donny Osmond, Joan Collins, Richard Attenborough; Early, Bible–story musical from the Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice team and taken from the London Palladium production.
Life and Art - Maria Callas (1999): Dir. Alan Lewens, Alistair Mitchell
Feat. Maria Callas; Sympathetic documentary concerning the life and art of famed opera singer Maria Callas. Features extracts from 'Tosca', "Norma', 'Barber of Seville',…
Cirque du Soleil - Alegria (1998): Filmed live in Sydney in 1999, this Cirque du Soleil production combines their acrobatics, magic tricks and dance elements with a…
David Oistrakh - Artist of the People? (1998): Dir. Bruno Monsaingeon; The life of the renowned 20th century Russian violinist, who at times locked horns with the Soviet state, is told through interviews with family and…
No (1998): Dir. Robert Lepage
Feat. Anne-Marie Cadieux, Alexis Martin; An intriguing, dense drama/essay that takes an episode from dir. Lepage’s mammoth stage–show, ‘Seven Streams of the River Ota’, and…
Richter, The Enigma (1998): Dir. Bruno Monsaingeon; Lengthy biography of the supremely expressive Russian pianist Sviatoslav Richter, who only emerged from behind the Iron Curtain in the late 1950s.…
Turandot Project, The (1998): Dir. Allan Miller
Feat. Zhang Yimou, Zubin Mehta; The glorious insanity of Italian opera defeats all obstacles in this amusing behind–the–scenes account of a gigantic international…
Art of Conducting - Volume 2, The (1997): Dir. Peter R Smith; Excellent study of six more conductors of the 20th century – Sergiu Celibidache, Wilhelm Furtwangler, Erich Kleiber, Evgeny Mravinsky, Charles…
Yo-Yo Ma - Inspired by Bach Vol. 1 (1997): Dir. Kevin McMahon, Francois Girard; Cellist Yo–Yo Ma’s celebrated musical exploration of Bach’s enigmatic solo cello suites, prompted six films, attempting to complement the…
Yo-Yo Ma - Inspired by Bach Vol. 2 (Falling Down Stairs / Sarabande) (1997): Dir. Barbara Willis Sweete, Atom Egoyan
Feat. Arsinee Khanjian, Don McKellar; Cellist Yo–Yo Ma’s celebrated musical exploration of Bach’s enigmatic solo cello suites, prompted six films, attempting to complement the…
Yo-Yo Ma - Inspired by Bach Vol. 3 (1997): Dir. Niv Fichman, Patricia Rozema; Cellist Yo–Yo Ma’s celebrated musical exploration of Bach’s enigmatic solo cello suites, prompted six films, attempting to complement the…
Lord of the Dance (1996): Dir. David Mallet; Super–athletic dancer Michael Flatley (Riverdance) pursues his own vision of the Irish dancing spectacular – traditional moves updated in…
Les Miserables (Stage version) (1995): Popular stage spectacular, based on the Victor Hugo novel, is seen here in a Gala 10th Anniversary performance at the Royal Albert Hall.
Madame Butterfly (1995): Dir. Frederic Mitterand
Feat. Ying Huang, Richard Troxell, Ning Liang; The pleasures of Puccini's classic opera are well–managed in this version, amid flights of swoony lyricism. Story of love and abandonment is…
Pink Video, The (1995): Record of 1995's 'Out–rageously Pink' variety show at London's Playhouse Theatre. Includes such gay luminaries as Scott Capurro, Steve Best,…
Riverdance - The Show (1995): Dir. John McColgan
Feat. Michael Flatley; Ambitious song and dance extravaganza is a must for stageshow fans and purveyors of Gaelic culture. Michael Flatley choreographs and toplines a host…
32 Short Films About Glenn Gould (1994): Dir. Francois Girard; Built out of 32 disparate fragments, this quasi–doco on the Canadian pianist is fittingly tailored to its difficult and elusive subject,…
Cirque du Soleil - Saltimbanco (1994): One of the earliest productions from Canadian circus–theatre troupe 'Cirque du Soleil'. This is a kaleidoscopic, non–linear celebration…
Remembering Jacqueline Du Pre (1994): Dir. Christopher Nupen; Official doco on the renowned cellist suffers from a sanctimonious voice–over. Still, the best record of this talent with interviews and…
Art of Conducting - Volume 1, The (1993): Dir. Sue Knussen; Sixteen of the 20th century’s greatest conductors are studied in this top–notch, award–winning series, including: Bernstein,…
Latcho Drom (1993): Dir. Tony Gatlif; A moving testament to the plight of inter–continental gypsy culture and to the redemptive and communicative power of music, Tony Gatlif's…
Porgy and Bess (1993): Dir. Trevor Nunn
Feat. Willard White, Cynthia Haymon; Acclaimed stage–director Nunn, brings the Gershwin brother’s greatest opera/musical to life. Recorded at Shepperton Studios in 1992.
Holst - The Planets (1992): Dir. Ken Russell; Ken Russell plunders newsreel archives for his kaliedoscope of vivid imagery set to the classical work of Gustav Holst. While it works in its own…
On the Town (Stage version) (1992): Leonard Bernstein's classic Broadway musical, following the misadventures of three sailors is captured here in a recent stage version, accompanied by…
Pavarotti & the Italian Tenors (1992): Dir. Joshua Waletzky; Luciano Pavarotti traces his musical influences back, through early appearances and interviews with his tutors, to reveal the rich heritage of…
Ute Lemper - Illusions (1992): Dir. Michael Houldey
Feat. Ute Lemper; Live performances of songs from Ute Lemper's 1992 album.
Jose Carreras - A Life Story (1991): Feat. Jose Carreras; Overshadowed by some of his larger than life peers, Spanish tenor Jose Carreras is here celebrated in his own right, surveying a life of perseverance…
Monster in a Box (1991): Dir. Nick Broomfield; Spalding Gray recalls the adventures that befell him while trying to write his autobiography. Colourfully delivered monologue with Laurie Anderson…
Best of Victor Borge: Act One & Two, The (1990): Feat. Victor Borge; A collection of live performances and routines from the inimitable Victor Borge – raconteur, pianist, comedian and more.
Three Tenors, The (1990): Feat. Luciano Pavarotti, Michael Carreras, Placido Domingo; Three of the greatest living voices assemble for one formidable concert appearance at the Terme di Caracalla in Rome. Arias include Nessum Dorma, O…
Mack the Knife (1989): Dir. Menahem Golan
Feat. Raul Julia, Richard Harris, Julie Walters…; Muddled adaptation of The Threepenny Opera is notable for some pretty inept dance sequences and some rather overt mugging by some well–known…
La Boheme (Puccini) (1988): Dir. Brian Large
Feat. Mirella Freni, Luciano Pavarotti; Superlative production of one of the greatest operas, conducted by Tiziano Severini.
Turandot (Puccini) (1988): Dir. Franco Zeffirelli
Feat. Placido Domingo; One of the finest versions of Puccini's opera is this filmed version of 1988 Metropolitan Opera production featuring Placido Domingo, Eva Marton and…
Aria (1987): Dir. various; This original concept film marries an impressive array of big–league (art) director's; Robert Altman, Bruce Beresford, Bill Bryden, Jean…
Carmen (Bizet) (1987): Dir. Brian Large
Feat. Agnes Baltsa, Jose Carreras; Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. Conductor: James Levine.
Opera Australia - The Gilbert & Sullivan Collection (The Mikado, The Gondoliers, HMS Pinafore, Patience, Trial by Jury) (1987): A series of five light operas from Victorian England's most celebrated collaborators William S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, performed by the cream…
Otello (Othello) (1986): Dir. Franco Zeffirelli
Feat. Placido Domingo, Katia Ricciarelli, Justino Diaz; Exemplary operatic film with Placido Domingo perfectly attuned to the tenor of the title character.
Carmen (1984): Dir. Francesco Rosi
Feat. Placido Domingo, Julia Migenes Johnson; The definitive Carmen on film has Placido Domingo and Julia Migenes Johnson perform against a scorching Spanish backdrop. Lorin Maazel conducts…
Magic Flute, The (Mozart) (1983): Dir. August Everding
Feat. Lucia Popp, Edita Gruberova; Bayerischen Staatsoper. Conductor: Wolfgang Sawallisch.
Mikado, The (1983): Dir. Rodney Greenberg; Top–flight version (with William Conrad, Kate Flowers, Clive Revill and the LSO) of perhaps the best Gilbert and Sullivan operetta. The…
Verdi - Rigoletto (1983): Dir. Jean-Pierre Ponnelle
Feat. Luciano Pavarotti; A splendid version of Verdi's darkly tragic opera, shot on location, with Pavarotti playing the Duke of Mantua.
Catherine Wheel, The (1982): Dir. Twyla Tharp; Complete stage performance of the modern dance extravaganza, The Catherine Wheel, as well as a behind–the–scenes peek at the production…
Pagliacci (Leoncavallo) (1982): Dir. Franco Zeffirelli
Feat. Teresa Stratas, Placido Domingo; Teatro alla Scala Orchestra/Chorus. Conductor: Georges Pretre.
Pirates of Penzance (1982): Dir. Wilford Leach
Feat. Kevin Kline, Angela Lansbury, Linda Rondstadt…; Kevin Kline and Angela Lansbury star in this hammy screen version of Gilbert and Sullivan's famous operetta.
Cats (1981): The blockbuster Broadway musical authored by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, based on T S Eliot's 'cat' poems.
From Mao to Mozart (1980): Dir. Murray Lerner; Deserving winner of the Best Documentary Oscar follows violinist Isaac Stern on his concert and tutorial tour of China in 1979. A film as moving as…
Pirates of Penzance, The (1980): Dir. Wilford Leach, Joshua White
Feat. Kevin Kline, Angela Lansbury, Linda Ronstadt…; A lively version of the Gilbert and Sullivan show, performed live at Delacorte Theatre in Central Park.
Don Giovanni (1979): Dir. Joseph Losey; Possibly the most celebrated filmed version of Mozart's greatest opera, about a notorious womaniser who teeters on the edge of a hellish fate.…
Bolshoi Ballet - Ivan the Terrible (1976): The Bolshoi Ballet present their version of Sergei Prokofiev's 'Ivan the Terrible', choreographed by Yuri Grigorovich. Stars Yuri Vladimirov, Natalya…
Tosca (Puccini) (1976): Dir. Gianfranco De Bosio
Feat. Raina Kabaivanska, Placido Domingo; New Philharmonia Orchestra. Conductor: Bruno Bartoletti.
American Film Theatre - Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris (1975): Dir. Denis Héroux
Feat. Elly Stone, Mort Shuman, Jacques Brel; With no plot or dialogue, this is surely the least theatrical of the American Film Theatre productions of the 1970s, instead comprising a revue of…
Magic Flute, The (1975): Dir. Ingmar Bergman; An immaculately delivered version of Mozart's operatic fairytale, filmed on a special replica of the original 18th century stage. At its simplest,…
Madama Butterfly (Puccini) (1974): Dir. Jean-Pierre Ponnelle
Feat. Mirella Freni, Placido Domingo; Vienna Philharmonic. Conductor: Herbert Von Karajan.
Don Quixote (1973): Feat. Rudolph Nureyev; A renowned ballet version of Cervantes masterpiece, with Rudolph Nureyev both performing and choreographing. Inspired by earlier Russian dance…
Marlene Dietrich - An Evening with (1972): Feat. Marlene Dietrich; The late great Marlene Dietrich live at the New London Theatre, England in 1972. Tracklist: I Get A Kick Out Of You, You're The Cream In My…
Bolshoi Ballet - Carmen (Poem of Dance) (1969): Another classic from the famous Russian ballet troupe, here choreographed by Alberto Alonso. Featuring Maya Plisetskaya. Narrated in English.
Barber of Seville, The (Rossini) (1967): Dir. Jean-Pierre Ponnelle; Teatro alla Scala Orchestra/Chorus. Luigi Alva, Enzo Dara, Teresa Berganza. Conductor: Claudio Abbado
Essential Opera (1967): Feat. Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Joan Sutherland…; Twelve excerpts from the most popular operas – Turandot, Carmen, Rigoletto, Aida, Marriage of Figaro and more, performed by opera luminaries.
Romeo and Juliet (1966): Dir. Paul Czinner
Feat. Margot Fonteyn, Rudolph Nureyev; The famed Royal Ballet production of Romeo and Juliet. This historical performance stars Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev as the quintessential…
Bolshoi Ballet - Romeo and Juliet (1955): The Bolshoi Ballet presents Sergei Prokofiev's interpretation of Shakespeare's play. Features the daning talents of Galina Ulanova. Narrated in…
Bolshoi Ballet - Stars of the Russian Ballet (1953): Three ballets are presented by the Bolshoi Ballet – Tchaikovsky's 'Swan Lake' and 'The Fountains of Bakechisarai' and 'The Flames of Paris'.…
Cox and Box: Feat. Russell Smythe; First comic opera from Gilbert and Sullivan, here with Russell Smythe and the London Symphony Orchestra.
Distant Harmony: Feat. Luciano Pavarotti; Celebrated tenor Luciano Pavarotti is captured on his sensational tour of China. His magnificent voice combines with the cultural mystique of…
Essential Sutherland, The: Feat. Joan Sutherland; Highlights from Australian opera diva Dame Joan Sutherland's greatest roles, performing with Luciano Pavarotti, conducted by Richard Bonynge.
Herbert Von Karajan: Highlights from the German master's conducting career with the Berlin Philharmonic. Movements from Beethoven's 5th and 6th Symphonies, Rachmaninov's…
HMS Pinafore: The classic Gilbert and Sullivan musical. Played by the London Symphony Orchestra.
Leonard Bernstein: The career of the celebrated conductor/composer is examined in this documentary narrated by Lauren Bacall.
Pavarotti and Friends: Feat. Luciano Pavarotti, Brian Eno, Bono …; In a charity performance for the children of Bosnia, the world's favourite tenor shares his stage with a line–up of rock luminaries.
Peter and the Wolf: Sting narrates Prokofiev's fantasy – animated by members of the Theatre de Complicite, the puppets of Spitting Image and Claudio Abbado…
Sorceror, The: Comic opera from Gilbert and Sullivan, performed by Clive Revill and the London Symphony Orchestra.
Trial by Jury: Comic opera from Gilbert and Sullivan, performed by Frankie Howard, Kate Flowers and the London Symphony Orchestra.

Main menu

Section navigation menu

Subgenre Sampler