SAVE $4.99 - The Jazz Singer - 25th Anniversary Edition $9.99
Price: $14.98 $9.99 You save: $4.99
Neil Diamond stars as Yussel in this tale of a young Jewish cantor who strives to make a career in music. Against the wishes of his rigid father and his loving wife, Yussel travels to California to play his music. Swept up by the excitement, he meets a woman who shares his dream. He grows apart from his family, and becomes confused about what he should ultimately do with his life.
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Last updated: August 15, 2009, 8:30 pm
The Jazz Singer - 25th Anniversary Edition Customer reviews:
Average Rating: 4.0 Total Reviews: 120
(J. F. Plante, 2009-10-30) IT WAS OK. I GOT IF FOR MY MOTHER FOR HER BIRTHDAY. THERE WAS SOME KIND OF OILY STUFF OR DIRT ON THE DVD THAT CAUSED IT TO MESS UP. BUT WITH WIPING IT CLEAN MADE IT WORK FINE.
(Jan Odegaard, 2009-09-11) While clearing out old VHS tapes recently I decided we simply had to have a DVD version of this film. I hadn't seen it in years, but I watched this anniversary edition 3 times in 2 days: once the regular way, once all the way through with the commentary by producer Jerry Leider, and again without the commentary. Neil Diamond is a genius. It never ceases to amaze me that I still learn of songs recorded by other artists that he has written. I've been a fan and admirer of this man and his music for 40 years and four years ago I had the pleasure and joy of seeing him live in concert: I rank it as one of the Top 5 concerts of my life. His female fans that night ranged from age 6 to 90+, and his recent DVD release,"Hot August Night NYC" shows that at least 3 generations of people can sing along with every song he performs. And he doesn't simply perform: he is a showman, making sure that everyone in the audience is part of the gig, and it is a good time! He is kind, gracious, humble, not afraid to make fun of himself (the sequined shirts!), and gives well deserved credit to his amazing band, who have been with him for over 30 years now. One leaves his concert not feeling that they have simply sat and watched someone sing for 2 hours, but as if they have been part of an experience---a joyful one, with "beautiful noise". "The Jazz Singer" is a wonderful movie, and was highly underated at the time of its release. Think of the music alone: "America", which is now a "classic"; the achingly beautiful "Hello Again", and all the rest. He's stunningly handsome, and the love between his character and Molly, played brilliantly by Lucie Arnaz, is palpable. Yes, the party scene after they get fired from the studio is a little corny, but it IS fun! It was delightful to learn from Jerry Leider's comments how much ad-libbing was done by the major members of the cast, which made it even more fun. It must have been the experience of a lifetime for Neil to work with an actor of the caliber of Sir Laurence Olivier---who, from the very first day, told everyone to simply "Call me Larry." He and Neil developed a close bond during the making of this film which only added a genuine quality to the difficulties in their onscreen relationship as father and son. The movie was generally panned by reviewers and critics when it was first released, yet everyone remembers it, they know the songs by heart---even people who weren't even born in 1980. I wish Neil Diamond had done more films featuring the gift of his music, and he's still mighty easy on the eyes. Even now, at age 68, he's still out there touring, stronger than ever! Any fan MUST have his newly released DVD/CD set, it's simply outstanding. I, for one, will live in "Diamondville" forever---in blue jeans!
(BorNaSuSa, 2009-09-11) I have been waiting for years to see my favorite movie again and finally buckled and bought the original DVD (from 1999, not the 2005 Anniversary Edition). I was very disappointed in the quality of the audio and the video. It's still my favorite movie, but I would recommend someone to splurge on a better version.
(Dave A. Schacht, 2009-08-11) I did not purchase this product.My father did,for his wife,using my account.I visited Amazon's website to check my recommendations when visiting him and his wife in Florida and,unfortunately,I forgot to sign out of the website,so all of my information(including credit card info)was still there when my Dad decided to go and buy this for his wife.Even though I've since been reimbursed,I'm angry that he did this without my permission or knowledge.Lesson learned:Always be sure to sign out from Amazon when using a shared computer because someone else could easily use your information to make purchases.The reason that I went to visit my Dad and his wife down in Florida was to see Neil Diamond in concert.Both of them were disappointed that the show started half an hour after the time posted on the tickets.I bought the tickets for all three of us(and paid a substantial sum,I must say)as well as t-shirts that I had purchased at Neil's Chicago performance.I can't believe that my Dad thought that I'd also be willing to buy this DVD for his wife.I've never even seen this film(even though I'm a fan of Neil's,by way of my late mother),so I can't accurately comment on it,but I do know that three great songs appear in it as well as on the film's soundtrack.They are:"America"(my Dad's wife's favorite performance of the concert we attended),"Hello Again" and Neil's greatest song of the '80s,"Love on the Rocks".Back to the visit with my Dad:a couple of days after the show,he asked me,"who was it that we went to see again?" I know that I have no business posting this review here,but I wanted to give the DVD five stars rather than bring down the overall ratings of a film that I've never even seen.I hope that whoever reads this review doesn't get taken advantage of like I did.
(Martha Loeb, 2009-06-07) This was such a beautiful movie. If you are Jewish- it has such deeper meaning than ever. I love Eli Wallach, what a man/actor too. This movie says so much about a starting out singer, being lost in life for a while, then coming back to relive a career. Unbelievable acting and the music in this film really makes you dance, at some times. Neil Diamond has outdone himself.