Rent Benjamin Britten: Nocturne (2013)
2.6 of 5 from 8 ratings
2h 15min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
Tony Palmer directs this documentary exploring the life and work of the celebrated English composer, conductor and pianist. Britten is particularly well known for his operas, which include 'Peter Grimes' and 'Death in Venice'. Palmer discusses the life experiences that influenced Britten's work, such as the turmoil of World War II, which horrified his pacifistic nature, and reflects on the role of an artist in such troubled times.
Music Includes:
- The Nocturne
- War Requiem
- Ballad of Heroes
- Cello Symphony
- Owen Wingrave
- Death in Venice
- 3rd String Quartet
- Phaedra
- Our Hunting Fathers
- The Turn of the Screw- Ceremony of Carols
- Peter Crimes
- Frank Bridge Variations
- Simple Symphony
- Noye's Fludde
- Gloriana
- St Nicolas. Symphony No.14 by Shostakovich- Actors:
- Benjamin Britten, Peter Pears, Janet Baker, Jennifer Vyvyan, Irina Shostakovich, Mstislav Rostropovich, Galina Vishnevskaya, Heather Harper, Sviatoslav Richter, The Amadeus Quartet, Martin Lovett, Sue Phipps, Colin Matthews, Peter Sellars, John Culshaw, Michael Berkeley, Michael Foster, James Bowman, John Shirley-Quirk, Robert Gard
- Directors:
- Tony Palmer
- Writers:
- Tony Palmer
- Studio:
- Firefly Entertainment
- Genres:
- Documentary, Music & Musicals
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Reviews (2) of Benjamin Britten: Nocturne
Recycling - Benjamin Britten: Nocturne review by Pete W
If you've seen Tony Palmer's other films about Britten, you've probably already seen about 50% of this film. The message that Britten was a pacifist is hammered home relentlessly and 40 years after his death, Britten is deployed in anti-Iraq War mode. Not very subtle. Britten's relationships with boys are glossed over and recent conjecture about the underlying cause of his serious health issues is ignored. I don't feel that this rehash adds anything to Palmer's earlier films.
1 out of 3 members found this review helpful.
Wonderful. - Benjamin Britten: Nocturne review by DerekW
A wonderful and touching portrait of Benjamin Britten, showing his music, his life and his passions. Gay and don't forget homosexuality was criminalised for most of his life, an avowed pacifist and committed to an egalitarian ethos of service, to a large extent he was a counter cultural figure. Much of nocturne is focussed on his anti-war believe, Requiem expressed this, and while he died in the 1970s, there is little doubt how he would have reacted to Britain's wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Lots of interviews with friends, family, musical colleagues and his life long partner Peter Pears. Well worth a watch, very beautiful and thought provoking in a number of different ways.
0 out of 1 members found this review helpful.