This Mikado begins very oddly. First most of the story is told in an wildly unnecessary text prologue, and then we see Nanki-Poo run away from home and wander around singing (I've heard that not all releases had this). I was afraid the whole thing would be this weird rewrite, but after 15 minutes the actual musical starts and it's first rate.
While most G&S filmed productions are TV movie filmed stage productions, this is a classic technicolor production with elaborate sets and costumes. It's a shortened version that cuts out several of the musical's best songs, but it keeps the story and the humor. Martyn Green is hilarious as Ko-Ko and there are solid performances elsewhere. Most of the cast is from D'Oyly Carte.
The oddest casting is Kenny Baker as Nanki-Poo, who looks 16 and seems more like someone you would cast as the romantic hero's best pal. But he does have a nice voice. And The Mikado lacks some of the gravitas one expects. And the girl trio has the very trilly quality of the 30s (think Glinda in Wizard of Oz) which I found a little odd.
I don't know why there aren't more fully shot G&S movies. I think there's just movie versions of the Mikado and one of Pirates of Penzance. This one shows how well G&S works on film.
While most G&S filmed productions are TV movie filmed stage productions, this is a classic technicolor production with elaborate sets and costumes. It's a shortened version that cuts out several of the musical's best songs, but it keeps the story and the humor. Martyn Green is hilarious as Ko-Ko and there are solid performances elsewhere. Most of the cast is from D'Oyly Carte.
The oddest casting is Kenny Baker as Nanki-Poo, who looks 16 and seems more like someone you would cast as the romantic hero's best pal. But he does have a nice voice. And The Mikado lacks some of the gravitas one expects. And the girl trio has the very trilly quality of the 30s (think Glinda in Wizard of Oz) which I found a little odd.
I don't know why there aren't more fully shot G&S movies. I think there's just movie versions of the Mikado and one of Pirates of Penzance. This one shows how well G&S works on film.