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Undescribable Perfection

Such a frustrating disappointment

In other words,this film is a surreal ride.

Blistering performances.

NOTES: Nominated for the following awards, polled annually by members of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences: Best Actress, Dorothy Dandridge (won by Grace Kelly for "The Country Girl"); Best Scoring of a Musical, Herschel Burke Gilbert (won by Adolph Deutsch and Saul Chaplin for "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers"). Negative cost: $750,000. Number four on Fox's domestic release schedule for 1954-55 in terms of box-office gross. Second to "A Man Called Peter" for Fox's highest box-office grosses in Australia for 1955. VIEWER'S GUIDE: Not suitable for children.COMMENT: Although many contemporary critics dismissed this all-black movie as a crude popularization of Carmen, and although it continues to draw flack today from those who see it as racist and stereotyped, there can be no denying its power and appeal. Bizet's music comes across with dynamic force, Dorothy Dandrige (aided immeasurably by the singing voice of Marilynn Horne, surely one of the great Carmens of this century) gives the performance of her career (and certainly the one for which she is always remembered), and Preminger has directed with his usual force and imaginatively flowing style.I have only one complaint against the movie — and in this complaint I am joined not only by most other critics but by almost everyone with whom I have seen this picture: The carefully built-up climax is undermined and most of the gathering suspense and atmosphere is dissipated when Joe suddenly and unexpectedly bursts into song. Forewarned is fore-armed.

In this adaptation of the opera, Dorothy Dandridge is a firecracker, and Harry Belafonte is not bad himself. He plays a straight-laced GI who is engaged to a sweet young woman (Olga James), but finds himself seduced by Dandridge when he's charged with taking her in to authorities for fighting on the base. There are some scenes with over-the-top symbolism, such as Dandridge between his legs cleaning his uniform while he munches a peach, and it's pretty steamy stuff for 1954.Gradually we see Belafonte degrade himself, as Dandridge tires of him and moves out to another (a boxer played by Joe Adams). It's hard to feel good about Dandridge's character, but then again it's hard not to be mesmerized by her, and it's great to see a strong woman portrayed. In one scene she's baring her beautiful legs, and in another she's telling Belafonte that she "don't account to no man", and that love "don't give you no right to own me – there's only one that does, and that's me, myself." Hallelujah.It's a strong cast as well, including Pearl Bailey, and I considered a slightly higher rating, but knocked it down because of the voiceovers, which made several of the musical numbers a little less enjoyable for me. While true to the opera and maybe necessary because the music is challenging in places, it often sounded unnatural, which is a shame given Dandridge and Belafonte's singing ability. Still – a very good, entertaining movie.

Otto Peminger deserved an Oscar for best director. Unbelievable....flawless musical. Dorothy Dandridge stole the show and she certainly deserved the Oscar for best actress. Harry Belafonte was excellent as well. Pearl Bailey, Diahann Carroll...excellent cast. The scenes where Belafonte chases Dandridge atop a moving train appears to have been done without stunt doubles. When Dandridge clambers over a half-submerged jeep,her athletic ability is on full display. It was a novelty to have an all-black cast throughout - many actors,many extras. This movie was epic. A must-see for any film buff. It's a tragedy that Dandridge did not star in many more films - such a gifted actress. Those were the days when racism prevailed. This film is a treasure.

First, the minuses. No one need try to guess about Belafonte being dubbed. That ain't his range. He is mellow, soft-voiced. Dandridge, of course was not a belter, but who cares? Pearl Bailey was Pearl Bailey. Brock (Broc) Peters was always a favorite, always an outstanding menacer.Credit 20th Century Fox, and Darryl F. Zanuck, the only major studio and exec to back African-American productions in those days.Some of the slower songs dragged somewhat, but the faster-paced items should have made Bizet proud. All in all, "Carmen Jones" gets high ratings for the bulk of the musical numbers, and the dancing which I would have liked to see more of.Getting back to Miss Dandridge. She played the part of the sultry Miss Jones to perfection. The story? Once again, it shows how a woman can screw up your life.One more thing. The ending was much too abrupt with Belafonte looking beautifully mean. It was choke-choke THE END.