Marcel Camus’ “Black Orpheus” is a French made, Brazilian version of the Greek legend “Orpheus and Eurydice” which plays like an Italian Opera. The movie begins with a small town girl aptly named Eurydice (Marpessa Dawn) arriving by boat to Rio De Janeiro, after having run away from home and hoping to live with her cousin Serafina (Lea Garcia). Soon after her arrival she bumps into the handsome trolley driver Orfeu (Breno Mello) who immediately falls in love with her. Her arrival occurs just as the city begins celebrating its world-famous carnival. She is running away from a mysterious figure, dressed in a carnival skeleton costume, who is trying to kill her. The film follows Orfeu in his attempts to first court Eurydice and to then rescue her from death. The names of all the characters and some of the plot themes are taken directly from the Greek classic. What stood out for me is the way it portrays Brazil or more specifically the carnival period of Rio as being one giant dancing party. From the moment that Eurydice leaves the ship until the closing credits we are treated to a colorful blur of exotic music and constant dancing. This movie has been credited in enhancing the grand image that is carnival. The dancing is exquisite, the dancers beautiful and the music enchanting. It just goes on too long. After the first half hour I kept asking myself if something different will occur. It does not and my interest was lost early. If it is a rendition of the great Greek tragedy that you are looking for, I would refer you to Jean Cocteau’s “Orpheus”. If what you are looking for is a colorful and musical introduction to Rio and the Carnival, then this movie is for you.
1001 Movies before you die 