Is Berlioz: Les Troyens Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1983)

📖 The Core Premise

With the release of Berlioz: Les Troyens (1983), audiences are invited back into the world of Drama, Music, History. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "Berlioz’s colossal masterpiece requires stupendous forces—dozens of soloists, enormous chorus, orchestra and ballet, a superb conductor who understands the uniqueness of the score—plus a production that does visual justice to the work. “A stupendous achievement” was one critic’s assessment of Peter Wexler’s inventive production. And with James Levine’s wizardry galvanizing the marvelous all-star cast, this is truly a gem. Plácido Domingo is the legendary hero Aeneas, Jessye Norman the obsessed prophetess Cassandra, and Tatiana Troyanos is Queen Dido, who commits suicide when Aeneas leaves her."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Unfortunately, Tatiana Troyanos feels underutilized in a role that lacks depth. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Drama. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Berlioz: Les Troyens worth your time? If you appreciate Drama, Music, History films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Berlioz: Les Troyens misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 250 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.