Taraparain
Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.
StyleSk8r
At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.
Abegail Noëlle
While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.
edwagreen
Not only did Frank Sinatra have a great singing voice, the guy knew how to put over a song. His dancing, and other movements around the stage are just a joy to watch. Why he had to smoke while singing The Girl from Ipanema was beyond me. Poor Antonio Carlos Jobim had to be subjected to second hand smoke.Ella Fitzgerald was absolutely fabulous here but why did she have to sing with those eyes wide shut during her first and second numbers?It's really a shame that all 3 major talents are gone now. We need more of this type of singing. These 3 artists represented fine class in the musical world. Nice to see Nelson Riddle get the necessary recognition that he so richly deserved for arranging the music of The Great Chairman of the Board.
Neil Doyle
FRANK SINATRA should dispense with the banter between him and guest stars like ELLA FITZGERALD and just concentrate on the music. When he does, the show is a pure pleasure to watch and listen to.His pure enjoyment of being a performer is reflected here, at his best when just doing his thing on standards like WHAT NOW MY LOVE and Kern's OLD MAN RIVER, or simply doing slow ballads to a Bossa Nova beat, like QUIET NIGHTS, CHANGE PARTNERS, I CONCENTRATE ON YOU and THE GIRL FROM IPANEMA accompanied by ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM on the guitar.ELLA FITZGERALD gets a lot of time to do her special brand of singing and is especially good on BODY AND SOUL, DON'T BE THAT WAY and STOMPIN' AT THE SAVOY.The finale is a rousing duet by Sinatra and Fitzgerald on THE LADY IS A TRAMP backed by the wonderful Nelson Riddle Orchestra.Pure gold for Sinatra fans. Only drawback is the rather awkward staging, which has a partial audience visible throughout on platform seats behind the singers.
ccthemovieman-1
Most of this 6o-minute made-for-TV concert footage involves Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. Jobim was thrown in for a quick medley of Bossa Nova songs, which the rage at this particular time. It had a nice, pleasant sound and I wish they had spent more time with that music, but it didn't last long in this concert. Sinatra did sing the then-famous "The Girl From Ipanema" while Jobim accompanied on guitar.The rest of the tape are the two heavyweights: Frank and Ella, two of the best pop singers ever. It's almost always a pleasure to hear Sinatra. His voice is so good and the way he "jazzes" up a number in excellent. He was a great showman, not just singer. Ella had a great voice, too, but, frankly, I would have preferred more of Sinatra. The by-play between the two singers was terrible at times. Ella was no talker, just a singer and Frank's constant fawning over her was overdone. His jokes were lame, too. Still, where you can find a tape with these two "giants of the business" singing together?
lzf0
Sinatra is at his best. While the previous "Man and His Music" specials are masterful, this one is the best of them all. Nelson Riddle conducts the orchestra and the arrangements are by Riddle and Gordon Jenkins. Ella's "Body and Soul" is stunning. Jobim makes a rare US TV appearance and does some numbers from his album with Sinatra. Even though Sinatra and Ella's "Goin' Out of My Head" is a bit silly, they perform a wonderful medley towards the end of the show. Why didn't they record together? While Sinatra is the king of cool and a fine jazz singer, Ella sings circles around him. The only flaw in the show is a long dramatic scene with Sinatra singing to a Jenkins string laden arrangement.
