Product: Elvira Madigan [VHS]
Rating: 4.0
Hanky time
One of the amazing things about Elvira Madigan is the timelessness of the piece, coupled with the films unique ability to emotionally drain the viewer. It is a simple romantic story that both young and old readily identify with.When I saw Elvira Madigan in 1966 at the Cameo Poly cinema in London, the capacity house was completely reduced to tears.Subsequently, as a teacher in the 70 & 80`s, I used the film as part of an 'A' level film studies course for worldly eighteen year old students - with the same moist eyed result.Now a senior university lecturer, I am about to submit my BSc degree students to the same emotional turmoil. I suspect that it will again be hankies all round.Sadly, as I understand it, the original prints were on a batch of Eastmancolor that faded back to just blues and reds. The BBC appears to have a copy, possibly on video, which was re-broadcast a couple of years ago. Let us hope that the publishers also re-issue soon for the next generation of wet eyes.