IMDb RATING
7.2/10
2.3K
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An intimate look at the life and work of Greek-American opera singer Maria Callas, as told in her own words.An intimate look at the life and work of Greek-American opera singer Maria Callas, as told in her own words.An intimate look at the life and work of Greek-American opera singer Maria Callas, as told in her own words.
- Awards
- 2 wins & 1 nomination total
Joyce DiDonato
- María Callas
- (voice)
Maria Callas
- Self
- (archive footage)
David Frost
- Self
- (archive footage)
Edward R. Murrow
- Self
- (archive footage)
Elvira de Hidalgo
- Self
- (archive footage)
Rudolf Bing
- Self
- (archive footage)
Aristotle Onassis
- Self
- (archive footage)
Giovanni Battista Meneghini
- Self
- (archive footage)
Bernard Gavoty
- Self
- (archive footage)
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
- Self
- (archive footage)
Pier Paolo Pasolini
- Self
- (archive footage)
Omar Sharif
- Self
- (archive footage)
Barbara Walters
- Self
- (archive footage)
Brigitte Bardot
- Self
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
Jean Cocteau
- Self
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
Vittorio De Sica
- Self
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
Catherine Deneuve
- Self
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
Featured reviews
"Maria by Callas" is a Documentary about the life and work of the very famous Greek-American opera singer Maria Callas. The life of Maria Callas is presented from her early years until her death. There are also many people are talking about Maria Callas and her contribution in opera.
I liked this documentary very much because it is presented very well the life of Maria Callas, her early years, her marriage with Giovanni Battista Meneghini and her divorce, her relationship with Aristotle Onassis and of course her carrier in singing and her love for the opera. I strongly recommend everyone to watch this documentary because even if you believe that you know everything about the life of Maria Callas you will still learn more about her.
I liked this documentary very much because it is presented very well the life of Maria Callas, her early years, her marriage with Giovanni Battista Meneghini and her divorce, her relationship with Aristotle Onassis and of course her carrier in singing and her love for the opera. I strongly recommend everyone to watch this documentary because even if you believe that you know everything about the life of Maria Callas you will still learn more about her.
I heard a segment on NPR about "Maria by Callas" and wanted to see the movie. It was fantastic. What an amazing talent, what a special human being. I was so touched, I walked out of the theater with a smile and feeling really good.
Footage of the great opera superstar is included in this French documentary which includes various interviews, letters she had written and recorded arias performed live. The main focus is an interview with David Frost in the 1960s.
This film has an unfair advantage compared to other documentaries. Its subject is so compelling that it can only come off as great regardless of the skills of the film-makers. (In fairness, the film-makers did a fine job.)
Callas truly represents the grandeur of the 50s, 60s, and early 70s. She had a regal elegance with an old-world, old-school charm that has been missing for many years - decades even. The highlight of watching such stunning arias (much greater than just hearing the audio recordings) provides an elation that could never be experienced by downloading an app to a mobile phone.
Though Callas - the person and the singer - lived in the same world as the one we are in now, the world then seems like a different entity from the one we currently inhabit. This alone makes the viewing of this film so worthwhile. Further evidence of a greater difference in this "other world" included separate brief interviews with three young, intelligent men lined up for hours at the Met opera house in the mid-1960s, expressing great admiration for the diva. Such articulate admiration for great artists is very unlikely in our current times.
The film does have its flaws. Some of the English dialogue in the footage was incomprehensible. Subtitles would have been more than helpful. Also, some of Callas's old letters were narrated in a tone that did not always sound genuine. But the pluses far outnumber the minuses.
Around the beginning of the film, Callas makes a quote of how music is one of the ways that the great heavens can be made earthbound. She certainly lived up to that principle. This film graciously proves so. - dbamateurcritic.
This film has an unfair advantage compared to other documentaries. Its subject is so compelling that it can only come off as great regardless of the skills of the film-makers. (In fairness, the film-makers did a fine job.)
Callas truly represents the grandeur of the 50s, 60s, and early 70s. She had a regal elegance with an old-world, old-school charm that has been missing for many years - decades even. The highlight of watching such stunning arias (much greater than just hearing the audio recordings) provides an elation that could never be experienced by downloading an app to a mobile phone.
Though Callas - the person and the singer - lived in the same world as the one we are in now, the world then seems like a different entity from the one we currently inhabit. This alone makes the viewing of this film so worthwhile. Further evidence of a greater difference in this "other world" included separate brief interviews with three young, intelligent men lined up for hours at the Met opera house in the mid-1960s, expressing great admiration for the diva. Such articulate admiration for great artists is very unlikely in our current times.
The film does have its flaws. Some of the English dialogue in the footage was incomprehensible. Subtitles would have been more than helpful. Also, some of Callas's old letters were narrated in a tone that did not always sound genuine. But the pluses far outnumber the minuses.
Around the beginning of the film, Callas makes a quote of how music is one of the ways that the great heavens can be made earthbound. She certainly lived up to that principle. This film graciously proves so. - dbamateurcritic.
One of most impressive portraits of Maria Callas. lovely because it is answer to many expectations. explanation for the presence of her name with same intensity today, like yesterday. her vulnerability - from the egocentric perspective about life and the people around her to the chance gived by Pasolini. a film who escape to the temptation to be a pure eulogy/hommage. a film defined by the emotions you feel. more than by other pieces. so, a splendid work.
Believe me - You don't have to be a die-hard opera fan in order to appreciate this engaging celebrity bio-documentary about famed soprano singer, Maria Callas (1923-1977).
Born in Manhattan, NY, USA - Maria Callas (who had an incredibly wide vocal range and impeccable vibrato control) is unanimously regarded as being one of the most influential and renowned female opera singers of the entire 20th century.
Through stills, archival footage, and interviews - This 2-hour presentation looks at the highs, as well as the lows, of the life and times of Maria Callas.
Born in Manhattan, NY, USA - Maria Callas (who had an incredibly wide vocal range and impeccable vibrato control) is unanimously regarded as being one of the most influential and renowned female opera singers of the entire 20th century.
Through stills, archival footage, and interviews - This 2-hour presentation looks at the highs, as well as the lows, of the life and times of Maria Callas.
Did you know
- TriviaThis film was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in September 2018.
- Quotes
Maria Callas: I would have preferred to have a happy family and have children. I think that is the main vocation of a woman. But destiny brought me into this career.
- ConnectionsReferences Medea (1969)
- SoundtracksAh, quanto cielo!
From the Opera "Madama Butterfly"
Composed by Giacomo Puccini
Performed by Maria Callas, Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala (as Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala di Milano) and Herbert von Karajan
- How long is Maria By Callas?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official sites
- Languages
- Also known as
- María Callas: En sus propias palabras
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $1,267,301
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $91,915
- Nov 4, 2018
- Gross worldwide
- $2,869,237
- Runtime
- 1h 59m(119 min)
- Color
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