Maria by Callas: In Her Own Words

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Maria by Callas: In Her Own Words

PG

Released Nov 2, 2018

1h 53m

Documentary

Biography

Music

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91%

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80 Reviews

69%

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250+ Ratings

Never-before-seen footage and performances offer insight into the life and career of renowned opera singer Maria Callas.

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Critics Consensus

Maria by Callas offers an intimate look at the life of a brilliantly talented artist whose absorbing story matches the operatic heights reached by her work.

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Ben Sachs

Chicago Reader

The relative absence of gossip is refreshing in light of so many salacious documentaries about celebrities.

Apr 7, 2020

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Stephen Romei

The Australian

An innovative and fascinating documentary...

Rated: 3.5/5

Feb 8, 2019

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Adam Graham

Detroit News

A fascinating and loving documentary about the 1950s Greek-American opera sensation.

Rated: B

Dec 7, 2018

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Lonita Cook

KCTV5 News at 9

It's a beautiful documentary in and of itself.

Oct 2, 2021

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Milana Vujkov

Lola On Film

It was the humanity in the delivery of divinity that was the key to Callas's impact - the way she knew, by some uncanny ability, just how to channel an archetype.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 30, 2021

Full Review

Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

Will likely appeal to opera lovers more than casual viewers, but nonetheless provides an interesting portrait of a person who is still one of classical music's best-selling vocalists decades after her death.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 1, 2021

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Arya S

Not having known much about Callas, I thoroughly enjoyed this documentary, which was refreshingly free of the usual head-shot interviews and overdone narration. She was so much more beautiful, warm, witty and wise than I had imagined! There is just enough background info to convey her fascinating life, and the narration is a professional reading of Maria's own words through her letters, diaries and memoirs. Some of the performance clips are somewhat grainy, but there are enough complete arias here that convey her incredible talent, regardless of how you feel about opera. You can't help but get goosebumps listening to her Bellini, Norma -- "Casta Diva" around 16:00 (also on youtube, with subtitles). Only criticism: the use of subtitles would have greatly enhanced appreciation of the singing and the emotions conveyed.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/04/25

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scott d

This is not really a documentary. There is no narrator or text explaining Callas' life. It is full performances of songs by her, interspersed with old interviews with her and a couple of other people. If you already know her life and work, or you just want to hear her performances, this is just fine. If you want to really understand her life and times, this is going to leave a lot of blank.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/31/24

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Nathan D

Wanted to see more of the heart break Onasis caused by marrying the widow. Jolie not right for part needed a Greek figure fell asleep rewinded.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

12/14/24

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Georgan G

3 & 1/4 stars. WHAT a voice!! Revealing documentary of a famous opera star, Maria Callas. She had a difficult life from childhood onward. Her wish to be a wife & mother was common in women her age. I felt sad that she died so young. This was a little longer than it had to be.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/01/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Very interesting movie!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

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Audience Member

interesting documentary with great music.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

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Tom Volf

Director

Fanny Ardant

Narrator

Joyce DiDonato

María Callas

Tom Volf

Screenwriter

Thierry Bizot

Producer

Emmanuel Chain

Producer

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Maria by Callas: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Never-before-seen footage and performances offer insight into the life and career of renowned opera singer Maria Callas.

Director: Tom Volf
Producer: Thierry Bizot, Emmanuel Chain, Gaël Leiblang, Emmanuelle Lepers, Tom Volf
Screenwriter: Tom Volf
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co: Elephant Doc, Sony Pictures Classics, Petit Dragon
Rating: PG (Mild Thematic Elements|Brief Language|Some Smoking)
Genre: Documentary, Biography, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 2, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 12, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.3M
Runtime: 1h 53m

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