Barnum! (1986 TV Movie) User Reviews

It's so full of energy!!

[Sanae · 9/10 · 2 December 1999]

Most people know Michael Crawford as the Phantom of the Opera. Absolutely anyone who has heard or seen him in that (Or anything else for that matter!), and even remotely likes his work should see this movie at least once. Preferablely twice, or three times if possible. It's that good.

The movie is actually a live recording of the London stage show, and musical fans will be happy to know that it retains that feel. The whole show positively throbs with energy, due to the catchy music, the lively numbers involving circus acts, and the extremely talented cast. Michael, of course, is fabulous. His voice is wonderful, his acting is superb, and he even walks high wire. Is there anything this man can't do? The lady who plays his wife is a good singer, and acts in a nice, sincere way. You believe her when she plays her part. The rest of the cast is energetic and really help to bring the exciting numbers to life.

The story is nice too, romantic, fun, and surprisingly black and white. At least in my case, I find my self lost in the plots of several stage musicals. Here it's easy to know what's going on.

Watch this movie. I don't think I can put it any more bluntly.

Michael Crawford Hits the Big Top with a Phenomenal Smash!!

[emma_crawfordgreene · 10/10 · 24 March 2004]

I SO LOVE this show!! I was on the edge of my seat watching it, even though it was on tape and DVD at my own home! I felt like I was there, hearing him, seeing him, the laughing the dancing, all of it was just two hours of enchantment. Michael Crawford (better known to the world as the Original Erik in Andrew Lloyd Webber's "The Phantom of the Opera") plays the role of P.T. Barnum to perfection!! He really does... at least in my humble opinion. Michael plays the role with gutso, pinache, and of course a voice to knock a person unconscious for hours! He really has a knack for musicals and this displays him having as much fun playing the role, as we do. I must tip my hat to Mr. Crawford! Well done Michael!!! BRAVO!!! BRAVO!!!

The rest of the cast are scrumptious including Eileen Batye as Chairy Barnum, Christina Collier (known for her role as Christine Daae in Ken Hill's Phantom of the Opera) as Jenny Lind, and the rest of the cast... I can go on and on!! They really gave 190% that night and I am so pleased to have this on video!! It truly is a treasure!! Perfect for children and adults alike!!

I HIGHLY recommend this to anyone who loves musicals or... if you just love Michael Crawford, get this performance!! It IS worth it!!

JOIN THE CIRCUS!!!!

Brilliant Musical...Shoddy DVD Packaging

[ericlovesstories · 10/10 · 19 April 2001]

This is one of Cy Coleman's best musicals in a stunning production. The only drawback is the shoddy DVD packaging which has no information about the cast, the songs, the production, nothing. But the DVD is a must-have for musical fans. Michael Crawford is superb as Barnum, the cast is his equal and the staging is magnificent.

..this musical is almost electric...

[Richard-23 · 13 August 1999]

...I think it was made for British television...and it is a live performance...and it actually captures that... and it is a show full of fun and engaging performances. It is one of those shows that you enjoy and then enjoy more each time you see it.

An Empty stage

[nickboldrini · 6/10 · 2 August 2018]

A film of a stage show, which suffers from the static-ness of the camera. This probably works well as a stage show, when the atmosphere sweeps you up, but I found the jokes a bit flat, and that went for much of the show. It wasn't bad - just didn't really suck you in.

A great musical... one of Michael's best!!

[Kimberly-13 · 10/10 · 28 October 1999]

Barnum is an amazing circus musical that stars one of Musical Theatre's finest... Michael Crawford!! This life story of Barnum is filled with beautiful songs and great acting. It was filmed right on the London Stage, so it is almost as if you are there. :o) Next to Phantom of the Opera, I would have to say that this is one of Michael's greatest performances (much better than Jim Dale's Barnum)! Some of my favorite songs include: Color's of My Life, I Like Your Style, Museum Song, Out There, The Prince of Humbug, Join the Circus, Thank God I'm Old, etc.

Join this Circus

[Loring · 10/10 · 21 August 2003]

Barnum's life turned into the greatest show on earth in a live musical performance with the extraordinary Michael Crawford. I saw this show live with Jim Dale and Glenn Close in NY. The show was breath-taking and your jaw will drop watching the video too. The performance is so fast-paced and so complex. I watch in wonder and ask myself how they could perform circus acts on a theater stage and sing wonderfully at the same time. The part of Barnum is so taxing, both physically (a variety of circus acts he takes part in) and mentally (there are several patter songs, a la Gilbert and Sullivan) that one wonders how Crawford or Dale could have performed it live eight times a week. The story is exciting, exuberant, suspenseful, hilarious and bittersweet and every performer is a consummate pro. The staging is masterful. (How do you present Tom Thumb and Jumbo the Elephant together realistically on the modern stage? Watch and find out.) This video would be great to watch with the whole family. Turn off the electric dishwasher and turn "One Brick at a Time" into a "One Dish at a Time" family dishwashing routine, though it may result in some smashed dinnerware unless you are a very coordinated family. Great music, great performances, lots of fun.

I agree, this is a wonderful musical!

[anneli36 · 10/10 · 24 August 2008]

I have only seen Barnum on tape and DVD and I loved it from the first moment. Michael Crawford is a splendid actor, and I wish I could have seen him in London, both as P T Barnum and as The Phantom! Everyone who loves musicals must not miss this one!!! One of the best things with it are all the things Michael Crawford does as P T Barnum. Things I didn't have a clue that he could do! It was really a big surprise and an even bigger treat. The other actors are also very talented. I love it when Sharon Benson sings the song Black and White. She has a wonderful voice and charisma. I wish there would be more musicals in the the world, but even then this would be among the top three!!!

Don't SEE THIS!!!!!!!!

[theonetowatch · 1/10 · 19 December 2005]

My opinion of Barnum in summary:

B-bad costumes and sets, A-atrocious songs, R-repetitive and annoying melodies, N-never seeing it again, U-underwhelming acting and singing, M-most awful piece of rubbish I've ever seen!

I mean I know its really old, but the sets are so dull and the costumes unimpressive. Stupid story line. Also, the Charity death scene is the worst death scene ever written! I mean you don't even know she's going to die. The acting and singing was okay, but as I said, underwhelming, and Tom Thumb was so nasal I couldn't even tell what he was saying. Don't see this unless it is some kind of sick job requirement. I mean I am a huge fan of musicals but this one was trash. The actors were fine but it was badly written and rather pointless.

Michael 's performance made a memorable night for my parents.

[tim-70150 · 10/10 · 17 April 2021]

In the early eighties my wife & I lived in Kensington and got tickets for this show for my mum & dad who were also staying with us. We arranged to pick them up after the show, meeting them in a lovely old pub to the left hand side of the theatre. I can't imagine my now being able to drive and park there now. Indeed, the pub has been demolished to make way for a development called Nova Victoria . . . So ugly it was voted the worst new building of 2017 in London.

SO - The story starts now - we were all in the pub with who should walk in but Michael Crawford with some fellow show colleagues. My mum said "I must go and tell him how marvellous he was in the show". I said "hmmm might be a good idea he looked a bit exhausted and may just want a bit of peace & quite" But mum trots over and Michael turns to my mum and I still remember seeing his lovely warm smile and he was so polite. What a generous and kind man he is.