Powerful

Nice effects though.

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

A masterpiece, Greta at her luminous best. One can't stop being mesmerised by her perfectly chiseled face. The Dumas classic is a perfect vehicle for Garbo.

A Parisian courtesan (Greta Garbo) must choose between the young man who loves her and the callous baron who wants her, even as her own health begins to fail.I watched this because I am a fan of the camera work that Karl Freund did, but I do not know which was his and which was William Daniels. So to try and even make an intelligent critique seems impossible, and I will not even try.The film as a whole is a great update on the older (1921) version, and far more watchable if you are not a fan of silent films. I am a bit surprised how few adaptations there appear to be, given how long the play has existed. Unless they just go under other names to be confusing...There is some talk online about who is better, Greta Garbo or Barbara Stanwyck. I am a Stanwyck fan, but hey, I am not going to say Garbo did a bad job here. She nailed it.

I must confess to approaching Camille with some trepidation. The story had been done so many times in opera, theatre and cinema that my question was simple.What would MGM bring to the party that others hadn't, especially in those years between the Depression, the growth of fascism in Europe and the outbreak of World War II? The answer is, of course, a wonderful cast, great direction and sumptuous sets and costumes. My fears that this would be given an overly-sentimental Hollywood treacle treatment were wholly unfounded. It was interesting to see how the film gets the message across that Marguerite is a courtesan ("hooker" just sounds too down and dirty for Garbo!). No overt mention of her trade is made in the dialogue although in the titles we are informed that these women are "girls of discretion". But the way Garbo moves, reacts to events and speaks leaves us in no little doubt as to her profession.Robert Taylor plays a touching Armand, Henry Daniell is outstanding as the Baron and Lionel Barrymore skilfully manages a blend of severity and compassion in the comparatively short, but crucial, scene in which he appears with Garbo.Any downsides? Well,maybe a scene or two could have been shorter, or even excluded but this is a minor issue. Not quite a masterpiece but essential viewing for anyone interested in the history of film.

Camille could top the Elephant Man for the most moving film of all time. Everything about this movie is beautiful, the acting, the cinematography and one of the saddest endings on film.The story is wonderful, based on a work by Alexandre Dumas Junior. The opera La Traviata also happened to be inspired by the story, and I noticed a number of similarities between this film and the opera, like the death scene, and when Armand insults Margherite(throwing money in her face, like in the opera).The cinematography and costumes were gorgeous, and an example of French extravagance, despite the fact that Camille was made in the 30s. The music, especially in Margherite's death scene, was so hauntingly touching. Through the music, we felt the romance between Armand and Margherite. Also Margherite's death is the most heart-rending death ever on screen, whether in romance or a biographical drama.The performances were exceptional. Greta Garbo was the movie. The whole movie is worth watching just for her performance, which was more than outstanding. This movie was referenced in the 1982 musical Annie, which was where I got introduced to the movie. Robert Taylor, I usually find a bit dull, but I felt a great much-needed restraint here, in possibly his best performance. Everybody else was great as well, particularly Lionel Barrymore as Monsieur Duval.In conclusion, a beautiful and inspired film, so worth watching for Garbo's performance and her character's death. Believe me, it is a million times better than most of the rubbishy sentimental romantic dramas out now, and that's a fact! 10/10. Bethany Cox