Softwing Most undeservingly overhyped movie of all time??

Kailansorac Clever, believable, and super fun to watch. It totally has replay value.

KnotStronger This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

Humbersi The first must-see film of the year.

John (darcyj) When I was 17 my high school staged Bye Bye Birdie - which is no great surprise, since it is perfect high school material and reputed to be the most-staged musical in the world.I was a music student and retained strong memories of the production and its songs, as well as a lingering disregard for the Dick Van Dyke movie version which had (deliberately) obscured the Elvis references and camped it up for a swinging 60s audience.So, when the 1995 version starring Jason Alexander hit my cable TV screen, I was delighted with what I saw. Alexander turns in an exceptional performance as Albert, a performance in strong contrast to his better-known persona from a certain TV series. The remainder of the cast are entertaining and convincing in their roles (Chynna Phillips is perhaps the only one who does not look her part, supposedly a naive and innocent schoolgirl).But best of all, the musical numbers familiar from the stage show are all preserved in this movie and performed as stage musical songs should be (allowing for the absence of a stage).So, if you know the musical (and few do not), then check out this telemovie. It does the stage show justice in a way which can probably not be bettered, which is good enough for me. What is better than rendering a writer's work faithfully and with colour and style?

darteo I guess I am coming late to the party. I just saw this 1995 version of Bye Bye Birdy on Sky TV. I didn't know it existed and was fully prepared to see the 1963 film version when I turned it on.I played Albert a long time ago and I am thinking of putting on an amateur production of the show because I remembered it as being so much fun to do. I was not impressed with this newer version. It just wasn't enough fun. It was not colorful. It lacked the exuberance of youth. The lighting was bad. No one seemed to mention this fact. This is not a moody musical, it is bright and up beat. The lighting decision was a poor creative choice.Bye Bye Birdy is a farce, a comedy of errors. I got no sense of that in this version. The lighting was awful and it dulled the overall performances. The dance numbers seemed anemic as well. We do have music videos these day. At least the dance numbers should have measured up to some of the best of those, or how about some of the best of Broadway. The choreographer was asleep at the wheel it seemed.Although all the actors were supremely talented, there were some really bad casting choices. Vanessa Williams is not Latin, and with so many talented Latin performers out there, wouldn't it have been more correct to cast one of them in the role of Rosie. Vanessa is African American, lovely and talented, but bad casting. Jason Alexander's effort was astounding, he always does intelligent work, but he just wasn't Albert. He was miscast and I think that is obvious to most people who see this version.The medium of film is not the medium of stage. There needs to be translation from one medium to another. The exuberance and the flash of stage musical must be TRANSLATED to film. There is no merit being faithful to a stage script when it is being filmed. The spirit, the essence of the production must be brought forth. To me the 1963 film production of Bye Bye Birdy was bright and lively, while the 1995 production was as gloomy as the lighting and as lackluster as the dance numbers. It turned out to be an unfortunate waste of effort by many really talented people.

info-2628 We taped this when it aired on TV back in 1995 and have waited all these years for its release, for it quickly became one of our family favorites. The kids are now teens and must have seen it a ba-zillion times, yet they still watch it religiously with friends. It's timeless appeal reaches across all ages groups--similar to "Grease."Vanessa Williams is spectacular. Jason Alexander delightful and wonderfully light on his feet. I've noticed other commentators on this site are pretty rough on him, but our family gives him top ratings. (We loved his 'Giant Step' number.) Marc Kudisch (as Conrad) supplies us with comedic relief and wonderful musical numbers. And Brigitta Dau (as Ursula) just flat steals the show. Probably our favorite character in the entire movie.The one disappointment was Chynna Philip's performance of Kim. Part of that has to do with the writing. Kim's role is completely one-dimensional. Complicating that, Philip's delivery is flat, unimaginative, unbelievable and just plain awful. The director should have seen that and corrected it. Or never cast her to begin with.Overall, though, the picture is delightful and I highly recommend it for families of all ages.

Zeorymer I was actually in this play at my school. So here we go.ALBERT J. PETERSON-Conrad Birdie's manager and the definition of a mama's boy. His reliance on his mama has stopped the relationship between him and Rose Alvarez from growing deeper. Concocts the scheme for Conrad's "One Last Kiss"CONRAD BIRDIE-Rock star of the 50's. With a personality much like that of Elvis Presley, he has countless fans all over the USA. Conflicting reports have him born in Indochina and Virginia. He did not volunteer for the Army, but was drafted, and appealed three times.ROSE ALVAREZ- Albert J. Peterson's on-again-off-again girlfriend and secretary. The real brains behind Albert's business, Almaelou music corporation. More American than Spanish.KIM MACAFFEE-One of Conrad Birdie's countless fangirls. Recently began going steady with Hugo Peabody. She's been chosen to receive Conrad Birdie's final kiss before he goes into the Army.MR. HARRY MACAFEE-Overprotective father or Kim MacAfee. Hates Conrad Birdie and loves Ed Sullivan. Typical 50's father.MRS. DORIS MACAFEE-Wife of Harry and mother of Kim. Although she doesn't really like Conrad Birdie, she's still more open-minded about things than Harry."MAMA" MAE PETERSON-Domineering mother of Albert. Disapproves of Rose Alvarez. Albert will go any length to please his mama, and Mae manipulates his feelings to the fullest.HUGO PEABODY-Boyfriend of Kim, he's understandably intimidated when Conrad comes to town. A bit of a neurotic, he seeks constant reassurance that Kim still loves him.