iReview | Tony Palmer’s Film About CALLAS

Available now on Blu-ray.

The opera legend’s mystique has kept audiences engaged for decades, and her life offstage is further examined in this popular documentary. CALLAS reveals one of the world’s most enigmatic performers.

The legendarily iconic Maria Callas' life is explored in Tony Palmer's documentary.

There aren’t many artists, you can count on one hand, who have revolutionized a medium. Opera is an art form that, at its height, passionately moved its audience in a way that is unparalleled by today’s measure. Among the most prominent figures to have ever stepped onto the stage is Maria Callas, who remains, even today, one of the best-selling female vocalists of all time. An object of much curiosity and reverence, The Callas, as she became known, catered to an audience who basked in the diva’s profound talent, even as her private life generated as much intrigue, in an era before the dynamics of social media, elevating Maria to the status of an icon.

Callas remains one of the most intriguing “pop culture icons” of any era, on a par with celebrities like Marilyn Monroe or Madonna. Tony Palmer’s Film About Callas, available on Blu-ray, is still one of the best-regarded profiles of her career. Though she started singing at a very young age, Maria would immediately garner the attention of musical directors who recognized what she was capable of — she was unmatched as a soprano. Her voice was something of great controversy; its significant force bowled over many, while others would debate its veracity, but no one dared confront her tenacity as a performer. Still, as much as she demanded of herself, her public demanded even more.

The touchstones that were instrumental in formalizing and elevating the legend of Callas are discussed in Palmer’s documentary: Tullio Serafin, who took her under his wing, elevating her career to the next level; a mentor who guided her through most of her stage performances and later recordings. Also, the moment director Luchino Visconti entered her life and inspired Maria Callas to expand her abilities as a performer, exciting her to act out her roles. Callas began to attract media attention, especially after she dramatically altered her appearance, fashionably adapting to popular ateliers of the time and emulating actress Audrey Hepburn’s look from Breakfast at Tiffany's.

Her talent and skills as a performer eventually gave way to tabloid scandals, turning Maria into fodder for the paparazzi. The glare of the spotlight magnified when the artist drew the attention of billionaire shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis. Undoubtedly one of the wealthiest men in the world at the time, Onassis enjoyed collecting people and set his sights on adding Callas to his harem. Their private friendship and widely rumored affair were pursued and glorified in newspapers around the globe. They only attracted more attention and speculation after Onassis married former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy.

Palmer’s documentary scratches the surface of Maria Callas' legacy to her craft. It reveals how dedicated an artist she was, but it is profoundly lacking in demonstrating the exemplary talent Maria possessed. Perhaps this is not a fault of the documentarian, who certainly would have challenged, given the technology of the time. The commentary from many of the scholars and/or contemporaries included in the feature also feels skewed to leaning into the eventual analysis of her celebrity. This may feel somewhat derivative, and not of the calibre to match her contributions to Opera, but undeniably captured is Callas — still today, a much beloved icon.

Special Features

Along with the full-length documentary, the disc includes the film's official trailer and an additional reel of promotional footage.

Tony Palmer’s Film About CALLAS | is available on Blu-ray and on Digital platforms and includes bonus Special Features. The Blu-ray is priced at $24.99 on Amazon and is also available on Digital via Apple iTunes Store here.