Maria Callas was a singularly unique individual. Her entire life led her to become an amazing, world famous opera singer. This documentary relies way too much on very, very limited footage of an interview she did with David Frost, some home videos and other footage taken of her at various comings-and-goings of concert performances, as well as stolen moments with Aristotle Onassis.
One comes away from the experience thinking that she had this glorious, glorious soprano voice, that she obviously had no one protecting her from despicable paparazzi, reporters, photographers, interviewers and fans, and that she had a dual vision of herself: one as a woman who longed for a husband and family, the other as the world famous celebrity/talent that she was.
Seeing how reporters descended on her like vultures is very disturbing. She kept her regalness intact and I truly admired her. Nowadays any celebrity of her stature would have an army of bodyguards protecting her, but that wasn't the case back then.
Also, the press was relentless in their pursuit of the Aristotle-Jackie-Maria stories, just like they were about Liz-Richard-Eddie stories. It's horrid how these stars were treated. It's a wonder anyone can survive the entertainment business.
I enjoyed the tidbits of hearing her sing, but I found the annoying cutaways of poorly filmed interviews, obnoxious questions by stupid reporters (including Barbara Walters, the worst one of all) and other grainy clips of her private life to be an insult to this magnificent talent.
One comes away from the experience thinking that she had this glorious, glorious soprano voice, that she obviously had no one protecting her from despicable paparazzi, reporters, photographers, interviewers and fans, and that she had a dual vision of herself: one as a woman who longed for a husband and family, the other as the world famous celebrity/talent that she was.
Seeing how reporters descended on her like vultures is very disturbing. She kept her regalness intact and I truly admired her. Nowadays any celebrity of her stature would have an army of bodyguards protecting her, but that wasn't the case back then.
Also, the press was relentless in their pursuit of the Aristotle-Jackie-Maria stories, just like they were about Liz-Richard-Eddie stories. It's horrid how these stars were treated. It's a wonder anyone can survive the entertainment business.
I enjoyed the tidbits of hearing her sing, but I found the annoying cutaways of poorly filmed interviews, obnoxious questions by stupid reporters (including Barbara Walters, the worst one of all) and other grainy clips of her private life to be an insult to this magnificent talent.