Ipi Ntombi: An African Dance Celebration
Our Price: $69.99
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $31.99 (click here)
Category: VHS Video
See more movie releases
Buy this VHS video movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
VHS Tape Cover Information
Actor: Elie Semoun, Pascal Greggory, Roselyne BachelotEdition: VHS Tape
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
Running Time: 90 minutes
Release Date: 1999-01-12
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Publisher: PBS Home Video
Studio: PBS Home Video
VHS Movie Reviews of Ipi Ntombi: An African Dance Celebration
Movie Review: Absolutely Fabulous!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Now I own the (old) record, the CD, and the video. This is the greatest ethnic musical ever. I saw it first in New York in the 70's. Even though there were threats of violence, no one left the theater during the performance, and everyone left at the end - singing!
I have shown the video to my classes - every year during Black History Month and a couple of times during the year, and the students love it. They sit still, captured by the performance, the very gripping music.
It is a nice story, a love story, which includes tribal customs and religion, christianity, the move from village to city, conflict between parents and children. All is presented in fabulous costumes.
It is THE BEST!
Summary of Ipi Ntombi: An African Dance Celebration
Originally created by mother/daughter team Bertha Egnos and Gail Laiker, IPI NTOMBI (pronounced Ippy-Intombee and meaning "where are the girls") opened in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1974 and then played to standing ovations all over the world for the next six years. Now, more than 20 years later, this new, updated version sizzles with its return to the stage, blending the traditional rhythms of Africa with the modern heartbeat of its people. The company of 50, some of whom are direct descendants of the original cast members, dance the story of the Johannesburg mine worker, who sings of his love for the girl back home and his sense of separation from his tribal roots. The show has restyled the musical's most popular numbers and added some new ones, including the exhilarating "Four Important Porters from Potgietersrus."Ipi Ntombi is a joyous, homegrown dance and music celebration of black South African culture. First performed in 1974, the production, with a phenomenally talented and energetic cast of 50, has delighted audiences all over the world. This video of a live performance doesn't flag for an instant. The dancers display the athletic stamina needed to run a marathon; the singers show the vocal and emotive power of grand opera. Ipi Ntombi might well be regarded as a national opera of South Africa.
The story is so primal that it seems to have sprung directly from South African soil. It begins in a tiny village with thundering ceremonial dances in colorful tribal costumes. A tender love story emerges between a village girl and young man, who has gone away to work in the mines. As her sweetheart travels from the countryside to the city, tribal ceremonies morph into break dancing, jubilant South African rock & roll, and gospel singing. The youth, torn between his village roots and urban temptations, personifies the essential African conflict between the ancient and modern worlds.
Among memorable numbers are the cobra dance, with mesmerizing glow-in-the-dark costumes, and a funky gospel hallelujah chorus that brings down the house. The spectacular wedding ceremony between the boy and his girl symbolizes a marriage of tribal and city cultures. --Laura Mirsky
Documentary VHS Video
VHS Video Movies
- Action & Adventure
- African American Cinema
- Animation VHS Video
- Anime & Manga
- Art House & International
- Classics VHS Video
- Comedy VHS Video
- Cult Movies
- Documentary
- Drama VHS Video
- Educational
- Fitness
- Gay & Lesbian
- Horror VHS Video
- Kids & Family
- Military & War VHS Video
- Music Video & Concerts
- Musicals & Performing Arts
- Mystery & Suspense
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Special Interests
- Sports VHS Video
- Television VHS Video
- Westerns VHS Video
Movies most talked about in Documentary VHS Video
The Perfect WeaponParamount; Release date: 1996-07-16; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $139.99
The RescueTHE RESCUE; Walt Disney Video; Release date: 1996-04-09; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $19.50
Four Days in NovemberMGM (Video & DVD); Release date: 1998-09-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
The Pagan Invasion: Halloween-Trick Or TreatTapeworm; Release date: 1999-11-16; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $10.00
Price in other shops:
Walt Disney's True Life Adventures - The Living DesertWalt Disney Video; Release date: 1998-06-16; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $39.99
Price in other shops:
Baseball - A Film by Ken BurnsPbs Home Video; Release date: 1995-04-16; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $29.99
Price in other shops:
Stalin (1992)MGM (Video & DVD); Release date: 1998-09-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $75.00
Sarah Plain And TallRepublic Pictures; Release date: 1995-03-21; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $7.07
Price in other shops:
The Century-America's Time (Boxed Set)ABC News; Release date: 1999-03-23; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $62.59
Price in other shops:
The Man Who Saw TomorrowWarner Home Video; Release date: 1998-09-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $24.50
Similar VHS Movies
The Rough-Face Girlby Rafe Martin
Putnam Juvenile; Published: 1998-04-13; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.15
Price in other shops:
Ladysmith Black Mambazo - Long Walk to FreedomRelease date: 2006-01-24; Music CD
Best price: $10.87
Price in other shops:
Ladysmith Black Mambazo - In Harmony: Live at the Royal Albert HallRelease date: 1999-10-19; DVD
Best price: $12.18
Price in other shops:
Original Cast Recording - GumbootsRelease date: 2000-10-24; Music CD
Best price: $0.48
Price in other shops:
Paul Simon - Graceland (The African Concert)Release date: 1999-03-23; DVD
Best price: $15.73
Price in other shops:
SarafinaRelease date: 2002-06-04; DVD
Best price: $4.11
Price in other shops:
Ladysmith Black Mambazo: Live at Montreux (2005)Release date: 2005-09-06; DVD
Best price: $8.88
Price in other shops:
GumbootsImage Entertainment; Release date: 2001-03-20; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $12.49
Price in other shops:
Soweto Gospel Choir - Blessed Live in ConcertRelease date: 2006-07-25; DVD
Best price: $11.60
Price in other shops:
Original Cast Recording - Ipi Ntombi: The African Music CelebrationRelease date: 2002-07-11; Music CD
Best price: $7.64
Price in other shops: