THE STORY OF RICHARD WAGNER

Cinemavixion Review

Richard Burton delivers a commanding performance as the titular composer in "The Story of Richard Wagner," a lavish biographical drama. The film assembles an extraordinary ensemble cast, including Vanessa Redgrave, Laurence Olivier, John Gielgud, Ralph Richardson, and Joan Plowright, lending significant gravitas to the narrative. Set against the backdrop of 1860s Europe, the film chronicles Wagner's tumultuous return to Germany and his controversial ventures in London and Paris. The notorious scandal surrounding his opera "Tannhäuser" is depicted, highlighting the composer's divisive genius and the few who championed his work, such as the poet Baudelaire. This production offers a compelling, albeit potentially dramatized, look into the life and impact of one of history's most influential and controversial musical figures.