The Legend of 1900 (DVD, 2002)

This intriguing film totally held my attenton throughout. In the ultimate
piano scene, the playing is beyond incredible....can anyone really play like
that? Imagine a man being born and living on an ocean liner his entire life,
never once stepping foot off the ship.

Not only is the piano music wonderful, but the film score by Ennio Morricone
is as well. As one who loves music, I was spellbound by this movie. It is
well worth adding to your DVD library.

This is one of those movies that always seems to play on one of the obscure movie channels at 1:45AM or 6:00 on Monday morning. If you start to watch it, chances are you might change the channel. If you stick with it, you will really enjoy it. Tim Roth plays the lead role of, "Danny Boodman T.D. Lemons 1900"! "1900", as he is called was found on a Trans-Atlantic steamer shortly after arriving in New York on New Years day 1900; just another baby born on an immigrant ship and left behind because he has no papers. Danny Boodman, a engine room stoker is checking out the main ball room for any lost jewelery, money, or wallets. He finds a new-born baby and decides to keep him. Now, what should he name the baby? Why not Danny Boodman after himself? One of the other stokers suggests "1900" because he was found on 1/1/1900. Danny makes a cradle from a wooden box from "T.D. Lemons", and decides on "Danny Boodman T.D. Lemons 1900". Little 1900 grows up fast and Danny teaches him to read by reading the Horse Racing news in the Newspapers. When 1900 is about six, Danny is killed in a freak accident, and little 1900 grows up as the child of the ship's crew. Enchanted by the piano, 1900 teaches himself to play and soon becomes quite accomplished. The years continue to roll by, and 1900 still has never left the ship. He, officially, was never born or lived, and had no papers of any kind. The ship was his whole world. In 1946, Max Toomy is in London. He's broke, hungry, and down on his luck. He steps into a pawn shop to sell his trumpet. While receiving an offer of about $20 for his horn, he asks if he can play it one last time. The song that he plays sounds familiar to the old pawn broker, and he pulls out an old wax recording and plays it. It is the same song. Max is amazed, and starts to tell the story of the song. it seems that in 1928, Max signed onto "The Virginian" (1900's ship) where he met 1900. Max was a musician with 1900, who was this great pianist. They played together for years, and Max told the story of these years. One day, a girl, Melanie Thierry, came aboard and 1900 was so taken by her, that he made a wax recording on board ship; music so sensually personal, just for her, but was unable to give it to her. 1900 is in his 30's now, but never has left the ship. Almost convinced to leave, he walks down the gangway, but chickens out at the last minute and returns. Once along the way, news of 1900's piano fame reached famed Chicago pianist Jelly Roll Morton (Clarence Williams III), who books passage to challenge 1900 to a piano "duel". The duel is on and Jelly Roll is truly great, but 1900 proves to be the best, and Jelly Roll leaves like a whipped dog. Max soon left the ship. The old pawn broker then tells Max that the Virginian had been converted into a hospital ship for troops during the war, and was now being readied for demolition. Max wanders down to the dock where he sees the old ship one more time. They are loading tons of explosives on board, and he just knows that 1900 is still on board! Max convinces the demolition chief to reinspect the ship for 1900. Playing the old wax recording in the ship, Max finds 1900 but can't convince him to leave. Max sadly tells his friend good by. The ship is then towed out and blown up. This truly was an enjoyable film.

This is one of my favorite movies. It is about a baby born on a cruise ship New Year's eve 1900 and who grows up on the ship and becomes a world renounded piano player. As an adult he is faced with the possibility of getting off the ship but has difficulty coping with all the "choices". A piano has 88 keys, and a limited number of choices, and that he can deal with.

The used DVD from this seller was like new.

It is seldom that I double back on a movie more than once. In the case of "The Legend of 1900" I liked this film so much I bought a copy on line an put it on the shelf with others that I like to watch over and over. Movies such as: "Out of Africa"; "The Bridges of Madison County", "Treasure of Sierra Madre" etc. Then I made the mistake of loaning it out. It never returned and I forgot where it went. After lamenting its loss, I bit the bullet, reordered it on line, and put it on the favorites shelf where it shall stay this time. The movie has the whole package--story plot, philosophy, great acting, incredible music and wonderful cinimatography. As another reviewer wrote, suspend belief, lean back and enjoy the ride. I give this 5-star film an excellent rating without reservation.

A gem! Enchanting. Loved the story, acting & the MUSIC. Well worth watching more than once. The demolition scene will ROCK your subwoofer! Tim Roth's performance is top knotch. This is one of my top non-mainstream favorites. Buy the CD soundtrack for added enjoyment. I LOVE the soundtrack and play it often.