who else but franco zeffirelli could make what be the best opera movie ever . he have make several of them . after all and his production at la scala in the 50 catapult that opera house once again to reign among the world best and and precede his move into film making . know for lush period costume drama and zeffirelli surely doesn not disappoint in that department . in fact and visually and la traviata rank among his best work . controversial innovation and luxurious location and and superb cast make la traviata even more unique . his edit down of several ( repetitive ) aria and and visual depiction of many of the aria content through flashback cause much controversy in europe where i first saw it in it 1982 premiere . however and the controversy be generate by opera purist and since from a purely artistic viewpoint and not to mention a strictly cinematic one and la traviata have never be so well express and in fact no opera have . the cinematic enhancement and cut a few minute off the running time to make the work more accessible only make opera more attractive to all . the beautiful actual location of the seine and old paris and the french countryside and and opulent palace be a treat to watch a the wonderful music and conduct by the met legendary james levine be play . neither be push back to the background . both element blend into an unforgettable whole . if one want to see pure opera and one can buy several version of la traviata especially film live at an opera house and and watch the musician in the orchestra pit play and the conductor gesture and and hear the superb voice of the usually out of character ( physically and age wise ) singer on stage . the performance be usually longer a many aria be repeat several time and something film can avoid through it unique advantage . in this case the performance on film run 1 hour 45 minute and without the elimination of any arias ( just avoid the repetition describe above ) . in contrast and the opera house experience and include two intermission usually run twice that length and if not longer . this version of la traviata be not only fine movie making and but showcases the superb voice and musical excellence of the best of the classical recording . with the sublime teresa stratas in the title role and and the now legendary placido domingo a her love interest and one can not ask for good lead . they be also of believable age and and display great chemistry together . the young domingo fiery latin emotion with his impose look and and the very slender and also young stratas passionate interpretation ( especially in her facial gesture ) be totally convincing and captivate and a be and needless to say and their vocal talent and among the great of the century . added touch such a subtle shot focus on the period social custom and and a knock out ballet sequence in a party scene be among the final master touch to this unique production . one simply can not compare and say and the classical version release two year later feature dame joan sutherland ( possibly the great soprano ever and but at the end of her incredible career ) and luciano pavorotti ( to whom comparable comment also apply ) . but two extremely overweight lead push sixty portray young lover obviously lend a different perspective of this great opera . placido domingo and zeffirelli have since make more opera movie and and they be all excellent . but here and domingo be in his prime and and look the part . ( he have obviously age a consequent opera film be make and up to ten year later in fact . ) and zeffirelli here be still at the stage design grand opera production around the world and while still in his creative prime a a film maker . a for stratas and her violeta ( la traviata and the woman lead stray ) be and for me and the highlight of many highlight . she combine compel act and unforgettable vocal agility and and ( almost unheard of in opera ) a very thin and attractive physique . it be almost to good to be true . many viewer who be not opera buff do in fact think she be a dramatic actress dub by a great soprano . an incredible package indeed and and this apply to the entire production . definitely a 10. someone should put pressure on universal ( who be still sell the same 16 year old video ) to restore this gem and and re release it on video and dvd . i just buy another vhs and and be disappoint it be still the original version . with dvd growth and i be sure that will soon change if it isn not already happen . don not miss it in any version you can get your hand on .