This modern re-working of Bizet's Carmen is a must-see. Carmen Jones retains Bizet's music while setting the story in the late 20th century). Dandridge owns this film with her wildly entertaining--and empathetic--portrayal of Carmen.I wish the cast had been able to (all) sing their own parts. The highlight for me was Pearl Bailey's big number when she is first introduced, but all of the songs are really well written to accompany Bizet's opera. Overall, I liked it a lot. A "race" movie that transcends race, and reminds that all people hurt the same way and laugh the same way. This is a sparkling example of a what a movie musical can be and how it can better its viewers while remaining impeccably entertaining.

Contemporary version of the Bizet opera, with new lyrics and an African-American cast.Most critics loved it, but Channel 4 called it "a truly dreadful film. Preminger can't be faulted for ambition, but for once, his execution is sorely lacking... Dandridge's tough, hip-swinging, steely eyed Carmen goes some way to redeeming things, but the part is too fractured by the imposition of another singing voice, bad dubbing, and the alien tone of the songs." In 1992, Carmen Jones was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". Indeed, it has earned this -- a film adaptation of a play adaptation of an opera. And one of the first big films with an all-black cast. That was ground-breaking in the 1950s.For me, I did not really get into it. But that was because this really is not my kind of music. For those who like "Carmen", you may love this movie.

Otto Peminger deserved an Oscar for best director. Unbelievable....flawless musical. Dorothy Dandridge stole the show and she certainly deserved the Oscar for best actress. Harry Belafonte was excellent as well. Pearl Bailey, Diahann Carroll...excellent cast. The scenes where Belafonte chases Dandridge atop a moving train appears to have been done without stunt doubles. When Dandridge clambers over a half-submerged jeep,her athletic ability is on full display. It was a novelty to have an all-black cast throughout - many actors,many extras. This movie was epic. A must-see for any film buff. It's a tragedy that Dandridge did not star in many more films - such a gifted actress. Those were the days when racism prevailed. This film is a treasure.

Dreadfully awful. Horrible, crummy, stupid, worthless lyrics, no plot, horrible composition. Even worse than Rocky Horror Picture Show. Harry Belafonte's dubbing was in the hit in the crotch vocal style. The "new" lyrics Hammerstein wrote totally cheapen this film, to the point when it has no integrity. The plot is quite confusing. No continuity. And it's ridiculous, random, bizarre, scary, disturbing, spasmodic and every other negative adjective you can imagine when they burst into song. This movie is a shameless, dull, cheap, shoddy, pointless, disappointing, talentless (aside from Pearl Bailey), ridiculous, criminal, sad, silly, idiotic, crappy travesty.