Evita is a 1996 American biographical musical drama film based on the 1978 stage musical by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, which itself originated as a 1976 concept album. Directed by Alan Parker from a screenplay he co-wrote with Oliver Stone, the film depicts the life of Argentine actress-turned-politician Eva Perón, detailing her beginnings, rise to power, and untimely death. It stars Madonna in the title role, with Jonathan Pryce as her husband Juan Perón and Antonio Banderas as Ché, an everyman who serves as the film's narrator.
A film adaptation of the musical languished in development for over fifteen years, as rights passed on to several major studios, and various directors and actors considered. In 1993, producer Robert Stigwood sold the rights to Andrew G. Vajna, who agreed to finance the film through his production company Cinergi Pictures, with Buena Vista Pictures distributing the film through Hollywood Pictures. After Stone stepped down from the project in 1994, Parker agreed to write and direct the film. Recording sessions for the songs and soundtrack took place at CTS Studios in London, roughly four months before filming. Parker worked with Rice and Lloyd Webber to compose the soundtrack, reworking the music and lyrics to the original songs. They also wrote a new song, "You Must Love Me", for the film. Principal photography commenced in February 1996 and concluded in May of that year. Filming took place on locations in Buenos Aires and Budapest as well as on soundstages at Shepperton Studios. The film's production in Argentina was met with controversy, as the cast and crew faced protests over fears that the project would tarnish Eva's image.
Evita premiered at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, on December 14, 1996. Hollywood Pictures gave the film a platform release, which involved releasing it in select cities before expanding distribution in the following weeks. The film had a limited release on December 25, 1996, before opening nationwide on January 10, 1997. It grossed $141 million worldwide against a $55 million budget and received mixed reviews; while Madonna's performance, the music, costume designs, and cinematography were praised, criticism was aimed at the pacing and direction. Evita received numerous accolades, including the Academy Award for Best Original Song (for "You Must Love Me"), and three Golden Globe Awards: Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical, Best Original Song ("You Must Love Me"), and Best Actress – Comedy or Musical (Madonna).
Plot
A film is interrupted when news breaks of the death of Eva Perón, Argentina's First Lady, at the age of 33 ("A Cinema in Buenos Aires on July 26, 1952"). The nation goes into public mourning ("Requiem for Evita"), with a funeral worthy of a head of state. Ché, a member of the public, marvels at the spectacle and promises to show how Eva did "nothing for years" ("Oh What a Circus").
Flashbacks contrast Eva's funeral with that of her father, locally prominent, who died when Eva was a child. As her father's illegitimate family, Eva's mother and her children are blocked from the funeral by the official widow and family. Managing to run to her father's coffin, Eva is physically carried out of the church by officiants.
At the age of 15, Eva lives in the provincial town of Junín, prostituting herself to touring tango singer Agustín Magaldi ("On This Night of a Thousand Stars"), who she blackmails by threatening to disclose their liaison unless he takes her to Buenos Aires ("Eva and Magaldi" / "Eva, Beware of the City"). In the city ("Buenos Aires"), Magaldi abandons her ("Another Suitcase in Another Hall"), and she goes through several relationships with increasingly influential men, becoming a model, actress and radio personality ("The Lady's Got Potential"). She meets Colonel Juan Perón at a fundraiser following the 1944 San Juan earthquake ("Charity Concert"). Peron is intrigued by the now glamorous Eva ("The Art of the Possible"), who sets out to convince him that she is the woman for him ("I'd Be Surprisingly Good for You"). Accompanying Peron to his home, Eva ruthlessly evicts his very young mistress ("Hello and Goodbye").
Perón's connection with Eva adds to his populist image, since they are both from the working class. Eva has a radio show during Perón's rise and uses all of her skills to promote him, arousing the scorn of Peron's fellow officers and rivals ("Peron's Latest Flame"). The controlling administration has him jailed, attempting to stunt his political momentum. The groundswell of support that Eva generates forces the government to release Perón, and he finds the people enamored of him and "Evita" (an endearment) ("A New Argentina"). Perón wins election to the presidency and marries Eva, who promises that the new government will serve the descamisados ("On the Balcony of the Casa Rosada").
At the start of the Perón government, Eva dresses glamorously ("High Flying, Adored"), enjoying the privileges of being the First Lady ("Rainbow High"). Soon after, she embarks on what is called her "Rainbow Tour" of Europe ("Rainbow Tour"). While there, she receives a mixed reception. The people of Spain, living under fascist dictator Francisco Franco, adore her; the people of Italy, with recent memories of Benito Mussolini and his mistress, call her a whore and throw things at her; and Pope Pius XII gives her a meager rosary gift. During the tour she begins to show signs of physical decline ("The Actress Hasn't Learned the Lines (You'd Like to Hear)"). Upon returning to Argentina, Eva establishes a foundation to help the poor ("Santa Evita"). The film suggests the Perónists otherwise plunder the public treasury ("And the Money Kept Rolling In (And Out)"). Though adored by the descamisados ("Partido Feminista"), the Perons are despised by the oligarchs ("Waltz for Eva and Che").
Eva is hospitalized and learns that she has terminal cancer. She declines the position of Vice President due to her failing health ("Don't Cry for Me Argentina"), and makes one final broadcast to the people of Argentina ("Eva's Final Broadcast"). She believes that her life was short because she shone like the "brightest fire" ("She Is a Diamond"), and helps Perón prepare to go on without her ("Your Little Body's Slowly Breaking Down"). Peron tenderly administers to her ("You Must Love Me"). A large crowd surrounds the Unzué Palace in a candlelight vigil praying for her recovery when the light of her room goes out, signifying her death ("Latin Chant"). At Eva's funeral, Ché is seen at her coffin, marveling at the influence of her brief life ("Lament"). He walks up to her glass coffin, embalmed body on display, kisses it, and joins the crowd of passing mourners.
Cast
Cast taken from Turner Classic Movies listing of Evita.
Musical numbers • "A Cinema in Buenos Aires, 26 July 1952" – Crowd • "Requiem for Evita" – Chorus • "Oh What a Circus" – Che and Crowd • "On This Night of a Thousand Stars" – Magaldi • "Eva and Magaldi" / "Eva, Beware of the City" – Eva, Magaldi, Che and Evita's Family • "Buenos Aires" – Eva, Che and Crowd • "Another Suitcase in Another Hall" – Perón's Mistress and Men's Chorus • "Goodnight and Thank You" – Che, Eva, Magaldi and Lovers • "The Lady's Got Potential" – Che • "Charity Concert" – Perón, Che, Magaldi and Eva • "The Art of the Possible" – Perón, Generals and Eva • "I'd Be Surprisingly Good for You" – Eva and Perón • "Hello and Goodbye" – Eva • "Peron's Latest Flame" – Che, Aristocrats, Soldiers and Eva • "A New Argentina" – Eva, Che, Perón and Crowd • "On the Balcony of the Casa Rosada" – Perón, Che and Crowd • "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" – Eva • "High Flying, Adored" – Che and Eva • "Rainbow High" – Eva and Dressers • "Rainbow Tour" – Perón, Advisers and Che • "The Actress Hasn't Learned the Lines (You'd Like to Hear)" – Eva, Aristocrats and Che • "And the Money Kept Rolling In (And Out)" – Che and Crowd • "Partido Femenista" – Eva, Che, and Chorus • "She Is a Diamond" – Perón • "Santa Evita" – Children and Chorus • "Waltz for Eva and Che" – Eva and Che • "Your Little Body's Slowly Breaking Down" – Perón and Eva • "You Must Love Me" – Eva • "Eva's Final Broadcast" – Eva and Che • "Latin Chant" – Che and Chorus • "Lament" – Eva, Embalmers and Che
Production
Failed projects: 1976–1986
Following the release of Evita (1976), a sung-through concept album by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber detailing the life of Eva Perón, director Alan Parker met with their manager David Land, asking if Rice and Lloyd Webber had thought of making a film version. He understood that they were more interested in creating a stage version with the album's original lyrics. The original West End theatre production of Evita opened at the Prince Edward Theatre on June 21, 1978, and closed on February 18, 1986. The subsequent Broadway production opened at the Broadway Theatre on September 25, 1979, and closed on June 26, 1983, after 1,567 performances and 17 previews. Robert Stigwood, producer of the West End production, wanted Parker to direct Evita as a film but, after completing work on the musical Fame (1980), Parker turned down the opportunity to helm Evita, telling Stigwood that he "didn't want to do back-to-back musicals".
The film rights to Evita became the subject of a bidding war among Warner Bros., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) and Paramount Pictures. Stigwood sold the rights to EMI Films for over $7.5 million. He also discussed the project with Jon Peters, who promised that he would convince his girlfriend Barbra Streisand to play the lead role if he were allowed to produce. Streisand, however, was not interested in the project because she saw the stage version in New York and did not like it. Stigwood turned down the offer, opting to stay involved as the film's sole producer. EMI ultimately dropped the project after merging with Thorn Electrical Industries to form Thorn EMI, as well as producing several box-office flops under the banner.
In May 1981, Paramount Pictures acquired the film rights, with Stigwood attached as a producer. Paramount allocated a budget of $15 million, and the film was scheduled to go into production by year-end. To avoid higher production costs, Stigwood, Rice and Lloyd Webber each agreed to take a smaller salary but a higher percentage of the film's gross. Stigwood hired Ken Russell to direct the film, based on the success of their previous collaboration Tommy (1975).
Stigwood and Russell decided to hold auditions with the eight actresses portraying Eva in the musical's worldwide productions, with an undisclosed number performing screen tests in New York and London. In November 1981, Russell continued holding screen tests at Elstree Studios. Karla DeVito was among those who auditioned for the role of Eva. Russell also travelled to London, where he screen tested Liza Minnelli wearing a blonde wig and custom-period gowns. He felt that Minnelli, a more established film actress, would be better suited for the role, but Rice, Stigwood and Paramount wanted Elaine Paige, the first actress to play Eva in the London stage production. Russell began working on his own screenplay without Stigwood, Rice or Lloyd Webber's approval. His script followed the outlines of the stage production, but established the character of Ché as a newspaper reporter. The script also contained a hospital montage for Eva and Ché, in which they pass each other on gurneys in white corridors as she is being treated for cancer, while Ché is beaten and injured by rioters. Russell was ultimately fired from the project after telling Stigwood he would not do the film without Minnelli.