Famous Portuguese Folk Songs and Singers

The Portuguese folk music, also known as "música popular portuguesa," is a genre deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of the Portuguese people. It is characterized by its heartfelt and melancholic melodies, often accompanied by traditional instruments such as the guitarra portuguesa, the viola, and the accordion. This genre of music has its origins in rural areas, where it was passed down orally from one generation to another. It reflects the daily lives, struggles, and joys of the Portuguese people, depicting their traditions, customs, and history. Themes commonly found in Portuguese folk music include love, longing, poverty, and the sea. One of the most famous styles of Portuguese folk music is Fado.

Sybil reminds me so much of Endora of Bewitched that I can't help but wonder if the creators of Bewitched got their idea from this movie. Anyway, it's a decent movie to watch. Not the best, but okay.

I get that the fact I thought I was going to watch it for free made it extra painful, but I m so sick of all these people putting obscure movies on line and charging for them. George legend, this movie s main attraction for adults is eighty-year-old Estelle Winwood s charmingly quirky performance as a slightly befuddled wizardess.

One of the most famous styles of Portuguese folk music is Fado. Originating in the 19th century in the city of Lisbon, Fado is recognized as a genre that captures the essence of Portuguese sentimentality. Fado songs are usually sung by a soloist accompanied by a Portuguese guitar, which provides a haunting and emotional accompaniment.

The Magic Sword

The Magic Sword very loosely based on the 'St. George And The Dragon' legend, has a princess (Anne Helm) kidnapped by evil sorcerer Lodac (Basil Rathbone) and hunted by lovesick George (Gary Lockwood).
Aided by his foster mother Sybil (Estelle Winwood) a good witch, George vows to save the princess and destroy Lodac.

Reviewer: Ascendes ad Inferos - favorite favorite favorite favorite - December 1, 2019
Subject: Gary Lockwood

Reviewer: marchegiano - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - May 3, 2019
Subject: Fantastic

Reviewer: samwise7777 - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - February 26, 2015
Subject: True Swords and Sorcery Film!

A classic from start to finish. A beautiful princess, noble knights, evil sorcery, dragons and demi- humans even a chess playing monkey! A lot of work went into this movie and it looks great for a pre CGI era. Does anyone else notice how much the dragon's roar at the end sounds like a tie fighter from Star Wars? Listen close, it's amazing.
A great film that has more heart then any of the films out nowadays. Bravo!

Reviewer: jonjonz - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - January 10, 2014
Subject: Favorite 12 year old movie

When I was 12 I saw this in a theater and it became one of my favorite cinema experiences. Basil Rathbone provides a creepy and evil foe, while Gary Lockwood, proves why he was a great actor. (2001: A Space Odyssey, Star Trek, etc.) Just remember, this was the sixties, before CGI, and it is written to scare and entertain kids, not teens, young adults or adults. Don't watch unless you are still young at heart.

Reviewer: johnnyrocco - favorite favorite favorite favorite - March 15, 2010
Subject: the best bert i gordon movie ever

the magic sword is the best bert i gordon movie ever,back in the early 70s i remember seeing it on creature features and it scared the hell out of me.kudos to the late Basil Rathbone as the mean sorcerer.and vampira as the witch.a famous monsters of filmland classic,remember that gem of a magazine?

Reviewer: Richard-III - favorite favorite favorite favorite - March 15, 2010
Subject: A rare bit of fantasy

This Bert I. Gordon production is much better that many of his cheap sci-fi movies. It has better ideas, a good (mechanical) firespitting dragon and some casual horror elements that most children love to see in a fairytale.

Thanks for uploading, only too bad about the jerky motions. Maybe you encoded it from a PAL source to NTSC?

Reviewer: picfixer - favorite favorite favorite - February 2, 2010
Subject: Dear me! Now where did I put those frogs' eyes?

The following is straight from the dragon’s mouth: As a twist on the St. George legend, this movie’s main attraction for adults is eighty-year-old Estelle Winwood’s charmingly quirky performance as a slightly befuddled wizardess. The rest is mostly for kids, although I doubt many members of the x-box generation could be bribed into watching it. There is a maiden-devouring dragon (fun for all ages) and Basil "Sherlock Holmes" Rathbone is suitably nasty as the evil wizard. Featured in the role of princess Helene is the very pretty Anne Helm, who never really clicked in films yet had a long and voluminous TV career ……….Oh yeah, and there’s some nut called Gary Lockwood who keeps swinging a damn sword all over the place!

Reviewer: surfvh - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - January 24, 2010
Subject: Great Kid's Movie!

I saw this movie back in the 1950's as kid and for 4 decades thought of it as the best sorcery/adventury film ever. I just watched it with some kids (6-10 years old) and they absolutely loved it. The kids voted this film 5 stars, so that's what I'm giving it. Your kids will love it too.

Reviewer: horseoftroy - favorite favorite favorite favorite - September 21, 2009
Subject: stained glass

a tad too dark at times to understand the direction, but the acting is understandable from minute 1, and never varies one single second.
good film for kids to see if they can stand a more shocking film, like a war film or something.
maybe even a western. maybe even one that has- gasp- voodoo in it.

Bert Gordon's TORMENTED is also PD and is on the Archive. This film is fun, but the MGM DVD is the best for quality, so if you're a big fan of this film or a purist, buy the DVD. Otherwise, enjoy what's here.

As for the comments by skybandit, I agree. Everything here is free, so if you don't like the image quality, don't bother watching it. Simple as that.

To all you whiners and complainers: BEGGARS CAN'T BE CHOOSERS!

Reviewer: skybandit - favorite favorite favorite favorite - September 8, 2009
Subject: kutindebewilling

You said it a lot nicer than some other folks I could mention, but this IS a free site. Don't like the quality? Ask for your money back.

Better yet, why not write a "How-To" for us computards? I've refrained from uploading because I don't want to post anything that looks like crap. I'm embarassed about some of the early vids I put up on YouTube, and would LOVE to be able to do it better!

BTW, love this cheesy flick. Wonder why it's PD? Most of Mr. BIG'as other stuff USED to be PD, but he or his heirs or some greedy corporate hack have managed to re-copyright "War of the Collosal Beast" and other works of his.

Sybil reminds me so much of Endora of Bewitched that I can't help but wonder if the creators of Bewitched got their idea from this movie. Anyway, it's a decent movie to watch. Not the best, but okay.

I remember seeing this movie on television when I was a kid. It is total twaddle and I loved every minute of it. Basil Rathbone is a greater villan than hero. He really seemed to get into villans more. His melodramatic style of speaking really did it for me.

Reviewer: kareneliot - favorite favorite favorite - December 20, 2008
Subject: It was terribly awful and I loved every minute of it.

I almost stopped watching after the first minute, but I ended up watching the whole thing, and I even quite enjoyed it at that.

Could the person who uploaded this and many other movies in the archive please refrain from any further uploads until he or she has learned the basics of video encoding? For a start, please try to select the right framerate. You are wasting our time here.

I like it in a Grimm's fairy tale way(the Wonderful of the Brothers Grimm) Rathbone plays a dastardly villian in a most delicious way and Lockwood(although not my idea of cuddly) plays a pretty good hero type.

Reviewer: Classic_TV_and_Radio_Fan - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - December 4, 2008
Subject: Print is a little poor but still a fun film

This movie was made using eastmancoolor so of course the quality of the print is crap. It's still a fun movie featuring an incredibly cuddly swordsmen killing a dragon. He's very cuddly (the swordsmen, not the dragon). The film is way better than that overrated peice of crap known as The Betty Hutton Show. Betty Hutton may be cuddly, but that doesn't stop her sitcom from sucking. This is high quality entertainment for people who enjoy such other quality productions like The Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog and Kingswood Country.

a tad too dark at times to understand the direction, but the acting is understandable from minute 1, and never varies one single second.
good film for kids to see if they can stand a more shocking film, like a war film or something.
maybe even a western. maybe even one that has- gasp- voodoo in it.

The lyrics often express feelings of saudade, a Portuguese word that has no direct translation but evokes a sense of longing, nostalgia, and melancholy. Apart from Fado, other regional styles of folk music exist throughout Portugal, each with its unique characteristics. For instance, música alentejana is a style associated with the Alentejo region and features powerful vocal harmonies. The music of the Azores Islands combines influences from Portuguese, African, and Caribbean traditions, creating a lively and rhythmic sound. Today, these traditional folk music styles continue to be cherished and celebrated in Portugal. Both established and emerging artists perform and record Portuguese folk music, ensuring that it remains a vibrant and significant part of the country's cultural identity. In recent years, there has also been a fusion of folk music with other genres, resulting in a contemporary and innovative approach to Portuguese music. In conclusion, Portuguese folk music is a cherished and integral part of the country's cultural heritage. It embodies the emotions and experiences of the Portuguese people, reflecting their history, customs, and identity. Whether it is the soulful melodies of Fado or the lively rhythms of regional styles, Portuguese folk music continues to captivate audiences and preserve the traditions of the past..

Reviews for "Modern Interpretations of Portuguese Folk Music"

1. Jane - 2 stars - I did not enjoy "Portuguese folk music" at all. I found the melodies to be repetitive and uninteresting, and the lyrics were difficult to understand. Additionally, the performance lacked energy and enthusiasm, making it a rather dull experience overall. I was disappointed and wouldn't recommend it to others.

2. Michael - 1 star - "Portuguese folk music" was a complete letdown for me. The performers seemed disconnected from their own music, and their lackluster stage presence made it hard to engage with the performance. The songs themselves were monotonous and failed to capture my attention. I left feeling bored and unimpressed.

3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Portuguese folk music" but was ultimately disappointed. The music felt repetitive and lacked variety, making it difficult to differentiate between the songs. The performers also seemed to lack passion, resulting in a lackluster experience. Overall, it failed to leave a lasting impression, and I wouldn't recommend it to others seeking an engaging musical experience.

4. David - 2.5 stars - While "Portuguese folk music" had its moments, overall, it failed to captivate me. The songs often felt predictable and didn't offer any surprises. The performers seemed competent but lacked the charisma and stage presence to truly enhance the experience. I appreciate the effort put into showcasing this genre, but it fell short of my expectations.

Exploring the Different Regional Styles of Portuguese Folk Music