In a wine cellar, Hoffmann tells of his love for the opera star, Stella, who has up to now rejected his love. He then relates his first tale. He falls in love with Olympia, a dancing doll. The doll's creator gives him a pair of magic ...See moreIn a wine cellar, Hoffmann tells of his love for the opera star, Stella, who has up to now rejected his love. He then relates his first tale. He falls in love with Olympia, a dancing doll. The doll's creator gives him a pair of magic glasses and when he wears them, the doll comes to life. Hoffmann meets his nemesis, in the form of the doll's creator, who destroys the doll. In the second story, Antonia, Hoffmann's second love, is dying of tuberculosis. She is unaware of her illness but has been told not to sing to save her strength. They make plans to elope, but his nemesis appears in the form of the doctor, who urges her to sing. A statue of her mother comes to life and pleads with her not to sing. Antonia dies as Hoffmann rushes in. Hoffmann drinks himself into a stupor. Stella appears to accept his love, but finding him drunk, leaves with his nemesis. Hoffmann pursues but realizes she will become just another tale.
See less