Product Details

• Actors: Michael Caine, Julie Walters, Michael Williams, Maureen Lipman, Jeananne Crowley
• Directors: Lewis Gilbert
• Writers: Willy Russell
• Producers: Lewis Gilbert, Herbert L. Oakes, William P. Cartlidge
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Sony Pictures
• VHS Release Date: January 30, 1996
• Run Time: 110 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (69 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6303451454
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #103,119 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential video

Michael Caine and the knockout Julie Walters deliver a pair of wonderful performances in this endearingly bittersweet tale of a boozily burnt-out professor's tutoring of (and subsequent tutoring by) a free-spirited cockney hairdresser determined to improve her lot in life. The basic plot won't exactly surprise anyone who's ever seen a movie before, but the ace cast (particularly Caine, who's rarely this subtle) continually finds new directions to spin off from the rather rote path. Although the end result is perhaps just a little too convinced of its own adorability to attain classic status, this remains a rarity in the genre--a feel-good film that earns its emotions honestly. A nice change of pace for director Lewis Gilbert, who is perhaps better known for his contributions to the James Bond series. --Andrew Wright

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What A Treasure!, December 12, 2005

By 

Fletcherfan (Douglasville, GA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Educating Rita (DVD)

I am so pleased that Educating Rita is finally coming to DVD. I have tried to purchase it in the past with no luck and my VHS is broke.

If you are reading this review and want to know the synopsis, basically a young hairdresser wants to become more than she is. She feels that only through education will she have more choices open to her. She works privately with a tutor, Frank(Caine), who is an alcoholic. During the time they spend together, each looks at the other with 'the grass is greener' philosophy. Frank thinks that Rita is perfect the ways she is. Rita wants what Frank has. The trade off for each is what makes the film bitter sweet. You so want Rita to achieve her dream, but at a cost of who she is , is painful. What happens? You will have to watch. My tape broke about 3 years ago, so I am very much looking forward to this film.

If you enjoy British slice of life films, this is a must. IF you love Michael Caine or Julie Walters, this is a must. I recommend this very highly. It is an overlooked cinematic treasure.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An overlooked gem of a romantic movie!, April 6, 2003

By 

Shashank Tripathi (Gadabout) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Educating Rita [VHS] (VHS Tape)

"Educating Rita", directed by Lewis Gilbert, is an overlooked gem of a film. Based on a London stage play, "Educating Rita" (a copy of which is sold by Amazon.co.uk for those who are interested) is the story of a 27-year old middle class London hairdresser/housewife (Julie Walters, in a convincing, touching performance) who, before having children, would like very much to learn about herself. Much to the annoyance of her husband, she enrolls in an "open university" literature course to begin her journey (open university is the British term for college night courses). Assigned as her tutor is Frank (Michael Caine, in his deservedly award-winning role), an older literature professor who suffers from low self esteem and has his own relationship problems.

But no, this movie is not what you would "typically" expect that storyline to be like. The feel of the movie is very play like -- fans of Glengarry or Death of a Salesman or movies of such ilk would immediately identify.

Had this film been made in the glam throes of Hollywood, Rita and Frank would have hit the sack within two scenes of meeting each other (and it would have been graphic, of course), then realized they were in love, followed by the inevitable obstacle to their relationship (probably a misunderstanding or rival for affections), finally ending up with them overcoming all. Every character and plot point would have been telegraphed well in advance. "Educating Rita" does none of this. There are no graphic sex scenes (or any sex scenes for that matter), no grand pronouncements of love, no cliche cliffhangers or deaths in icy seas. Instead, the story portrays Rita and Frank in a very realistic, human manner. As the story unfolds, we watch as they grow as individuals which causes their friendship to become richer. There are turns to the plot which are unexpected. I will not divulge what the end result is, as it is very unconventional and is sure to bring a lump to the throat of any romantic.

Quite simply, "Educating Rita" is a very overlooked excellent character study framed by a wonderful story. One of my all time romantic favorites. Definitely your rental dollar well spent.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Reason To Love This Film, February 29, 2000

By 

Ms. S. K. Williams "stephaniewuk" (London, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Educating Rita [VHS] (VHS Tape)

One of my all-time favourite films, "Educating Rita" is absolutely brilliant rich in truth, feeling, terrific acting and a wonderfully written script which well-draws the two protagonists together. Julie Walters is excellent as the jaunty yet unfulfilled Liverpudlian hairdresser who desperately yearns for an educated mind and the somewhat underrated actor Michael Caine also gives a good performance as her depressed English tutor who wollows in his own self-pity. In eachother, they find a new lease of life and stike a special friendship which eventually benefits the pair of them. And I simply loved the fact that the writer, Willy Russell, didn't take advantage of the fact that they were good friends of the opposite sex and make them a couple and the way in which we see Rita gradually develop and find herself. Terrific stuff.