Product Details

• Actors: Steven Waddington, Andrew Tieman, John Lynch, Tilda Swinton, Annie Lennox
• Format: Color, DVD, Special Edition, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Studio: Image Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: June 14, 2005
• Run Time: 90 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000929ARI
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,964 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Edward II" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

EDWARD II (SPECIAL EDITION) - DVD Movie

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

61 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly amazing and unusual, September 18, 2005

By 

Q (Q Continuum) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Edward II (DVD)

Wow!, this is an amazing viewing experience, and definitely the best Derek Jarman film that I've seen. The script is based on Christopher Marlowe's equally bizarre 16th century playscript, the story of King Edward II and his love for his favorite Gaveston. Edward neglects all his princely duties of governing England so he can hang out with Gaveston and party. He also rejects the love of his wife, Queen Isabella from France. The leading nobles then conspire with Isabella to get rid of Gaveston, and eventually to depose Edward and murder him in a particularly gruesome manner.

Jarman retains the original Elizabethan language (don't worry, it's very accessible) but modernizes the setting to some extent, keeping the medieval castle, but updating the costumes and some props. Medieval and modern elements are mixed together in post-modern fashion. This is a very stylized and even symbolic production, although the story is more or less dramatically realistic. The original dialogue has been edited and shortened, in order to highlight the settings and gestures. The play is a visual and musical feast for the senses. Jarman's treatment of the play reminds me of Julie Taymor's TITUS (based on Shakespeare's Titus Andonicus) starring Anthony Hopkins and Jessica Lange.

But be forewarned, this is not for the squeamish; there is lots of male nudity and even homosexual love making, although enough is hidden to keep the "R" rating. There is also a fair amount of violence.

The play's treatment of homosexuality is very interesting and complex. In Marlowe's original playscript, the homosexual nature of the relationship between Edward and Gaveston is fairly obvious yet not completely explicit----still rather veiled according to the customs of the time; Jarman, in contrast, foregrounds the homosexuality; at the same time he doesn't idealize Edward and Gaveston to make them innocent victims. In line with the original script, Edward is portrayed as criminally negligent in his duties as King. But the nobles who depose him are also corrupted by the desire for power, so there are no clear heroes or villains here. The play, however, questions the irrational prejudice of the nobles against homosexuality.

Well worth the time and money. This play will be especially interesting for fans of Shakespeare and English Renaissance drama. Jarman truly makes Edward II accessible, interesting, and relevant for a contemporary audience.

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jarman's most accessible film, but not mainstream by any means..., July 13, 2006

By 

Grigory's Girl "Grigory's Girl" (NYC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Edward II (DVD)

This is a very well made, interesting, and unique interpretation of Christopher Marlowe's Edward II. It is by Derek Jarman, one of the most neglected British filmmakers in history. This is best known film in the US, and while he's made better films, this one is still excellent. The first time you see the film it can be rather off putting. First of all, the characters wear contemporary clothes (even though it took place in the 14th century), and they smoke cigarettes. The film is very stylized, there are some rather heavygoing sex scenes at the beginning of the film, and there are appearances by OutRage, a British gay rights group that Jarman was a member of. Aside from the anarchorisms and the sex, it still feels like a Shakespeare play in many ways. It is interesting to note that in Mel Gibson's film Braveheart, the son of Edward Longshanks was, in fact, Edward II. In Mel's film, he was portrayed in a stereotypical, effeminate way. In Jarman's film, Edward is much more dynamic and intelligent. Jarman's portrayal, while a little idealised, is still more realistic than Gibson's film. Granted, Gibson wasn't making a film about Edward II, but it still would have been good of him to get the portrayal right. The other performances are top notch (especially Tilda Swinton as the jilted queen, and Nigel Terry as Mortimer). Annie Lennox singing "Every Time We Say Goodbye" is reminiscent of Jarman's film of The Tempest, when Elisabeth Welch sings Stormy Weather at the end. Everything in this film works. It sounds like it could go out of control and turn into a camp fest, but it never does. Well worth seeing...

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Art movie about power and revenge, December 29, 2008

By 

Reader "cvrcak1" (Boca Raton, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Edward II (DVD)

I wanted to see this movie because it stars Tilda Swinton, art movie goddess of great talent and beauty. Film is about King Edward II who upon his father's death and inheritance to power invites from exile his lover, Galveston. Court is appalled that Galvaston is all that Edward II can think about and that Edward does not care that his lover is cruel, uncaring and greedy and steals money from the treasury. Edward's wife and Queen is rejected upon Galveston's arrival and finds herself on the sideline of power. Born of noble blood, she is deeply hurt by her treatment by the King and decides to plot a revenge and take over the power herself.

Fantastic costumes and jewelry. Queen's makeup is amazing, she is hypnotizing to all but Edward. This performance feels more like theatre on DVD. Annie Lennox's musical performance is beautiful and quite unexpected.

Film will get everyone thinking about lure of power and wealth, desire to hang onto it no matter what the consequences. It also tackles the notion of double standards. While homosexuality is frawned upon, the murder, orgy, adultery and betrayal seem to be almost expected and accepted by the great majority or realm's subjects. This film is not for everyone. It is definitely for mature audiences with sophisticated tastes. Short dancing scene between two male dancers is the best part of the film - treat for ballet lovers.