Customer Reviews

Edward and Mrs. Simpson [VHS]

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This production, in my view, is one of the glories of Masterpiece Theater. The acting is excellent, from the leads to the extras. The story is fascinating, especially if you like peeking at the lives of royalty and the upper crust. Every pound Thames Television put into the show is visible; the settings are authentic or look it; the costumes appear bespoke, as they say; and everyone's manners are immaculate, even if what they do isn't.

It's the story of the affair between Edward, Prince of Wales, later Edward VIII, and Wallis Warfield Simpson, an American twice-married divorcee. It starts just before he meets her and ends shortly after he abdicates the British throne to marry "the woman I love." He became the Duke of Windsor and she his Duchess. It was probably the biggest story of its time. The program runs for six 60 minute installments. Because of the style, the acting and the story of these two people, who are so self-indulgent and so obtuse (on his part) and so calculating and brittle (on her part), it never seems boring.

Edward, played by Edward Fox, is a man of great charm and handsome appearance, a man girls swoon over and men wish to be like. He's also privileged, unselfconsciously selfish and not really too bright. He's a man who seems most comfortable with older women, women who can cosset and coo over him. His mistresses have all been older and married. Edward Fox, a fine actor, is wonderful in the part. (For those who might not recognize his name, he was the Jackal in The Day of the Jackal). Wallis, played by Cynthia Harris, is a woman who can seem hard and even scheming, but who also has some vulnerability about her that makes her at least somewhat sympathetic.

Among the fine cast is Nigel Hawthorne as Walter Monckton, one of Edward's loyal but realistic counsellors; Cherie Lunghi as Lady Thelma Furness, a mistress Edward casts off by simply telling his switchboard not to accept anymore of her calls; David Waller as Stanley Baldwin, the shrewd prime minister; and Jessie Mathews as Wallis' Aunt Bessie Merryman, all pink and plump and powdered...and keen-eyed. (Mathews in the Thirties was the toast of the London stage, singing and dancing in a number of musicals. She introduced Rodgers and Hart's "Dancing on the Ceiling.")

If you like Masterpiece Theater or similar shows, I think you'll like this program very much. The DVD picture is very good. Unfortunately, there is only one extra, A&E's Biography of Wallis Simpson. Not even any cast bios.

"The King of England and the woman for whom he gave up a throne" has nearly passed into legend, as has the much re-recorded abdication speech give by Edward VIII in which he explained in his own voice (kings by tradition had no right to express personal opinions in public) that all he wanted was to be with the woman he loved. Whether or not she was a scheming Lady Macbeth who wanted to be a queen will never really be known, but it makes an interesting challenge for an actress who plays the part of the American, twice-divorced Mrs. Simpson.


I was delighted to learn that A&E has restored the 1978 mini-series, "Edward & Mrs. Simpson" in a boxed set of two DVDs (AAE 71753). In seven episodes of 50 minutes each, it tells the tale of how Edward (Edward Fox) first runs into Wallis Simpson (Cynthia Harris), becomes obsessed with her, drives all of the higher-ups in the British government half mad seeking ways to satisfy their master and at the same time stopping a marriage which could not constitutionally exist.


As scripted, Simpson is no sympathetic character but a woman used to getting what she wants, even if it is the next King of England. Unhappily, Edward (who is called David throughout the series) is shown to be a spoiled brat who often puts his pleasures before his duties; and by the time one might really feel sorry for him, some can only say, "What did you expect?" and "You got what you thoroughly deserved."


As fine as Fox and Harris are as actors, there is none of that special "chemistry" needed to convince us that these two were (or at least that he was) so madly obsessed with each other. And while there is much talk about how fascinating Wallis was to all who met her, the viewer hardly sees anything matching that description.


But what a pleasure it is to see consummate actors do their stuff, especially supported by such British stars as Nigel Hawthorne, Peggy Ashcroft (as the outraged Queen Mary), John Shrapnel, David Waller (as the long-suffering Prime Minister, Stanley Baldwin), Patricia Hodge (from the Rumpole series), and too many others to mention here.


A final irony is found in the bonus feature, "Wallis Simpson" from A&E's Biography series, when we are told that Simpson was carrying on another affair all through her stalking of Edward! It would be interesting to know how this would have changed the script if this information were known back then.


In sum, although I think that just under six hours is far too long to carry this story and keep things sparking (150 minutes would have been about right), I can still recommend this set for the acting, the period décor, and the discussions it is bound to stimulate among the viewers.

This review refers to "Edward & Mrs. Simpson" 2 DVD set(A&E)

Well if there was ever a story of true romance, this is it.If it wasn't a true story, you would think it would make a great romance novel. King Edward VIII of England, just shortly before his coronation gives a radio address on Dec 11, 1936 saying farewell, and tells the country that loves him, he is abdicating. The reason, a woman. Mrs. Wallis Simpson, a twice divorced outgoing American who held the heart of Edward captive.

Edward felt a strong duty to his country. But his love for Mrs. Simpson was so deep, he gave up his throne, so she could be HIS Queen, when his country would not recognize his love, his wife, as their Queen. What sort of woman could make a man give up a nation for her? This British mini-series gives an in-depth look at this Royal soap. Edward, Mrs. Simpson, the romance, and the turbulence it caused the between the politicians who begged Edward to consider his choice(they didn't want to lose him), his family,his country and finally the decision.

It's a 7 part series that begins as Prince Edwards, quite the man about town, is introduced to Wallis Simpson, by his then girlfriend. Although still married to Mr. Simpson, Wallis is portrayed to be a woman who knows what she wants, and knows how to get it. Edward is smitten, and can hardly be a minute without her. Even if at first, it means having Mr. Simpson in tow as well. The Simpsons finally divorce, and Edward and Wallis become inseparable, causing quite the commotion among the Royals and their inner circle.

This fabulous production gives you an up close and personal look at the events.The private and public moments that follow Edward, Wallis and those loyal to Edward. I was drawn into the story and the characters. The cast was simply magnificent in their performances. Edward Fox as Edward made you feel everything he was feeling. He was very much a Royal. There couldn't have been a better Wallis than Cynthia Harris. She portrayed the American intruder into the Royal lives fabulously. At first you may think she is a schemer, maybe even a gold digger, but by the end she will have you on her side. Other great talents include Nigel Hawthorne, Peggy Ascroft and Cheri Lunghi.

The DVD presentation is very nice. Clear picture and vibrant colors in all the period costumes. Features include scene selection, and the "Wallis Simpson Episode" From A&E's Biography series(sans commercials), which was most informative and included a look at their lives together, for the years after the abdication. There was a slight glitch in the last episode, and I missed the first 5 minutes of it. The DVD just seemed to skip over it. I didn't see any others mention this, so it could be just my copy(I tried it several times). Each disc is in it's own keep case and come in an outter slip case as well.

You may also enjoy:Edward the King
or:Edward the Seventh

A wonderful addition to your Royals collection!
Enjoy....Laurie

"Edward and Mrs Simpson" is a dramatization of the Abdication Crisis of 1936. The first parts, which deal with Edward's meeting Wallis Simpson and falling in love with her, are well done, highly dramatic but staying close to the real events. Things get a bit tedious towards the end when the show focusses more on the negotiations between the King, the Prime Minister, and the other Parliament and Commonwealth leaders than on the two principal characters. Even so, "Edward and Mrs Simpson" is well worth the money.

"Edward & Mrs. Simpson" is the best available dramatization of the events leading up to the abdication of King Edward VIII, but it could have been so much better. Part of the problem is that there was so more to the story that could have been told, but wasn't told here. The last few weeks just prior to the fateful event were filled with enormous tension-much more so than this production was able to present. Supporters took to the streets; Stanley Baldwin and the cabinet were in frequent session dealing with the momentous events that were transpiring; the air was charged; Wallis WAS in fact looking for a way out, she was in danger, and many in England held their breath. And there was the very provocative possibility that while these things were going on Wallis was "two-timing" Edward/David with a handsome young car salesman. At least she was seeing him behind his back. That "fact" probably could not have been added to this British production at the time it was made, as Wallis was still then alive. Still, a more complete picture would have made a gem of a film or series, but it would be an enormous challenge. The story is high drama befitting an opera as much as a mini-series. Nevertheless, this is the best we have and we should be more than happy to have it. Subsequent efforts have been pretty terrible. This is a gem but not a diamond, not quite. The characters of Bertie and Elizabeth are not well drawn and casting for those parts was not very good. But in the final analysis I would say: don't pass this up if you are interested Edward and Mrs. Simpson and the abdication crisis. Grab it while you can get it! The history, as far as it goes, is pretty accurate thank the Lord; the clothes and period details are near perfect and beautiful and worth the price of admission. Two final points should be made: Edward Fox is terrific as the Prince of Wales/King/Duke; and the addition of the A&E "Biography" series program on Wallis is a nice conclusion to the set.

After watching this on BBC I knew I had to have it and I knew just where I could find it.The acting is supurb and after listening to Edward Foxes rendition of the Prince's radio address, I went back and listened to the Prince himself and it was right on!I could hardly tell the difference!There are some scenes that are down right tedious and the whole giraffe thing still confuses me. All in all, it is a must for Brit lovers!!

I was guided by the customer reviews when I was searching for a treatment of this story that I became interested in and so I selected this production. It is splendid, with sumptuous period detail, fine acting, and the time to tell the story completely. Since this was a television production there are no subtitles to identify places, times or characters so you will have to pay close attention to identify who is who and what their role is. Edward was neither a hero or villain, just a human being who made a decision for himself that a lot of people still find incomprehensible. It's a fascinating story and well told in this production.

This outstanding British TV-film, originally broadcast in 1978, was dramatized from Frances Donaldson's magisterial 1974 biography of the duke of Windsor. Of all the biographies written about this sad, complex man, Donaldson's dominates the field, as the duke's official biographer admitted in his preface. The 1978 film outstrips any yet made about the duke and duchess, especially two lamentable TV films: "The Woman I Love" (1972), with Richard Chamberlain as Edward VIII/ duke of Windsor trying to act royal opposite a most unconvincing Faye Dunaway as Mrs Simpson, and "The Woman He Loved" (1988), with Antony Edwards mumbling incomprehensibly opposite an even less convincing Jane Seymour (in the worst old-age makeup ever inflicted on a TV audience).

"Edward and Mrs Simpson," in contrast, is impeccably cast and acted from start to finish. I imagine the existing Royal Family's displeasure with yet another TV film about their most famous black sheep may have been all that kept this film from receiving the public awards it deserved.

Cynthia Harris is the most believable Wallis Simpson on film--an American woman mystified by the intricacies of life in Britain in the 1930's, when an island kingdom struggled to preserve the ghosts of Empire. As prince of Wales/Edward VIII/duke of Windsor, Edward Fox flawlessly combines brittle arrogance with the fatal misunderstandings of the realities of his position that doomed Edward's reign. Even lesser roles are superb: Nigel Hawthorne, best remembered for his turn as Edward VIII's mad ancestor George III, marvellously captures the difficult position in which the king's advisor Walter Monckton found himself in 1936. Amanda Reiss as duchess of York (then Queen Elizabeth, finally the late Queen Mother), bears an uncanny physical resemblance to the real duchess and conveys that lady's apprehension and fury as she grasps the implications of the crisis with which Edward's love for Mrs Simpson confronted his brother and frail heir-presumptive the duke of York (later George VI, father of Elizabeth II).

In addition to the excellent acting, the film realistically portrays British life in the 1930's and the role the nation's outlook played in ending Edward's reign. Costumes, sets, cars, even cigarettes without filters (a point often overlooked in period films set before the 1950's)--all these combine to re-create a society now long vanished. Understanding just how that society functioned is vital to comprehending how it could have come about that a king, regardless of his popularity as prince of Wales, could find himself left with no choice but to abandon throne and people because his prospective wife was unacceptable to an Establishment of whose strength and influence Edward had somehow managed to keep himself almost entirely ignorant.

Perhaps nothing sums up this fundamental conundrum better than the director's inspired choice to accompany the film's credits with a popular song from Edward VIII's youth:

"I've danced with a boy, who danced with a girl, who danced with the Prince of Wales! It was simply grand--he said, 'Topping band!' and she said, 'Delightful, sir'...."

This part of history has always been an interest to me. I have read numerous books on Edward VIII and the abdication crisis. The director did his research well. Edward Fox's performace as a nervous and indecisive Prince of Wales shines through, as well as the social climbing, cold calculating Wallis Simpson played by Cynthia Harris. And Dame Peggy Ashcroft's Queen Mary as the back bone of the british empire gives polish to the entire cast.

The scandal that brought down a King is examined in detail in this 1978 English miniseries. We meet Edward, Prince of Wales (Edward Fox), who eschews royal responsibilities and propriety in favor of a rather hedonistic life style. He'd had a string of affairs before he met Wallis Simpson (Cynthia Harris), a once-divorced, married American woman in 1931. She is shown to be a calculating spider, he the willing fly. When he becomes King and insists upon marrying her, his actions threaten to destroy the monarchy.

Edward Fox is perfectly cast as the spoiled and boyish Prince; it is a pleasure to watch him completely inhabit the character. Cynthia Harris, on the other hand, is never believable as Mrs. Simpson; none of her lines sound spontaneous and her stiff acting weakens the show. The supporting cast, including Peggy Ashcroft as Queen Mary, is wonderful, but the scenes where Edward's advisors endlessly debate the sticky situation are tedious.

Still, it's a fascinating story despite its faults and it's fun to watch the Royals' private lives. 3.5 stars.