Product Details

• Actors: Lee Remick, Barbara Parkins, Warren Clarke, Rachel Kempson, Ronald Pickup
• Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Acorn Media
• DVD Release Date: June 29, 2010
• Run Time: 361 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00336M8DK
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #28,587 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

"Exquisite portrait" --The New York Times

The remarkable mother of the legendary statesman

A luminous Lee Remick stars as the mother of Sir Winston Churchill in this award-winning British miniseries seen on PBS. Written by playwright Julian Mitchell, who drew on private letters and papers from the Churchill family, it’s a captivating portrait of a spirited American woman. Follow Jennie through her extraordinary life, from her first meeting with Lord Randolph Churchill (Ronald Pickup, Fortunes of War, Behaving Badly) at the young age of 19 through their whirlwind marriage, Winston’s youth, a feud with the Prince of Wales, exile in Ireland, Randolph’s death, and two more marriages: the first to a man the same age as her son, the second to one even younger!

For her effervescent performance, Oscar® and Tony Award® nominee Lee Remick (Days of Wine and Roses, The Omen) won the best actress Golden Globe and BAFTA Award, as well as an Emmy® nomination. Filmed on location in family homes including Blenheim Palace, the series also stars Warren Clarke (Dalziel and Pascoe) as Winston, Christopher Cazenove (The Duchess of Duke Street), Siân Phillips (I, Claudius), and Jeremy Brett (The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes) as Count Kinsky, Lady Jennie’s great love.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not Before Time...when this comes out BUY IT!, March 4, 2010

By 

F - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jennie: Lady Randolph Churchill (DVD)

I remember watching this as a 10 year old and being absolutely spellbound. Although much of the class structure of those years I obviously didn't understand, the acting of the wonderful, and criminally underrated Lee Remick (sadly no longer with us)in the title role, and the remarkable perforance of Ronald Pickup as Churchill's syphillitic father Randolph were enough.

I remember having a heartbreaking crush on Lee Remick for years after and often looking for the DVD version, which I've only just found out is now available. Thank you Network for finally releasing what I believe to be the finest costume drama of the 70s.

Also, this is beautifully scored by Andre Previn. Bravo all round!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well worth the wait., July 2, 2010

By 

Joy "JS" (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Jennie: Lady Randolph Churchill (DVD)

I remember seeing this when it first came out...on a tiny black and white portable set. In the typical Masterpiece Theatre way, it was exquisite...almost fairytale in style. I was entranced by Lee Remick...the most beautiful "princess" I'd ever seen. A woman with brains as well as beauty, combined with cunning and attitude. It was also a joy to see an American woman navigating the shoals of British politics as if she'd been born to it.

I was so upset when it seemed to disappear after the initial showing...wondering if it would ever turn up. I also wondered if it would be as grand as I remembered. It was well worth the wait.

One final thing: If any viewers ever get to London, head to the American Embassy. You will see a statue of Sir Winston Churchill on the grounds.

I think Sir Winston's mother Jennie would be proud...don't you?

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Period Biography of the Lady Churchill, May 11, 2010

By 

Harold Wolf "Doc" (Wells, IN United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Jennie: Lady Randolph Churchill (DVD)

Historical PLUS a look a strong woman behind successful men. Jennie pushes two prominent British politicians. Jennie was Sir Winston Churchill's mother. Jennie's DVD bio explains where Sir Winston got his own spunk and tenacity. The teenager-to-death lead role is a magnificent performance by a young Lee Remick. She was a star before she played Lady Randolph, but this is quite a tribute to her ability. She is the only cast member to be in all 7 episodes of "Jennie", thus almost single-handed pulling off the series' accolades, including winning BAFTA Best Actress.

A young Winston Churchill is played by Warren Clarke so well, you can see and hear the real Churchill, though the time span for this biography does not take Winston to his world prominence of WWII.

For Historical Drama, this DVD 2-disc series ranks a solid 5 stars. If you're after just romance, Victorian drama, and sordid aristocratic lives, then this might disappoint. Even so, 'Jennie' is a strong 4 stars for that type of entertainment too. There is a good bit of British politics involved in the Churchill family, of course, and it's included in this series along with the private life side. My wife declared this worthy of 5 stars only part-way into episode 2. Perhaps it's best described as a documentary-drama that's very hard to wait for between episodes. Originally airing late 1974, this period series is timeless, educational, romantic, entertaining, Victorian, award-winning costumes, performance perfection, and beautifully costumed Lee Remick through it all.

Subtitles ARE available. 371 minutes series total plus some bonus stuff.

Episode details:
1 JENNIE JEROME-Paris, 1873. American Jennie lives in Paris but holiday's in Cowes, England, meets young Randolph Churchill, and we know from history they say 'I DO.' Intimate details are quite enlightening.

2 LADY RANDOLPH-Entering the Churchill estate, Blenheim Palace, via a poem recollection, Jennie must try to settle into this aristocratic life including bearing a future generation and political scandal.

3 RECOVERY-Jennie encourages husband Randolph to speak up for Irish needs and make himself noticed. Jennie becomes quite powerful through guiding Randolph.

4 TRIUMPH AND TRAGEDY-Randolph resigns his political position plus the Churchill home front less than solid. Jennie is confused about Randolph but flirts on.

5 A PERFECT DARLING-Lady Randolph is now alone, Winston off in the military, and Jack in school. Winston wants parliament. What should Jennie do now?

6 HIS BORROWED PLUMES-Mr. & Mrs (Jennie) West see the Churchill boys succeed and even wed. Jennie continues to struggle for financial security.

7 A PAST AND A FUTURE-Lady Randolph 'Churchill' name is used again after a life change. WWI is underway & the boys are off to the front to Jennie's dismay.