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Mrs. Soffel (1984)

Diane Keaton , Mel Gibson  |  PG-13 |  DVD
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)

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Product Details

  • Actors: Diane Keaton, Mel Gibson, Matthew Modine, Edward Herrmann, Trini Alvarado
  • Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
  • Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0), French (Dolby Digital 2.0)
  • Subtitles: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese
  • Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
  • Studio: Warner Home Video
  • DVD Release Date: January 8, 2002
  • Run Time: 110 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B00005RRK1
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #111,624 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
  • Learn more about "Mrs. Soffel" on IMDb

Special Features

None.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

An air of gothic romanticism pervades every aspect of this remarkable film, based on a true story from the turn of the 20th century. In its torrid plot, one can hear the icy restraints of the Victorian era cracking. Diane Keaton is uncannily perfect as Kate Soffel, wife of a priggish prison warden (Edward Herrmann). She's funny and touching playing what used to be called a "neurasthenic"--a nervous, depressed woman with mysterious physical ailments. When the film opens, Kate is just recovering from a three-month-long spell, and back at work preaching to the inmates in her husband's prison. Whom should she encounter but dangerous death row inmate Ed Biddle, in the irresistible person of Mel Gibson. The forbidden affair that blossoms between them is feverishly exciting, but the film operates on myriad other levels. Director Gillian Armstrong (My Brilliant Career) and screenwriter Ron Nyswaner (Philadelphia) have much to say about capital punishment, and about the miserable fate of women in this repressive society who dare to act on their passions. There's nothing morally clear-cut in this movie, which is what makes it consistently fascinating. Kate and Ed's romance is as right as it is wrong; we never really know how to feel about either of them. The film's stunning cinematography and superb period details are exhilarating, from the towering, bleak beauty of the prison to the gorgeous panoramic chase scenes of horse-drawn sleighs in the snow. --Laura Mirsky

Product Description

1984 drama. Letterbox DVD. Also stars Mel Gibson.

Customer Reviews

I was so surprised about the chemistry between Mel Gibson and Diane Keaton. Lisa Gould  |  4 reviewers made a similar statement
Well acted, well filmed and based on a true story. M. S. Lorenzen  |  2 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars SATISFYING December 24, 1999
Format:VHS Tape
I love the steely, snowy look of this movie, and its bizarre, infinitely compelling love story. Diane Keaton, one of the best screen actresses ever, here portrays a woman who is teetering on madness; that we never really know her state of sanity or Mel Gibson's true intentions only adds to the mystery and desperateness of the story, which by all accounts is true. The warmth of the warden's home, at Christmastime no less, contrasted with the chill of the Pittsburgh snow and the brutality contained within that prison, is remarkably effective. Gillian Armstrong directs like a painter with a brush, and every scene contains a stark beauty. I thought the chemistry between Gibson and Keaton was electric. Mark Isham's spare and original score punctuates the tragedy and isolation in these characters in a very effective way; it is a musical score that never panders or overstates, but quietly does the trick. It is not a classic film, but it does pull you along, and there are plenty of wise choices along the way. If you do not mind taking an emotional journey without an uplift, this is for you.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Keaton and Gibson come through in Mrs. Soffel April 1, 2000
By Nora
Format:VHS Tape
Mrs. Soffel is a dark, compelling movie set in a Pittsburg prison in 1901. Diane Keaton plays a warden's wife, desperate for hope and pleasure within the prison walls. Mel Gibson and Matthew Modine play the Biddle brothers - two young men who are sentenced to death for a crime they did not commit. The gloomy landscape is also a major character in this movie - accentuating the hopelessness of the characters that inhabit this film. I was affected by the bond that grew between Keaton and Gibson as Mrs. Soffel (played by Keaton) entreats Ed Biddle (played by Gibson) on the need for prayer and preparation for death. As they spend more time with each other, they spend less time talking about death and more about love and hope. She assists in his escaping, and the movie takes off from there. Diane Keaton is my absolutely favorite actress; honesty pervades every move in all her roles. Mel Gibson is an actor I largely ignored; however, after seeing this film I recommend he play more seriously romantic roles. The sexual and emotional attachment between these two characters was intense. I wish I could have changed the ending in this love story. After seeing Mrs. Soffel, I am interested in learning more about the actual woman who boldly escaped from her own repressive environment to follow her heart.
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10 of 13 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Vividly and brilliantly made! April 9, 2001
By Jessica
Format:VHS Tape
Yet ANOTHER film to add to my favorite list of films! Could Diane Keaton be any more appealing and exquisite?!?!?! This beautiful movie deserves much MORE credit than it got! On a basic note, this movie is about a prison warden's wife, Kate Soffel, who meets and falls in love with a prisoner, Ed Biddle, on death row. Of course, that's very intriguing because how can two people on total opposite sides of life be together? I cannot say how emotional I was at the ending. It's impossible to sum up this exceptional movie in a few words. More or less, this story only applies to every person who have experienced true love, but also felt pain. Despite the conditions, the lovers manage to find a way to be together forever, and that's true love in its purest. The landscape, winter, contributes to the emptiness and instability of Kate and her husband's marriage, and the violet poem contributes to the youth and beauty of Kate and Ed's doomed, but beautiful relationship. It strikes your emotional chords at very opportune times, and it also gets you thinking about love back in the 1900's and the real Kate Soffel. Simply remarkable.I cannot put any of the words I'm thinking about the movie in clarification- I am telling this abstractly and undefined, because it's the way I felt. I felt the way I felt, and this is the best I can do. I am still emotionally attached to this movie, and of course, no clear explanations come with emotions. I have to admit, I found the ending S A D and unpredictable. It still brings tears to my eyes whenever I think of it. It's beautiful and painful. When Kate felt pain at the very ending, I also felt pain, too, for the doomed lovers. It's just so sad. I found the very last minutes striking. A voice sounding out lines from the violet poem while the camera looms down and swoops past prison cells... "A little violet from across the way came to cheer a lonely prisoner in his cell one day...." and from there, unfolds the heartbreaking story of Kate Soffel and Ed Biddle. DO N O T MISS IT. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars This Powerful Film Can Take You to Another Place
Mrs. Soffel, 1984. This dark and gritty 112 minute romantic melodrama is a prime example of the wonderful pictures made by Hollywood in the 1980s. Read more
Published 20 days ago by Stephanie DePue
5.0 out of 5 stars A True Story.
The reason I purchased this movie is because I like historical stories especially if they are true. A warning however, this film was deliberately shot darkly, trying to present... Read more
Published 1 month ago by De witte leeuw.
5.0 out of 5 stars A fine film almost forgotten
I think of this film every time I pass the old jail in Pittsburgh. It reminds me that Pennsylvania, unlike other states, preserves its history.
Published 2 months ago by J. Foster
4.0 out of 5 stars Ms. Soffel just as good years later
Young Gibson and Keaton give good performances in a period piece that is well written and well photographed..I will watch it again. It was just as good to me as it was years ago.
Published 2 months ago by texasmovielover
4.0 out of 5 stars Prisons
Well acted, well filmed and based on a true story. The studio likes to promote this one by saying both Mel's character and Diane's are seeking and finding freedom. Read more
Published 16 months ago by M. S. Lorenzen
5.0 out of 5 stars Love the movie and the soundtrack with it
Such a good movie. Have watched it a dozen times. Doesn't get the credit it deserves. I was so surprised about the chemistry between Mel Gibson and Diane Keaton.
Published 16 months ago by Lisa Gould
5.0 out of 5 stars Surprising success
Keaton and Gibson shine in bringing this true story to life. The depressing issues of prison life and death row in the early 20th century are easy on the viewer because of the... Read more
Published 16 months ago by K. Cunningham
5.0 out of 5 stars Mrs. Soffel
Mrs. Soffel is one of Mel Gibsons first films after Mad Max,it is a heart warming but quite.Mel is a prisoner, Mrs Soffel is the wardens wife who visits the prisoners and reads to... Read more
Published on September 12, 2010
4.0 out of 5 stars See this one!
This is an excellent movie and Mel looks young and beautiful. Very stirring movie! Make sure you see it!
Published on August 22, 2007 by Alison Ringlespaugh
4.0 out of 5 stars Love this movie!
I'm a huge Diane Keaton AND Mel Gibson fan...so to have them both in the same movie...!! If you like dark drama and a good love story...this is a great film... Read more
Published on March 29, 2007 by LC
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