Product Details

• Actors: Ian McKellen, Ava Gardner, John Gielgud, Janet Suzman, Penelope Keith
• Directors: Christopher Miles
• Producers: Priest Of Love
• Format: Import, PAL, Director's Cut
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 2 (Read more about DVD formats.)
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: Unrated
• Run Time: 94 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000AM33GQ
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #583,761 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 ), SPECIAL FEATURES: Cast/Crew Interview(s), Featurette, Interactive Menu, Making Of, Photo Gallery, Scene Access, Trailer(s), Uncut, SYNOPSIS: The later years of the life of author D.H. Lawrence are dramatized in this screen biography. Following the controversial reception of his novel The Rainbow, David Herbert Lawrence (Ian McKellen) and his wife Frieda (Janet Suzman) leave England for the U.S., where they hope that Lawrence's bold themes will be received in a more tolerant climate. Such is not the case, and the Lawrences travel first to Mexico, and then to Italy while David attempts to complete and then publish his best known (and most controversial) work, Lady Chatterley's Lover. However, as the furor over the book taxes David's well being, tuberculosis saps his physical health. The supporting cast includes John Gielgud as censorship crusader Herbert G. Muskett and Ava Gardner as Mabel Dodge Luhan.
...Priest Of Love

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Fine performances, but poor quality tape., January 15, 2009

By 

Linda M. Backman "Mechtild" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Priest of Love (The Life Of D. H. Lawrence) [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This 1981 production features Ian McKellen in his first leading role in a film. Fans will not want to miss his bold but detailed characterization of D. H. Lawrence, played here as volatile, quirky, charismatic, and very difficult to live with. As his wife Freida, Janet Suzman bristles with wit and spit and vinegar, but also the fierce love that makes her performance the heart of the film. In a low-key supporting role, Penelope Keith turns in perhaps the loveliest performance of the film, as Dorothy Brett, friend of the fiery pair.

There are many other nice turns by actors in smaller roles, but none of them manages to save the film from being less than it might have been, considering the subject matter. The film never quite comes together to tell its tale well. However, it's worth watching for any fans of McKellen, Suzman and Keith.

The only real drawback is the tape itself. I am not familiar with HBO Cannon Videos, but if this is an example of their work, their products should be avoided. The picture quality is extremely poor: blotchy and muddy and murky, as is the sound. It is like a tape made from a TV broadcast, or a tape duped from another tape, rather than like a transfer made from the film itself.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars movieman - New Zealand, October 30, 2005

By 

Movieman (New Zealand) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Priest Of Love [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2 Import - United Kingdom ] (DVD)

Top cast, acting and locales for this story about controversial author and artist D.H. Lawrence. Original screen version has been edited from 125 minutes to 94 minutes which appears to affect the films continuity somewhat at times - otherwise, this is an absorbing story with a good DVD transfer and 5.1 Dolby sound.