Customer Reviews

Tipping the Velvet [VHS]

5 star:		(66)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I loved Sarah Waters's novel, "Tipping the Velvet." Director Geoffrey Sax and screenwriter Andrew Davies have captured beautifully and vividly the novel's characters, storyline and the remarkable setting of a Victorian England that few have glimpsed. I say BRAVO! I am usually skeptical about movies made from books. This one is the exception to the rule.

Nancy Astley, (Rachael Stir), was born and raised in an English seaside resort, Whitstable, where her parents own an oyster restaurant, and Nan can shuck with the best of them. She seems perfectly content with her lot in life, loves her family and imagines that someday she will marry one of the neighborhood boys and have a family of her own. When the Astley family is invited to a perfomance at the town's music-hall, Passion, (with a capital "P"), enters Nan's life for the first time. She sees a beautiful male impersonator perform at the hall. Not just any male impersonator...but the ever so seductive Miss Kitty Butler, (Keeley Hawes). Nan is entranced and obsessed with Kitty. She longs to meet the object of her devotion and becomes first, Kitty's friend, then her employee/dresser. Her once normal life is turned topsy-turvy, filled with passionate fantasies. The Astley family is delighted with Kitty "the celebrity" friend. However, Alice, Nancy's sister, and until recently her best friend, is hostile and suspicious of the relationship between her sister and the performer.

When Kitty is offered a prime London music-hall gig through her manager, Mr. Bliss, she takes Nan with her. The two live together, sharing a room, a bed, love and sex, and eventually the stage, as Nan is successfully incorporated into Kitty's act - as another male impersonator. Our heroine loses her innocence in the big city, in more ways than one. Adventure, disillusionment and major heartbreak loom on the horizon for our Nan - until she finds herself reaching rock bottom. If you don't know what "rock bottom," sometimes called "the pits," is in Victorian England, you may want to reread Dickens.

It takes years for Nancy to climb out of the pit she fell into, (or was she pushed?), and fashion a life for herself. Her attempts to earn a living wage are outrageous, fascinating and ingenious. The folks she meets along the way are absolute originals. The take on London's local color, sexual and socialist politics, and social and sexual mores are delicious.

This is one of the best BBC mini-series that I have seen. The characters are extremely well cast, really three-dimensional. The acting is superb. The lesbian love scenes are extremely erotic and tasteful. But don't shy away from this series, or be drawn to it, because of the lesbian content. This film is much more than a story about women who prefer women. I can't recommend it highly enough. And be sure to read the book too! ENJOY!!
JANA

"A Sort Of Pride & Prejudice With "Naughty Bits"..." so says Andrew Davies, the screenwriter of "Tipping The Velvet", whilst adapting Sarah Walter's debut novel as he describes the smashing success of the BBC made for TV series. "But I didn't want to be her sister, I wanted to be her sweetheart!" so says Nan Astley, played beautifully & naively sweet by Emma Peel/Diana Rigg's real-life daughter, Rachel Stirling, of her first love, an actress of sorts, Kitty Butler, played by Keeley Hawes. Kitty's act is quite an odd one at the turn of the 20th century. Kitty dresses and acts on stage as a boy, even cutting her hair! How shameful in the day and age this novel and series is set in. "Tipping The Velvet" has been described as a lesbian historical piece but it is MUCH more than that. When you think of the Victorian era you think of stuffiness and of course, an element of great sexual repression but it must be remembered that during this time, women really moved from the passive to agressive; seeking their own ideals, life and pleasures that lie therein. This was the time of suffrage and Victorian women were coming into their own, with increased freedoms of all kinds, power, education and above all, just plain fun! And since Queen Victoria famously refused to admit lesbians even existed, young women like the Nan, Florence and Kitty's of the Victorian world were safe from being jailed unlike their male counterparts... Also in the cast is Anna Chancellor ("Duckface" in Four Weddings & A Funeral) as Diana Leatherby, a sadomasochistic & exhibitionistic lover, and Jodhi May (Sister, My Sister & The House Of Mirth) as the kind, sweet and generous Florence. I am not going to lie. There are some very dicey scenes in this made for TV series that won't be to all people's liking, but if you have an open mind, can look beyond just a person's sexuality and see the truth and good in people, then you will enjoy this film as I did. Highly Recommended For The Indiscriminate...

We all know that a great book hardly ever translates well onto screen because no amount of screen time can compete with the magical words of a talented author and the wonders of your own imagination. And having yet to read the book, I was cautious about watching the mini-series first. Book or DVD first? I couldn't stand the suspense so the DVD won out. Right off the bat, and not a moment too soon, I was sucked into the fantabulous life and loves of Nan Astley (Rachel Stirling, daughter of 1960's 'Avengers' series star, Dianna Rigg).

This marvelous tale begins on the calm shores of 1890's Victorian England and quickly moves to the theater-world of London. What is revealed, however, is bound to surprise you because no one's quite painted THIS picture of Victorian England--until now! The series is filled with unforgettable characters, unbelievably touching moments (which you'll watch over & over), sumptuous costumes, beautiful leads, great humor, terrific drama, and not a moment of boredom. And A+ on many levels for BBC, including their unabashed support of the subject matter.

This is a single-DVD product with the following bonus features: 3 complete episodes (178 minutes, as originally aired on BBC-UK, different from the 'edited' version shown on BBC-America); an interview with author Sarah Waters & screenwriter Andrew Davies (of 'Bridget Jones' Diary'); a slide-show photo gallery; and, a cast list of selected works. Though lengthy for a BBC production and not long enough to satiate the most greedy of us, you'll no doubt watch the nearly 3-hours mini-series in one sitting. Word to the wise: don't pop this in on a week night or you'll face a very tired morning-after at work! It gets 5-stars for its subject matter, acting, costumes, script, music, and it's replay value.

Buy this and enjoy. I'm off to finally read the book!

**UPDATE!** February 17, 2004---I JUST finished reading the entire book last night and wanted to add info in comparing the book and this mini-series. One word: Bravo! While there certainly are differences in translation from book to screen, with some artistic license taken by Andrew Davies (screenwriter) to bring the movie full-circle towards the end, you will finish off the book with a little regret that it's all over, but gladly revisit it on-screen because the two mediums are happily alike! If you have no idea what I'm talking about, read the book and watch the DVD! I cannot imagine that anyone pleased with the book will be unhappy with this mini-series, because the script stays true to nearly 95% of the entire text. In fact, some of the scenes in the book and movie (such as the dialogue) are so similar that you'll find your eyes racing across the pages of the book, knowing what you'll be reading next - and not being able to read fast enough to get there! How can you fault that? If you are disappointed with the movie after having read the book, however...well, you can't please everyone all the time. ;) The book and the movie make a wonderful combo for someone who loves period fiction, has an interest in the subject matter, and/or is a fan of the book's author. HIGHLY recommend this mini-series! But DO read the book; it's a real pleasure to spend hours on end reading about Nan, Kitty, Diana, and the lot. You will NOT be disappointed with any of it - not one bit!

i saw the BBC series on television nearly a year before i read the book. unfortunatley i watched the entire series with my pearents (not advisable) and spent most of my time cringing with embarrasment!

Having said that tipping the velvet deals frankly yet sensitivley with the sex scenes in the series. the scenes remained steamy without becoming pornographicand even my perents were not offended by it!

i absoulutley loved this film, i watched it over and over again for weeks. The ONLY down side to this otherwise fantastic DVD is that the scenery is rather poor towards the end (to anyone whos seen it think of the scene on the bridge!) and the same actors occasionly pop up playing different charecters! but thats BBC drama for you!

All in all this is must have movie for any body who enjoys a good love story and a selection of heart warming charecters and catchy show tunes (from the geougous keely hawks as kitty butler!) for me the lesbian theme is simply the icing on the cake!

PS. Read the book too! sarah walters has written a lesbian masterpeice! it is (if possible) better than the film! if like me you have watched the film before reading the book youll find yourself recognising moments from the film and knowing what is about to happen next! I found myself almost willing myself to read faster to get to my favorite parts of the story! dont buy one without the other! get the book and the DVD and u wont be sorry i promise!

I find nothing to dislike about this BBC production in three one-hour parts. Which is rare, for me. Usually I can dis at least a minor detail in a movie. Well, ok: I dislike that the show ended after "only" three hours. I would have preferred a neverending saga. Yes, "Tipping the Velvet" is THAT good: after three hours, this cynical critic is left wanting MORE.

Rachael Stirling is utterly perfect in the leading role. No one on Earth could have done a better job. She is passionate and speaks straight from the heart with bravery and truth and hope: a heroine such as we seldom see. She has a knack for imbuing her voice with that extra something which implies, oh so much emotion and truth. I have indeed scouted out other movies with this extremely talented genius. Stirling has led me into the excellent "Poirot" series, simply because she happened to star in one episode (with another excellent performance).

"Tipping the Velvet" is light years above "The 'L' Word," and even "Queer as Folk." More so, if you love period pieces, as I do, that explore times past. Use vehicles like this as a time machine and find out how your great-grandmothers and grandfathers lived. How can anyone not be interested in history, which tells us what we were, and helps us understand the present and predict the future?

An exhilarating, uplifting, glorious life that will make you believe, once again, in the majesty of the human animal. Recommended! Regardless of your sexuality, gender or anything--this is a very human story which transcends all boundaries.

Oh, my. I don't need to recap the story. Done in 3 segments, and left in those segments on the DVD (which was nice), the plot is clear and compelling, the characters believable and incredibly sexy. Plenty of real romance and plenty of discreetly portrayed sex (this would never make it as a porno flick, but leaves little to the imagination nonetheless). It has been a rare occasion when I have enjoyed a movie as much as this one. If you miss it, it is definitely your loss, and a real loss.

First of all I would like you to forget about the lesbian content in Tipping the Velvet for a minute.
As far as writing, acting and directing goes, it is an above average TV mini series (in three parts) that will truly engage you from the very start.
The attention to period detail,the sets and costumes and atmosphere is quite impressive,whereas the adventures of Nan (Rachael Streling)living in the claustrophobic Victorian age can be seen in more general terms as the struggles of a liberated and independant women trying to assert herself in a not so understanding environment.
The fact that she is a lesbian can be seen,in a way, as accidental vis a vis the larger context of a woman's self expression and identity way ahead of its time.
Why Tipping The Velvet works so well, is because it is written and filmed in such a way that Nan's sexuality and with which gender she falls in love does not really matter,as the viewer sympathizes totally with her story.
Geoffrey Sax and writer Andrew Davies (based on a bestselling novel by Sarah Waters), successfully manage to tell the story of Nan both dramatically, emotionally and visually with a consistency that never lapses for a minute.
Now to the lesbian content.
I have to say that Tipping The Velvet has the most daring lesbian scenes ever filmed for the small screen.Each of the three episodes contain Nan's sexual expressions and identity both graphically and emotionally..her passion and true love for Kitty (Keeley Hawes),her desires,her submission to a controlling woman (Anna Chancellor) who uses her younger lover as her 'sex slave' in an Victorian underground world of lesbian orgies,her affair with a maid (a rather explicit scene)and eventually finding a safe berth and the peace of mind.
Tipping The Velvet works so well on both levels, and no matter how exciting the 'lesbian' angle might be, it is at the end, the story of a free spirtied woman's journey in a world that was hostile to such manifestations of independance.A must buy!!

This film entranced me. As soon as I finished it, I started it over to watch it again. It is smart, sassy, trashy & classy. Rachael Stirling is luscious in women's clothes but in men's clothes she just plain bowled me over ( I find nothing sexier than beautiful feminine faced women in men's clothes, ,however). This movie contains the right mix of playfulness & viciousness, boldness & innocence, happiness and brooding, tension & release the musical numbers were fun and the sex scenes although short, were creative and as good as most lesbian themed movies. Many period pieces tend to be dark and cold but this was a warm movie with heart that shows, even when bad things happen. I clapped alone in my living room at the end and missed Nancy Astley/King as soon as I turned this movie off. Bravo Bellas. Long live the lesbian character in movies we need to see more of ourselves. If you are a girl who likes girls SEE THIS FILM, if not, you might enjoy it anyway.

This movie was amazing. I had not read the book but the story called my attention. I enjoyed watching the movie from the very beginning. I fell in love as Nan (Rachael Stirling) did and my heart broke as hers did. Diana Leatherby (Anna Chancellor) was amazing and controlling; still I loved it when Nan stood up to her. But I think the greatest moment for me was when Nan had to decide which love to choose. I won't spoil it but at the very end I felt all those emotions. I also have to say that I loved Flo (Jodhi May), and her innocence. The movie was well done. This movie had a little but everything for everyone, I think.

As a lesbian film genre fan and historian of sorts, I can say that out of all the films I've seen (nearly all), Tipping The Velvet has something for everybody, and is among the best of it's kind. The actors are amazing, beautiful, and talented, the BBC put in a tremendous amount of effort on this because it's an absolutely fabulous film visually, everything from the colors to the set and costume designs (if you care about those sorts of things), the story is incredibly tight and well written with all sorts of turns you never predict (good script = hard find), and this film brings you laughter and tears and everything in between. I was introduced to it by a friend who bought it for me, insisting that I MUST see this, and since then I have shared it with about 10 other people, all of whom loved it and they are all a pretty diverse crew, so that says a lot. This is a MUST SEE, check it out :)