I Love this movie (saw it in the movies in '89) but I received REGION 2 discs (the company quickly refunded me though) and they will only play on UK and, I Think, parts of Europe, or if you maybe have a spoofing device. This is one way I know works. If you or your kid has an old Playstation that they don't mind switching Regions. Sony allows you switch Regions 4 or 5 times. Though SWITCHING BACK USES A TURN! So it doesn't have to be an old PS, as long as you don't mind uses a couple of your Region Switch Turns.
The movie itself has a marvelous cast but if I'm being honest the only real reason that I went to see it originally was because of Bridget Fonda. I could less about her aunt, or her father (I did enjoy Gramps - but only for the roles that he chose), but I enjoy seeing her up on the screen. Call me sexist - fine but I love her face. Her body, and her voice is delicious. I miss seeing her in movies but if she's happy not being on a movie set then good for her. Having said all that she wasn't in the movie as much as I'dve hoped but this was a Joanne Whalley vehicle and she took it to the finish line and Man she looked esquisite. I'm probably the not the person to ask if all the NUDITY was gratuitous because I can't help but believe they were "Party Girls''. We know this stuff happens. And it there was ever a reason to show NUDITY in a film then it would be a film with Bridget Fonda and Joanne Whalley in the 1980s.
Thank you very. Good Night.
I have left the building!!
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Scandal
Rated: Format: VHS Tape
R
IMDb6.4/10.0
$39.50$39.50
| Additional VHS Tape options | Edition | Discs | Price | New from | Used from |
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VHS Tape
March 28, 1995 "Please retry" | — | — | $4.93 | $3.56 |
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VHS Tape
March 28, 1995 "Please retry" | — | — | $19.95 | $9.98 |
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September 5, 2000 "Please retry" | — | — |
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Product details
- Is Discontinued By Manufacturer : No
- Package Dimensions : 7.32 x 4.19 x 1.12 inches; 6.13 Ounces
- Release date : September 5, 2000
- Date First Available : October 7, 2006
- Actors : Hurt, Whalley, Mckellen, Fonda
- Studio : Starz / Anchor Bay
- ASIN : 6305971218
- Customer Reviews:
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Customer reviews
4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
454 global ratings
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Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2022
Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2006
If "Scandal" (1989) was not a fairly accurate recounting of Britain's John Profumo Affair, the characters and events would be too weird to be considered plausible fiction. Defense Minister Profumo's attempt to refute allegations of his involvement with Christine Keeler ultimately brought down the 10 year Conservative Party government back in the mid-1960's. "Scandal" recreates these events and gives the viewer a glimpse into the personalities and possible motives of the main players in this political soap opera.
But recreating history is a secondary consideration in this film whose theme is about individuals who live in a fairy tale world until they fall victim to the grim forces that take life more seriously. The main player is Stephen Ward (John Hurt), a osteopath and recreational artist whose main goal is to be part of the right crowd, not so much immersed in this kind of society as in a position to observe it closely for his amusement. His method for doing so involves discovering ravishing young women from the poor side of town and doing a Henry Higgins number on them. The film begins with his discovery of Keller (Joanne Whalley) who he begins grooming and introducing to prominent members of his in-crowd.
The two soon fall in love, but theirs is not a physical relationship. Stephen delights in seeing his protégé work her magic on men in authority. This eventually leads to their doom, since no one quite understands such an unconventional relationship they have no credibility when an attempt is made to make Stephen a scapegoat for the government scandal.
In retrospect the process of attacking Ward to contain the widening scandal was one of the two most shameful abuses of the judicial system in post war Britain. Coincidentally Hurt played the victim in the other one as well; "10 Rillington Place" (1971), in which Hurt is wrongly executed for a murder committed by his landlord, the now notorious serial killer John Christie.
"Scandal" is a powerful and arresting film with solid performances. Whalley has the biggest role and is a bit too intelligent looking to be completely believable as a character like Keeler. But she is so nice to look at that almost anyone would willingly trade credibility for scenery-and she is otherwise entirely convincing in an excellent performance. I first noticed her in "Willow", the film she made just before "Scandal". She had a secondary part but her scenes were the most memorable in the entire film. Hurt somehow sells you on the fact that his character derives an innocent joy from simply seeing a beautiful young woman walking down the street on a nice day.
Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.
But recreating history is a secondary consideration in this film whose theme is about individuals who live in a fairy tale world until they fall victim to the grim forces that take life more seriously. The main player is Stephen Ward (John Hurt), a osteopath and recreational artist whose main goal is to be part of the right crowd, not so much immersed in this kind of society as in a position to observe it closely for his amusement. His method for doing so involves discovering ravishing young women from the poor side of town and doing a Henry Higgins number on them. The film begins with his discovery of Keller (Joanne Whalley) who he begins grooming and introducing to prominent members of his in-crowd.
The two soon fall in love, but theirs is not a physical relationship. Stephen delights in seeing his protégé work her magic on men in authority. This eventually leads to their doom, since no one quite understands such an unconventional relationship they have no credibility when an attempt is made to make Stephen a scapegoat for the government scandal.
In retrospect the process of attacking Ward to contain the widening scandal was one of the two most shameful abuses of the judicial system in post war Britain. Coincidentally Hurt played the victim in the other one as well; "10 Rillington Place" (1971), in which Hurt is wrongly executed for a murder committed by his landlord, the now notorious serial killer John Christie.
"Scandal" is a powerful and arresting film with solid performances. Whalley has the biggest role and is a bit too intelligent looking to be completely believable as a character like Keeler. But she is so nice to look at that almost anyone would willingly trade credibility for scenery-and she is otherwise entirely convincing in an excellent performance. I first noticed her in "Willow", the film she made just before "Scandal". She had a secondary part but her scenes were the most memorable in the entire film. Hurt somehow sells you on the fact that his character derives an innocent joy from simply seeing a beautiful young woman walking down the street on a nice day.
Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.
Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2022
I was becoming disillusioned until I suddenly realized this movie was about the Profumo scandal! I had failed to pick up on the names of Christine Keeler and Mandy Rice-Davies. Very good presentation of the story.
Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2023
Amazon fails to indicate this is a non-USA format disc. You will need specific software to play it on a computer. It will not play on standard USA disc players at all.
Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2022
I did not catch that this was a Korean import. It does state that in some of the description verbiage. Seems like it should be more visible. I returned it without opening. All the writing on back of DVD is in Korean.
Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2022
Great Film
Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2021
Great product! Great seller!
Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2015
Good Movie,Good Print, and Great Price! Don't know why i never saw this one in all these years,but glad for it. The copy i received is the Icon Pictures version from the U.K.,not the one pictured.This is PAL Format/Region2.So be sure your player is compatible before ordering!.
p.s. Now i know why they picked Joanne Whalley to play Jackie"O".
p.s. Now i know why they picked Joanne Whalley to play Jackie"O".
Top reviews from other countries
Perline
3.0 out of 5 stars
Assez médiocre
Reviewed in France on October 26, 2022
Bien plus fascinant lors de sa sortie. Maintenant la manière de filmer est un peu obsolète et les scènes d'orgies font bien ringardes.
On avait tenté à l'époque de lancer l'actrice principale comme le sex symbol du siècle mais cela a vite fait plouf surtout quand on voit la très belle bridget fonda à côté qui lui vole la vedette. Même john Hurt n'est pas à sa place dans ce film où il n'est guère convaincant en obsédé sexuel parasite, il n'a tout simplement pas le physique pour ça.
Reste la bonne reconstitution du Londres des années 60, la musique sympathique et comme bonus Gandalf en vieux Micheton, si si ...
On avait tenté à l'époque de lancer l'actrice principale comme le sex symbol du siècle mais cela a vite fait plouf surtout quand on voit la très belle bridget fonda à côté qui lui vole la vedette. Même john Hurt n'est pas à sa place dans ce film où il n'est guère convaincant en obsédé sexuel parasite, il n'a tout simplement pas le physique pour ça.
Reste la bonne reconstitution du Londres des années 60, la musique sympathique et comme bonus Gandalf en vieux Micheton, si si ...
Paul Aitken
4.0 out of 5 stars
Entertaining & interesting movie
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 21, 2023
I loved the recent TV adaption, but I actually prefer this movie version of the same story. Acting is brilliant. Particularly by John Hurt, who is just fabulous in every film he appeared in.
The Prairie Chronicles
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not as advertised, but...
Reviewed in Canada on July 9, 2011
As other reviewers have pointed out, certain scenes are missing from this so-called "un-cut and uncensored" version, which is very disappointing, but at least the golden headlights scene stayed in, lol.
This film is a marvel in many ways. A gifted director (undeniably in a league with Orson Welles and Kenneth Branagh) brings us into the past with a great script, great costumes, period cars and décor, and a heck of a history lesson to boot.
The director can even be forgiven for putting Bridget Fonda in the film (why do Americans always think they can put on a British accent?! Think Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins :-p ) because he shows us history without preaching some version of morality.
The main characters were free spirits who behaved as they wished and weren't frightened of or inhibited by sexuality, which was unusual at that time in history.
The story moves along at a good pace and presents a balanced view of the time, places, and people, and certainly provides amusement as well.
Although others have described the plot, I'll hit some highlights.
Stephen Ward knows what people really want or need. And he provides it. Not for money, but for ocassional small favours, as well as friendship. And the occasional smidgen of social climbing. Until someone decides he shouldn't have introduced a young (British) female friend of his to an older (Russian) diplomat friend of his.
Typical hysteria and phobia of anyone or anything Russian follows, then suddenly everything Ward ever did is "wrong" and subject to scrutiny. He goes from flavour of the month to social pariah, and he ends up on trial, with even something as simple as who paid for a tin of Nescafe becoming a huge deal.
Everyone who had enjoyed Ward's company, parties, and favours (including a certain British Prime Minister who also enjoyed the charms of the above-mentioned young lady, Christine) is left embarrassed and running for cover.
The Scandal (that wasn't really a scandal) that toppled a government... that was undoubtedly going to be toppled one way or another anyway by Britain's version of the C.I.A... but Ward was a convenient scapegoat, and in the end couldn't defend himself.
We watch this film at least once a year and we enjoy it each time we do. We enjoy the near soap opera quality of some of the film (truth/reality IS stranger than fiction!), the uninhibited performances by the (young) actors, the mesmerizing performances by the older actors, the stunning visual masterpiece and haunting soundtrack, among other things.
This film is a marvel in many ways. A gifted director (undeniably in a league with Orson Welles and Kenneth Branagh) brings us into the past with a great script, great costumes, period cars and décor, and a heck of a history lesson to boot.
The director can even be forgiven for putting Bridget Fonda in the film (why do Americans always think they can put on a British accent?! Think Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins :-p ) because he shows us history without preaching some version of morality.
The main characters were free spirits who behaved as they wished and weren't frightened of or inhibited by sexuality, which was unusual at that time in history.
The story moves along at a good pace and presents a balanced view of the time, places, and people, and certainly provides amusement as well.
Although others have described the plot, I'll hit some highlights.
Stephen Ward knows what people really want or need. And he provides it. Not for money, but for ocassional small favours, as well as friendship. And the occasional smidgen of social climbing. Until someone decides he shouldn't have introduced a young (British) female friend of his to an older (Russian) diplomat friend of his.
Typical hysteria and phobia of anyone or anything Russian follows, then suddenly everything Ward ever did is "wrong" and subject to scrutiny. He goes from flavour of the month to social pariah, and he ends up on trial, with even something as simple as who paid for a tin of Nescafe becoming a huge deal.
Everyone who had enjoyed Ward's company, parties, and favours (including a certain British Prime Minister who also enjoyed the charms of the above-mentioned young lady, Christine) is left embarrassed and running for cover.
The Scandal (that wasn't really a scandal) that toppled a government... that was undoubtedly going to be toppled one way or another anyway by Britain's version of the C.I.A... but Ward was a convenient scapegoat, and in the end couldn't defend himself.
We watch this film at least once a year and we enjoy it each time we do. We enjoy the near soap opera quality of some of the film (truth/reality IS stranger than fiction!), the uninhibited performances by the (young) actors, the mesmerizing performances by the older actors, the stunning visual masterpiece and haunting soundtrack, among other things.
4 people found this helpful
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Robster
5.0 out of 5 stars
It would be a Scandal NOT to buy it....
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 31, 2010
Released to generally positive reviews in 1989, Scandal tells the true story of the Profumo Affair of 1963, a political scandal that eventually saw the collapse of the Conservative Government.
Christine Keeler, an exotic dancer meets and becomes socially involved with social-butterfly Dr.Stephen Ward who in turns introduces her to lifestyle of glamour, riches and high society.
Christine Keeler meets Jack Profumo ( the Minister of War for the Conservative Government ) at a pool party hosted at Cliveden, a mansion owned by Lord Astor, during a weekend in which she also meets a Russian Naval Attache, and with whom she both promptly, starts affairs.
However, things soon turn sour and nobody's life will be the same...
Some have argued over the authenticity of events that are shown ( Christine Keeler herself dismissed the film purely as a work of fiction in her memoirs ) but there is no denying that its rich and hypnotic cinematography, intelligent dialogue , nostalgic soundtrack and compelling performances make up for any doubts over the relevance on whether what we are watching is what " actually happened ".
Scandal was originally intended to be a made for tv series, but NO tv station would touch the delicate subject matter and in the end it was upto the now defunct Palace Video to distribute the film.
Directed by Michael Caton-Jones, who would go on to direct Memphis Belle and Rob Roy.
Starring John Hurt as Stephen Ward, Joanne Whalley ( then Kilmer ) as Christine Keeler, Bridget Fonda in her first substantial film role playing Christine's friend Mandy Rice-Davies ( she incidentally has some of the best one liners too ) and Sir Ian McKellen plays Jack Profumo.
Featuring cameos from Roland Gift,Jeroen Krabbe, Britt Ekland and Leslie Phillips.
A scene in which Christine & Mandy are shown getting ready for a night out is played to the sound of " Apache " by The Shadows, and for some, maybe worth the price of this DVD alone.
Christine Keeler, an exotic dancer meets and becomes socially involved with social-butterfly Dr.Stephen Ward who in turns introduces her to lifestyle of glamour, riches and high society.
Christine Keeler meets Jack Profumo ( the Minister of War for the Conservative Government ) at a pool party hosted at Cliveden, a mansion owned by Lord Astor, during a weekend in which she also meets a Russian Naval Attache, and with whom she both promptly, starts affairs.
However, things soon turn sour and nobody's life will be the same...
Some have argued over the authenticity of events that are shown ( Christine Keeler herself dismissed the film purely as a work of fiction in her memoirs ) but there is no denying that its rich and hypnotic cinematography, intelligent dialogue , nostalgic soundtrack and compelling performances make up for any doubts over the relevance on whether what we are watching is what " actually happened ".
Scandal was originally intended to be a made for tv series, but NO tv station would touch the delicate subject matter and in the end it was upto the now defunct Palace Video to distribute the film.
Directed by Michael Caton-Jones, who would go on to direct Memphis Belle and Rob Roy.
Starring John Hurt as Stephen Ward, Joanne Whalley ( then Kilmer ) as Christine Keeler, Bridget Fonda in her first substantial film role playing Christine's friend Mandy Rice-Davies ( she incidentally has some of the best one liners too ) and Sir Ian McKellen plays Jack Profumo.
Featuring cameos from Roland Gift,Jeroen Krabbe, Britt Ekland and Leslie Phillips.
A scene in which Christine & Mandy are shown getting ready for a night out is played to the sound of " Apache " by The Shadows, and for some, maybe worth the price of this DVD alone.
54 people found this helpful
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Paul
4.0 out of 5 stars
Could this be the truth? Noone can say.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 12, 2015
I was too young at the time to understand how profoundly the Profumo scandal affected the relationship between politics and press, and it would be worthwhile viewing this film for that alone. However there is a good deal more on offer, with very creditable performances from John Hurt, Joanne Whalley, Ian McKellen and (then) relative newcomer Bridget Fonda, ably supported by a number of well known actors of the time. The physical similarities of the two first-named to the original characters portrayed is uncanny, and lends a near-documentary feel to the film which attempts to give a fair account of the business.
It is worth remembering that despite the subject then being some 25 years old, the film was still seen as almost too controversial to get made or distributed. Whether this is a true account of events will remain controversial, many of the protagonists having published their own version of history. Unsurprisingly they differ a fair bit. To borrow and adapt Mandy RD's well known bon mot "Well they would, wouldn't they?" Sadly the one version never heard is that of Ward himself.
You might want to watch this as a student of history, of fashion, of 60s music or just of human frailty. You might even just enjoy a good story, well told. Whatever your reason you are likely to be pleased.
It is worth remembering that despite the subject then being some 25 years old, the film was still seen as almost too controversial to get made or distributed. Whether this is a true account of events will remain controversial, many of the protagonists having published their own version of history. Unsurprisingly they differ a fair bit. To borrow and adapt Mandy RD's well known bon mot "Well they would, wouldn't they?" Sadly the one version never heard is that of Ward himself.
You might want to watch this as a student of history, of fashion, of 60s music or just of human frailty. You might even just enjoy a good story, well told. Whatever your reason you are likely to be pleased.
3 people found this helpful
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