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Edward II Details

1991

50
from 689 members

Starring	Steven Waddington, Tilda Swinton, Kevin Collins, John Lynch
Director	Derek Jarman
Genres	Drama, Gay/Lesbian

Edward II

In EDWARD II, director Derek Jarman revisits Christopher Marlowe's play of bloodletting and royal intrigue, bringing the homosexual theme to the forefront. Steven Waddington stars as Prince Edward II, who upsets England's noblemen by sharing his throne with his commoner lover, Gaveston (Andrew Tiernan). Tilda Swinton costars as Edward's scorned wife, Queen Isabella, whose seething jealousy and hatred lead her into the arms of Mortimer (Nigel Terry), a power-hungry nobleman who seeks to topple Edward's reign. Jarman focuses on the passionate romance between Edward and Gaveston in this tragic tale of desire and persecution. Sparsely designed, Jarman's film combines period and modern costumes to evoke a timeless quality--Isabella is dressed like a 20th-century upper-crust socialite, while Edward and Gaveston wear simplistic period attire. A series of mazelike stone corridors and open rooms theatrically convey the castle where the royals fight for the throne. Jarman cuts between the Edwardian castle and more modern images of gay rights marches, creating a subversive commentary on the ever-present struggle for acceptance and equality.

Starring	Steven Waddington, Tilda Swinton, Kevin Collins, John Lynch, Nigel Terry
Director	Derek Jarman
Studio	SECOND SIGHT PRODUCTIONS
Run time	DVD: 1 hr 30 mins
Certificate
Genres	Drama, Gay/Lesbian
Language	DVD: English
Released	Production year: 1991 To Rent: DVD: 01 Mar 2010

Critic's review of Edward II
View all critics' reviews (2)
- This modern dress adaptation of Marlowe's play excites through its sheer guts and combativeness. Despite the visual... read more on Time Out
- 47587
- - Time Out
  - 04 Nov 2008 at 00:17
Most helpful member's review of Edward II
View all members' reviews (11)
- - 7
  - 0
  A tour de force
  
  In view my one of the best films Derek Jarman ever made. The acting is very telling and the modern dress update is very effective in telling the story. An ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 842927
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - OscarFreak
  - 243 reviews
  - London
  - 29 Dec 2009 at 08:00
Most recent members' reviews of Edward II
View all members' reviews (11)
- - 2
  - 0
  Eddy Darling
  
  Edward II. Born 25/04/1284 and died 21/09/1327. He reigned as King for almost twenty years. Yes, he was probably gay and lived a very unhappy forced married ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1017107
- - Emjay69
  - 320 reviews
  - Kidlington, Oxford
  - 14 Jul 2011 at 15:39
- - 0
  - 0
  Plantagenets for beginners
  
  I remember seeing this film when it was first shown on TV - at the time, I hadn't any knowledge of the reign of Edward II, but have always fondly recalled ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 985507
- - Mountfalcon
  - 73 reviews
  - Ilford, England
  - 23 Apr 2011 at 20:06
- - 1
  - 0
  Excellent
  
  OK so it's not the complete original Marlowe, but it's pretty much intact. Great acting against evocative, minimalist sets. Watch it. Then watch it some... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 976565
- - Slurs
  - Scotland
  - 26 Mar 2011 at 21:07
View all members' reviews (11)
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689 Member ratings

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- Edward II
  
  In EDWARD II, director Derek Jarman revisits Christopher Marlowe's play of bloodletting and royal intrigue, bringing the homosexual theme to the forefront. Steven Waddington stars as Prince Edward II, who upsets England's noblemen by sharing his throne with his commoner lover, Gaveston (Andrew ...