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Pandaemonium
2001
In this biographical tale about the lives of late-18th-century poets Samuel Taylor Coleridge (Linus Roache) and William Wordsworth (John Hannah), director Julien Temple (THE FILTH AND THE FURY) and screenwriter Frank Cottrell Boyce (HILARY AND JACKIE) come together to present an intriguing, dramatic, historical ode to two .. Read more
| Starring | John Hannah, Linus Roache, Samantha Morton, Emily Woof |
|---|---|
| Director | Julien Temple |
| Genres | Drama |
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Pandaemonium
In this biographical tale about the lives of late-18th-century poets Samuel Taylor Coleridge (Linus Roache) and William Wordsworth (John Hannah), director Julien Temple (THE FILTH AND THE FURY) and screenwriter Frank Cottrell Boyce (HILARY AND JACKIE) come together to present an intriguing, dramatic, historical ode to two remarkable writers.
Between political rallies, poetry parties, and other chaotic gatherings, Coleridge and his wife Sara (Samantha Morton) share an amusing, critical, intellectual, flirtatious friendship with Wordsworth and his sister, Dorothy (Emily Woof). Coleridge's opium habit plays a big part, as many of the scenes seem to drift and change with a dreamlike lucidity. While Coleridge gathers all who will follow to live in the country in what is meant to be a small bohemian utopia, Wordsworth enjoys his literary popularity. But when Dorothy begins to dote on Coleridge, Wordsworth's response is jealous and jaded, causing the beginning of the end of the friendship between the two poets. If not entirely accurate historically, PANDAEMONIUM is supremely entertaining, combining slick visuals with a saucy story with fascinating effect.
| Starring | John Hannah, Linus Roache, Samantha Morton, Emily Woof, Dexter Fletcher, Clive Merrison, Samuel West, Andy Serkis, Emma Fielding, William Scott-Masson, Michael N. Harbour, Guy Lankester |
|---|---|
| Director | Julien Temple |
| Studio | 2 ENTERTAIN VIDEO |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 59 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: not available Production year: 2001 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (5)
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Julien Temple, film biographer of the Sex Pistols, conducts a fascinating, if superficial, study into the ramifications of intellectual curiosity in this archly anachronistic fantasy. Not content with conveying something of the excitement of both radical thought and the hallucinogenic effect of opium, Temple coaxes Linus Roach into playing Samuel Coleridge as an addled dreamer, while John Hannah's William Wordsworth becomes a dangerously envious dullard. The warnings about tinkering with nature are worth making, but a greater focus on poetry, period and personality might have reduced the need for directorial flamboyance.
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"...A vivid depiction of the most creative period in the life of Samuel Taylor Coleridge....Temple and Boyce succeed in evoking a plausibly volatile atmosphere in which great artists alternately collaborate and collide..."
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Most helpful member's review
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6 out of 7 people found this review helpful
Coleridge meets Wordsworth and the sparks fly!
Director Julien Temple lives in Somerset near the Quantock Hills and became fascinated by the tale of Wordsworth and Coleridge's exploration of the area in the late 18th century.
The story starts in London with a gathering of the great poets and scholars of the time to hear the name of the next poet laureate. Coleridge is wracked by his years of opium addiction and in a bad way. The film then transports the audience back to happier times when Coleridge is tub thumping for his cause in Bristol. The movie takes off with a riot of weird and wonderful experiments featuring balloons, lighting and strange substances.
Central to the movie is the up and down relationship between two creative geniuses Coleridge (Linus Roache) and Wordsworth (John Hannah) who succeed in publishing the Lyrical Ballads anonymously. Coleridge tries to create a utopian existence in Somerset with his wife Sarah (Samantha Morton) but things do not go to plan and he is drawn to Wordsworth's sister Dorothy (Emily Woof).
Julien Temple offers the audience a rollercoaster of emotions and visions often inspired by dodgy substances! But it's all a bit tongue in cheek and always full of humour.
It's a visual feast as ever with Temple with marvellous landscapes, over the top performances and a script that never takes itself too seriously.
The film made its debut to warm applause at the Toronto Film Festival and received an enthusiastic write up in The Times. But it never made much impact at the box office and remains one of those little delights to be discovered on DVD.
Extras include a wonderful commentary by Julien Temple and a short 'making of' documentary. -
Most recent members' review
View all -
6 out of 7 people found this review helpful
Coleridge meets Wordsworth and the sparks fly!
Director Julien Temple lives in Somerset near the Quantock Hills and became fascinated by the tale of Wordsworth and Coleridge's exploration of the area in the late 18th century.
The story starts in London with a gathering of the great poets and scholars of the time to hear the name of the next poet laureate. Coleridge is wracked by his years of opium addiction and in a bad way. The film then transports the audience back to happier times when Coleridge is tub thumping for his cause in Bristol. The movie takes off with a riot of weird and wonderful experiments featuring balloons, lighting and strange substances.
Central to the movie is the up and down relationship between two creative geniuses Coleridge (Linus Roache) and Wordsworth (John Hannah) who succeed in publishing the Lyrical Ballads anonymously. Coleridge tries to create a utopian existence in Somerset with his wife Sarah (Samantha Morton) but things do not go to plan and he is drawn to Wordsworth's sister Dorothy (Emily Woof).
Julien Temple offers the audience a rollercoaster of emotions and visions often inspired by dodgy substances! But it's all a bit tongue in cheek and always full of humour.
It's a visual feast as ever with Temple with marvellous landscapes, over the top performances and a script that never takes itself too seriously.
The film made its debut to warm applause at the Toronto Film Festival and received an enthusiastic write up in The Times. But it never made much impact at the box office and remains one of those little delights to be discovered on DVD.
Extras include a wonderful commentary by Julien Temple and a short 'making of' documentary. -
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Pandaemonium
In this biographical tale about the lives of late-18th-century poets Samuel Taylor Coleridge (Linus Roache) and William Wordsworth (John Hannah), director Julien Temple (THE FILTH AND THE FURY) and screenwriter Frank Cottrell Boyce (HILARY AND JACKIE) come together to present an intriguing, ...
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