Revengers Tragedy
2002
Based on play by Thomas Middleton from the year 1607, writer/director Alex Cox (REPO MAN) gives us a comic horror story. Marrying 17th Century theatrical verse with some contemporary references and expletives, the story is dragged 400 years to modern day Liverpool where a man is seeking revenge after his wife is murdered. Read more
| Starring | Christopher Eccleston, Eddie Izzard, Derek Jacobi, Diana Quick |
|---|---|
| Director | Alex Cox |
| Genres | Drama |
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Revengers Tragedy
Based on play by Thomas Middleton from the year 1607, writer/director Alex Cox (REPO MAN) gives us a comic horror story. Marrying 17th Century theatrical verse with some contemporary references and expletives, the story is dragged 400 years to modern day Liverpool where a man is seeking revenge after his wife is murdered.
| Starring | Christopher Eccleston, Eddie Izzard, Derek Jacobi, Diana Quick, Margi Clarke, Sophie Dahl, Anthony Booth |
|---|---|
| Director | Alex Cox |
| Studio | PALISADES TARTAN |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 46 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Hearing-impaired | English |
| Released | DVD: 24 Nov 2003 Production year: 2002 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (3)
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Sid & Nancy director Alex Cox makes a bid to become Britain's answer to Baz Luhrmann with this interpretation of Thomas Middleton's 17th-century play about family, loyalty and vengeance. Christopher Eccleston plays Vindici, returning to his home city after a ten-year absence to avenge the murder of his wife, killed on their wedding day by dastardly duke, Derek Jacobi. Eccleston displays a wry wit and gleeful dementia, but he is drowned out by a glut of hammy supporting performances — model Sophie Dahl and Margi Clarke are particularly dreadful, the former playing an embarrassing Princess Diana-like martyr. Cox adds to the mess with a profusion of flashy camera techniques and clichéd imagery. He has attempted to make a futuristic black comedy but, unlike Luhrmann, Cox lacks the skill, sophistication and vision to successfully turn a period text into cutting-edge, contemporary entertainment. The result is a tedious picture that's more pantomime than progressive.
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Flawed treatment as a modern day black comedy of a Jacobean play that has been a template for many revenge dramas. Where is Takashi Miike when you need him?
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Most helpful member's review
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16 out of 16 people found this review helpful
Great Fun!
I know that sounds like an odd title when I'm talking about a post-modern reinvention of a 17th century text, but yeah, this film is fun.
It's all down to Eccleston's erratic performance as Vindici. He waltzes through the action at breakneck speed, at times a cracked court jester, at others a venomous serpent. He owns this film, leaves even Jacobi in the shade.
Not to say that the rest of the cast are found wanting. Despite unusual casting choices, Cox produces strong, dignified performances from each of his players.
Thoroughly recommended. -
Most recent members' review
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5 out of 5 people found this review helpful
Well worth a go
I thought this was a really amazing updating - although I've never seen the play done traditionally. There's a mixture of the original language and some modern speech and it all works much better than I could have imagined in northern accents. If you enjoy watching Shakespeare, then this is an absolute must, and the cast is so good that it makes the difficult poetry completely understandable. I loved it.
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Revengers Tragedy
Based on play by Thomas Middleton from the year 1607, writer/director Alex Cox (REPO MAN) gives us a comic horror story. Marrying 17th Century theatrical verse with some contemporary references and expletives, the story is dragged 400 years to modern day Liverpool where a man is seeking revenge ...
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