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The Europeans Details

1979 Certificate U
  • Rated:
  • 50
  • from 352 members

Based on the novel by Henry James, THE EUROPEANS takes place in 1840s New England where a cultured but nearly destitute sister and brother, raised in Europe, arrive at the doorstep of their rich but innocently isolated American cousins. Hoping to exchange her sophistication for financial stability, Eugenia (Lee Remick) begins a .. Read more

Starring Lee Remick, Robin Ellis, Wesley Addy, Tim Choate
Director James Ivory
Genres Drama

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The Europeans cover art

The Europeans

Based on the novel by Henry James, THE EUROPEANS takes place in 1840s New England where a cultured but nearly destitute sister and brother, raised in Europe, arrive at the doorstep of their rich but innocently isolated American cousins. Hoping to exchange her sophistication for financial stability, Eugenia (Lee Remick) begins a manipulative wooing of bachelor Robert Acton (Robin Ellis) while her bohemian brother, Felix (Tim Woodward), falls for Gertrude Wentworth (Lisa Eichorn). The puritanical Acton is attracted to Eugenia's artful ways but cannot find it within himself to trust her overt sensuality.
With sumptuous cinematography, director James Ivory subtly articulates the emotions that surface in this Jamesian battle between cosmopolitan mores and stony New England rectitude. Producer Ismail Merchant had difficulty finding financial backing in the United States, and THE EUROPEANS was eventually funded by England's National Film Finance Corporation. However, when it was chosen as the only British entry at the Cannes Film Festival, the British film community disassociated itself from the movie, considering it not to be British enough. Despite this, THE EUROPEANS became a success for Merchant Ivory Productions in Europe as well as America.

Starring Lee Remick, Robin Ellis, Wesley Addy, Tim Choate
Director James Ivory
Studio ODYSSEY VIDEO
Run time DVD: 1 hr 30 mins
Certificate Certificate U
Genres Drama
Language DVD: English
Released DVD: 28 Apr 2003
Production year: 1979
Format DVD

  • Critics' reviews (4) of The Europeans

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  • 4 stars out of 5

    Made before he discovered EM Forster, James Ivory came closer than anyone to translating the near-unfilmable Henry James to the screen with this beautifully-judged drama. Aided, as ever, by the impeccable production values of Ismail Merchant and the intelligent writing of Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, Ivory's take on cross-continental snobbery is deliciously played by an immaculate, if unfamiliar cast. Returning to 1850s Boston to visit her country cousins, Lee Remick expertly keeps the lid on a performance that begged extravagance, thus ensuring that her gold-digging countess remains sympathetic for all her schemes and jibes. Elegant, witty and highly literate.

    • Radio Times
    • Posted 29 Jan 2006
  • 1 stars out of 4

    Charming if rather tentative period mood piece, probably the most professional and judicious of all the overpraised Merchant Ivory offerings.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
    • Posted 02 Mar 2006

  • Most helpful member's review of The Europeans

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  • 2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 1 star

    Turgid but vacuous

    Though beautifully filmed, this is a leaden movie. There is simply no cohesion or entertainment to be had from the 'dialogue', such as it is. In fairness, making an enjoyable adaptation of Henry James's stodgy prose is no easy task, and requires an expert screenwriter of the calibre of Andrew Davies. In an interview in the extras, James Ivory claims to have made this adaptation in response to the BBC's adaptations of Henry James's novels, which he claims should be being made by Americans. Perhaps, but the BBC excels at making great period dramas, and one only wishes Merchant Ivory had left the Europeans to the BBC. Some of the later Merchant Ivory productions are without doubt outstanding, such as The Remains of the Day. Unfortunately, The Europeans falls far short of that standard.

      • A customer from UK
      • Posted 12 Jul 2005 21:52

  • Most recent members' review of The Europeans

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  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars

    The Europeans

    A classy piece of film making - one of the early Merchant Ivory films and shows its beautiful colours off well. Quite a slow story and seems to be a bit dated (not surprising as it was made in 1979) but enjoyable nonetheless.

      • Mary Hammond from Abbots Langley, Hertfordshire, England
      • Posted 23 Jul 2004 14:32

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Rating breakdown

352 Member ratings
  • 100
9
  • 90
11
  • 80
27
  • 70
38
  • 60
59
  • 50
58
  • 40
59
  • 30
41
  • 20
31
  • 10
19

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    • The Europeans

    • The Europeans
      Based on the novel by Henry James, THE EUROPEANS takes place in 1840s New England where a cultured but nearly destitute sister and brother, raised in Europe, arrive at the doorstep of their rich but innocently isolated American cousins. Hoping to exchange her sophistication for financial stability, ...