Anthony Asquith, having directed a wonderful film of George Bernard Shaw's PYGMALION, turned in 1952 to another classic, one of the greatest theatrical comedies, Oscar Wilde's THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST. Set at the height of the Victorian era, popularly imagined to be a cold and repressive time, the visual contrast with .. Read more
| Starring | Margaret Rutherford, Edith Evans, Dorothy Tutin, Michael Redgrave |
|---|---|
| Director | Anthony Asquith |
| Genres | Comedy |
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Anthony Asquith, having directed a wonderful film of George Bernard Shaw's PYGMALION, turned in 1952 to another classic, one of the greatest theatrical comedies, Oscar Wilde's THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST. Set at the height of the Victorian era, popularly imagined to be a cold and repressive time, the visual contrast with 1950s Technicolor only seems to enhance Wilde's sharp satire and droll epigrams.
Cast with talented veterans of the English stage, even the minor characters are a delight. Asquith allows the actors, particularly the female roles, to deliver Wilde's dialogue in a ringing theatrical voice. Edith Evans as the imperious Lady Bracknell, full of strident tone and rolling R's, and always in high dudgeon, strikes fear in the heart of Jack (Michael Redgrave), while Joan Greenwood as the beautiful, opinionated Gwendolyn (who could never marry a man named Jack), melts his heart in a voice that practically purrs.
Wilde's use of a convoluted, improbable story, much imitated in the screwball comedies of the 1930s, never detracts from the pure enjoyment of his characters silly yet heartfelt struggles. Asquith's staging and directing is smooth and fluid, thus retaining a theatrical feel. This gives today's viewer a sense of what Victorian audiences must have felt when they first beheld the breathless pace and matchless wit of the incomparable Oscar Wilde.
| Starring | Margaret Rutherford, Edith Evans, Dorothy Tutin, Michael Redgrave, Joan Greenwood, Miles Malleson, Michael Denison |
|---|---|
| Director | Anthony Asquith |
| Studio | AMAZON WEB |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 54 mins |
| Certificate |  |
| Genres | Comedy |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Hearing-impaired | English |
| Released | Production year: 1952 To Rent: DVD: 30 Apr 2001 |
Disappointingly stagey rendering (when compared, say, with Occupe-toi d'Amélie) of Britain's most wondrously witty lighter-than-air comedy of manners. As a record of a theatrical performance, however, it is valuable.
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A bit of mis-casting ...
A bit of mis-casting aside, this is a nice filmed version of the play. I'll watch anything with Margaret Rutherford in it anyway.
[Highly rated reviewer]
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Importance of good dialogue sound tracks !
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A classic film of a classic comedy
A cluster of acting greats who fit together so well to create a cohesive mix where no one outshines or upstages the rest. You are left feeling that this classic... read more »
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Perfect. Perfect. Perfect!
Absolutely amazing breathless comedy. Classic one-liners. Each part perfectly cast. Highlights include Margaret Rutherford; Joan Greenwood's gorgeous, ... read more »
[Highly rated reviewer]
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