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The Importance Of Being Earnest Reviews

1952

70
from 845 members

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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Critic's review of The Importance Of Being Earnest
View all critics' reviews (2)
- 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.
- 31001
- - Halliwell's Film Guide
  - 02 Mar 2006 at 15:42
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Most helpful member's review of The Importance Of Being Earnest
View all members' reviews (17)
- - 5
  - 1
  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.
  
  Report this review
- 34282
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - a customer
  - ARMAGH
  - 27 Apr 2004 at 13:13
Most recent members' reviews of The Importance Of Being Earnest
View all members' reviews (17)
- - 0
  - 0
  Importance of good dialogue sound tracks !
  
  THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS | Show review anywayHide
  
  Fairly well acted by a good cast, however, the sound track is very badly recorded or transferred from the original film - very muffled and making it hard to ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1083939
- - a customer
  - 20 Jan 2012 at 23:58
- - 0
  - 0
  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 »
  
  Report this review
- 1065851
- - Richard53
  - 2 reviews
  - 22 Nov 2011 at 18:44
- - 1
  - 0
  Perfect. Perfect. Perfect!
  
  Absolutely amazing breathless comedy. Classic one-liners. Each part perfectly cast. Highlights include Margaret Rutherford; Joan Greenwood's gorgeous, ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 997784
- - Mytrme
  - 27 reviews
  - 28 May 2011 at 00:23
- - 1
  - 0
  The wicked wit of Oscar Wilde...brilliant, funny, timeless.
  
  I really enjoyed watching this film again. It is a timeless classic. I haven't seen the new film because I love the old one so much! The sound quality isn&#... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 990628
- - a customer
  - 08 May 2011 at 21:21
- - 0
  - 0
  The Importance of being Earnest
  
  Classic Oscar Wilde comedy. Some would say the acting was 'over the top', but I think it is meant to be. A very talented cast and overall very ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 790140
- - a customer
  - Stranraer
  - 27 Jul 2009 at 21:57
- - 0
  - 0
  A delightful treat
  
  The outrageously wonderful Dame Edith Evans here reprises her famous role as Lady Bracknell, her extravagant performance being matched only by (1) her ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 742702
- - Migdale
  - 40 reviews
  - Preston
  - 14 Apr 2009 at 10:45
- - 0
  - 0
  The Importance of Being Earnest
  
  Classic movie version, although heavily chopped about and opened out for cinema. Disappointing if you know the stage classic, otherwise okay and anything with ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 561158
- - Gazf
  - 3 reviews
  - London
  - 01 May 2008 at 21:46
- - 1
  - 0
  Oldie but a Goodie!
  
  This is Oscar Wilde at his best: subtle, witty, perfectly chosen language and beautifully crafted. The more recent version gives a ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 398931
- - ALAN HARBOTTLE
  - Liverpool, England
  - 04 Jan 2007 at 18:42
- - 0
  - 0
  A Classic
  
  a lavish and very camp film !! its wonderful and funny
  
  Report this review
- 266177
- - a customer
  - blackpool
  - 20 Jul 2006 at 15:52
- - 0
  - 0
  Important - honest
  
  This is always a good play. I am not sure it pans well in film form. This a traditionally, if rather over dressed, version of Oscar Wilde's play about a ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 141818
- - Paul Record
  - Cupar Scotland
  - 19 Aug 2005 at 12:43
View all members' reviews (17)

- - 5
  - 1
  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.
  
  Report this review
- 34282
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - a customer
  - ARMAGH
  - 27 Apr 2004 at 13:13
- - 4
  - 0
  MARVELLOUS ACTING
  
  One forgets how great British films once were. This is 1000 times better than the recent Hollywood version. Fantastic acting by all.
  
  Report this review
- 333649
- - Hughdrover
  - Glos.
  - 07 May 2005 at 11:07
- - 1
  - 0
  Oldie but a Goodie!
  
  This is Oscar Wilde at his best: subtle, witty, perfectly chosen language and beautifully crafted. The more recent version gives a ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 398931
- - ALAN HARBOTTLE
  - Liverpool, England
  - 04 Jan 2007 at 18:42
- - 1
  - 0
  The wicked wit of Oscar Wilde...brilliant, funny, timeless.
  
  I really enjoyed watching this film again. It is a timeless classic. I haven't seen the new film because I love the old one so much! The sound quality isn&#... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 990628
- - a customer
  - 08 May 2011 at 21:21
- - 1
  - 0
  Perfect. Perfect. Perfect!
  
  Absolutely amazing breathless comedy. Classic one-liners. Each part perfectly cast. Highlights include Margaret Rutherford; Joan Greenwood's gorgeous, ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 997784
- - Mytrme
  - 27 reviews
  - 28 May 2011 at 00:23
- - 2
  - 2
  Difficulties of pronunciation
  
  The clipped accents of 50 years ago simply do not enable us to enjoy this renowned piece of Oscar's - much of the dialogue is at quite a pace and requires ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 68002
- - a customer
  - Moffat Scotland
  - 29 Jan 2005 at 20:21
- - 0
  - 0
  of its time
  
  thought i had ordered the new version but enjoyed this instead.a classic.
  
  Report this review
- 81880
- - a customer
  - kirriemuir angus
  - 15 Mar 2005 at 21:59
- - 0
  - 0
  Classic and definitive 'Ernest'
  
  This is the classic and definitive film version of Oscar Wilde's stage comedy, with Edith Evans as Lady Bracknell and Joan Greenwood as Gwendolen. The film ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 128290
- - a customer
  - Cardiff, Wales
  - 27 Jul 2005 at 22:13
- - 0
  - 0
  Important - honest
  
  This is always a good play. I am not sure it pans well in film form. This a traditionally, if rather over dressed, version of Oscar Wilde's play about a ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 141818
- - Paul Record
  - Cupar Scotland
  - 19 Aug 2005 at 12:43
- - 0
  - 0
  A Classic
  
  a lavish and very camp film !! its wonderful and funny
  
  Report this review
- 266177
- - a customer
  - blackpool
  - 20 Jul 2006 at 15:52

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Buy from Amazon.co.uk

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- The Importance Of Being Earnest
  
  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 ...