The Duchess (2008)

superb..........................

williamsgwynfa [Highly rated reviewer] , 06/09/2008

this dvd is superb. It stars Keira Knightley as Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire, Ralph Fiennes as William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire, Hayley Atwell as Elizabeth Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire and Charlotte Rampling as Lady Spencer.

The film is set at the end of the eighteenth century, The Duchess is the story of the beautiful and, glamorous Georgiana Spencer, the most fascinating woman of the age.

While her beauty and charisma made her name, her extravagant tastes and appetite for gambling and love made her infamous.

Married young to the older, distant Duke of Devonshire, the confidant of ministers and princes, Georgiana became a fashion icon, a doting mother, a shrewd political operator and darling of the common people.

But at the core of her story is a desperate search for love.

From Georgiana’s passionate and doomed affair with Earl Grey to the complex ménage à trois with her husband and her best friend, Lady Bess Foster, The Duchess is a very contemporary tale of fame, notoriety and the search for love.

Well worth watching.

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Loved it!

jojo0786 from Rainham , 05/09/2008

I absolutely loved 'The Duchess'. Keira Knightly was, as always, fantastic in this truly moving story. Beautiful scenery, costumes and actors make this well worth a watch.

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High on potential, low on delivery

A customer from 2nd row from the back, Lincolnshire , 07/09/2008

Gorgiana was reckoned to be a witty and intelligent woman but sadly none of that comes across because the scriptwriters obviously weren't up to witty and intelligent dialogue. There must be a fascinating political story in the relationship between the Duchess and prime minister to be Mr Fox. However, that doesn't feature either, the politics are glossed over and the relationship presented in banal terms. Can't blame the actors, they do their best but there just isn't much here to work with. OK if you like costume drama but this is a poor example of the genre.

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Fantastic

SNIP from London , 12/09/2008

Went to see this expecting a light hearted bit of frivolity, but right form the start I found it totally captivating and the fact it was based on reality made it all the more heart wrenching! Keira plays this kind of role to perfection. Ralph Fiennes was also excellent.

All I can say without spoiling the story is Im so glad I wasnt born female in the 19 centuary!

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Fantastic

SNIP from London , 12/09/2008

Went to see this expecting a light hearted bit of frivolity, but right form the start I found it totally captivating and the fact it was based on reality made it all the more heart wrenching! Keira plays this kind of role to perfection. Ralph Fiennes was also excellent.

All I can say without spoiling the story is Im so glad I wasnt born female in the 19 centuary!

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As good a period drama as you could get

PaulaWestwood from Ashton-Under-Lyne [Highly rated reviewer] , 15/09/2008

Though transparently sensationalised in parts for dramatic effect, the whole atmosphere, look and story are perfect, as good a period dress drama as I have seen, with uncanny resemblances to present day Spencer family fortunes, this is definately a worthwhile watch. Ralph Fiennes is simply superb as the cold unnaproachable Duke of Devonshire as is Kiera Knightly as his maligned dutchess Georgiana. Slightly risque in parts certainly for its age rating, nevertheless this is a an excellent film.

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