Loved this from beginning to end! A sterling cast of British acting talent so rarely seen in films. From the start where Cromwell's grave is dug up to the sad ending of Harry's death from (possibly) tuberculosis, John Eliot Gardner's ensemble's performances and gritty realism of late 17thc London will absorb every classical music fan throughout. Oh DO look out for the gaffe where Sir a Christopher Wren is displaying plans of St.Paul's Cathedral: The plan you see on screen is from a 3 dimensional architect drawing made in 1927.
11 Reviews
To Touch The Nerve Of What Is Truly English, Listen To Tony Palmer
schogger1315 August 2003
An odd thesis, indeed, to put upon a movie about Henry Purcell.
But hear me out, fair Ladies and honourable Sires. This is the opportunity to hear about the greatest artist before the face of Albion to put justice as well as artistic congeniality before the memories of the greatest spirits to fire up our imagination. Oh yes, a spirit and talent to match his subjects. There hasn't been a master of 'portraits' since Hohlbein or Hilliard, who caught the essence of a spirit as close, detailed and true to its core as Tony Palmer. So, what better master to call upon the task of giving the greatest English composer a face to last beyond the brittle pages of an encyclopedia?
I dare the claim that Purcell was and is the eternal master of the achingly, painfully and gloriously beautiful - the indigo and forest green shades of melancholy music to tease the gentlest tears from stone.
Yes, Tony Palmer's piece is a masterful fresco of the Restoration, but still it's but a frame to what Purcell was all about. Palmer NEVER sells his subjects short for hidden agendas.
To give this claim substance, the best of the best for this task provided the music: John Eliot Gardiner & The English Baroque Soloists.
You can't possibly aim higher than this, and this movie achieved even beyond my biased expectations. The cream of the English acting craft: Simon Callow and Robert Stephens to give music to the words of masters John Osborne and Charles Wood.
Bugger me, but is there any claim out there which can come up with a more suitable setup?
Gather, people, Anglophiles and friends of the core to humanity.
Settle into your favourite chair and surrender to the sound-kept peak of aching beauty.
Schogger13
But hear me out, fair Ladies and honourable Sires. This is the opportunity to hear about the greatest artist before the face of Albion to put justice as well as artistic congeniality before the memories of the greatest spirits to fire up our imagination. Oh yes, a spirit and talent to match his subjects. There hasn't been a master of 'portraits' since Hohlbein or Hilliard, who caught the essence of a spirit as close, detailed and true to its core as Tony Palmer. So, what better master to call upon the task of giving the greatest English composer a face to last beyond the brittle pages of an encyclopedia?
I dare the claim that Purcell was and is the eternal master of the achingly, painfully and gloriously beautiful - the indigo and forest green shades of melancholy music to tease the gentlest tears from stone.
Yes, Tony Palmer's piece is a masterful fresco of the Restoration, but still it's but a frame to what Purcell was all about. Palmer NEVER sells his subjects short for hidden agendas.
To give this claim substance, the best of the best for this task provided the music: John Eliot Gardiner & The English Baroque Soloists.
You can't possibly aim higher than this, and this movie achieved even beyond my biased expectations. The cream of the English acting craft: Simon Callow and Robert Stephens to give music to the words of masters John Osborne and Charles Wood.
Bugger me, but is there any claim out there which can come up with a more suitable setup?
Gather, people, Anglophiles and friends of the core to humanity.
Settle into your favourite chair and surrender to the sound-kept peak of aching beauty.
Schogger13
fascinating biography
redodson2 April 1999
This is a brilliantly conceived and executed film about one of England's greatest composers and a watershed period in English history. The cinematography and editing are superb, and, for the most part, the acting is first-rate. The historical accuracy of the film is almost uncanny (down to the floor-pounding conducting with a massive "baton"). The movie has a "you-were-there" quality, and you can almost believe that you are actually watching the historical characters themselves. (I especially liked Queen Mary and her boorish King William.) The only "complaint" that I have about the film is that I had a nagging feeling of deja-vu that I was watching "Barry Lyndon" again (induced in part, no doubt, by the many candle-lit scenes, Murray Melvin's role as Shaftsbury, and Purcell's music for Queen Mary's funeral that figured so prominently in "A Clockwork Orange.") If you like historical films and/or grand costume drama, by all means try to see this film. (P.S.: I saw the film on Bravo; I'm sure that it loses a lot on the small screen, but I still rate it 9/10.)
brilliant
Freddie-619 January 1999
a brilliant movie,and a great idea to use the same cast in going to and fro between 17th and 20th century England.Only the Brits can make movies like this one.The music of Purcell was superb. Thank goodness that I taped it and can view it again at leisure. (PS I recognised the actress who played Purcell's wife as the one who plays the dumb Australian waitress in the series 'Pilgrims Rest'
Beautiful and original musical biography
claudelalande15 October 2005
The first time I saw the movie, after a brilliant opening, I felt somewhat disappointed to see that it was a play within a movie. The more I saw it, however, the more I appreciated the original treatment of this biography. It is, first and foremost, a beautiful movie, both for its photography, historical recreation and the great music. The contrast between the modern and historical periods made possible by the "play within a movie" treatment is actually very interesting. The character played by Simon Callow performs research on the life and times of Purcell, while commenting on our own times. John Elliot Gardiner conducts the baroque orchestra and singers with energy, and the result is first class. I saw and recorded this movie on videotape in the 1990's, and the tape is wearing thin. I am delighted this jewel has finally been released on DVD in 2007.
England My England
jsbertolone-122 September 2006
It is a wonderful film and Henry Purcell, one of the best English composers around,is a most fascinating composer to write about.
I would really like to buy a DVD or tape of this film but is finding it an impossible task.
I'm wondering where can one get a hold of it? This is merely a question about this film.
Can anyone tell me how I can get a DVD or tape of this movie?
It seems it is unavailable out there for the most part. Anyone who can help me in locating this film, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
I would really like to buy a DVD or tape of this film but is finding it an impossible task.
I'm wondering where can one get a hold of it? This is merely a question about this film.
Can anyone tell me how I can get a DVD or tape of this movie?
It seems it is unavailable out there for the most part. Anyone who can help me in locating this film, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
An excellent introduction to the music of Henry Purcell and an interesting commentary on Restoration England
markswan3 July 2006
Like many others, I guess, I made a point of taping (such a 20th century expression) this programme from the air when it had its TV premiere in Australia in 1995.
I can't count the number of times I've re-watched it. Each time I do, some different aspect of the treatment or the story come to the fore. I agree that, at first, the 'play within a play' approach can be a little off-putting. So can the direct commentary on UK political life.
Sometimes it becomes a little tiring that UK playwrights and filmmakers of the late 1980s and 1990s had such a thing about Margaret Thatcher and her politics. In 'Billy Elliot' it was the coal mine closures, in 'England, My England' it was the poll tax protests. Maybe I have the luxury of not being British (well, not quite, just an Anglo Australian with a British cultural upbringing, hence the love of Purcell), but it did not resonate particularly closely with me. But, then again, I understood the message.
The treatment of Restoration England and the musical life of Purcell is amazingly well handled. You could almost believe that Peyps and Dryden were addressing us from the screen. Colwell's Charles II is utterly convincing. Charles is at once a sympathetic and pathetic character.... sincerely concerned for his kingdom and people, yet given over to his own pleasures and concerns.
As for Harry, what can I say? As presented as a man on screen, and in the music we hear, he is the unsurpassed master of the English baroque. The selected orchestral and choral works, though tending to the popular, fit the scenes perfectly and add to the sense of wonder at his talent.
For those who've not enjoyed this movie, and who are fans of Purcell or baroque music generally, all I can say is, see it! You'll be rewarded.
I can't count the number of times I've re-watched it. Each time I do, some different aspect of the treatment or the story come to the fore. I agree that, at first, the 'play within a play' approach can be a little off-putting. So can the direct commentary on UK political life.
Sometimes it becomes a little tiring that UK playwrights and filmmakers of the late 1980s and 1990s had such a thing about Margaret Thatcher and her politics. In 'Billy Elliot' it was the coal mine closures, in 'England, My England' it was the poll tax protests. Maybe I have the luxury of not being British (well, not quite, just an Anglo Australian with a British cultural upbringing, hence the love of Purcell), but it did not resonate particularly closely with me. But, then again, I understood the message.
The treatment of Restoration England and the musical life of Purcell is amazingly well handled. You could almost believe that Peyps and Dryden were addressing us from the screen. Colwell's Charles II is utterly convincing. Charles is at once a sympathetic and pathetic character.... sincerely concerned for his kingdom and people, yet given over to his own pleasures and concerns.
As for Harry, what can I say? As presented as a man on screen, and in the music we hear, he is the unsurpassed master of the English baroque. The selected orchestral and choral works, though tending to the popular, fit the scenes perfectly and add to the sense of wonder at his talent.
For those who've not enjoyed this movie, and who are fans of Purcell or baroque music generally, all I can say is, see it! You'll be rewarded.
Simply the best produced film on a Baroque composer
joe-130 January 2001
Being a bit of a Purcell fanatic, it was only happenstance that I encountered this film. Channel surfing the local cable net, I noticed a listing for the film, which I recorded.
This film brilliantly captures the essence of the man and his music (as well as the tenor of the times). The acting, a bit downplayed, works well to give the story a positive spin, despite the various tragedies in Purcell's life.
I understand that the original version has some contemporary thread running through it. The version which was run on the BRAVO network in the US eliminated this component (for some reason which goes unexplained).
Overall, this film is an overlooked masterpiece....
This film brilliantly captures the essence of the man and his music (as well as the tenor of the times). The acting, a bit downplayed, works well to give the story a positive spin, despite the various tragedies in Purcell's life.
I understand that the original version has some contemporary thread running through it. The version which was run on the BRAVO network in the US eliminated this component (for some reason which goes unexplained).
Overall, this film is an overlooked masterpiece....
A Film Within A Play Within a Film
philipjelley14 February 2002
The life of the musician & court composer Henry Purcell is used to present a tongue in cheek examination of the Restoration & the Glorious Revolution. The actors in the film, led by Simon Callow as Charles II, discuss the play between scenes, but the parts they play on stage are also those that they play in the film. Very cleverly done too.
Wonderfully moving
cecileyneville18 October 2023
I finished watching this today and thought it quite brilliant in parts. I especially liked the Dryden extracts. The film captures something about English melancholy and, being about Purcell and his sublime music, how could it not. The late 17th century was a time of vertiginous change, socially and politically. How could it not induce melancholia when so much of what was held dear was either destroyed or now held in disrepute. This pattern of rapid change followed by initial confusion, regret and sadness is a recurrent theme in English, perhaps all nations', history. This recurrence is captured here cleverly by making the film a play within a play. Simon Callow as Charles II was excellent.
Unusual to see Michael in this role
margaret-324 December 1999
Although Michael Ball trained as an actor, he is best known for his leading roles in musicals such as Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera and Aspects of Love in London & Broadway. It was very unusual (and very pleasant)to see him in this different role. Although he does not sing in this movie, I enjoyed it very much. The costumes were lovely. I also enjoyed seeing Simon Callow in his role as I really enjoyed his acting in "4 weddings and funeral".
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