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Beautiful music and authentic history.
Review date: 2007-11-02 Rating: 10 out of 10
Purcell, who was court composer to King Charles the Second (The Merry Monarch) and later to William III and Queen Mary II, is probably one of England's greatest composers and this wonderful production was very well received when it was on TV to mark his 300 year anniversary.
This is not just a beautifully played biography of Purcell, which Michael Ball portrays as a lovable, talented man, but also a moving and realistic depiction of the considerably harsher lives of those in London at that time.
The drama is balanced in three parts to involve the viewer in the music, the life of Purcell in the late 1600's and how to relate to him in the present day. Thus the drama of Purcell's life is done in flashback from Simon Callow (who also plays King Charles II) as an actor in 1960's London struggling to present Purcell to a twentieth century audience. This helps us to understand better what was happening to Purcell when we slipped into the flashbacks of the past. King Charles II had restored the monarchy to England after the horrors of the English Civil War and the Puritan Protectorate under Cromwell. He required a talented Court Composer and young Purcell who had spent all his life in the service of music with his father and uncle, both professionals, to train him was just the right man.
The period dramas set at the courts of King Charles and his successors are done in full lavish costume drama style. The selection of music is injected at those moments which are appropriate for the unfolding drama, both in the great events of British history and the personal triumphs and disasters of Purcell's life. The musical performances, as I remember them, were all sublime and uplifting.
The general authenticity of the production was memorable because much of it was filmed in the original places in which Purcell lived and worked. This is no fictional account of the great Restoration composer but an attempt to capture the spirit of his music through an understanding of the man. If you love classical music or good history this is a must!
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Reviews
Memorable film
Review date: 2005-12-10 Rating: 10 out of 10
This film is outstanding. The acting is excellent, but mainly I am most impressed by the performances of Purcell's music on period instruments. The singing is divine. Woe to those who love "operatic" Purcell. What a rich view of Purcell's life and times!!
I recommend this to everyone, but also to seasoned baroque music lovers who appreciate the scholarship in putting together such a film. Let us have more such delightful pieces of art!
Wonderful music, fine recreation of this period in history.
Review date: 2001-04-12 Rating: 10 out of 10
This is an historical film from the perspective of the greatest composer of the time, Henry Purcell. The acting is superb; the sense of the period is very strong; the music has been most effectively selected, and there's lots of it. There's also lots of personality and dramatic interest. I can see non-music types enjoying this film, though for music (especially Purcell!) enthusiasts it is a feast!
Absolutely ripping historical film
Review date: 2000-08-16 Rating: 10 out of 10
This film captures the restoration period at court better than any other historical film ever has. Its sets, costumes, and above all the music are all splendid. The acting and directing are first class as well. The film captures the splendor and the pathos of the age.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Rebecca Front
Simon Callow
Lucy Speed
Letitia Dean
Michael Ball
Creators:
Simon Callow (Primary Contributor)
Michael Ball (Primary Contributor)
Alexander Metodiev (Producer)
Mike Bluett (Producer)
Radoslav Spassov (Producer)
Simon Flind (Producer)
Stefan Kitanov (Producer)
Charles Wood (Writer)
John Osborne (Writer)
Director(s):
Recording label: Kultur Video
Manufacturer: Kultur Video
EAN: 0032031422193
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Classical, Colour, DVD-Video, Subtitled, NTSC,
Release date: 2007-07-31
Universal product code (UPC): 032031422193
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Region code: 1
Running time: 153 minutes
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: German (Subtitled)
Language: Italian (Subtitled)
Language: Spanish (Subtitled)
Language: English (Original Language)