Elgar DVD

Advantages: A Ken Russell classic not to be missed
Disadvantages: None, unless you are expecting a Ken Russell "shocker"

...renowned British composer Edward Elgar (1857-1934) in order to celebrate the 100th edition of "Monitor". Naturally it was an ambitious project, not least in that unlike today's no holds barred documentaries, Russell had to adhere to some pretty strict rules imposed by Wheldon and the BBC. The most restrictive was that there was a ban on the dramatisation of the lives of real people at that time on the BBC. So Russell was forced to accept a compromise: ...
...- 1962 - composer Edward Elgar had been going through a period of neglect, and the knowledge and awareness of his music tended to concentrate mainly on the "Pomp and Circumstance" side of his compositions. Ken Russell set out to try and change this rather restricted and unrealistic image - and succeeds brilliantly in revealing a far more emotionally complex and sensitive individual. The programme "Elgar" basically provides an overview of Elgar's ... Read review

Advantages: Accurate portrayal of 1950s back-street abortions and abortionists.
Disadvantages: Graphic and disturbing.

...and colourful. Even all the props in the working class house appear old and worn (a personal bug-bear of my husbands') and the middle=class possessions new and sparkling. The working class characters wear overalls, tank tops and plain jumpers compared to the pretty dresses and smart suits of the middle-classes. The soundtrack consists of original music composed by Andrew Dickson and is quite minimalistic combining sections of high-pitched choral movements with string-dominated instrumental movements. Also in the score is a piece by Elgar and "Calling All Workers" composed by Eric Coates in 1940 which compliment the film well. The DVD which currently retails at £19.99 is widely available to buy or rent. The DVD offers few extras. There is merely the film's trailer and a lengthy Cast and Crew documentary. The documentary gives more of an insight... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Atmospheric and compelling, DVD picture and sound quality.
Disadvantages: Score not overly impressive.

...As Elizabethan murder mysteries go this is probably the best. From the outset the director manages to capture just the right air of menace and treachery lurking in every shadow, made all the more compelling by the fact that the story is relatively close to the facts. The cinematography is quite beautiful and almost equals Kubricks 'Barry Lyndon' in its use of natural and candle light. Cate Blanchett is superb with equally good work by Geoffrey Rush as the essential baddie. I felt the score could have been better with the use of a 20th century piece of music (Elgars 'Nimrod') at odds with the Tudor atmosphere. Otherwise a fine and compelling drama made all the better by outstanding DVD picture and music quality.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful