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The Importance Of Being Earnest [1952] | ![The Importance Of Being Earnest [1952]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51A0SZXVP5L._SL160_.jpg)
 enlarge | Director: Anthony Asquith
Actors: Michael Redgrave, Richard Wattis, Michael Denison, Walter Hudd, Edith Evans
Studio: ITV DVD
Category: Video
List Price: £10.99
Buy Used: £1.40
You Save: £9.59 (87%)
Used (13) from £1.40
Rating:  6 reviews
Format: Pal
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: Universal, suitable for all
Media: VHS Tape
Discs: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 114 Minutes
EAN: 5014861307029
ASIN: B00004CJ9I
Theatrical Release Date: 1952
Release Date: April 30, 2001
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: same day. post..money back guarantee if dissatified for any reason whatsoever
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Amazon.co.uk Review
If you're looking for the definitive example of dry wit, look no further than this 1952 version of The Importance of Being Earnest. Of course, it helps to have Oscar Wilde's beloved play as source material, but this exquisite adaptation has a charmed life of its own, with a perfectly matched director and a once-in-a-lifetime cast. Mix these ingredients with Wilde's inimitable repartee, and you've got a comedic souffle that's cooked to perfection. Opening with a proscenium nod to its theatrical origins, the film turns Wilde's comedy of clever deception and mixed identities into a cinematic treat, and while the 10-member cast is uniformly superb, special credit must be given to Dame Edith Evans, reprising her stage role as the imperiously stuffy Lady Bracknell. To hear her Wilde-ly hilarious inflections and elongated syllables is to witness British comedy in its purest form. --Jeff Shannon, Amazon.com
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| Customer Reviews:
 The definitive cinematic production October 29, 2003
Dennis Littrell (SoCal)
11 out of 18 found this review helpful
Oscar Wilde's celebrated masterpiece is a comedy on three levels. First there is the denotative level, one might say, the level in which the bourgeois are entertained apres diner. It is on this level that Oscar Wilde follows the great theatrical tradition of comedy from the time of the Greeks through Shakespeare and French farce into the twentieth century to the musical comedy of the London and New York stage. His play on this level is a comedy of manners, pleasant, charming and very clever. The class conscious jokes about the lower orders and the servants are double-edged and add just a touch of squirm to the laughter of the not completely discerning audience. It is on the second level that The Importance of Being Earnest becomes one of the greatest plays ever written. On this level, the comedy is a full blown satire of Victorian society, and in particular of its audience. Wilde had the very great pleasure of flattering and making fun of the audience while being applauded for doing so. His subtitle for the play, "A Trivial Comedy for Serious People" is an allusion to these two levels. It is on this second level that Wilde speaks through the voice of Lady Bracknell (and sometimes Algernon), whose ironic and unself-conscious cynicism is so like his own. It is on this level that all the fun is made of the hypocrisy of marriage and its mercenary nature, at least as practiced by the petite bourgeoisie of London town, circa 1895. But there is a third level, a level known of course to the cognoscenti of the time and to modern audiences, but for the most part never dreamed of by the London theater-goers of the day. In this regard I have recently read that "Earnest" was a slang euphemism for being gay, and I suspect this is true. Indeed, I can imagine a whole world of witticism based on being "earnest" and being "Ernest," a world now (perhaps charitably) forgotten. Certainly this knowledge sheds some light on Jack's invention of his invalid friend "Bunbury," whom he finds he must visit to escape unwanted social engagements.One of the best things about this great play is one can appreciate it on any one of the three levels and find delight on that level alone. One can see Worthy as John Worthy, or as Jack Worthy, or as Ernest Worthy, however one likes. This adaptation, starring the incomparable Dame Edith Evans as Lady Bracknell, and Michael Redgrave (father of Vanessa and Lynn Redgrave) as John Worthy is of course the justly celebrated, clearly definitive screen adaptation. It should be noted, however, that Lady Bracknell is the real star of the show, and when she enters a scene, she steals it. Edith Evans was brilliant and unforgettable and obviously having a wonderful time. Margaret Rutherford is a scream as Miss Prism and Miles Malleson as Chasuble is just, shall I say, darling. I should note that both the male leads were a touch too old for their parts. Redgrave was 42 and Michael Denison, who played Algernon, was 37 when the movie was released in 1952. Yet I think Oscar Wilde would have approved of the casting, probably finding it admirable and fitting that these two men about town would have avoided marriage for so many years. (I won't mention the ages of the actresses.) Joan Greenwood as Gwendolyn achieves just the right amount of flaky innocence and calculated whimsy, while Dorothy Tutin is the very definition of the spoiled, sweet and adorable, man-hunting Cecily Cardew. The direction by Anthony Asquith is unnecessarily directive in the sense that he moved some scenes around, but is essentially without harm. The best way to appreciate this play, and to pick up all the nuances, and there are nuances aplenty--and jokes upon jokes, sharp social and political observations, and witticisms within prevarications, and lies that are truths and vice-versa--is to view the video, just appreciating it on one level, then read the script, and then view the video again. You're in for a treat.
Wonderful production of Wilde's famous comedy. June 24, 2005
dragondrums (Ingleby Barwick, United Kingdom)
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
This 1952 version of the Oscar Wilde classic romantic is as good to watch today as it ever was. Michael Redgrave stars as Ernest Worthing, (whose name, in fact, is really John), a man who, as a baby, had been found in a bag in the cloakroom at Victoria Station. The story is a comedy of errors and confusions around names, in particular the name Ernest. Mr Worthing wants to marry Gwendoline, daughter of the formidable Lady Bracknell. He dare not tell his beloved that his name is not really Ernest as she has expressed a desire only to wed a man of that name. Gwendoline's cousin, Algernon, is pursuing Mr Worthing's ward, Cecily, but she does not know his real name, she believes he is called Ernest. The comedy starts when Cecily and Gwendoline meet for the first time and realise they are both betrothed to 'Ernest Worthington'. The film stars Margaret Rutherford as Miss Prism and Dame Edith Evans as the snobbish Lady Bracknell. Both actresses play their roles extremely well, as you would expect from such grand dames of the stage.
There are a few extras on this DVD (region 2 version) which include a profile of 'The Importance of Being Earnest', a 'behind the scenes' gallery, a theatrical trailer and biographies of the main actors and the director. The picture is crystal clear and the colours bright. Sound quality is good and there are subtitles for the hard of hearing. All in all, a very good version of one of Wilde's best known and loved works.
A DEFINITE MUST SEE September 18, 2000
8 out of 9 found this review helpful
Most famous for Edith Evans' delivery of THAT handbag line, this is a superb adaptation of one of Wilde's best plays.The farcical quality is wonderfully handled and the casting is fantastic. Edith Evans was perfect for Lady Bracknell, as was Margaret Rutherford for Miss Prism. Get it, have a laugh and watch it over and over. Each time you see it, you spot something new!
 very good adaptation but poor sound April 23, 2005
7 out of 9 found this review helpful
I have always liked the play - and that is precisely the reason why I bought this DVD some time ago. However, I never watched the whole film. You may ask why? The answer is easy: the soundtrack is simply awful. Also the picture quality should be better.
Some months ago the BBC showed the film - the copy they picked was far superior to the DVD version. Good picture and excellent sound quality.What a joy to watch it. This time I did not switch off.
Watch it Again and Again October 13, 2003
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
This movie is definately one of the funniest I've ever seen.
I bought it after years of only having the privelage of seeing it once in a blue moon on a lazy sunday afternoons telly.
Trust me whoever u are you will find yourself falling about with laughter at this witty, heart warming and cosy comedy. Wilde at his best.
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