Aristocrats
by David Caffrey (II)
List Price:
Our Price: $30.66
You Save: $19.29 (39%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Category: DVD
See more DVD releases
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD Cover Information
Actor: Anne-Marie Duff, Ben Daniels, Jodhi May, Julian Fellowes, Serena GordonDirector: David Caffrey (II)
Brand: Acorn
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Format: Box set, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.78:1
Running Time: 293 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2006-08-08
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Acorn Media
Movie Reviews of Aristocrats
Movie Review: Times were changing:Yes, but we were Aristocrats.........
Summary: 5 Stars
We were
This mini-series is produced by BBC, and I am glad that BBC had such privilege as they appear to be the only ones capable of capturing what the British and European Aristocratic customs and beliefs were (and still, in a closed circle are). This is the famous and true history of five sisters: Caroline, Emily, Louise, Sarah, and Cecilia - the five daughters of the second Duke of Richmond and very close to the British Royal family. It's a touching saga where highly esteemed aristocratic values often collide with more human issues, situations that may happen to anyone, or let's say to the Bourgeoisie. As such, Caroline, the eldest sister ends up falling in love with Mr. Fox (a renowned politician, but not endowed with generations of true blue blood). Caroline's parents dismiss Mr. Fox - it wouldn't be suitable for Caroline to marry a (famous) politician and orator of the Common House. Caroline is in love and marries him in secret: The family does not accept the impertinence, and shut her out of their houses and lives. Mr. Fox was in reality Mr. William Pitt Sr. (later Earl of Chatham), one of the most brilliant politicians of England's history. He is an atheist and an agnostic, and Caroline ends up embracing a life without God or a religion. Their marriage is a very happy one. They have two boys, the second of which is the even more brilliant William James Fox (William Pitt, Junior), a true genius and a stellar politician in a struggled historical period in England. Through the intercession of her beloved second sister Emily, Caroline and Mr. Fox are allowed to see her parents again, and so the other members of the family as well as to participate to the splendid ball given by their Graces, the Duke and Duchess of Richmond. During the ball, the Duke faints and soon after dies followed by the Duchess.
Emily and Louise both marry well with Irish men, one an aristocrat and the other the wealthiest man on the island. By father's will, the little Sarah and Cecilia are assigned to Emily, who soon after her wedding becomes a Duchess herself. This causes a lot of distraught between Caroline and Emily, since Caroline wished so much to take care for the two youngest sisters.
The plot goes on, and Emily lives a happy life with her husband James (kind of a fetishist, who in secret betrays Emily with some of the house-maids). Louise visits them often and Sarah is slowly becoming a woman ready to be introduced in society. She is being sent to London to Caroline for the ball's season. Sarah is the sweetest (and most struggled) character of the whole movie. The king, George II, a fond enthusiast of Sarah ("oh here you are, little plum cake") introduces her to his nephew, the Prince of Wales, who slowly becomes genuinely loving and interested in marrying Sarah. Her family rejoices, but (first struggle) she does not love him back. The King dies and the Prince of Wales becomes King George III, whose old preceptor and friend Lord Bute turns the government upside down (included Mr. Fox Sr.), and becomes premier minister. Sarah does not marry the king, but somehow the family arranges a marriage for her with a man of not great distinction. Their relationship is cold, and Sarah is unhappier than ever. With her brother, the third Duke of Richmond and his wife, they go to France where she meets someone else. When she returns to England she gets to know Lord Gordon, with whom she starts an affair. She becomes pregnant, and since she did have little sexual life with her husband, it becomes evident that the baby's father is Lord Gordon. Again, the family is deeply embarrassed, and all of a sudden she is obliged to leave Lord Gordon and be relegated out of society in secret apartments in the golden mansion of her brother, the third Duke of Richmond.
The plot goes on, but I have said already way too much. Big changes are to come, and I want you to enjoy them. About the miniseries: The first time I saw it I was not so sure I liked it. Then I watched it a second (and 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc. time). Somehow, every time I do capture more pleasant nuances - and there are many, I assure you. As all Sagas, the movie has its happy and sad moments and events. But, somehow, the Just receives a just and happy life at the end. And even in tragedy, the family is reunited.
The scenography is absolutely astounding, and so are the houses, the costumes, and the way of living is faithful to the aristocratic customs of that period. It is not a low-budget movie, and there is a laudable attention to details. The series has its own charm, taste, and wit. Most of all, it is very entertaining, although there are moments that may touch one's heart (or emotions).
It's a good movie for those who like historic genre. Estheticism is an ever present motive in this series. As such, if you have an inclination for esthetics this might well be a movie for you. Last, but not least, the actors and actresses are sublime, and I cannot recall any moment where they haven't been so (at least the principal ones). Indeed, a very nice story.
Summary of Aristocrats
Decades of history unfold in a dazzling saga of privileged lives and sisterly devotionAs seen on Masterpiece Theatre
With characters, drama, and romance vivid enough for a masterwork of fiction, this story is all the more fascinating because it is true. Based on Stella Tillyard?s acclaimed biography that "made history sexy again" (London Sunday Times), it paints an intimate portrait of 18th-century upper-class life in England and Ireland through the eyes of four beautiful high-born sisters. Caroline, Emily, Louisa, and Sarah Lennox were great-granddaughters of a king, daughters of a cabinet minister, and wives of politicians and peers. Well-educated, strong-minded, and distinctly individual, they take charge of their own lives, tempting scandal with their unconventional ideas about love, marriage, education, and fidelity.
Starring Serena Gordon, Geraldine Somerville, Anne-Marie Duff, Jodhi May, Siān Phillips, Alun Armstrong, and Julian Fellowes in a sumptuous BBC production.
Similar DVD Movies
All Passion SpentAcorn; Release date: 2006-05-30; DVD
Best price: $19.11
Price in other shops:
A Hazard of Hearts / Lady HamiltonRelease date: 2005-01-01; DVD
Best price: $0.95
Price in other shops:
Wives and DaughtersWarner Brothers; Release date: 2006-09-26; DVD
Best price: $19.49
Price in other shops:
Masterpiece Theatre - The CazaletsWgbh Wholesale; Release date: 2004-11-23; DVD
Best price: $17.99
Price in other shops:
The Grand - Complete CollectionAcorn; Release date: 2008-05-27; DVD
Best price: $36.93
Price in other shops:
The Tenant of Wildfell HallWarner Brothers; Release date: 2008-04-15; DVD
Best price: $8.61
Price in other shops:
Flambards - The Complete SeriesPBS; Release date: 2011-03-22; DVD
Best price: $26.19
Price in other shops:
Berkeley Square - The Complete SeriesPBS; Release date: 2011-03-22; DVD
Best price: $26.64
Price in other shops:
The BuccaneersWEA; Release date: 2006-04-18; DVD
Best price: $6.71
Price in other shops:
Masterpiece Classic: Downton Abbey Season 2 (Original U.K. Unedited Edition)PBS; Release date: 2012-02-07; DVD
Best price: $19.99
Price in other shops: