Brideshead Revisited
by Julian Jarrold
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Emma Thompson, Greta Scacchi, Michael Gambon, Patrick Malahide, Sarah CrowdenDirector: Julian Jarrold
Brand: Buena Vista Home Video
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); Spanish (Subtitled); English (Original Language)
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.40:1
Running Time: 133 minutes
Published: 2009-01-01
DVD Release Date: 2009-01-13
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: MIRAMAX
Movie Reviews of Brideshead Revisited
Movie Review: A fantastic and beautiful film. There are differences from the novel and drama series but on its own, enjoyed it a lot!
Summary: 5 Stars
The film is quite epic as it's filmed in the UK, Venice and Morocco and there are so many beautiful locations indoor and outdoor, "Brideshead Revisited" is rather ambitious. Each person is cast pretty well with Matthew Goode, having to use less dialogue and reading his emotions through his facial expressions. Emma Thompson, Ben Whishaw and Hayley Atwell did a remarkable job with their role and overall, the film was a good story about family and the pressures of that time of socioeconomic times when people were judged by the places they lived, the clothes they wear and where religion was strictly enforced and sinful ways were intolerable. But to see how a family would change once Charles enters their life. Is he their poison or is he giving them a chance to live free?
VIDEO & AUDIO:
The film is featured in widescreen (2:40:1) and there are just many beautiful shots in this film. The crew went all out in shooting scenes in London at the beautiful Castle Howard which filled in quite nicely for Brideshead and also capturing the beautiful landscape of Venice, Italy and then in Morocco.
As for the audio, the audio is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. There are quite a few scenes from the film that utilized the rear audio channels nicely. For example, at Morocco, you can hear the people all around you and in some scenes that featured a car zooming. But overall, this film is primarily dialogue-driven.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
The DVD includes a few bonus features such as:
* Deleted Scenes with optional Commentary - A few scenes that had some parts cut out of the film and the director talks about why they were cut out of the film.
* Filmmakers Audio Commentary - Julian Jarrold and others talk about the actual filming and behind-the-scene facts. Also, reasons why they changed certain scenes from the way it was featured in the novel and the way it was featured on the film.
* "The World of Brideshead" Featurette - This is a 23-minute featurette featuring interviews with the cast and behind-the-scenes footage of the making of the film, the challenges of shooting at various locations and much more.
I have never read the novel or seen the drama series before but I do know it's impact and how the book is acknowledged as one of the top 100 written novels of all time by Time Magazine. I can only think that what the writers and director were able to craft from a long novel for International audiences truly worked.
Watching the film unfold from beginning to end, I can see the complications of Catholicism forced upon the parents to their children and how these children have taken a brunt of the religion and have grown to really not get along with their mother. But from my research of the book and this film, I can understand those who are supportive and those who are vehemently against the film because of it's changes. Primarily between Charles and Sebastian. In the book, the two are really close friends. If they were having any romance, it was ambiguous. If anything, the relationship was platonic. In the film, they are lovers.
As much as the film sounds like it's bashing the Catholic religion, the truth is that its not. The book features the major characters who were affected by the Catholic religion growing up and their distaste of it because of the way it was forced upon them so strictly. But because of certain situations in their life that has caused them pain, these characters realize that they need God in their life and they convert themselves into Catholics.
The writer, Evelyn Waugh is a Catholic convert and some may see this film as a positive storyline of the journey of how people who are not a Catholic somehow grow to find God and finally end their sinful ways and become closer to God by converting. And if many people in the world can do that and dedicate their life to God, then possibly an atheist like Charles Ryder can also change?
By saying that, this is by no means a Christian or a Catholic film, nor is this a film that you want to show your church group. The fact is that the director decided to end the ambiguity between Charles Ryder and Sebastian Flyte's relationship and not make it platonic but two men who care fondly for each other and are quite romantic. Their is a lot of infidelity going on in this film.
"BRIDESHEAD REVISTED" is one of those films that may or may not be for everyone because of it's touchy subject. You have on one hand, a group so passionate about the novel and drama series who have a bit of disdain because the story has been condensed and changed. But at the same time, I'm sure there are people like myself who never read the original book, nor have watched the original drama series that can view this film and just be entertained by the beauty of the art that surrounds Brideshead, the beautiful scenery and locations where this film was shot. And just enjoy its pleasant but yet intricate storyline featuring spectacular performances from the talent in this film.
I know that I'm probably missing out on many other storylines and major character development points that were featured prominently in the novel. There's only so much you can do in a two hour film. But I personally enjoyed the film and found it beautiful in so many ways and again, the performances by Emma Thompson and Matthew Goode and the others were fantastic.
So, "BRIDESHEAD REVISITED" was an enjoyable film in my book. Definitely give this DVD a try!
Summary of Brideshead Revisited
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