The Portrait of a Lady
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Movie Reviews of The Portrait of a Lady
Movie Review: A Supreme Television Achievement
Summary: 5 Stars
C. P. Snow, the internationally acclaimed writer, states that this production of The Portrait of a Lady "became a supreme television achievement, aesthetically and in all other ways." See C. P. Snow, THE REALISTS, 286 (Charles Scribner's Sons 1978).Movie Review: A Great Portrait
Summary: 4 Stars
I must have watched this adaptation 5 or 6 times now, the most recent yesterday. I never fail to be moved by it. Of course, it is irritating that Isabel can't see what's coming but then this is also a shortcoming in the book. But apart from that I find the interplay of characters and the dialogue to be so good. As to the "stilted acting" cited by another reviewer, I guess this is down to personal taste. Although it is now 40 years old, it still seems fresh.Movie Review: Stagebound Adaptation of a Classic
Summary: 3 Stars
This television movie was very popular at the time of its release in 1968, now its luster has somewhat diminished and may only appeal to those familiar with the story. Nevertheless, it's worth the while. This interpretation is a much more faithful version of Henry James's novel than Jane Campion's 1996 version (with its talking beans and bewildering title sequence featuring what seemed to be a contemporary day in the woods for a women's college), yet it's that same faithfulness that is also its biggest weak spot.
The opening third of the novel has often been criticized as being slow; while it sets up the characters well, the true story doesn't gain momentum until Isabel meets Madame Merle and goes to Florence. The first hour is a bit slow, (even though I don't really have a problem with the opening of the novel) and it took me a while to warm up to Suzanne Neve as Isabel. I found Neve to be the strongest after Isabel marries Gilbert Osmond and she matures. I also had to think of this production as a stage play because the directing style reflects that: characters have their backs turned to the person they're addressing, the acting style is overemphatic but by the second hour, I got over the bad American accents and found myself enjoying it immensely.
It's interesting to note that both filmed versions of "Portrait" have never told the story to the very last pages. I think a lot of people have problems with Isabel's final decision, and it would bring down the viewers, as it has many readers. We want Isabel to have much more hopeful future than James gave to her.
Movie Review: Droll and Disappointing
Summary: 2 Stars
Many the world over raved after this television version of Henry James' story, The Portrait of a Lady, aired in 1968 on the BBC, mostly due to Richard Chamberlain's performance as Ralph Touchett. I myself, being an avid fan of the novel, found the film dull and uninspiring compared to it's literary counterpart. The pace was slow, the acting dry and the American accents horrid, and the anticipation of what many critics called "the BEST version" of the film led to severe disappointment. I caution, though, that I am not used to 1960's BBC productions, so someone else may find it as charming as I find it droll. On the positive side, the Edwardian costumes were quite lovely, and I won't deny the fact that Richard Chamberlain was the most entertaining of the cast. Compared to the 1996 version starring Nicole Kidman, Barbara Hershey, and John Malkovich, I would suggest the 1996 version if you really want to delve into the psyche of Isabel Archer and the games played by Serena Merle and Gilbert Osmond.Movie Review: Like a high school production.....
Summary: 1 Stars
I checked this out at the library and egads..what junk! I am a huge fan of period movies and have seen almost every one out there more than once. So coming across a new one I hadn't seen before, I was quite excited.
What a disappointment! The set were very fake, like obvious fake backdrops in the garden and trees. The costumes were a joke. Something a high school seamstress got up. And least of all the stilted and atrocious acting.
I couldn't sit through more than 30 min. of this. I fast forwarded to other parts, just as HORRIBLE.
If you can check it out at a library, go for it and see. Don't buy it and be extremely disappointed!
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