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Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated) Binding: VHS Tape EAN: 9786303908694 Format: Color, NTSC ISBN: 6303908691 Label: Bfs Entertainment Manufacturer: Bfs Entertainment Number Of Items: 1 Publisher: Bfs Entertainment Release Date: November 11, 1998 Running Time: 82 minutes Studio: Bfs Entertainment Sales Rank: 15572
Rating: - The only performance of Fry's great play available on video
"The Lady's Not for Burning" is set in a room in the house of Hebble Tyson, Mayor of the small market-town of Cool Clary, more or less or exactly in the year 1400. The story involves Thomas Mendip, a discharged soldier, and Jennet Jordemayne, daughter of a recently deceased alchemist. The disappearance of Matthew Skips has the town in an uproar and although Thomas claims credit for the deep and demands to be hung, Jennet is accused of witchcraft and may well be burned at the stake. He wants to die, but no one will kill him, while her life is in danger and she wants to live. Of course, the pair will fall in love, in dialogue that represents the most dazzling verbal invention since Shakespeare. Particularly enjoyable is Jennet's soliloquy on how her father managed to turn lead into gold.
I have always thought of "The Lady's Not for Burning" as the best Shakepeare play not written by Shakespeare ever since I caught the 1974 PBS production starring Richard Chamberlain and Eileen Atkins as Thomas and Jennet. Of course, that version of Christopher Fry's play is no longer available, but you can pick up this 1987 version with Kenneth Branagh and Cherie Lungh. In terms of the performances, I too have a preference for the earlier version, but in terms of the actual script, I have to give this version the nod. You see, Fry never stopped tinkering with this play, and there are some significant and notable improvements in the second act scene between Thomas and Jennet. Ironically, I had ordered this film to show my students after we had performed the play and we were all stunned to see that Fry had fixed the "problem" we felt we had with the second act. Of course I could not show them the play before they performed it because it would skew their interpretations, but that should not have prevented me from viewing the tape. Sigh. Watch the video, but also make a point of reading the play.
Rating: - Disappointing
Compared to my memory of the 1974 version with Richard Chamberlain, something illusive was missing from this performance. I wish someone had the 1974 version so I could determine whether the difference is due to Chamberlain's perfomance, Branugh's performance, changes to the script, or my memory.
Rating: - The Lady's Not for Burning
This is an excellent production of an extraordinary play. Though written in the 1940's, I believe, it has a Shakespearian flavor: the language is beautiful, the the comedy is delightful, the clever phrasing worth quoting (stealing!). I really loved the Richard Chamberlain version, (circa 1970) but as that one can't be found, this Branagh production is a perfect choice. It falls into my top 10--no--top 5.
Rating: - A Wonderful Surprise!
I bought this from Amazon just because I admire Branagh's work. I was completely unfamiliar with the play or the author, but was really impressed with the wit and style of the thing. The characters are involving and interesting and there is not a poor performance in the lot. It is filmed very like a play performance, but that in no way detracts from the movie as a whole. If you are hesistant about purchasing this movie, go to the book reviews under the same title and read them. Then order it.
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