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The Duchess [DVD] [2008]
 
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The Duchess [DVD] [2008]

DVD ~ Keira Knightley
4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (58 customer reviews)
RRP: £22.99
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Product details

  • Actors: Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes, Dominic Cooper, Charlotte Rampling
  • Format: PAL
  • Language English
  • Subtitles: English
  • Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Classification: 12
  • Studio: Pathe Video
  • DVD Release Date: 16 Mar 2009
  • Run Time: 105 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (58 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B001JK6P18
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 7 in DVD (See Bestsellers in DVD)

    Popular in these categories:

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Reviews

Synopsis
Like her direct descendent Princess Diana, Georgina Duchess of Devonshire was a glamorous royal, much loved by the public. While her attractiveness and charm afforded her popularity, the intelligent and vulnerable Duchess was trapped within a loveless marriage to one of the country's richest men. Rebelling against the establishment, Georgina became active campaigner for the liberal party and in turn, romantically involved with Earl Grey, leading her through tragedy, self-discovery and redemption.

Saul Dibb (Bullet Boy) directs an all star cast including Keira Knightley (as the Duchess), Ralph Fiennes, Charlotte Rampling, Dominic Cooper and Hayley Attway.

Stills from The Duchess (click for larger image)


Keira Knightley


The Duchess
Keira Knightley stars in The Duchess

The Duchess of Devonshire
Saul Dibb directs this period drama
Ralph Fiennes

Ralph Fiennes and Keira Knightley
Keira Knightley
An award-winning drama

Keira Knightley
Sumptuous costumes
Beautiful set pieces
Dominic Cooper co-stars

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Customer Reviews

58 Reviews
5 star:
 (27)
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 (17)
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 (7)
2 star:
 (5)
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 (2)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.1 out of 5 stars (58 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
70 of 83 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars The Duchess, 19 Nov 2008
By C. MacLellan (Glasgow, Scotland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
The Plot
At the tender age of 16, Georgiana Cavendish (Kiera Knightley) is married off to the dark, distant Duke of Devonshire (Ralph Fiennes). To the outside world, Georgina is the darling of London society. But behind the smiles, she hides pain and heartache of a crumbling marriage, due to her inability to bear an heir.

The Review
The perfect replacement for David Tennant in the TARDIS is....Kiera Knightley. Why? Well, she seems to be stuck in the past, with her last three films (I'll just gloss over the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy) have been period pieces, so she could probably do with a time machine to get back to the present day.

However, having Knightley stuck in the past is no bad thing for film fans. As the young Duchess of Devonshire, she cements her place as one of Britain's greatest acting talents, leaving Elizabeth `try wearing a corset' Swan far behind. Both actress and character have a lot in common - they're young, beautiful, strong women - making Knightley perfect for the part. Having been chosen for the role as she would be able to portray the Duchess from late childhood into full adulthood, Knightley has to contend with a whole range of emotions. From the teenage joy at the outset, to confusion and disbelieve at the actions of the Duke, to sorrow and angry at his eventual betrayal, Knightley fills every scene with the emotion and passion required from the role.

Director Saul Dibb, in only his second feature film, has perfectly captured the emotional storm in which the duchess finds her self. Transferring her from the hustle and bustle of the London set, where she is love and adored, to the loneliness and isolation of grand country manors, only serves to emphasise the broken women which she has become. Also, the dinner scenes between husband and wife, taking place across 15 feet of table, highlight the distance between the two.

Ralph Fiennes matches Knightley intensity as the Duke of Devonshire, a man who loves his dogs more than his wife. Cold and calculating, he will stop at nothing in the pursuit of his ultimate goal - a son to take on his title once he has passed on. The duke has absolutely no redeeming characters, and remains a figure of intrigue, skirting around the edges of the film, but always at the centre of the drama. Although the film is about `The Duchess' it would have been fascinating to have examined `The Duke' in deeper detail, to study his deep complexities further.

The Duchess looks at many areas of 18th century society - the role of women, class, celebrity, infidelity and the development of liberal thinking. At times thought, there are certain areas which are left under explored, including the `arrangement' which duke, duchess and mistress (Hayley Atwell) come to, and the actions which the duchess is forced to take when she fathers a child to her bit on the side Charles Grey (Dominic Cooper). The film misses out on an opportunity to fully critique the era further by skimming over these areas.

The Verdict
A beautifully shot and superbly acted biopic of London's first `It-girl'.
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35 of 43 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant - a great way of bringing her life to the masses, 1 Jan 2009
By Brida "izumi" (Worcs) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)      
I went to see THE DUCHESS at the cineam with two girlfriends from work. The film was my choice; neither of my friends were particularly bothered about it, one of whom was not even sure she would enjoy it. However, as we left the cinema and discussed how we had all found it, both of my friends had to agree that they had loved it.

The film is about Georgiana Cavendish, an ancestor of Lady Diana. Married as a young girl, Georgiana is stuck in a loveless marriage. All she has taken from it is the status it brings her. Her husband, the Duke, seems to care more for his dogs than he does for her. It is clear that he views her only as a way of producing an heir. But Georgiana is not the typical lady of the 17th Century.
If you read the book, you find that she became quite fiercely involved in politics. In a way, she made a name for herself which was separate from that of her husband.
And, if this film is anything to go by, she was a woman who was able to sacrifice her own happiness for the good of others. The film concentrates on her love of another man - a man she cannot be with, unless she risks the wrath of her husband.

What I, and my friends, loved about this film was how it shows how people can sacrifice themselves for love. The emotion of the film is as true today as it would have been then. Knightley and Fiennes do a great job of acting their parts, drawing you into their story. Watching how it was for women at this time, it is hard to witness his treatment of her. The double standards that existed, almost expected, made us as the audience angry on her behalf.
While there may be parts of her life that have been left out, or there may be some historical errors, I do not think that it takes anything away from this production. View it as entertainment. The fact that it appealed to my friend who had no prior interest, shows that the film makers have done something right.
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30 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Let's give them something to talk about, 19 Dec 2008
By Amanda Richards "Hotpurplekoolaid" (ECD, Guyana) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)      
Lady Spencer: All of London is talking.
Georgiana, The Duchess of Devonshire: Oh, let them talk!


Short Attention Span Summary (SASS):

1. An arranged marriage to the older and wealthy Duke of Devonshire (Ralph Fiennes) made young Georgiana (Keira Knightley) a Duchess.
2. Unfortunately, the Duke was a man of few words, and the job description for his wife included only three tasks - bear heir; look pretty; no talking.
3. This did not sit well with the vivacious, articulate and charismatic Duchess, whose baby switch seemed set on pink instead of blue, and who had a natural flair for partying and politics
4. Soon the Duke starts triangulating the relationship, and the Duchess retaliates with a bit of Earl Grey.
5. Everyone lives scandalously ever after

Excellent acting performances are given by Fiennes and Knightley, as well as by the always impressive Charlotte Rampling (Lady Spencer, mother of Georgiana), Dominic Cooper (Earl Grey, also from Mamma Mia!) and Hayley Atwell (Bess Foster, really close friend of the Duke and Duchess)

The costumes and settings are breathtaking, and although somewhat lacking in depth, this movie adaptation of the life of Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire does not disappoint as pure entertainment.



Amanda Richards
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Ralph Fiennes
As a lover of costume movies and of historic Britain, I was very much looking forward to watching this movie, especially since I see Ralph Fiennes as a very good actor and as I... Read more
Published 3 days ago by I can do it

4.0 out of 5 stars The Duchess
Good film but not long enough. Costumes and acting very good but could have developed the story more
Published 5 days ago by Ann Bessant

1.0 out of 5 stars Waste of time
I watched this film after it was a box office success and had heard good things about it.. but I was so disappointed that I wasted part of my life! Read more
Published 9 days ago by Mr. A. P. W. Dean

3.0 out of 5 stars The Duchess - Review
I really enjoyed watching this film. The period costumes were great, the scenery and lighting were fantastic. Read more
Published 17 days ago by Olivia Richmond

5.0 out of 5 stars The Duchess DVD

Excellent DVD arrived very quickly my partner was very pleased with the spead of delivery and quality of the DVD
Published 17 days ago by Mr. Anthony G. O. Hudson

5.0 out of 5 stars How the innocent are deceived
The heartrending life story of a beautiful young lady, thrown into a marriage of convenience, and her way of coping with the innocence of her youth.
The Duchess [DVD][2008]
Published 1 month ago by Jennifer Langridge

4.0 out of 5 stars Mixed feelings
I enjoyed this film but after reading Amanda Foreman's excellent biography, `Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire', I felt that many aspects of Georgiana's life were merely skimmed... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Elizabeth K

5.0 out of 5 stars Good viewing
Some friends and I had arranged to see the film at a venue some 20 miles away but it snowed heavily that evening so we cancelled. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Tinker

2.0 out of 5 stars Sumptuous ... and that's it
The Duchess [DVD] [2008]

The production values of this film are superb, Kiera Knightley's gowns are fantastic, the genuine period interiors mind blowing, but that is... Read more
Published 1 month ago by pointone

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
I bought this for my daughters Easter present after visiting the Eccleston Hall where the main filming took place.
Published 1 month ago by Mrs. T. J. Salt

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