- Actors: Michael Caine, Julie Walters, Michael Williams, Maureen Lipman, Jeananne Crowley
- Directors: Lewis Gilbert
- Writers: Willy Russell
- Producers: Lewis Gilbert, Herbert L. Oakes, William P. Cartlidge
- Language English
- Classification: 15
- Studio: Carlton
- VHS Release Date: 26 Jan 2000
- Run Time: 110 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00004CIT8
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 4,109 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Michael Caine and the knockout Julie Walters deliver a pair of wonderful performances in this endearingly bittersweet tale of a boozily burnt-out professor's tutoring of (and subsequent tutoring by) a free-spirited cockney hairdresser determined to improve her lot in life. The basic plot won't exactly surprise anyone who's ever seen a movie before, but the ace cast (particularly Caine, who's rarely this subtle) continually finds new directions to spin off from the rather rote path. Although the end result is perhaps just a little too convinced of its own adorability to attain classic status, this remains a rarity in the genre--a feel-good film that earns its emotions honestly. A nice change of pace for director Lewis Gilbert, who is perhaps better known for his contributions to the James Bond series. --Andrew Wright
Synopsis
In Educating Rita, Dr. Frank Bryant (Michael Caine) is an alcoholic professor of literature headed for dire straits. Rita (Julie Walters) is a frustrated young housewife and hairdresser filled with wanderlust. When the two meet as student and teacher, no lecture hall can contain their attraction to one another. As Rita engages her teacher in a fuzzy romance, she matures and discovers a new side of herself, but in the end she must choose either her marriage or the magnetic Dr. Bryant. Educating Rita reunites director Lewis Gilbert with star Michael Caine, who also worked together in the 1966 drama "Alfie". Bryant's shortcomings as a drunk and a womaniser are detestable, yet Gilbert still allows viewers to empathise with his character--once again demonstrating that he is a master at both commanding the camera and at deconstructing the human heart.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I am a great movie fan and a tough critic, but this is without doubt one of the best films I have ever seen. It is a real British classic. Julie Walters and Michael Caine produce excellent performances and a great on screen chemistry. Parts of the film made me howl with laughter. Julie Walters character is so witty and lovable. If you're any sort of movie fan then this is a film that you just HAVE to see!
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
An incredible love story where the two main characters never kiss. They love each other in different ways. It's also a tragedy. One of the characters has a fatal flaw, and you can see throughout the movie how the flaw will keep him from what he wants. He wants many things. Poetry. Love. Youth. Hope. The movie is also about choice, and about life. It is a laugh-out-loud comedy too. You Must See This Movie! What the heck. Just go ahead and buy it, like I did. It's well worth it.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Rita White (Julie Walters) is a spunky, 26-year old working class woman who wants to improve her lot. She enrolls in a special Open University class and meets with her tutor, Frank (Michael Caine) once a week to study great literature. Frank, who spends his days in an alcoholic haze, is at first intrigued and later enthralled with the outspoken Rita.
This is a wonderful showcase for the talented Julie Walters, who carries the film on her young and petite shoulders. She is dazzling and thoroughly likeable and every word spoken in her thick Liverpool accent rings honest and true. Caine lets her shine by downplaying Frank, who is hopelessly morose and more than a bit lazy. Both actors were rightly nominated for best acting Oscars.
The inevitable transformation/ improvement of both characters is sweet and uplifting without being overly-sentimental. Walters, best known these days as the matronly Mrs. Weasley, is quite young and attractive and lights up the screen with her charisma. Recommended.
This is a wonderful showcase for the talented Julie Walters, who carries the film on her young and petite shoulders. She is dazzling and thoroughly likeable and every word spoken in her thick Liverpool accent rings honest and true. Caine lets her shine by downplaying Frank, who is hopelessly morose and more than a bit lazy. Both actors were rightly nominated for best acting Oscars.
The inevitable transformation/ improvement of both characters is sweet and uplifting without being overly-sentimental. Walters, best known these days as the matronly Mrs. Weasley, is quite young and attractive and lights up the screen with her charisma. Recommended.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A Michael Caine & Julie Walters 5 Star Performance
Rita White (Julie Walters) is a 26-year old working class woman who enrols for an Open University class where she meets Frank (Michael Caine), who is assigned to be her tutor. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Bob Weston
Caine and Walters have fun with Russell
I was never entirely involved in "Educating Rita", even the remastered version, (my problem) but Michael Caine and Julie Walters obviously had a great time performing it and they... Read more
Published 6 months ago by RR Waller
Masterpiece
This is a super film. I find the acting, as in the original which I saw years ago, excellent. The subtlety of the transformation of Rita is quite remarkable and the Pygmalian... Read more
Published 6 months ago by H. B. Voges
British classic
If you haven't seen it, get the DVD. What more is there to say?
Except, don't waste your money on new DVDs, second hand ones are usually in top condition and cost far... Read more
Except, don't waste your money on new DVDs, second hand ones are usually in top condition and cost far... Read more
Published 13 months ago by P. Haynes
Timeless comedy
Educating Rita
(1983) starring Michael Caine, Julie Walters
Still charming, amusing and inspirational. Read more
(1983) starring Michael Caine, Julie Walters
Still charming, amusing and inspirational. Read more
Published 15 months ago by J. R. Moss
Educating Rita review
One of the best film on adult education, life chances and "there's more than work in one's life". Even if the affair between a teacher and a hair dresser may be not so likely (do... Read more
Published 17 months ago by franco
Disappointed
I would like to have known that this was a genuine DVD of the film rather than what appears to be a homemade copy. Read more
Published 17 months ago by 332man
Enchanting
Educating Rita DVD was purchased to replace my first dvd copy that has been worn out through repeated use at school. My students still get a lot from the DVD despite the age. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Smiler
Captures the 1980s well and is amusing along the way
How I loved this film when I saw it about 25 years ago - but would it stand the test of time? Well, for me it did. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Sheila York
Great British Actors!
This is a great film. I think Michael Caine And Julie Walters are two of best actors. The film looks a bit dated now but doesn't detract from the story or laughs!
Published on 20 May 2010 by Finn Skye
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