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Amazon.co.uk Review
Produced by Thames Television in 1981 (the video opens with that immortal logo), Edward & Mrs Simpson was made at a time when the "Royal Wedding" of Charles and Diana had revived interest in the monarchy’s past. As well as topicality, the series benefited greatly from the quality of the script and casting. Frances Donaldson's biography, with its many insights into a still-controversial period of recent British history, was sensitively adapted for the screen by Simon Raven.
As Edward VIII, Edward Fox gets to the heart of the urbane but emotionally vulnerable heir to the throne, unable to reconcile the callings of state with the promptings of his heart. Cynthia Harris is wholly plausible as the charming but scheming Wallis Simpson--part-femme fatale, part-social climber--who dupes herself into misjudging the protocol of the British aristocracy. The supporting cast, including Cherie Lunghi as the flirtatious Lady Thelma Furness, Peggy Ashcroft as the formidable Queen Mary and David Waller as the long-suffering Stanley Baldwin, uphold the highest standards of TV drama, while Ron Grainer's theme-song effortlessly evokes the glamour of the era.
Both videos in this boxed set contain three episodes and the credits are retained at the beginning and end of each episode, as--more surprisingly--are the mid-episode breaks. Considering its age, the picture quality of the series has survived remarkably well. As the winner of BAFTA and Emmy Awards, this series certainly does its subject justice, and the story is unlikely to ever be told more stylishly. --Richard Whitehouse
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This production, in my view, is one of the glories of British television acting and and story telling, even if the DVD transfer is not as pristine as we'd like. The acting is excellent, from the leads to the extras. The story is fascinating, especially if you like peeking at the lives of royalty and the upper crust. Every pound Thames Television put into the show is visible; the settings are authentic or look it; the costumes appear bespoke, as they say; and everyone's manners are immaculate, even if what they do isn't.
It's the story of the affair between Edward, Prince of Wales, later Edward VIII, and Wallis Warfield Simpson, an American twice-married divorcee. It starts just before he meets her and ends shortly after he abdicates the British throne to marry "the woman I love." He became the Duke of Windsor and she his Duchess. It was probably the biggest story of its time. The program runs for six 60 minute installments. Because of the style, the acting and the story of these two people, who are so self-indulgent and so obtuse (on his part) and so calculating and brittle (on her part), it never seems boring.
Edward, played by Edward Fox, is a man of great charm and handsome appearance, a man girls swoon over and men wish to be like. He's also privileged, unselfconsciously selfish and not really too bright. He's a man who seems most comfortable with older women, women who can cosset and coo over him. His mistresses have all been older and married. Edward Fox, a fine actor, is wonderful in the part. (For those who might not recognize his name, he was the Jackal in The Day of the Jackal). Wallis, played by Cynthia Harris, is a woman who can seem hard and even scheming, but who also has some vulnerability about her that makes her at least somewhat sympathetic.
Among the fine cast is Nigel Hawthorne as Walter Monckton, one of Edward's loyal but realistic counsellors; Cherie Lunghi as Lady Thelma Furness, a mistress Edward casts off by simply telling his switchboard not to accept anymore of her calls; David Waller as Stanley Baldwin, the shrewd prime minister; and Jessie Mathews as Wallis' Aunt Bessie Merryman, all pink and plump and powdered...and keen-eyed. (Mathews in the Thirties was the toast of the London stage, singing and dancing in a number of musicals. She introduced Rodgers and Hart's "Dancing on the Ceiling.")
It's the story of the affair between Edward, Prince of Wales, later Edward VIII, and Wallis Warfield Simpson, an American twice-married divorcee. It starts just before he meets her and ends shortly after he abdicates the British throne to marry "the woman I love." He became the Duke of Windsor and she his Duchess. It was probably the biggest story of its time. The program runs for six 60 minute installments. Because of the style, the acting and the story of these two people, who are so self-indulgent and so obtuse (on his part) and so calculating and brittle (on her part), it never seems boring.
Edward, played by Edward Fox, is a man of great charm and handsome appearance, a man girls swoon over and men wish to be like. He's also privileged, unselfconsciously selfish and not really too bright. He's a man who seems most comfortable with older women, women who can cosset and coo over him. His mistresses have all been older and married. Edward Fox, a fine actor, is wonderful in the part. (For those who might not recognize his name, he was the Jackal in The Day of the Jackal). Wallis, played by Cynthia Harris, is a woman who can seem hard and even scheming, but who also has some vulnerability about her that makes her at least somewhat sympathetic.
Among the fine cast is Nigel Hawthorne as Walter Monckton, one of Edward's loyal but realistic counsellors; Cherie Lunghi as Lady Thelma Furness, a mistress Edward casts off by simply telling his switchboard not to accept anymore of her calls; David Waller as Stanley Baldwin, the shrewd prime minister; and Jessie Mathews as Wallis' Aunt Bessie Merryman, all pink and plump and powdered...and keen-eyed. (Mathews in the Thirties was the toast of the London stage, singing and dancing in a number of musicals. She introduced Rodgers and Hart's "Dancing on the Ceiling.")
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I have owned the VHS tapes of this series for years. For me, they captured a golden era in British TV drama, when character, mood, and dramtic values were high, even if - by todays's standards - the technical standards were a little "studio bound."
The list of actors in this made-for-tv series was top rate, as was the research on the historical background. Of course, there are shortcomings. In particular, the American accents by British accents have come in for criticism. However, in the 40s and 50s, I think Americans may well have had more "English" accents than we are used to hearing today - at least, if American movies of 40s and 40s are anything to go by. But for all the minor criticisms that can be made of this series, it is still a wonderful achievement should not be missed by any fan of good acting.
Because the quality of my VHS tapes was 'washed out' I wanted to update with a dvd, but was put off from doing so by the negative comments on the amazon web site. But when the price dropped to around £7 or so, I took the plunge, and I have to say I was pleasntly surprised - certainly the quality is a vast improvement on the old VHS.
It really is a pity that the originals have not been digitalised, or cleaned up - the series would justify it. But for anyone out there considering a purchase, I would not hesitate to recommend the series for some really wonderful acting, and some pretty sound background research. Some reviewers were disappointed that we did not get a "love story." Personally, I was more grateful NOT to have a romance, but a more considered story about Edward's background, the constitutional crisis, and the upheavals to british society.
Recommended.
The list of actors in this made-for-tv series was top rate, as was the research on the historical background. Of course, there are shortcomings. In particular, the American accents by British accents have come in for criticism. However, in the 40s and 50s, I think Americans may well have had more "English" accents than we are used to hearing today - at least, if American movies of 40s and 40s are anything to go by. But for all the minor criticisms that can be made of this series, it is still a wonderful achievement should not be missed by any fan of good acting.
Because the quality of my VHS tapes was 'washed out' I wanted to update with a dvd, but was put off from doing so by the negative comments on the amazon web site. But when the price dropped to around £7 or so, I took the plunge, and I have to say I was pleasntly surprised - certainly the quality is a vast improvement on the old VHS.
It really is a pity that the originals have not been digitalised, or cleaned up - the series would justify it. But for anyone out there considering a purchase, I would not hesitate to recommend the series for some really wonderful acting, and some pretty sound background research. Some reviewers were disappointed that we did not get a "love story." Personally, I was more grateful NOT to have a romance, but a more considered story about Edward's background, the constitutional crisis, and the upheavals to british society.
Recommended.
31 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This production was made for T.V. back in 1979. It is the story of King Edward VIII and the love that was to cost him his throne. Edward Fox is excellent playing David, the spoiled and selfish Prince of Wales who would one day be King Edward VIII. David was the original playboy prince, more interested in his social activities than any social obligations. He had various married mistresses to the despair of his family. When Wallis Simpson, a married American woman (played by a convincingly brittle Cynthia Harris), came into his life, it set off a catastrophic chain of events. David fell head over heels in love and was determined to marry her no matter what. What is less clear, at least in this production, is whether Wallis felt the same or was, in fact, more enamoured of becoming Queen of England.
David was always popular with the public and was quite sure that, as king, he could do as he pleased and marry whom he wished. Of course the Establishment had other ideas and made it clear that a divorcee, and an American one at that, with no royal blood, was a totally unacceptable choice for Queen.
As history has shown, the Establishment won and King Edward was forced to make a choice between the throne and Mrs Simpson, the latter won and Edward went into exile where he married the woman he loved. Never again would he be welcome either to his family or in England, and as a final insult his wife was refused the title HRH.
This is a production that has stood the test of time thanks to the fine acting from the entire cast. It has everything a drama could want, romance, intrigue, tension and is all the better because it is a true story. The downside of this DVD is the fact no effort has been made to clean up the picture or sound and there are no extras, not even sub-titles for the hard of hearing, unacceptable for a format known for clarity of picture/sound and opportunities for extra material. Having said that, the quality of acting and the all too human story make this a DVD well worth viewing, just be prepared for the quality being less than you may be used to.
David was always popular with the public and was quite sure that, as king, he could do as he pleased and marry whom he wished. Of course the Establishment had other ideas and made it clear that a divorcee, and an American one at that, with no royal blood, was a totally unacceptable choice for Queen.
As history has shown, the Establishment won and King Edward was forced to make a choice between the throne and Mrs Simpson, the latter won and Edward went into exile where he married the woman he loved. Never again would he be welcome either to his family or in England, and as a final insult his wife was refused the title HRH.
This is a production that has stood the test of time thanks to the fine acting from the entire cast. It has everything a drama could want, romance, intrigue, tension and is all the better because it is a true story. The downside of this DVD is the fact no effort has been made to clean up the picture or sound and there are no extras, not even sub-titles for the hard of hearing, unacceptable for a format known for clarity of picture/sound and opportunities for extra material. Having said that, the quality of acting and the all too human story make this a DVD well worth viewing, just be prepared for the quality being less than you may be used to.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Fine acting can't save this award-winner from being a bore
To its credit, this drama - if one can call it that - of royal procrastination more successfully adopts a tone of deference than could ever be achieved in today's climate. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Philoctetes
Quality TV
I thought this series might have dated but it is as good as I remember first time round. It takes a fairly objective view of the Abdication crisis and doesn't fall into the trap... Read more
Published 2 months ago by UK Scribe
For all those intrigued by the Edward & Mrs Simpson affair.
It is such an intriguing love affair and this serialisation goes a long way to explain Edward's infatuation. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Helen
Edwards Medical record
It has long been conjectured what would have happened had Edward not abdicated. The result would probably have been the present queen aged 45 rather 25 as Edward and the former Mrs... Read more
Published 4 months ago by James Wells
Edward and mrs Sipmson
Excellent play and a very historically interesting story about a king that went crazy for a former married american woman. The story is superb and is recommended.
Published 5 months ago by Odd Arne Daljord
Edward & Mrs Simpson
This is the 1978 TV series with Edward Fox as the King it was excellent
based on Frances Donaldson book ,who was an advisor for the TV program
if you are... Read more
based on Frances Donaldson book ,who was an advisor for the TV program
if you are... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Robert
All time classic!
Fantastically acted, Fox is brilliant. Well written and enjoyable to watch. Pity about the T.V. ad section not being fully edited out though.
Published 12 months ago by gdaybarbie
Superb style
Many have tried to portray Edward V111 but none can do it with such superb style as Edward Fox...one of my favourite actors. The whole production is superb... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Robert Haywood
Edward and Mrs Simpson
This has been a wonderful piece of history superbly acted by all actors and very enjoyable to watch and it gives a insight into what really happended all those years ago and Edward... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Small and Mighty
Edward Fox, Nigel hawthorne in the performance of their lives.
This series by master writer Simon Raven was first aired in 7 parts in 1978. It tells the intimate story of Edward V111's romance with Mrs. Simpson, twice divorced already. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Alan Cluer
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