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United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 ), SPECIAL FEATURES: Interactive Menu, Multi-DVD Set, Photo Gallery, Scene Access, Uncut, SYNOPSIS: Lillie Langtry, trapped in a loveless marriage, takes full advantage of her beauty, attracting many lovers and admirers including the Prince of Wales and Oscar Wilde. As her husband slowly drinks himself to death, Lillie embarks upon a sensational career as a somewhat talented yet beautiful actress in Britain and the United States. Throughout her life she attracts rich and sometimes brutal lovers, endures financial ruin and scandal, yet maintains her dignity, elegance, and a certain amount of her beauty until the end of her life. SCREENED/AWARDED AT: BAFTA Awards, ...Lillie - Complete Series - 4-DVD Set
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
84 of 85 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This 1978 Granada production tells the life story of the legendery actress and beauty, Lillie Langtry. The only girl in a family of 6 brothers, Lily was a tomboy who failed to hold men in awe as was expected in the 1800's society. Marriage to the dashing Edward Langtry (Anton Rodgers) proves a disappointment as his financial situation fails to live up to his boasts. Lily (BAFTA winner Francesca Annis) has her picture sketched by a friend of her Bohemium chum Oscar Wilde (Peter Egan) - and is unexpectedly launched as a P.B. - Professional Beauty - when her glorious red hair and creamy complexion become favourites with the public who like to buy postcards of the society women of the time.
As portrait painters line up to draw "The Jersey Lily", Lily comes to the noticed of Bertie, The Prince of Wales (Denis Lill). The scenes where Lily and her husband are gently guided into the Prince's society whilst she is vetted for her suitability for the mistress role are fascinating to see - the double standards of the time being breathtaking. When a journalist prints a story of Lily's friendship with the Prince he is sued for libel - and convicted - despite members of the all male jury being fully aware that Mrs Langtry is holidaying with the Prince at that very moment!
Turning to the stage, Lily proves a competent actress and is soon being feted in America where men fall over themselves for her charm and good looks. Now estranged from her husband, Lily longs for divorce, but the increasingly alchoholic Edward has no intention of giving up his "meal ticket".
Her affair with a foreign prince results in the birth of a child whom Lily gives to her parents to raise and refers to as her "niece". The possible scandal of having a child which is clearly not her husbands gives Edward Langtry a chance to obtain more financial benefit from his wife, but as his health deteriorates, so does the threat he poses for Lily.
With beau's by the score, a second ill-chosen marriage, a violent society lover and touching scenes with the now King Edward VII - and his remarkably understanding wife Alexandra - Lillie gives us a glimpse at a bygone age where double standards ruled the echelons of society and the affairs of a Monarch were approved of and regarded as his right. Indeed, history tells us that on his death bed the King was attended by his wife -and his favourite mistress, Lily Langtry.
The costumes are stunning, the attention to detail of the ball scenes, race course meetings, riding in the parks of London are faultless and this 1978 production is a must for fans of costume drama. Firm favourites such as Stephanie Cole and Annette Crosbie appear in the cast, but the leading roles are faultlessly played and Francesca Annis was a worthy winner of the Best Actress BAFTA for her glittering Lily Langtry.
As portrait painters line up to draw "The Jersey Lily", Lily comes to the noticed of Bertie, The Prince of Wales (Denis Lill). The scenes where Lily and her husband are gently guided into the Prince's society whilst she is vetted for her suitability for the mistress role are fascinating to see - the double standards of the time being breathtaking. When a journalist prints a story of Lily's friendship with the Prince he is sued for libel - and convicted - despite members of the all male jury being fully aware that Mrs Langtry is holidaying with the Prince at that very moment!
Turning to the stage, Lily proves a competent actress and is soon being feted in America where men fall over themselves for her charm and good looks. Now estranged from her husband, Lily longs for divorce, but the increasingly alchoholic Edward has no intention of giving up his "meal ticket".
Her affair with a foreign prince results in the birth of a child whom Lily gives to her parents to raise and refers to as her "niece". The possible scandal of having a child which is clearly not her husbands gives Edward Langtry a chance to obtain more financial benefit from his wife, but as his health deteriorates, so does the threat he poses for Lily.
With beau's by the score, a second ill-chosen marriage, a violent society lover and touching scenes with the now King Edward VII - and his remarkably understanding wife Alexandra - Lillie gives us a glimpse at a bygone age where double standards ruled the echelons of society and the affairs of a Monarch were approved of and regarded as his right. Indeed, history tells us that on his death bed the King was attended by his wife -and his favourite mistress, Lily Langtry.
The costumes are stunning, the attention to detail of the ball scenes, race course meetings, riding in the parks of London are faultless and this 1978 production is a must for fans of costume drama. Firm favourites such as Stephanie Cole and Annette Crosbie appear in the cast, but the leading roles are faultlessly played and Francesca Annis was a worthy winner of the Best Actress BAFTA for her glittering Lily Langtry.
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I have throughly enjoyed watching this great period drama that I hadn't seen for over 30 years. Franscesa Annis is superb in the lead role and Peter Egan is an excellent foil as her long term friend Oscar Wilde. For those of you brought up on hte great TV period dramas of the 1970s this is one to get to relive long lost memories.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
A Seductive Life of a Famed Seductress
"Lillie" is a half-forgotten classic from the golden age of the British television miniseries that starred Francesca Annis as Lillie Langtry, a turn of the 20th century society... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Stephanie DePue
Disappointing
Disappointing acting, costumes, set and scenario. Much too little on the surrounding context and life in London during the period.
Published 2 months ago by C. Ellis
great drama series
another great historical drama based on the true story ,wonderful cast and great viewing ,would recomend this drama to anyone with an interest in our royal history
Published 3 months ago by Mrs. Joy St Pierre
Very watchable!
I remembered the serial of Lily being on the TV many years ag and I used to loook forward to it coming on the TV each week. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Susie Q
lillie the complete series
the complete series of lillie needs no praise from me ... it is a respected production .. a little
dated perhaps ... but great. Read more
dated perhaps ... but great. Read more
Published 7 months ago by john leo dempsey
down memory lane
Great series to watch again after ?years - costumes and atmosphere of the period great. One criticism was sound quality which was not good at times. Well it is 20 years plus old.
Published 7 months ago by Patric
Escape for a while.
Although the quality is not great, what can you expect from a 1970's tv programme? However it takes you into another world. Read more
Published 7 months ago by KAW
Lillie Langtry
Brilliant! I enjoyed this series when it first came on TV, but have enjoyed it even more this second time around. Read more
Published 14 months ago by PamelaT
Period Drama at it's best.
I watched this series in 1978 and thoroughly enjoyed it, and on viewing it the second time I am enjoying the series yet again. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Jazz
The Thrill of being a Royals Mistress
This is a very good production of the 1978 TV Series. It was full length and not cut about as some of those Discs are. The Sound, Clarity etc was very good. Read more
Published 18 months ago by James Redford
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