- Actors: Maggie Smith, Helena Bonham Carter, Denholm Elliott, Julian Sands, Simon Callow
- Directors: James Ivory
- Writers: E.M. Forster, Ruth Prawer Jhabvala
- Producers: Ismail Merchant, Paul Bradley, Peter Marangoni
- Language English, Italian
- Classification: PG
- Studio: 4 Front
- VHS Release Date: 1 Oct 1999
- Run Time: 117 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00004R6B3
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 5,274 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
The prestigious film-making trio of producer Ismail Merchant, director James Ivory and screenwriter Ruth Prawer Jhabvala had made other critically acclaimed films before A Room with a View was released in 1985, but it was this popular film that made them art-house superstars. Splendidly adapted from the novel by E.M. Forster, it's a comedy of the heart, a passionate romance and a study of repression within the class system of manners and mores. It's that system of rigid behaviour that prevents young Lucy Honeychurch (Helena Bonham Carter) from accepting the loving advances of a free-spirited suitor (Julian Sands), who fears that she will follow through with her engagement to a priggish intellectual (Daniel Day-Lewis) whose capacity for passion is virtually non-existent. During and after a trip to Italy with her protective companion (Maggie Smith), Lucy gradually gets in touch with her true emotions. The fun of watching A Room with a View comes from seeing how Lucy's thoughts and feelings finally arrive at the same romantic conclusion. Through an abundance of humour both subtle and overt, the film rose to an unexpected level of popular appeal. The Merchant-Ivory team received eight Academy Award nominations for their efforts, and won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay, Art Direction and Costume Design. --Jeff Shannon
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
72 of 73 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Having played my VHS tape of this wonderful film until my VHS player broke, and having followed other customers' advice about the previous, poor DVD editions, I am so glad that I am now able to watch a flawless version of this classic - the picture and sound quality is as crystal clear as is possible for a film produced 22 years ago, making visible the precious details of this meticulous production: the lacey costumes and beautiful sets, the authentic interiors and coiffures, and even minute facial expressions that I had missed so far.
Among the extras are interviews with Simon Callow and Daniel Day-Lewis. The most interesting extra for me was a 1970 BBC tribute to E. M. Forster, featuring footage, photographs and quotations of himself and interviews with some of his friends, critics and contemporaries, including Frank Kermode, Christopher Ishwerwood and George Steiner.
Priceless!
Among the extras are interviews with Simon Callow and Daniel Day-Lewis. The most interesting extra for me was a 1970 BBC tribute to E. M. Forster, featuring footage, photographs and quotations of himself and interviews with some of his friends, critics and contemporaries, including Frank Kermode, Christopher Ishwerwood and George Steiner.
Priceless!
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is my favourite adaptation of a Forster novel and it has thankfully been re-released as a proper widescreen version which fills the full screen of my TV. (The original DVD was a failed experiment in adaptation resulting in a shrunken picture in which very little was visible whatever TV shape you were using). Despite being rooted in the uptight Edwardian social rectitude of 1908, the novel still has plenty to say about the present day. At the time Edward Morgan Forster was firmly cowering at the back of the closet and channelling his hidden homosexuality into a critique of his time. People behave as they think they should behave. They repress their wonderful true nature in order to conform to stereotypes and thereby diminish their own existence. If you feel that we have all grown up since then, may I point you in the direction of the furore when Peter Mandelson was outed on Newsnight! Plus one of the extras on the disk is an interview with Frank Bough- now whatever happened to him (hmmm)?
The heroine, Lucy Honeychurch (Helena Bonham Carter really could do a great turn in a corset) plays Beethoven with a passion. Meeting the unconventional Emersons (a father and son) on the Grand Tour, she is reprimanded by her very correct spinster cousin, Charlotte (Maggie Smith). And what is the real issue at hand? - the ladies have been shortchanged out of a "room with a view" of Florence's Duomo. The Emersons have a view, and "indelicately" offer to swap rooms. What follows is a comedy of manners, with a contrast between the passion of the strong sunlight of an Italian cornfield (with just the faint hint of drains in the air) and the ordered home life in Kent, where the roses must be tied up so they don't blow about in the wind and girls mustn't bathe in the woodland pool. Played by a faultless ensemble cast, Lucy steadfastly makes the wrong choices throughout the film, nearly marrying the wrong man (a toe curling performance by Daniel Day Lewis). Throughout we're willing her to fall for the passionate, questing soul of George Emerson (who wouldn't swoon into Julian Sands' arms?). She is only rescued by the amiable old Mr Emerson (ah there was a time when every film had Denholm Elliot in it) who thankfully is prepared to speak plainly. This is a film to reflect the British psyche and is one of the best of the Merchant-Ivory-Jhabvala collaborations.
The heroine, Lucy Honeychurch (Helena Bonham Carter really could do a great turn in a corset) plays Beethoven with a passion. Meeting the unconventional Emersons (a father and son) on the Grand Tour, she is reprimanded by her very correct spinster cousin, Charlotte (Maggie Smith). And what is the real issue at hand? - the ladies have been shortchanged out of a "room with a view" of Florence's Duomo. The Emersons have a view, and "indelicately" offer to swap rooms. What follows is a comedy of manners, with a contrast between the passion of the strong sunlight of an Italian cornfield (with just the faint hint of drains in the air) and the ordered home life in Kent, where the roses must be tied up so they don't blow about in the wind and girls mustn't bathe in the woodland pool. Played by a faultless ensemble cast, Lucy steadfastly makes the wrong choices throughout the film, nearly marrying the wrong man (a toe curling performance by Daniel Day Lewis). Throughout we're willing her to fall for the passionate, questing soul of George Emerson (who wouldn't swoon into Julian Sands' arms?). She is only rescued by the amiable old Mr Emerson (ah there was a time when every film had Denholm Elliot in it) who thankfully is prepared to speak plainly. This is a film to reflect the British psyche and is one of the best of the Merchant-Ivory-Jhabvala collaborations.
35 of 36 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The happiest of all E M's novels, the story of Lucy and George's cross class love affair is beautifully captured by Merchant Ivory in this film. A fantastic cast - with outstanding turns by the likes of Judy Dench (before we'd decided she was a British thespian 'Grand Dame'), Simon Callow, Daniel Day Lewis (Cecil in prissy perfection), Denholm Elliot (scene stealing beautifully)and Maggie Smith - is led by the inspired casting of ingenue Bonham Carter, as she was at the time, and Julian Sands as Lucy and George. Added to the wonderful cast is a beautiful score and oscar winning art direction to create that sumptuous view. The kiss in the poppy field is one of cinemas most beautiful and romantic moments and a fantastic example of how music and cinematography can be combined to create real artistic beauty.
Is this film really over 20 years old? Once banned for nudity (on UK television, I remember it showing in C4's groundbreaking 'banned' movie season), it's an example of how literary adaptations should and can be done. This is a personal favourite, however a warning - those who are not fans of Miz Bonham Carter, of Forsters novel or of Merchant Ivory would be better off steering clear, you won't enjoy this film.
Is this film really over 20 years old? Once banned for nudity (on UK television, I remember it showing in C4's groundbreaking 'banned' movie season), it's an example of how literary adaptations should and can be done. This is a personal favourite, however a warning - those who are not fans of Miz Bonham Carter, of Forsters novel or of Merchant Ivory would be better off steering clear, you won't enjoy this film.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Over-rated and poor film.
Had this dvd some time ago but could not remember why I discarded it, so tried again in view
of the many favourable reviews. Read more
of the many favourable reviews. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Richard Mirfin
Amazing!
One of my all time favourite films, a superb adaptation of the book. I'm looking forward to watching it in a digitally remastered format!!
Published 3 months ago by sparklymum
highly enjoyable film
love these sort of films and have not been disappointed - have also leant it out to friends who really enjoyed it also
Published 5 months ago by Helena Gray
Forever THE version of the Novel
Simply terrific! I am not a big fan of Helena Bonham Carter, but she's stunning as E.M. Forster's timid but spirited heroine, Lucy Honeychurch. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Rochester
A Room with a view
Didn't enjoy this DVD at all. Gave it straight to a charity shop. Very disappointed.
Found it extremely boring and was glad when the end came round.
Found it extremely boring and was glad when the end came round.
Published 8 months ago by Mary Sharp
I didn't receive it! It never arrived... Any redress?
I didn't get it
I didn't get it
It didn't arrive in the mail
It wasn't sent
I would like to have it
Especially as I have paid... Read more
I didn't get it
It didn't arrive in the mail
It wasn't sent
I would like to have it
Especially as I have paid... Read more
Published 8 months ago by J. Webb
A pleasure to watch and rewatch
Hav'nt since this film in years and decided to add it to my collection. My memories of my initial enjoyment of this film have proved correct. Read more
Published 9 months ago by old romantic
A sensual feast..
I am not immune to Helena B-C's charms in this film, which must be one of her early ones - she looks very beautiful playing Lucy Honeychurch in A Room with a View - with lots of... Read more
Published 10 months ago by MJDR
A beautiful film
This is one of my all time favourite films - I just love it. The scenery, acting and costumes are wonderful and together provide an unparalleled visual treat. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Jane Collins-Campbell
A Room With A View (Special Edition) [DVD]
A Room With A View (Special Edition) [DVD]
A brilliant merchant Ivory production!
The story is set in Florence and the English countryside, Dorking. Read more
A brilliant merchant Ivory production!
The story is set in Florence and the English countryside, Dorking. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Firuza
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