The Chatterley Affair [DVD] [2006]

"The Chatterley Affair" is a telemovie made by the BBC and first screened in the UK in 2006. It centres around the 1960 trial under the Obscene Publications Act, surrounding the publication of D.H.Lawrence's novel, "Lady Chatterley's Lover." As the trial progresses in London's Old Bailey, a fictional sexual liaison develops between two of the jurors. Rafe Spall and Louise Delamere star as the trysting jurors, Keith and Helena. Their passionate affair, which takes place during the course of the trial, mirrors the themes of the novel.

Both Spall and Delamere are very fine in the lead roles. Spall's Keith is a sexually naïve young man with little experience of the world. He is married and lives with his wife in humble circumstances. Delamere's Helena is an affluent, worldly-wise divorcee, living alone in London. For me, Rafe Spall stole the show. His is an electrifying, on-screen presence. Helena tells Keith that he is "beautiful" and that he has "bedroom eyes," both of which are most certainly true. Helena is on the rebound following her divorce and though she is indisputably sexually athletic, her character sometimes presents as being somewhat cloyingly needy at times.

Another outstanding member of the cast is Pip Torrens, who plays the real-life prosecutor, Mervyn Griffith-Jones. He has some of the best lines in the production. For example, "Is it a book that you would even wish your wife or your servants to read?"

I understand E.M.Forster gave evidence at the real-life trial. His evidence is not included in the telemovie. I would have personally preferred to see E.M.Forster included, rather than the David Tennant character of sociologist, Richard Hoggart.

Congratulations to Andrew Davies and all concerned on an excellent production.

I saw this on BBC Four a short time ago and thought it was excellent.

It succeeds brilliantly as a piece of social history that reflects not only on the real significance of the Chatterley trial, and why it was so important as a landmark in our recent history, but also on the state of the society in which it happened.

The procession of 'experts', so solemn in their pronouncements, and so solemnly listened to, is brilliantly scripted and acted, providing both food for thought and high entertainment. Would we give such credence to literary critics and university dons now ? I rather doubt it.

Juries are always good fodder for a dramatist, and this one is no exception. By focussing on the affair of two jurors, Andrew Davis brilliantly ties together the changing social landscape of sixties Britain and this very specific event.

The point is, Lady Chatterley's Lover was just a catalyst, a cause celebre : overturning the Chatterley ban was an event waiting to happen, and it burst a dam of repression that some people today think might have been better left intact (notably those on the religious right).

Recommended viewing for all sorts of reasons ...

Described at the time as the sexiest programme ever broadcast on BBC there are scenes in this film that definitely justify the 18 certificate, however, that shouldn't overshadow that this is wonderfully crafted film by Andrew Davies with two great performances from Rafe Spall and Louise Delamere.