Frequently Bought Together
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Reviews
Product Description
The Devil’s Wh*re is a dramatic tale of intrigue and lust that follow the trials and tribulations of the manipulative Angelica Fanshawe as she exploits a country in crisis in a bid to better her own position. Set against the backdrop of the English Civil War, Angelica abandons her loyalties to the Royal family and leaves the aristocratic court following the execution of her childhood sweetheart and first husband. Destitute, Angelica turns to prostitution and armed robbery, taking several lovers along the way. After marrying the heroic revolutionary Rainsborough, Angelica befriends Oliver Cromwell and becomes his confidante as he begins his reign over England… 10 years in the making and from the Bafta Award winning writer of the critically acclaimed Our Friends in the North, The Devil’s Wh*re is a lavish £8m production.
Product Description
United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 5.1 ), English ( Subtitles ), ANAMORPHIC WIDESCREEN (1.78:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: 2-DVD Set, Anamorphic Widescreen, Interactive Menu, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: Four part drama that follows the trials and tribulations of the aristocratic Angelica. Born in 1623 at a time when England is divided both by politics and religion, Angelica's life becomes intrinsically linked to the events that surround her, most notably the English Civil War. ...The Devil's Whore
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
46 of 48 people found the following review helpful
By A. Luddite
Format:DVD
I first saw this series when it was first shown on Channel 4 and was overwhelmed by the production design. Although the story is a variation on "Forever Amber" and showcases plenty of bodice-ripping interludes, it is overshadowed by the quite magnificent scenery, restricted colour palettes and costume design, possibly the most authentically impressive of any I have seen in a television drama. The set pieces of Charles I's court, trial and execution are astounding and Peter Capaldi must have really immersed himself in research to have achieved the perfect mirror image of the monarch himself, somehow juxtaposing the regal arrogance of God's annointed with the trembling humanity of the condemned man and achieving what Bernini is said to have remarked upon receiving Van Dyke's portrait; "He hath the most unfortunate face I have ever looked upon".
There are weaknesses, of course. Historical facts have been twisted to accomodate the plotline and there is little evidence of Oliver Cromwell being the devout family man of his private life, as his own family are never seen. There is a confusion in direction, with Sexby changing sides in almost every episode but then this is essentially a story of love in war.
Story aside, this is an extrordinary visual event; put away the text books and enjoy the view. Fantastic.
There are weaknesses, of course. Historical facts have been twisted to accomodate the plotline and there is little evidence of Oliver Cromwell being the devout family man of his private life, as his own family are never seen. There is a confusion in direction, with Sexby changing sides in almost every episode but then this is essentially a story of love in war.
Story aside, this is an extrordinary visual event; put away the text books and enjoy the view. Fantastic.
97 of 104 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
As with many 'period' dramas, The Devil's Whore is guilty of bending the truth somewhat. The best way to approach this sort of drama is to take it for what it is, a very entertaining series that, admittedly, would have probably been given 5 stars had it been longer, but the condensing of what was originally intended to be a ten episode drama into 4 episodes was the consequence of the BBC's decision to bump the drama to Channel 4.
Andrea Riseborough is a huge success as the intoxicatingly unconventional Van Dyck-esque Angelica Fanshawe, the central (fictional) character who unites the important people and events of the Civil War and Interregnum. But this political upheaval provides more or less the background to her life.
Starting out as a doll-like debutant courtier, she is troubled by having seen the Devil during certain instances in her life (a little bit of an unnecessary inclusion to an otherwise excellent story-line in my view).
Angelica is married with the encouragement of her guardian, King Charles, to her cousin and childhood friend, Harry Fanshawe. At this time,she comes into contact with hardened mercenery Edward Sexby, and is initially both repelled and intrigued by his thirst for battle and his drifting way of life. As the grimness of the Civil War unfolds, Angelica's boyish husband finds himself in deep water in command of Roylist troops. Demonstrating his military inexperience, he suffers an ebarassing defeat by Cromwell's troops, and King Charles is less than forgiving to the unfortunate pair.
Widowed and helpless, Angelica attracts unwanted advances from a chauvenistic merchant and accidentally gets embroiled in a murder scandal that won't seem to leave her alone.... Read more ›
Andrea Riseborough is a huge success as the intoxicatingly unconventional Van Dyck-esque Angelica Fanshawe, the central (fictional) character who unites the important people and events of the Civil War and Interregnum. But this political upheaval provides more or less the background to her life.
Starting out as a doll-like debutant courtier, she is troubled by having seen the Devil during certain instances in her life (a little bit of an unnecessary inclusion to an otherwise excellent story-line in my view).
Angelica is married with the encouragement of her guardian, King Charles, to her cousin and childhood friend, Harry Fanshawe. At this time,she comes into contact with hardened mercenery Edward Sexby, and is initially both repelled and intrigued by his thirst for battle and his drifting way of life. As the grimness of the Civil War unfolds, Angelica's boyish husband finds himself in deep water in command of Roylist troops. Demonstrating his military inexperience, he suffers an ebarassing defeat by Cromwell's troops, and King Charles is less than forgiving to the unfortunate pair.
Widowed and helpless, Angelica attracts unwanted advances from a chauvenistic merchant and accidentally gets embroiled in a murder scandal that won't seem to leave her alone.... Read more ›
29 of 32 people found the following review helpful
By H. Lacroix
Format:DVD
I loved watching this series when it was shown on Channel four. Both leading actors, Simm and Riseborough, were excellent and the supporting cast didn't let them down.John Simm on his own would have made watching this worth while.His character is so full of contradictions that he is fascinating. A blood-thirsty mercenary, fiercely loyal,capable of dealing with unrequited love without taking advantage when it would have been so easy for him, his silent, brooding presence is mesmerising. Capaldi made a very convincing king Charles the first, showing facets of his personality that enabled us both to understand him and sometimes pity him. Dominic West is a first quality actor and his portrayal of Cromwell was interesting in all its ambiguities.Difficult to like and difficult to loathe! I am no historian so I won't give an opinion on accuracy. Visually, this series was striking and I must congratulate the make up artists who managed to age Riseborough in a very convincing manner. This is so rarely the case it deserves to be mentioned.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Romulus
Format:DVD
An amazingly compact narrative packs a remarkable amount of emotion and philosophical musing into a sweeping narrative; this is television that delivers all the satisfactions of the old-fashioned novel.
With a title like "The Devil's Whore" we are prepared for a rip-roaring bodice-ripper...and while bodices are indeed ripped...nay, shredded!...there is oh so much more going on here. Love long-denied over decades of tumultuous civil war, labyrinthine tests of loyalty, vengeance played out over decades, and various other devices create a nonstop narrative drive; try coming to the end of one episode without wanting to watch the next one at once. But at the very heart of this story is an inquiry into the deepest questions of existence: who are we amid our fellow humans, what force or forces rule the universe, and what does freedom really mean? A restless intelligence moves through this story, suffusing it with heartbreaking insight.
Kudos to the whole cast, to a counter-intuitive musical track, and to the splendid visual sense that informs the whole production.
With a title like "The Devil's Whore" we are prepared for a rip-roaring bodice-ripper...and while bodices are indeed ripped...nay, shredded!...there is oh so much more going on here. Love long-denied over decades of tumultuous civil war, labyrinthine tests of loyalty, vengeance played out over decades, and various other devices create a nonstop narrative drive; try coming to the end of one episode without wanting to watch the next one at once. But at the very heart of this story is an inquiry into the deepest questions of existence: who are we amid our fellow humans, what force or forces rule the universe, and what does freedom really mean? A restless intelligence moves through this story, suffusing it with heartbreaking insight.
Kudos to the whole cast, to a counter-intuitive musical track, and to the splendid visual sense that informs the whole production.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 5 reviews
4.2 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Life as it was lived: Warts and All
The fortunes and misfortunes of a Cromwellian lass. Riveting action and storyline.
Follow the events in her life.
Definitely food for thought ...
Follow the events in her life.
Definitely food for thought ...
Published 25 days ago by J. Hallam
3.0 out of 5 stars
not what i thought it would be ...
Did I like the movie?
i thought that the movie was okay...would I watch it again...NO...
I expected so much more and it didn’t come ... Read more
i thought that the movie was okay...would I watch it again...NO...
I expected so much more and it didn’t come ... Read more
Published 2 months ago by H.A.B.
5.0 out of 5 stars
The devils hoare
I enjoyed this dvd and was well into it when it ended, that was a bit disappointing as it did not come to any conclusion.
Published 3 months ago by Bull Dog
5.0 out of 5 stars
brilliant
i lke historical drama and i thought this film to be excellant
the story was good and the acting superb
the story was good and the acting superb
Published 4 months ago by BRENDAN DOOLEY
3.0 out of 5 stars
A good study of seventeenth century dress.
Sadly although it could have shown more of Thomas Rainborough and his immense struggle for the rights of the soldiers he so bravely led in battle, siege and at the Putney Debate,... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Roy Chadwick
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great
Not sat and watched this yet but the service and price seemed to be of a high standard. Use again.
Published 5 months ago by sheilaanne
2.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointment
I did'nt know it was in czech, and that the instructions for changing unfortunately language was so difficiult to understand
Published 5 months ago by Jens Chr V. Johansen
4.0 out of 5 stars
My wife liked this
My wife liked this DVD. I have yet to see it. With a title like that who could not want to see it?
Published 5 months ago by C Grant
5.0 out of 5 stars
The acting in this one is worth the money but the story is very...
Fassbender, West and Simm - in one romantic romp - what more is there to say? Oh, Andrea Risborough is just wonderful!
Published 5 months ago by gimmielinda
3.0 out of 5 stars
Mildly Entertaining Costume Drama
Good acting fails to support a story that falls short of gripping. I never really cared all that much about the main character and only purchased it after seeing "The Wire" to... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Cara
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192198663_.gif){kind=small}
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
