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From Amazon.co.uk
Swaddled in whalebone and wigs, Keira Knightley steps into the restricted world of the Duchess of Devonshire, a royal lady popular with her subjects but stuck in an unhappy marriage. If this situation recalls Princess Diana (a descendent of the Duchess's family), so much the better for the purposes of director Saul Dibb and company; this film is eager to draw parallels with the unfortunate Lady Di, as Knightley's unsuspecting girl is married off to the Duke (Ralph Fiennes), a distracted man who craves male sons, and obviously has never thought of women as anything other than a means to achieve an heir. When the Duchess launches her procreative career with a couple of daughters, well, the Duke begins to get nervous--and partners outside the marriage become increasingly appealing. The Duchess serves up lavish portions of Brit-movie staples: costumes (which, in Knightley's case, are nothing short of spectacular), landscapes and gorgeous music (by Rachel Portman). If it falls short in some vague way, perhaps it's because the film is a mostly one-note affair, meaning exactly what it seems to mean at every moment. Charlotte Rampling appears too briefly as Knightley's mother, and Dominic Cooper and Hayley Atwell (from Brideshead Revisited), rising stars both, contribute attractive lures for the principals. They prove the old movie adage: there's a lot to be said for eye candy. --Robert Horton, Amazon.com
Product Description
Sumptuous historical drama starring Keira Knightley as eighteenth century aristocrat Georgiana Spencer, Duchess of Devonshire, who was known for her glamorous and extravagant lifestyle. Married at a young age to the older Duke of Devonshire (Ralph Fiennes), Georgiana becomes a fashion icon and a shrewd political operator as well as a doting mother and darling of the common people. However, trapped in an unhappy triangle with her husband and his mistress, her search for love becomes increasingly desperate. When she begins a passionate affair with an ambitious young politician, the scandal causes bitter conflict with her already distant husband.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
29 of 31 people found the following review helpful
By nickv
Format:DVD
I strongly believe that anyone fond of period dramas and 18th century society will deem this film absolutely adorable. The script is really interesting on itself and what makes the movie fantastic are the stunning performances of acclaimed actress Keira Knightley and actors Ralph Fiennes, Dominic Cooper and more.
Something else that catches the viewer's attention is how realistic a film 'The Duchess' is. Let us not forget that it was the winner of this year's Academy Award in 'Best Achievement in Costume Design' and, furthermore, it was nominated for 'Best Achievement in Art Direction too'.
Personally, I was amazed by the amount of special features of this DVD, as there was a lot to discover behind the story of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire. Deleted scenes, not available in other editions, are included as well.
In conclusion, 'The Duchess' is a masterpiece with great cast and crew and I highly recommend it to anyone with a good taste in films.
Something else that catches the viewer's attention is how realistic a film 'The Duchess' is. Let us not forget that it was the winner of this year's Academy Award in 'Best Achievement in Costume Design' and, furthermore, it was nominated for 'Best Achievement in Art Direction too'.
Personally, I was amazed by the amount of special features of this DVD, as there was a lot to discover behind the story of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire. Deleted scenes, not available in other editions, are included as well.
In conclusion, 'The Duchess' is a masterpiece with great cast and crew and I highly recommend it to anyone with a good taste in films.
25 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I really enjoyed watching this film. The period costumes were great, the scenery and lighting were fantastic. I am not a huge Kiera Knightley fan but I thought that she showed a real commitment to the character of Georgiana.
Having also read the book that inspired the film, I was intrigued to see how the film would compare. I think the way to look at it is to recognise that they have captured the essence of Georgiana. The film shows a little of this incredibly fascinating person and the pressures and temptations of her life.
Some aspects of this film are tragic, so not a feel good chick flick, but worth a watch!
Having also read the book that inspired the film, I was intrigued to see how the film would compare. I think the way to look at it is to recognise that they have captured the essence of Georgiana. The film shows a little of this incredibly fascinating person and the pressures and temptations of her life.
Some aspects of this film are tragic, so not a feel good chick flick, but worth a watch!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By everest67
Format:Blu-ray
The photography of this film is stunning in blu ray, a real treat.
I cannot recommend it more. The costumes and scenery come to life in your home. Five stars from me.
I cannot recommend it more. The costumes and scenery come to life in your home. Five stars from me.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Rochester
Format:DVD
Keira Knightley isn't perhaps the greatest actress of our time, but she has given, at a very young age, quite a number of noticeable roles (Elizabeth Swann, Elizabeth Bennet, Cecilia Tallis, etc.). In the Duchess, she gives us Georgiana Cavendish, the Duchess of Devonshire, wife of the fith Duke of Devonshire, and an ancestor of Princess Diana. Georgiana comes to life as a British Marie Antoinette (except that she was loved by the public). However, like Antionette, she herself had a rather extravagant lifestyle:plenty of fashion, gambling, drinking...and amorous scandal.
Keira delivers a very mature role in a remarkable fashion. In fact, one marvels at why she didn't earn nominations for either an Oscar, Golden Globe, or BAFTA. Ralph Fiennes, better known as Lord Voldemort from Harry Potter, likewise does an excellent job as the cold-hearted , skirt-chasing Duke, who treated Georgiana with coldness and cruelty; having liasions with many other women (including Georgiana's friend, Lady Bess Forster (played by Hayley Atwell)), and thus siring several illegitimate children. Georgiana even went so far as to raise his one love-child, Charlotte, whom he utterly outcasted (just like he did with his own two daughters).
But the greatest tragedy in Georgiana's life was the fact that she never had the opportunity to marry the man she loved: Lord Grey (portrayed by Dominic Cooper),who eventually became future Prime Minister. The scene where Georgiana is forced to give her and Grey's daughter to his family is one of the best in the movie: one sees how Knightley has grown in her acting career; going from a pretty face to a dramatic diva, capable of single-handedly taking over the scene.... Read more ›
Keira delivers a very mature role in a remarkable fashion. In fact, one marvels at why she didn't earn nominations for either an Oscar, Golden Globe, or BAFTA. Ralph Fiennes, better known as Lord Voldemort from Harry Potter, likewise does an excellent job as the cold-hearted , skirt-chasing Duke, who treated Georgiana with coldness and cruelty; having liasions with many other women (including Georgiana's friend, Lady Bess Forster (played by Hayley Atwell)), and thus siring several illegitimate children. Georgiana even went so far as to raise his one love-child, Charlotte, whom he utterly outcasted (just like he did with his own two daughters).
But the greatest tragedy in Georgiana's life was the fact that she never had the opportunity to marry the man she loved: Lord Grey (portrayed by Dominic Cooper),who eventually became future Prime Minister. The scene where Georgiana is forced to give her and Grey's daughter to his family is one of the best in the movie: one sees how Knightley has grown in her acting career; going from a pretty face to a dramatic diva, capable of single-handedly taking over the scene.... Read more ›
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Rebecca
Format:DVD
I loved this movie and left me breathless. Keira Knightley (whom we all know as Elizabeth Swann in the trilogy PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN) deserves an OSCAR for a fantastic performance she gave as Georgiana, The Duchess of Devonshire. Great story, it leaves you pinned down to your seat waiting for is next. I won't say anthing about the story as one really needs to see this movie. One of my favourites for this year.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I had read the book by Amanda Foreman and thought I'd give the film a miss as I thought it would be trivialised, especially as the publicity had emphasised the blood relationship to Diana, Princess of Wales. I watched this with no great expectations..
Obviously, it doesn't have the depth of the biography but it's very successful nonetheless. Knightley was a revelation here, a very affecting and intelligent performance. Fiennes is intense and their scenes work well. I wasn't as convinced by the love scenes with Grey or by the growing relationship between Fiennes and Lady Bess Foster.
The film is just gorgeous visually, the costumes sumptuous, the hair fantastic in every sense of the word, the real settings awe inspiring - that's what they were built for after all.
Unlike other reviewers here I didn't mind that the narrative arc didn't cover all of her life - this was enough drama.
On the DVD you get three deleted scenes - the first of which I think the director should have retained, and a fascinating documentary on the making of the film which includes Foreman and the producer at Chatsworth reading Georgiana's extremely well written letters (Foreman wasn't wearing gloves which bothered me somewhat in an OCD kind of way).
Entertaining and affecting
Obviously, it doesn't have the depth of the biography but it's very successful nonetheless. Knightley was a revelation here, a very affecting and intelligent performance. Fiennes is intense and their scenes work well. I wasn't as convinced by the love scenes with Grey or by the growing relationship between Fiennes and Lady Bess Foster.
The film is just gorgeous visually, the costumes sumptuous, the hair fantastic in every sense of the word, the real settings awe inspiring - that's what they were built for after all.
Unlike other reviewers here I didn't mind that the narrative arc didn't cover all of her life - this was enough drama.
On the DVD you get three deleted scenes - the first of which I think the director should have retained, and a fascinating documentary on the making of the film which includes Foreman and the producer at Chatsworth reading Georgiana's extremely well written letters (Foreman wasn't wearing gloves which bothered me somewhat in an OCD kind of way).
Entertaining and affecting
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Real Duchess?
Based loosely on Amanda Foreman's biography of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, the film paints a far more simplistic picture of the book's subject. Read more
Published 9 days ago by Nicholas Casley
1.0 out of 5 stars
Read The Book!!!
I know time is limited when filming, but this film was very poor. just skipped through the Duchess' life & left out so many important bits while inventing others which bear no... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mrs. L. S. Sim
5.0 out of 5 stars
Chick flick
This is a great film from start to the end. Reminds me of Princess Diana in places. All she wanted was to be loved, at least she loved her children
Published 1 month ago by JCG
5.0 out of 5 stars
See it, loved it
The DVD arrived in good time. The film is excellent. My mum loves Keira Knightley so the film is perfect for her but I also really enjoyed the film and thought it was a superbly... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Samantha Biggs
3.0 out of 5 stars
Meh!
Sorry but as some points I ended up thinking when is this going to finish. Okay on the surface a heart rending story of a woman's life so historical kind of WOW people were treated... Read more
Published 3 months ago by P J W
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mum was right
my mum told me to watch this film after she saw it on channel 4 one night, she said it was really compelling and you can really feel the connection between every character; by my... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Terry Dudeney
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic film!
This film is excellent and all the more amazing as it's based on a true story, get the tissues ready but the film is beautiful!
Published 3 months ago by Sarahhu
5.0 out of 5 stars
Boy was I surprised
No idea what this film was about until I saw it and it really is a little gem. Such a sad story but true....... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mrs. J. Watson
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Duchess
This film is great. Could have lasted a bit longer and covered her life when she got older. But I loved the film and it whent into enough details for me. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Sonja Gardener
5.0 out of 5 stars
DVD The Duchess
My wife has always been interested in history so this DVD was purchased for her. It was a very good film.
Published 5 months ago by Fraser Bear
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