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Amazon.co.uk Review
Maggie Smith is so witty and commanding in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie that you might forget the script paints Jean Brodie as an ultimately self-deluding spinster. Dame Maggie won the first of her two Oscars for playing a teacher in 1930s Edinburgh more in thrall to her romantic notions of art and beauty than the real world (she exalts the Mona Lisa and Mussolini with equal fervour), a cultivator of worshipping "Brodie Girls". Smith's expert playing makes many of the brogue-heavy Brodie-isms worth memorising ("She seeks to intimidate me by the use of quarter-hours") and raises the picture above its generally theatrical style. Real-life husband Robert Stephens plays Jean's married lover; Celia Johnson excels as the hostile headmistress; and Pamela Franklin is the deadpan whistle-blower within Miss Brodie's coven. The dippy music of Rod McKuen helps mark the movie as more of a reflection of the 1960s than the 30s. --Robert Horton
DVD Description
Maggie Smith stars in the film which won her an Academy Award for Best Actress, THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODIE.
“I am in the business of putting old heads on young shoulders, and all my pupils are the crème de la crème. Give me a girl at an impressionable age and she’ll be mine for life. I am dedicated to you in my prime.”
Edinburgh, 1932. The world is on the cusp of change and at the forefront, leading the charge is the estimable Miss Brodie, teacher at the Marcia Blaine School for girls. As a new term begins for Miss Brodie, she is fully prepared. For whatever the subject, Miss Brodie is adept at bringing it around to the experiences girls should look forward to when they too are in their prime.
Meanwhile Miss Brodie’s personal life is not so clear cut, torn as she is between the passionate advances of a young married artist, and the more conservative desires of a mature associate, she nevertheless manages to walk a strident path somewhere between the two.
But Miss Brodie’s philosophy for living rubs up against the school’s rigid moral standards, and when one of her young charges is inspired into a tragic act of foolhardy bravery, an act of almost religious betrayal follows that will shake the firm convictions of Miss Brodie to the core.
“I am in the business of putting old heads on young shoulders, and all my pupils are the crème de la crème. Give me a girl at an impressionable age and she’ll be mine for life. I am dedicated to you in my prime.”
Edinburgh, 1932. The world is on the cusp of change and at the forefront, leading the charge is the estimable Miss Brodie, teacher at the Marcia Blaine School for girls. As a new term begins for Miss Brodie, she is fully prepared. For whatever the subject, Miss Brodie is adept at bringing it around to the experiences girls should look forward to when they too are in their prime.
Meanwhile Miss Brodie’s personal life is not so clear cut, torn as she is between the passionate advances of a young married artist, and the more conservative desires of a mature associate, she nevertheless manages to walk a strident path somewhere between the two.
But Miss Brodie’s philosophy for living rubs up against the school’s rigid moral standards, and when one of her young charges is inspired into a tragic act of foolhardy bravery, an act of almost religious betrayal follows that will shake the firm convictions of Miss Brodie to the core.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
30 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
This film is simply the 'creme de la creme'. Maggie Smith is superb as the teacher who fascinates and enchants her inner circle of students, 'the Brodie Set', and has the screen presence and acting talent to evoke entirely convincingly the character who declares 'give me a girl at an impressionable age and she is mine for life'. The film is witty and entertaining, and although not entirely true to the book, the quality of the acting, by the young girls in particular, more than compensates. Celia Johnson (better known for her starring role in 'Brief Encounter') is also excellent as the Headmistress Miss Mackay, whose aim in life is to rid her conservative school of the radical Miss Brodie. Among the changes in the film, however, is the foregrounding of Miss Brodie's interest in fascism and the effect that this has on the least intelligent of her set, Mary McGregor. Without giving the story away- and I would advice that people read the book so as to discover the true fate of Mary- the film's portrayal of Miss Brodie's destructive influence is perhaps somewhat exaggerated and disturbing. Nevertheless, the film as a whole is just as bewitching as Miss Brodie and a must-see for Maggie Smith fans.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Thank you Acorn. Finally someone has decided to release this wonderful film on DVD in the UK. Ignore all the messages here saying how the DVD won't play in the UK, they relate to the US, NTSC version which was previously the only version available. This is the UK, PAL, version that will plays perfectly. Can't wait.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I rate this film as one of my top 10 all-time movies. Though quite different to the superb novel, for me it succeeds in all areas. Excellent acting & direction, and a very convincing recreation of 1930s Edinburgh despite practically all of it being filmed in a studio. I would also add a special mention for the haunting music. You end up feeling both charmed & saddened by the characters in equal measure. This U.S. dvd has very interesting commentaries (they are often very dull!) by the director & actress Pamela "Sandy" Franklin. It is just a shame that the sublime Ms Smith wasn't available.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great movie
Bought by my wife, she thinks it's a great classic movie. Maggies Smith is great as Jean Brody, a teacher,who teaches young girls. Read more
Published 21 days ago by Mr. L. J. Hulse
Prime Time Viewing
An excellent film that showcased the early talent of a marvellous actress. Rather chilling in showing the power of a teacher to mold the brains of the next generation.
Published 1 month ago by Peter E. Bradley
Subtitles?
Can anyone tell me if this version is subtitled? I am deaf and adore this film but cant find any information to say if it has subtitles.
Published 1 month ago by Mousey
Jean,Jean, the roses are red.
I watched this last night and what a superb piece of entertainment it is; if more theatre than cinema. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Dave
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie [DVD] [1969]
I saw this film when I was in my teens and have never forgotten it as I thought Maggie Smith was an amazing actor. Read more
Published 4 months ago by MS JEAN A LAWSON
Available on DVD in Europe at last!
Bravo Amazon and Acorn on making this classic film available to watch in Europe. Previously it was only available in Region 1 (US) format. Read more
Published 4 months ago by SVP
Jean Brodie
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie [DVD] [1969]
A very good film of the 1930's pre war with the very controlling Maggie Smith in the Title role the interation with the girls and... Read more
A very good film of the 1930's pre war with the very controlling Maggie Smith in the Title role the interation with the girls and... Read more
Published 7 months ago by B. C. Neale
Education can be just as damaging as it is inspiring
For all those films about the positive inspirational power of education, there are films about the darker side of education. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Miss Scarlett
A definite favourite!
'The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie' has been one of my favourite stories for many years. I first saw it as a stage production at my local rep theatre (The Garrick in Stockport,... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Mrs. Brenda Paulden
Interesting Drama
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie is a 1969 drama, based on the novel by Muriel Spark. Maggie Smith plays the title role, for which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Grahame
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