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The Wings Of The Dove [DVD] [1998]
 
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The Wings Of The Dove [DVD] [1998]

DVD ~ Helena Bonham Carter
4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
RRP: £14.99
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Frequently Bought Together

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

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The Wings Of The Dove [DVD] [1998] 4.5 out of 5 stars (11)
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Product details

  • Actors: Helena Bonham Carter, Linus Roache, Alison Elliott, Charlotte Rampling, Elizabeth McGovern
  • Directors: Iain Softley
  • Writers: Henry James, Hossein Amini
  • Producers: Bob Weinstein, Caroline Wood, David Parfitt, Harvey Weinstein, Mark Cooper
  • Format: PAL, Widescreen
  • Language English
  • Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Classification: 15
  • Studio: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainm
  • DVD Release Date: 15 Jun 2006
  • Run Time: 98 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B00004CYAG
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 5,087 in DVD (See Bestsellers in DVD)

Reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
Queen of the costume drama Helena Bonham Carter finally got a chance to loosen her corset a bit with this exquisitely mounted (Sandy Powell's costumes were nominated for an Academy Award) romantic drama based on Henry James's classic novel.

Set in turn-of-the-century London and Venice, Wings of the Dove is a stately departure--more PBS than MTV--for Iain Softley, director of Hackers and the birth-of-the-Beatles biopic Backbeat. But there's enough romantic intrigue to perhaps fuel a week's worth of daytime TV talk shows: My Lover Seduced a Dying Heiress for Her Money.

Bonham Carter, who won several critics association honours for her performance (she was nominated for a Golden Globe and Oscar as well) stars as Kate, who is engaged in a secret affair with Merton (Linus Roache), a journalist whose poor financial standing makes marriage impossible. Kate's manipulative aunt (Charlotte Rampling) threatens to disown her unless she marries the more suitable Lord Mark (Alex Jennings).

Opportunity--admittedly sordid--arrives in the form of Millie (Alison Elliott), an American heiress whom Kate befriends. When Kate learns that Millie is dying, she suggests to Merton that he seduce her to make her last days happy, and ensuring that Millie will leave Merton her money when she dies. Merton reluctantly agrees, just as Kate begins to have second thoughts that threaten to sabotage the scheme.

One of the most rapturously reviewed films in recent years, Wings of the Dove is a must-own video for the Merchant-Ivory crowd. But guys: don't dismiss this as a "chick flick". Beneath its Masterpiece Theatre exterior beats the wild and untamed heart of Dawson's Creek. --Donald Liebenson

Special Features
1.85 Wide Screen
2.35 Wide Screen
English
Dolby Digital 5.1


See all Reviews


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Customer Reviews

11 Reviews
5 star:
 (6)
4 star:
 (4)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.5 out of 5 stars (11 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
41 of 42 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent adaptation of a complex psychological novel., 19 Aug 2004
By Mary Whipple (New England) - See all my reviews
(TOP 10 REVIEWER)   
Screenwriter Hossein Amini has abandoned the dense prose and convoluted syntax of Henry James's most complex and difficult novel and created instead a fresh, emotionally nuanced, and psychologically astute script, nominated for an Academy Award. With a remarkable cast, breathtaking cinematography (Eduardo Serra), and a soft background score filled with strings, harp, and piano (Edward Shearmur), Director Iain Softley has created a magnificent film that succeeds in being emotionally affecting, intellectually stimulating, and aesthetically rewarding, a film in which every element contributes to a satisfying whole.

Remaining true to the story of James's novel, the film introduces Kate Croy (Helena Bonham Carter) as the beautiful but impoverished niece of a wealthy socialite (Charlotte Rampling), bent upon finding her a husband of means, but Kate must first sever ties with her opium-addicted father and end her relationship with Merton Densher (Linus Roache), a penniless journalist. A friend of Kate, heiress Millie Theale (Alison Elliot), invites her to Venice, where Millie insists on living life to the fullest even as she is dying of an unnamed disease. There Kate introduces Millie to Densher, to whom she is immediately attracted. Kate desperately suggests that Densher pursue Millie, who may, upon her death, leave Densher wealthy enough to marry Kate.

Without such a brilliant cast, such a story would resemble the worst of melodramas, but Bonham Carter (nominated for an Oscar as Best Actress) creates in Kate a character so tormented by her love that one understands her deviousness to be the result of desperation. Alison Elliot creates a Millie whose strength and desire to live life are so strong that her passion for Densher is plausible, and her willingness to go to his room at night becomes a courageous statement, rather than a maudlin gesture. Linus Roache as Densher is phlegmatic enough that he can be manipulated by Kate, but he shows backbone in his desire to honor Millie and avoids the pitfall of being considered weak.

The acting is subtle, understated, and profoundly affecting, with many revealing close-ups, and emotions conveyed through gestures, body language, and occasionally, mere eye contact. The Academy Award-nominated cinematography, especially in Venice, features one element in a scene blending into the succeeding scene, bridges framing action on the canals, and the dramatic use of darkness and light. The Oscar-nominated costuming (Sandy Powell) adds to the mood and atmosphere, with the music providing an effective bridge between scenes. Every aspect of the film works, and not a word or gesture is wasted in this quietly presented drama of great power. Mary Whipple

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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A very enjoyable film, 1 Jun 2006
I have seen this film several times and enjoy it a great deal. I can't fault any of the performances and save particular praise for Linus Roache who's portrayal of Merton is sensitive and moving. This is a love story where everyone is aloof and disengaged from one another until the emotional climax between Milly and Merton when a terrible deception is revealed. The tone of the film and the characters personalities are changed forever from this point as this intense scene strips away the reality of the central characters feelings. An excellent film in the Merchant Ivory vein; emotionally rewarding rather than romantic.
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20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars What Could the Rain Do to Me?, 4 Jul 2003
By "starlighthotel" - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   
Rarely has a film of such extraordinary visual beauty reached the profound emotional depths of this magnificently acted period film from Iain Softley. Based on the novel by Henry James, cinematographer Eduardo Serra sets a table of beauty and elegance while screenwriter Houssein Amini serves up dishes of love, passion and desire, all arranged in their proper order by director Softley, creating an unforgettable dining experience.

Helena Bonham Carter is Kate, a passionate beauty in love with Martin (Linus Roache), a man without money. Charlotte Rampling is her rich aunt, who may force her to marry well, but not for love. Kate has a fire burning beneath her dark beauty, however, and when fate gives her an opportunity to show Martin how she loves, a dangerous journey down winding currents is begun, and neither she nor Martin will be prepared for what awaits them at the river's end.

Alison Elliot is simply marvelous as Millie, her finest role since "The Spitfire Grill." Millie is a charming American girl of great wealth reaching out to touch life before it passes by. She and Kate will become fast and inseparable friends, but Millie's attraction to Martin and a secret discovered by Kate will set in tenuous motion a plan to solve all their problems. When the maneuvering of lives like chess pieces involves both the human heart and someone as special as Millie, however, unforseen complications can arise.

Helena Bonham Carter may have received all the nominations as the beautiful and passionate Kate, but Alison Elliot's portrayel of the sweet and open Millie, rich but lonely, and hoping for love, deserved an Oscar and Golden Globe nomination as well. Italy is beautifully recreated from the period in a film of both depth and beauty.

This film is a true cinematic masterpiece. Fine Italian lace is gently lifted back to reveal an emotionally naked look at the human heart. It is substance with beauty and beauty with substance, and is not to be missed....

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars a truly beautiful film
Based on the novel by Henry James, `The Wings of the Dove' is a beautiful film both in terms of locations, story and acting. Read more
Published 15 months ago by S. N. Denton

5.0 out of 5 stars Love cannot be calculated,
Three reasons that this film shines:

1. An excellent screenplay that captures the gist of the novel and without getting bogged down.

2. Read more
Published 21 months ago by calmly

4.0 out of 5 stars This one is to be watched with a glass of good red wine.

If you liked 'A room with a view' (which I am waiting for Universal to publish PROPERLY on DVD. Read more
Published on 25 April 2007 by Hiro

3.0 out of 5 stars 3 1/2 stars really!
Set in the early 1900's the movie focuses on the relationship (almost love triangle) between Kate, Millie and Merton. Read more
Published on 27 Mar 2007 by RD

4.0 out of 5 stars Gripping story of love, deceit and debasement
I thought this was a powerful film, with a gripping story of love, deceit and collective debasement. Read more
Published on 20 Jul 2006 by T. D. Harris

4.0 out of 5 stars The Wings of the Dove - Review
This is a beautiful adaptation of the Henry James Novel. Set in London and Venice it is the story of a scheming young woman, Kate (Helena Bonham Carter) and her immoral plan of... Read more
Published on 27 Aug 2002 by Klara Kronbergs

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic
This timeless epic is beautifully screened in the scenic and picturesque setting of Venice. Having been a great fan of the book, the film came as a great surprise, the casting is... Read more
Published on 9 May 2001

4.0 out of 5 stars Gloom in Venice
This is a beautifully directed film. Especially if you are fond of the Venice city just like I am, you will truly enjoy watching it. Read more
Published on 1 Feb 2001 by Umut Erisen

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