Edward II
Film MovementChristopher Marlowe's notorious 16th century play was radically adapted into this gay cinema masterpiece by the late, great queer iconoclast Derek Jarman - and it's easily one of his most powerful films. Using anachronistic imagery, modern dress, gay activists battling riot police and Annie Lennox singing Cole Porter, the story of Britain's only openly gay monarch and the persecution he suffered is given a contemporary resonance by Jarman, paralleling the injustice with prevailing modern-day homophobia. King Edward II (Stephen Waddington) rejects his cold wife Queen Isabella (Tilda Swinton) and takes a male lover, the commoner Piers Gaveston (Andrew Tiernan) upon whom he bestows gifts and power. The king's behavior enrages the sober, business-suited court officials and the spurned queen becomes a seething monster whose dresses and jewelry grow more outrageously lavish as her need to vengeance escalates and the plotting begins.
Reasons to Buy
- Not only one of director Derek Jarman's greatest, Edward II is one of the best examples of the "New Queer Cinema" movement of the early 90s. Jarman reworked Christopher Marlowes's play into a homoerotic, sexually charged, radically relevant work - and it's just as powerful today.
- Graphic, brutal, moving, surprisingly funny and always erotic, Jaman blends Marlowe's prose with contemporary jargon and costumes, replete with positive portrayals of queer sex, profanity and ACT- UP activals for a truly mesmerizing experience.
- Brillant, daring and innovative, this film showcases gay cinema at its finest. Newly restored by Film Movement for this lavish Special Edition, it's a must-own gem for serious film-lovers.
Information
- Director: Derek Jarman
- Length: 1 hrs. 27 mins.
- Rating: R
- Released: Jun 12 2018
- Production Year: 1991
- TLA SKU: 1979249
- Number of Discs: 1
- UPC Code: 859686006635
Reviews
2 Reviews for Edward II
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Review by Amos Lassen
A Radical But Honest Adaptation
Amos Lassen
I am sure that some of you have seen Derek Jarman's adaptation of Christopher Marlowe's notorious 16th century play, "EDWARD II. However, I am pretty sure than none of you h... Read More