England, My England

Although Michael Ball trained as an actor, he is best known for his leading roles in musicals such as Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera and Aspects of Love in London & Broadway. It was very unusual (and very pleasant)to see him in this different role. Although he does not sing in this movie, I enjoyed it very much. The costumes were lovely. I also enjoyed seeing Simon Callow in his role as I really enjoyed his acting in "4 weddings and funeral".

The life of the musician & court composer Henry Purcell is used to present a tongue in cheek examination of the Restoration & the Glorious Revolution. The actors in the film, led by Simon Callow as Charles II, discuss the play between scenes, but the parts they play on stage are also those that they play in the film. Very cleverly done too.

This is a brilliantly conceived and executed film about one of England's greatest composers and a watershed period in English history. The cinematography and editing are superb, and, for the most part, the acting is first-rate. The historical accuracy of the film is almost uncanny (down to the floor-pounding conducting with a massive "baton"). The movie has a "you-were-there" quality, and you can almost believe that you are actually watching the historical characters themselves. (I especially liked Queen Mary and her boorish King William.) The only "complaint" that I have about the film is that I had a nagging feeling of deja-vu that I was watching "Barry Lyndon" again (induced in part, no doubt, by the many candle-lit scenes, Murray Melvin's role as Shaftsbury, and Purcell's music for Queen Mary's funeral that figured so prominently in "A Clockwork Orange.") If you like historical films and/or grand costume drama, by all means try to see this film. (P.S.: I saw the film on Bravo; I'm sure that it loses a lot on the small screen, but I still rate it 9/10.)

a brilliant movie,and a great idea to use the same cast in going to and fro between 17th and 20th century England.Only the Brits can make movies like this one.The music of Purcell was superb. Thank goodness that I taped it and can view it again at leisure. (PS I recognised the actress who played Purcell's wife as the one who plays the dumb Australian waitress in the series 'Pilgrims Rest'

It is a wonderful film and Henry Purcell, one of the best English composers around,is a most fascinating composer to write about.

I would really like to buy a DVD or tape of this film but is finding it an impossible task.

I'm wondering where can one get a hold of it? This is merely a question about this film.

Can anyone tell me how I can get a DVD or tape of this movie?

It seems it is unavailable out there for the most part. Anyone who can help me in locating this film, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.