The Angelic Conversation (1987)

Director:

Derek Jarman

Writer:

William Shakespeare (sonnets)

Release Date:

28 February 1987 (Japan)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

An unseen woman recites Shakespeare's sonnets - fourteen in all - as a man wordlessly seeks his heart's desire...

Plot Keywords:

Reference To William Shakespeare | Gay Interest | Independent Film

Cast

Paul Reynolds
Phillip Williamson
Judi Dench	...	Narrator
Dave Baby
Timothy Burke
Simon Costin
Christopher Hobbs
Philip McDonald
Toby Mott
Steve Randall
Robert Sharp
Tony Wood

Directed by
Derek Jarman

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
William Shakespeare		sonnets

Produced by
James Mackay	....	producer

Original Music by
John Balance		(as Coil)
Peter Christopherson		(as Coil)
Stephen Thrower		(as Coil)

Cinematography by
Derek Jarman

Film Editing by
Peter Cartwright
Derek Jarman
Cerith Wyn Evans

Sound Department
Adrian Fogarty	....	sound effects

Production Companies

• British Film Institute (BFI)
• Channel Four Films (in association with)

Distributors

• Dolmen (2004) (Italy) (DVD)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

81 min | USA:78 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Company:

British Film Institute (BFI)

Movie Connections:

Features The Pantheon (1978)

Soundtrack:

How to Destroy Angels

Not Jarman's Best

Derek Jarman is a brilliant filmmaker, and along with Peter Greenaway, probably the most important British filmmaker of the Post WW2 era.

The Angelic Conversation, while a quality work of extraordinary textural richness, isn't Jarman's best. The problem here lies partially in the editing. It's far too aesthetically disjointed and the optical effects seem cheap and reaching. Maybe it's because a million so-called experimental filmmakers have achieved similar results to a much less pointed effect. That kind of copying unfortunately makes this film seem tired, though the soundtrack and script are spectacular.

It is also Jarman's most personal film aside from perhaps, Blue. This is unfortunate, because Jarman has always been most effective when he looks outward. Sebastione, for instance, was a brilliant historical film that literally transports you back in time and The Garden was a scathing political portrait of fin de siecle England under Thatcher. See those before you watch this, but all Jarman is interesting. Coil fans will also appreciate their contribution to this film.