The Importance of Being Earnest (TV 1986)

Algy and Jack discover that they have both been "Bunberrying", that is, assuming different identities in order to enjoy themselves in a guilt-free manner. Jack's pretending to be his ... See full summary »

Director:

Stuart Burge

Writer:

Oscar Wilde (play)

Stars:

Paul McGann, Rupert Frazer, Alec McCowen

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Paul McGann	...	John Worthing
Rupert Frazer	...	Algernon Moncrieff
Alec McCowen	...	Dr. Chasuble
John Quarmby	...	Merriman
John Woodnutt	...	Lane
Joan Plowright	...	Lady Bracknell
Amanda Redman	...	Gwendolen
Natalie Ogle	...	Cecily
Gemma Jones	...	Miss Prism
Peter Copley	...	Grisby

Storyline

Algy and Jack discover that they have both been "Bunberrying", that is, assuming different identities in order to enjoy themselves in a guilt-free manner. Jack's pretending to be his foolish younger brother, Ernest in order to be a model of moral rectitude to his young ward, Cecily. Jack intends to propose to Gwendolyn--that is until he discovers that she loves him because his name is Ernest. He sets about being rechristened. And when Cecily intends to meet her bad cousin Ernest, and Algy seizes the opportunity, it will take the imperious Lady Bracknell, Miss Prism's recollections about her handbag, and an army list to clear the matter up, and allow true love to run its course.

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Plot Keywords:

farce | based on play

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Also Known As:

Theatre Night: The Importance of Being Earnest

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Lady Bracknell was offered to Coral Browne.

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Goofs

(at around 1h 40 mins) just after Miss Prism says 'there is the lady who can tell you who you really are', a microphone can be seen at the top of the screen.

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Connections

Version of The Importance of Being Earnest (1992)

User Reviews

fairly good but something of a curio

DVD notes for this adaptation claim it is not the 'four act version of the play' - without reference to the text I can't say for sure what has been added or subtracted. However, the play as most of us know it remains intact.

As Jack and Algy, Paul McGann and Rupert Frazer are OK but not fantastic. Joan Plowright is an interesting Lady Bracknell, but not really my idea of the character. And Amanda Redman impresses as Gwendolyn. In minor roles Gemma Jones and Alec McCowen provide the characters of Prism and Chasable with comic relief, not always the best policy but one which works here.

Rather pedestrian and not likely to disturb memories of Redgrave/Denison/Evans in the 1950s, this Earnest is rather more of a damp squib than a raging flame.