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Edward II

  • 19911991
  • RR
  • 1h 27m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
2.7K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Tilda Swinton, Andrew Tiernan, and Steven Waddington in Edward II (1991)
King Edward II hands the power-craving nobility the perfect excuse by taking as lover besides his diplomatic wife, the French princess Isabel, not an acceptable lady at court but the ambitious Piers Gaveston, who uses his favor in bed even to wield political influence - the stage is set for a palace revolt which sends the gay pair from the throne to a terminal torture dungeon.
Play trailer2:11
1 Video
81 Photos
  • Drama
  • History
  • Romance

In this Derek Jarman version of Christopher Marlowe's Elizabethan drama, in modern costumes and settings, Plantagenet king Edward II hands the power-craving nobility the perfect excuse by ta... Read allIn this Derek Jarman version of Christopher Marlowe's Elizabethan drama, in modern costumes and settings, Plantagenet king Edward II hands the power-craving nobility the perfect excuse by taking as lover besides his diplomatic wife, the French princess Isabel, not an acceptable l... Read allIn this Derek Jarman version of Christopher Marlowe's Elizabethan drama, in modern costumes and settings, Plantagenet king Edward II hands the power-craving nobility the perfect excuse by taking as lover besides his diplomatic wife, the French princess Isabel, not an acceptable lady at court but the ambitious Piers Gaveston, who uses his favor in bed even to wield pol... Read all

IMDb RATING
6.8/10
2.7K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Derek Jarman
  • Writers
    • Christopher Marlowe(play)
    • Derek Jarman(screenplay)
    • Stephen McBride(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Steven Waddington
    • Kevin Collins
    • Andrew Tiernan
Top credits
  • Director
    • Derek Jarman
  • Writers
    • Christopher Marlowe(play)
    • Derek Jarman(screenplay)
    • Stephen McBride(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Steven Waddington
    • Kevin Collins
    • Andrew Tiernan
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 23User reviews
    • 30Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 5 wins & 2 nominations

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:11
    Trailer

    Photos81

    Jody Graber and Tilda Swinton in Edward II (1991)
    Andrew Tiernan in Edward II (1991)
    Tilda Swinton, Andrew Tiernan, and Steven Waddington in Edward II (1991)
    Tilda Swinton, Andrew Tiernan, and Steven Waddington in Edward II (1991)
    Jody Graber, Tilda Swinton, Andrew Tiernan, and Steven Waddington in Edward II (1991)
    Tilda Swinton, Andrew Tiernan, and Steven Waddington in Edward II (1991)
    Tilda Swinton, Andrew Tiernan, and Steven Waddington in Edward II (1991)
    Tilda Swinton in Edward II (1991)
    Roger Hammond, John Quentin, and Nigel Terry in Edward II (1991)
    Steven Waddington in Edward II (1991)
    Steven Waddington in Edward II (1991)
    Tilda Swinton in Edward II (1991)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Steven Waddington
    Steven Waddington
    • Edward IIas Edward II
    Kevin Collins
    Kevin Collins
    • Lightborn, the Jailoras Lightborn, the Jailor
    Andrew Tiernan
    Andrew Tiernan
    • Piers Gavestonas Piers Gaveston
    John Lynch
    John Lynch
    • Spenceras Spencer
    Dudley Sutton
    Dudley Sutton
    • Bishop of Winchesteras Bishop of Winchester
    Tilda Swinton
    Tilda Swinton
    • Isabellaas Isabella
    Jerome Flynn
    Jerome Flynn
    • Kentas Kent
    Jody Graber
    • Prince Edwardas Prince Edward
    Nigel Terry
    Nigel Terry
    • Mortimeras Mortimer
    Jill Balcon
    Jill Balcon
    • Chorus of Nobilityas Chorus of Nobility
    Barbara New
    • Chorus of Nobilityas Chorus of Nobility
    Andrea Miller
    • Chorus of Nobilityas Chorus of Nobility
    Brian Mitchell
    Brian Mitchell
    • Chorus of Nobilityas Chorus of Nobility
    David Glover
    • Chorus of Nobilityas Chorus of Nobility
    John Quentin
    • Chorus of Nobilityas Chorus of Nobility
    Andrew Charleson
    • Chorus of Nobilityas Chorus of Nobility
    Roger Hammond
    Roger Hammond
    • Bishopas Bishop
    Allan Corduner
    Allan Corduner
    • Poetas Poet
    • Director
      • Derek Jarman
    • Writers
      • Christopher Marlowe(play)
      • Derek Jarman(screenplay)
      • Stephen McBride(screenplay)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    In this Derek Jarman version of Christopher Marlowe's Elizabethan drama, in modern costumes and settings, Plantagenet king Edward II hands the power-craving nobility the perfect excuse by taking as lover besides his diplomatic wife, the French princess Isabel, not an acceptable lady at court but the ambitious Piers Gaveston, who uses his favor in bed even to wield political influence - the stage is set for a palace revolt which sends the gay pair from the throne to a terminal torture dungeon. —KGF Vissers
    • gay
    • new queer cinema
    • brother brother relationship
    • uncle nephew relationship
    • transvestite
    • 153 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • A classic tale of sex, revenge, and love.
    • Genres
      • Drama
      • History
      • Romance
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated R for strong violence and sexuality, and for some language
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In the first scene between the Queen and Mortimer, Tilda Swinton carries an Hermes bag that, at £3,900, was more valuable than the cost of the set she was standing on.
    • Quotes

      [first lines]

      Edward II: My father is deceased. Come Gaveston, and share the kingdom with thy dearest friend.

    • Connections
      Edited into Screen Two: Edward II (1993)
    • Soundtracks
      Every Time We Say Goodbye
      Written by Cole Porter
      Performed by Annie Lennox
      Courtesy of BMG Ariola

    User reviews23

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    Thoroughly brilliant
    Edward II makes a brilliant hodge-podge of history by vaulting a sixteenth century play about a fourteenth century English king onto a dark, abstract twentieth century stage. Iconoclastic, yes; anachronistic, yes; imbecilic, no. While on the page Marlowe's poetry speaks for itself, in director Derek Jarman's hands it provides a counterpoint to the film's daring, elegant, eloquent visuals. King Edward and his lover, Piers Gaveston, are attacked by the raving heteronormative toffs for their homosexuality and Gaveston's less-than-aristocratic background. Great moments include a cameo by Annie Lennox and a bull's-eye by Tilda Swinton.
    helpful•33
    18
    • jeannine1980
    • Mar 20, 2005

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 18, 1991 (United Kingdom)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • Japan
    • Languages
      • English
      • Italian
    • Also known as
      • Eduardo II
    • Filming locations
      • London, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • British Screen Productions
      • BBC Films
      • Working Title Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • £750,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $699,264
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $28,318
      • Mar 22, 1992
    • Gross worldwide
      • $706,131
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 27 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.66 : 1

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    Jul 20ScreenDaily

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