Edward II (1991)

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 ... See full summary »

Director:

Derek Jarman

Writers:

Christopher Marlowe (play), Derek Jarman (screenplay)

Stars:

Steven Waddington, Kevin Collins, Andrew Tiernan

5 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Steven Waddington	...	Edward II
Kevin Collins	...	Lightborn, the Jailor
Andrew Tiernan	...	Piers Gaveston
John Lynch	...	Spencer
Dudley Sutton	...	Bishop of Winchester
Tilda Swinton	...	Isabella
Jerome Flynn	...	Kent
Jody Graber	...	Prince Edward
Nigel Terry	...	Mortimer
Jill Balcon	...	Chorus of Nobility
Barbara New	...	Chorus of Nobility
Andrea Miller	...	Chorus of Nobility
Brian Mitchell	...	Chorus of Nobility
David Glover	...	Chorus of Nobility
John Quentin	...	Chorus of Nobility

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

throne | nobility | gay | king | sex scene | 

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Taglines:

A classic tale of sex, revenge, and love.

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Genres:

Drama | History | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence and sexuality, and for some language

Details

Country:

UK Japan

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

18 October 1991 (UK)

Also Known As:

Eduardo II

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

£750,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,701, 6 May 2018, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$694,438

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Screen Productions, BBC Films, Working Title Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

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.

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Quotes

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

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Connections

Referenced in Designing 'The Long Day Closes' (2014)

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Soundtracks

Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy
Composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Performed and arranged by Dean Broderick

User Reviews

Marlowe,Waddington,Swinton rule

I love Elizabethan drama. I had been on a Kenneth Branagh and William Shakespeare kick(and I guess I still am)when on a whim I bought this film based on the play of the same name by Shakespeare-contemporary Christopher Marlowe. I am very glad I did. Edward II(Steven Waddington of SLEEPY HOLLOW) ditches one icey, repressed Queen Isabella(Tilda Swinton) for another hot and uninhibited queen, gay lover Gaveston. But the romance is doomed when the nobility rises up with Isabella to end the affair. Director Derek Jarman's adaptation is one of those rare films that succeeds set in a time other than in its original setting. He moves the setting and action of the movie to the modern era, and this serves as a more timely backdrop for the movie's pro-gay stance, which seems to me to be its central theme. I really liked Steven Waddington, who was very, very good. And an unexpected surprise came from Tilda Swinton, an actress with whom I am not familiar but whose other work I'd like to see, based on the quality of her performance here. Strongly recommended!!!