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God Rot Tunbridge Wells!

  • TV Movie
  • 19851985
  • 1h 59m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
40
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
42,095
42,425
God Rot Tunbridge Wells! (1985)
BiographyDramaMusic
At death's door, George Frederic Handel reflects, rages, and narrates his life. From his womanizing youthful days, to his rise in fame as a composer, God Rot Tunbridge Wells! pulls no punche... Read allAt death's door, George Frederic Handel reflects, rages, and narrates his life. From his womanizing youthful days, to his rise in fame as a composer, God Rot Tunbridge Wells! pulls no punches in this wild romp of a biopic.At death's door, George Frederic Handel reflects, rages, and narrates his life. From his womanizing youthful days, to his rise in fame as a composer, God Rot Tunbridge Wells! pulls no punches in this wild romp of a biopic.
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
40
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
42,095
42,425
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Tony Palmer
    • Writer
      • John Osborne
    • Stars
      • Trevor Howard
      • Dave Griffiths
      • Christopher Bramwell
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Tony Palmer
    • Writer
      • John Osborne
    • Stars
      • Trevor Howard
      • Dave Griffiths
      • Christopher Bramwell
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 5User reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • Photos

    God Rot Tunbridge Wells! (1985)
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    Top cast

    Edit
    Trevor Howard
    Trevor Howard
    • Georg Friedrich Handel
    Dave Griffiths
    • Middle-aged Handel
    Christopher Bramwell
    • Young Handel
    Ranald Neilson
    • The Boy Handel
    Tracey Spence
    • Mary Granville
    Anne Downie
    • Vittoria Turquini
    Simon Donald
    Simon Donald
    • Prince Ruspoll
    Peter Stanger
    • Domenico Scarlatti
    Beth Robens
    • Handel's Mother
    Mitzi Mueller
    • Francesca Cuzzoni
    Elizabeth Lax
    • The Second Soprano
    Chris Young
    • Buxtehude
    Caroline Woolley
    • Marie Sallé
    Shona Drummond
    • The Handmaiden
    Isabella Connell
    • The Princess of Wales
    John Hibbs
    • Various Affronted Persons
    Elizabeth Harwood
    • Singer 'I know that my Redeemer liveth'
    James Bowman
    • Singer 'Ombra mai fu'
    • Director
      • Tony Palmer
    • Writer
      • John Osborne
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      That this was filmed in Dublin is highly significant. You might think of the emigre Handel as England's greatest composer, but it was the Irish who put him on the route to posterity, by being the first to give The Messiah a rapturous reception - in Dublin. Prior to that he was known mainly for Baroque operas in Italian now mostly forgotten.
    • Quotes

      Georg Friedrich Handel: I do not think that I have been truly corruptible. I may have, yes, have been... pagan ...in spirit, but I have always known there is more sincerity in religion than politics. More truth also.

    • Crazy credits
      The opening credits are written as if they were a comment on the action, and they paraphrase Shakespeare: "Flatbroke Films presents A Tragic Historical Comedy, or A Comic historical Tragedy Or What You Will". The names of the actors and creative staff are all written with a "Mr." or "Mrs." preceding the name, just as they would have been in the eighteenth century.
    • Soundtracks
      I know that my Redeemer liveth
      Music by George Frideric Handel (as G.F. Händel)

      Performed by 'Elizabeth Harwood'

    User reviews5

    Review
    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    Sheer delight - both aurally and visually!
    This is a film I go back to every couple of years, remembering how I enjoyed it the last time, and every (re)viewing reinforces my feeling that it is indeed a treat, a delight, a gem.

    First, of course, we have the Music. Handel wrote some of the most magnificent "tunes" (as a character calls them in the film) in Western culture and this music is clearly the centerpiece of the film. Although not played on original instruments, it still sounds fantastic and the singing is divine (just watch and listen to young Emma Kirkby in "But Who May Abide" from Messiah - music to die for!)

    Secondly, there is the presence (perhaps omnipresence) of Trevor Howard, playing the final moments of Handel as if feeling his own death approaching (he died just two short years later). What charisma this actor had, what magnificent voice, what a mesmerizing performer. Also, it does not bother a bit that Christopher Bramwell plays young Handel in a virtual tongue-in-cheek manner. This only underlines the levity and insouciance of the young composer about to conquer the world.

    So what if John Osborne's script is more a reflection of himself than of Handel, as a reviewer previously noted? This is not a filmed biography, but an entertainment and as such, it has few peers. Still, I believe that Handel's love for England was real as indeed there is much to love and admire in that country.

    The visual aspects of the film are beautifully done - the costumes, the long shots of cities and palaces, the (probably true) behaviour off and on stage in the 18th century. It all rings true.

    So, a witty, literate and well-researched script, sublime music wonderfully performed, great acting and beautiful visuals. What else do you need in a film?
    helpful•6
    1
    • donita51
    • Jan 15, 2013

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 6, 1985 (United Kingdom)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • Sweden
      • West Germany
      • Netherlands
      • Austria
      • Switzerland
      • Canada
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Georg Friedric Händel
    • Filming locations
      • Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland
    • Production companies
      • Ladbroke Films
      • RM Associates
      • Channel Four
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 59 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono

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