Edward II (1992)

100% of critics liked it
(8 reviews)
73% of users liked it
(1,135 ratings)

Two years before director Derek Jarman died of AIDS, he directed this extremely ambitious variation on Christopher Marlowe's 16th-century play. While Marlowe is the root of this film, Jarman has taken a great deal of leeway with the manner of presentation. The story revolves around King Edward's… More Two years before director Derek Jarman died of AIDS, he directed this extremely ambitious variation on Christopher Marlowe's 16th-century play. While Marlowe is the root of this film, Jarman has taken a great deal of leeway with the manner of presentation. The story revolves around King Edward's open homosexuality, which eventually led to his murder and succession. Instead of lush historical settings, the film uses bare walls and dirt floors and puts the cast into smart suits. This "staginess" works to the advantage of Jarman's design, and he takes every opportunity to anachronize. (For example, Annie Lennox shows up to provide a lovely rendition of Cole Porter's "Every Time We Say Goodbye".) A striking film, and a high point of Jarman's career. ~ John Voorhees, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 31 min.
Directed By: Derek Jarman
Written By: Ken Butler, Christopher Marlowe, Derek Jarman, Stephen McBride
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Mar 20, 1992 Limited
On DVD: Jun 14, 2005

Critic Reviews

Don Willmott, Filmcritic.com
impossible to forget
S. James Wegg, JWR
Jarman's adaptation of Christopher Marlowe's [play] still resonates, but more from its depiction of power-at-any-cost than bold representation of homosexual love and culture.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Bares its anger at the ongoing repressive and homophobic nature of the Thatcher British government.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
A highly styized screen version of Christopher Marlowe's 14th century drama
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Weird, fascinating, and not for everyone

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Featured Audience Ratings

Sunil J

I hate that when there are no critics reviews listed, that Flixster just gives it a critical rating of 100%. How annoying! Basically, this movie is a mess that is probably better on stage but a mess moviewise.

Cast

            Steven Waddington as Edward II

            Andrew Tiernan as Piers Gaveston

            Tilda Swinton as Queen Isabella

            Nigel Terry as Mortimer

            Kevin Collins as Lightborn-the Janitor

            Jerome Flynn as Kent

            Dudley Sutton as Bishop of Winchester

            John Lynch as Spencer

            Jody Graber as Prince Edward

            Annie Lennox as Singer

            Christopher Adamson as Thug

            Jill Balcon as Chorus of Nobility

            Dinah Beamish as Elektra Quartet Member

            Daniel Bevan as Youth

            Andrew Lee Bolton as Masseur

            Abigail Brown as Elektra Quartet Member

            Andrew Charleson as Chorus of Nobility

            Nigel Charnock as Dancer

            Barry John Clarke as Man with Snake

            Alan Corduner as Poet

            Kim Dare as Wild Girl

            Giles de Montigny as Soldier of the Guard

            Robb Dennis as Soldier of the Guard

            John Henry Duncan as Altar Boy

            Danny Earl as Thug

            Renee Eyre as Sexy Girl

            Tony Forsyth as Captive Policeman

            Ian Francis as Youth

            David Glover as Chorus of Nobility

            Roger Hammond as Bishop of York

            Andy Jeffrey as Sailor

            Chris McHallem as Thug

            Andrea Miller as Chorus of Nobility

            Sharon Munro as Sexy Girl

            Barbara New as Chorus of Nobility

            Lloyd Newson as Dancer

            James Norton as Youth

            Kristina Overton as Wild Girl

            Jocelyn Pook as Elektra Quartet Member

            John Quentin as Chorus of Nobility

            Liz Ranken as Sexy Girl

            Trevor Skingle as Gym Instructor

            Sonia Slany as Elektra Quartet Member

            Johnathan Stables as Soldier of the Guard

            Kate Temple as Seamstress

            Tristam V. Cones as Youth

            Christopher Hobbs as Equery

            David Oliver as Thug

            Michael Watkins as Soldier of the Guard

            Mark Davis as Sailor

            Sandy Powell as Seamstress

            Brian Mitchell as Chorus of Nobility
See full cast

Edward II (1992)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Sunil J

Cast