Revengers Tragedy (2002)
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60% of critics liked it
(5 reviews) -
76% of users liked it
(843 ratings)
Revenge, obsession, and the morally ambiguous aristocracy are targets of this adaptation by director Alex Cox of the 17th century dark comic play Revengers Tragedy, written by Shakespeare contemporary Thomas Middleton. The vindictive and mentally unstable Vindici (Christopher Eccleston) has returned… More Revenge, obsession, and the morally ambiguous aristocracy are targets of this adaptation by director Alex Cox of the 17th century dark comic play Revengers Tragedy, written by Shakespeare contemporary Thomas Middleton. The vindictive and mentally unstable Vindici (Christopher Eccleston) has returned to the grimy streets of a post-apocalyptic Liverpool in order to attempt to bring ruin to the ruling family led by the Duke (Derek Jacobi). The Duke was personally responsible for the death of Vindici's fiancée ten years previously when the woman would not yield to the Duke's sexual advances. An opportunity arises for Vindici's vengeance when the Duke's youngest son is accused of raping the wife (Sophie Dahl) of Lord Antonio (Anthony Booth) -- one of the Duke's courtiers. When the Duke's son is acquitted of the rape charges, Lord Antonio's wife dies a mysterious death, which leads to even more havoc in the court of the Duke. Seizing the opportunity, Vindici acts swiftly and violently but the morality of his cause is just as questionable as the aristocracy he is ousting. Revengers Tragedy was a competing film at the 2002 Locarno Film Festival. ~ Ryan Shriver, Rovi
- Directed By
- Alex Cox
- Written By
- Frank Cottrell Boyce
- Genres
- Drama, Horror, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 2001 Limited
Critic Reviews
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Doug Knoop, Seattle Times
Probably destined to join Cox's other films (Sid and Nancy, Repo Man) as a cult favorite.
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Mark Adams, Hollywood Reporter
A gloriously over-the-top revenge comedy-drama that could attract a cult following.
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Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Cox is laughing and enjoying all the twisted ridiculousness of it all.
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Ian Waldron-Mantgani, UK Critic
Could use a few things -- like, I dunno, maybe life, skill, comprehension and the wisdom of knowing that jokes and a sense of humour are not the same thing.
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Jamie Russell, BBC
Ultimately annoys as much as it exhilarates.
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Cast
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Christopher Eccleston
as Vindici
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Eddie Izzard
as Lussurioso
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Derek Jacobi
as The Duke
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Alex Cox
as Duke's Driver
- Kevin Knapman
- Michael Ryan
- Kristopher Lundon
- Joe Cottrell Boyce
- Andrew Schofield
- Anthony Booth
- Diana Quick