The Winslow Boy

Starring:Matthew Pidgeon, Rebecca Pidgeon, Gemma Jones, Nigel Hawthorne, Lana Bilzerian, Sarah Flind, Aden Gillett, Guy Edwards (II), Colin Stinton, Eve Bland, Sara Stewart, Perry Fenwick, Alan Polonsky, Jeremy Northam, Neil North, Chris Porter, Jim Dunk, Duncan Gould, Ian Soundy
Director: David Mamet
Studio: Sony Pictures
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Many thought The Winslow Boy was an odd choice of material for David Mamet. It was originally a Terence Rattigan play from 1946, taken from a true incident in England in 1908 about a boy, 13, discharged from Royal Naval College for allegedly stealing and cashing a five-shilling postal order. The boy's father, Arthur Winslow (Nigel Hawthorne), mounts a lengthy and expensive legal campaign to clear his boy's and by extension his own name, with the rallying cry, "Let right be done!" The resultant notoriety, the dwindling fortune of the Winslows, as well as the punishment this pressure exacts on them, form the surface action of the story. Yet underneath the staid manners of the dialogue there roils a whole emotional life hardly hinted at in the actors' faces. The famous lawyer engaged to defend the boy, Sir Robert Morton (Jeremy Northam), makes a suitable sparring partner for the Winslows' daughter, Catherine (Rebecca Pidgeon), a suffragette whose suitors are scared off by the family's legal battle. The unspoken romance between these two is more the point than whether right is done or not. Pidgeon brings the same inscrutable countenance that complicated her role in Mamet's previous film, The Spanish Prisoner, to this film--but here everybody seems to have it. As the differences between appearance and actuality reconcile themselves, Mamet builds bridges to his other works, House of Games and The Spanish Prisoner, for instance, for the ways in which dialogue is a cover for someone's true nature. The Winslow Boy is masterful in its quiet treatment of human mysteries. --Jim Gay

Customer Reviews:

Good not great; unfulfilled potential........2007-01-11

With this being one of the last, if not the last, performances by Nigel Hawthorne, my wife and I expected something really good. Moreover, other reviewers had generally rated the show with five stars. We enjoyed the story, to be sure, but giving it five stars may do an injustice to other outstanding British and other productions we've seen lately. Not least of these have been "North and South" and "Pride and Prejudice." Both the 1979 and 1995 renderings of the latter fall into a five star mode for us.

The story line revolves around the Winslow family, with Nigel Hawthorne as patriarch. He and his wife, played by Gemma Jones, have three offspring, a daughter and two sons. The younger son, Ronnie, gets into trouble at his Navy prep school when he's only 13 years old. A money order is stolen, forged, and cashed, and Ronnie is accused of the crime. After a one-sided review, Ronnie is expelled in disgrace and sent home. Mr. Winslow is outraged and spends the next several years of his life, along with a great share of the family fortune fighting for legal justice. The Winslow daughter, portrayed by Rebecca Pidgeon, is also drawn deeply into the case with little or no reward for her efforts.

Pacing of the show is noticeably slow. It plods along for the better part of 1 hour and 45 minutes with no hint of what will come. There is little wit and humor that you'd expect from a cast featuring Mr. Hawthorne. This is a dead serious drama all the way. One wonders if more background music would have helped. Also, as with other British productions, it may be advisable for we Americans to switch on subtitles. British idioms and sayings are not easy for us to pick up and the actors move on quickly with their dialogue.

Conclusion of the show is particularly bothersome as we are told that the case is eloquently argued in court by the hero, Sir Robert Morton, well played by Jeremy Northam. But we don't get to see any of the key proceedings and the long-sought victory is almost treated as an afterthought. To top it off, Sir Robert makes a vague comment to the Winslow daughter that might suggest a romantic follow-up on his part. But there the story ends abruptly. What could David Mamet, the writer and director, have been thinking? Did he run out of money? Or, maybe Mr. Hawthorne's failing health may have affected the production?

As to the "making of" featurette, it was skimpy to say the least. Yes, there were brief interviews with Mr. Mamet and Mr. Hawthorne, but very little else.

For those interested in period dramas, there are better choices, as noted above. For us, "The Winslow Boy" was good but not great and sadly does not fulfill its potential.

If you're a parent,, you'll love this movie.......2007-01-10

Saga of an early 20th century British family whose youngest son is tried and convicted of stealing at a military school. An education in parenting, sacrifice and endurance as they fight to save the honor of a young boy. Brilliant screenplay and acting. One of my favorite movies of all time!

Everyone needs to see this!.......2007-01-04

This is a lesson in how to take the "High Road" or as the movie say, "Let right be done." A tightly written and acted movie with excellent performances by ALL the actors. This one is hard to beat!

Great film; terrible DVD transfer.......2006-12-27

It appears that the other reviewers have neglected to remark on the video transfer quality of this wonderful film. It is, in a word, dreadful. Anyone watching this DVD on a widescreen monitor--even a computer monitor--will notice that it appears to have been transferred from an out-of-focus, low quality original print. Such a pity! The subtle visual nuances of the original film are obscured; the gross imperfections are very distracting.

5 stars for all except Ms. Pidgeon.......2006-09-06

This is the film where you cannot help but fall in love with Jeremy Northam. He is absolutely magnetic. He doesn't even come on screen til 47 minutes into it, but he's the one who is the heart of the film.

The soul of the film is the imperative of Right. That the need for Right is more important than a son's Oxford education, a daughter's marriage, and a mother's comfort.

It's a beautifully acted, written and nuanced film. The one glaring detraction in the film is the *itchiness of the Pidgeon character. I don't care how reserved the English are supposed to be, I don't think her character was meant to be so mean, cold and just plain soul-less. Fortunately, every other character makes up for her lack, thus the 5 star rating. Which tells you how strong the other elements are, especially Northam.

Average customer rating:

Cute and Funny
I've Never Seen It Yet!
not hot
This film Rawks >3
Love this movie!

The Biggest Fan
Starring: Chris Trousdale , Kaila Amariah , Marissa Tait , Richard Moll , and Shanelle Workman
Director: Michael Meyer (III) , and Michael Criscione
Manufacturer: Goldhil Home Media
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:

Up Close
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Dream Street
Live: The Beautiful Soul Tour

ASIN: B0007P0XL4
Release Date: 2005-05-17

Description

One Dream - One Love - 1 Chance! Teen heartthrob Chris Trousdale, lead singer of popular boy band Dream Street finds himself hiding out in the house of his biggest fan. It's off the hook as he turns the life of his No. 1 fan upside-down. Hit songs from Dream Street, Ruby Blue and Play featuring Chris Trousdale. Includes performances by Dream Street. When the biggest fan meets her biggest fantasy... Bonus Features: Cast Bios, Behind the Scenes, Photo Gallery Starring: Kaila Amariah, Cindy Williams, Richard Moll, Chris Trousdale, Don Gibb, Pat Morita as Mr. Lim in THE BIGGEST FAN Starring Michael Winslow, Leslie Easterbrook, Shanelle Workman, and Co-Starring Morgan Brittany, Erin Cahill, Marissa Tait, Adam Wylie, Claudia Swan, Courtnee Draper, James Hong, Ronnie Schell.

Customer Reviews:

Cute and Funny.......2007-05-14

Chris is totally adorable and a very good actor to boot! I recommend this movie to every teen music buff. The movie on the whole was VERY STUPID but so much so that it was very enjoyable at the same time. Really good actors (Richard Moll of Night Court fame) and others. A really fun movie recommended for all ages.

I've Never Seen It Yet!.......2007-04-11

I Like Chris Trousdale,And I've Seen The Trailer For This Movie,But I Have Never Seen IT. I've Heared About Of Bad Things About It But Who Cares I Still Want It! Its Just Driving Me Crazy That With All The Techo. Noone Has Ripped It Off DVD And Put It On The Internet.

I Was Told That The Aaron Carter "Popstar" Movie Is A "Rip Off" Of This On. Everyone Had Bad Thoughts Of That Movie Too But I Loved It! I'm Still Waiting For Chris's Solo Album To Come Out!

not hot.......2007-03-22

okay so i watched the movie with a friend at my place first i thought the dvd wasnt worcking very good and i tested it on the 4 dvds i own the view of the moviewas horrible first i think i could tape it bymyself and second the sound is just terrible also chirs looks so young in the movie and the girl looks awful also i think my parents were born when they made this movie oh my gosh is so old im just saing the truth man i gave like a gift the dvd to my maid god people this movie really sucks ! i first bought it because i saw all the great reviews and saw the hottie on the cover but come on chirs is like 13 when he filmed the movie and he has the hair up like weeew just belive me if you are wanting to buy a movie just like mean girls but with a lot of love THIS IS JUST NOT THE MOVIE trust me.

This film Rawks >3.......2006-04-17

x.id just like to say that this is the best film ive seen lately, seen it first on nickelodeon and totally lurved it, so ordered it off here and waited 5 months for them to send it to the Uk and since then ive totally fell in love with dream street's music and ordered there albums off here aswell lol.x

x.id recomend to everyone cause its a awesome movie with really talented actor/actresses in.x

Love this movie! .......2006-04-08

If you are looking for the ultimate sweet movie that tells of just about every teenage girl's dream come true, then definitely buy The Biggest Fan. Chris Trousdale, solo recording artist, plays the lead role as himself as he winds up hiding in the house of one of his biggest fans, Debbie. Debbie has to keep this big secret to herself and in the mean time gets to know the real Chris Trousdale and just how sweet he really is.
The music in this movie is awesome and it is the perfect one to watch with your kids. Dream Street fans and Chris Trousdale fans you will not be disappointed. Chris is definitely a natural born actor, so talented! I guarantee you'll want to watch it again and again.

Charlie Rose with David Mamet & Rebecca Pidgeon; Christopher Buckley; Patrick McCarthy (April 27, 1999)

Average customer rating:

Charlie Rose with David Mamet & Rebecca Pidgeon; Christopher Buckley; Patrick McCarthy (April 27, 1999)

Manufacturer: Charlie Rose
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Description

Writer-director David Mamet and actress Rebecca Pidgeon discuss their new film The Winslow Boy, Pidgeon's new CD of Scottish folk songs, and Mamet's long and distinguished career as one of the most celebrated living American playwrights. Then, Christopher Buckley talks about his new novel, Little Green Men, which satirizes American politics, as well as his opinions of the Clinton presidency and the nuances of journalism in the U.S. Finally, Patrick McCarthy discusses his magazines, W and Women's Wear Daily, and offers his perspectives on the cultures of high fashion and celebrity.

Average customer rating:

Good not great; unfulfilled potential.
If you're a parent,, you'll love this movie
Everyone needs to see this!
Great film; terrible DVD transfer
5 stars for all except Ms. Pidgeon

The Winslow Boy [Region 2]
Starring: Matthew Pidgeon , Rebecca Pidgeon , Gemma Jones , Nigel Hawthorne , and Lana Bilzerian
Director: David Mamet
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005B3P4

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Good not great; unfulfilled potential........2007-01-11

If you're a parent,, you'll love this movie.......2007-01-10

Everyone needs to see this!.......2007-01-04

This is a lesson in how to take the "High Road" or as the movie say, "Let right be done." A tightly written and acted movie with excellent performances by ALL the actors. This one is hard to beat!

Great film; terrible DVD transfer.......2006-12-27

5 stars for all except Ms. Pidgeon.......2006-09-06

The Winslow Boy [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2.4 Import - Australia ]

Average customer rating:

LET RIGHT BE DONE...

The Winslow Boy [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2.4 Import - Australia ]
Director: David Mamet
Manufacturer: Columbia
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Product Description

Australia released, PAL/Region 2.4 DVD: it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada. LANGUAGES: English (Dolby Surround), German (Dolby Surround), Arabic (Subtitles), Czech (Subtitles), Danish (Subtitles), Dutch (Subtitles), English (Subtitles), Finnish (Subtitles), German (Subtitles), Hebrew (Subtitles), Hindi (Subtitles), Hungarian (Subtitles), Norwegian (Subtitles), Polish (Subtitles), Swedish (Subtitles), Turkish (Subtitles), WIDESCREEN, SYNOPSIS: Based on real life events in 1912 England, this exquisitely crafted film tells of Ronnie Winslow, a 13-year-old navel cadel expelled from the Academy for stealing a five-shilling postal note, and his father, London Banker Arthur Winslow's (Nigel Hawthorne), all-consuming attempt to prove his innocence. When Arthur enlists famed barrister Sir Robert Morton (Jeremy Northam), the case is taken to court where a mysterious and surprising chain of events are unravelled, turning the matter into a national obsession. As the strain on the Winslow family threatens its downfall, both emotionally and financially, the entire country stood transfixed for a verdict.
SPECIAL FEATURES: Trailer(s), Scene Access, Interactive Menu, Filmographies, Commentary, Collectors Edition, Biographies,

Customer Reviews:

LET RIGHT BE DONE..........2006-08-07

All lovers of period pieces should enjoy this one. This remake, based upon the play by Terrence Rattigan, takes place in the early part of the twentieth century, before the advent of World War I. A thirteen year old Naval cadet is excused of stealing a postal order and subsequently expelled. He claims that he did not do it, despite seeming evidence to the contrary. His upstanding and prosperous family rally around him. After going to the Naval academy from which he was expelled and having their entreaties fall upon deaf ears, they decide to take the unprecedented step of suing the Crown.

The family retains the services of a well respected barrister, Sir Robert Morton, played with British reserve by the always wonderful Jeremy Northam, who agrees to represent the boy. The case becomes a cause celebre all over England, and Sir Morton's client becomes known as that Winslow boy, a notoriety that shakes the boy's very proper family to its core. While the case wends its way through the English legal system, tension between the boy's intelligent, bluestocking sister, gravely played by Rebecca Pidgeon, and his barrister bubbles to the surface.

The courtroom scenes do not dominate the drama, though they are interesting. The outcome of the lawsuit is, of course, predictable. Yet, it is of no consequence, since the movie is not really about the resolution of the case. The movie ends on a note of romantic hope, as it wittily augers what is surely to come.

Another version of this film, released in 1948, is just as good as this one. There, Margaret Leighton does a better job than Rebecca Pidgeon in the role of the bluestocking sister, while the barrister role is better served by Jeremy Northam than Robert Donat. It is easy to make the comparison, since both films are nearly word for word the same. One is shot in black and white, the other in color. They are both, however, excellent.

Average customer rating:

Good not great; unfulfilled potential.
If you're a parent,, you'll love this movie
Everyone needs to see this!
Great film; terrible DVD transfer
5 stars for all except Ms. Pidgeon

The Winslow Boy [Region 2]
Starring: Matthew Pidgeon , Rebecca Pidgeon , Gemma Jones , Nigel Hawthorne , and Lana Bilzerian
Director: David Mamet
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Indie & Art House | Stores | DVD | Video

( W ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

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ASIN: B00004RCNK

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Customer Reviews:

Good not great; unfulfilled potential........2007-01-11

If you're a parent,, you'll love this movie.......2007-01-10

Everyone needs to see this!.......2007-01-04

This is a lesson in how to take the "High Road" or as the movie say, "Let right be done." A tightly written and acted movie with excellent performances by ALL the actors. This one is hard to beat!

Great film; terrible DVD transfer.......2006-12-27

5 stars for all except Ms. Pidgeon.......2006-09-06

Average customer rating:

LET RIGHT BE DONE...

The Winslow Boy [Region 2]
Starring: Matthew Pidgeon , Rebecca Pidgeon , Gemma Jones , Nigel Hawthorne , and Lana Bilzerian
Director: David Mamet
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Indie & Art House | Stores | DVD | Video

( W ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B00004VXZU

Customer Reviews:

LET RIGHT BE DONE..........2006-05-03

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