Pandaemonium

Starring:Linus Roache, John Hannah, Samantha Morton, Emily Woof, Emma Fielding, Andy Serkis, Samuel West, Michael N. Harbour, William Scott-Masson, Clive Merrison, Dexter Fletcher, Guy Lankester, Andrea Lowe, Jacqueline Defferary, Andy de la Tour, John Kane (II), Colin McCredie, Glyn Owen, Peter Harkness, Niall Vincent
Director: Julien Temple
Studio: Polygram USA Video
Product Type: DVD

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Set in England during the early 19th century, Pandaemonium evokes late-1960s America in its depiction of the relationship between Samuel Taylor Coleridge (Linus Roach) and William Wordsworth (John Hannah). Instead of going to Vietnam, Wordsworth goes off to fight against the French while Coleridge stays at home and promotes utopianism. After the war, the poets live and work together with Coleridge's wife, Sara (Samantha Morton), and Wordsworth's sister, Dorothy (Emily Woof). At first this communal arrangement works to the advantage of Coleridge--who does some of his best writing while Wordsworth stagnates--until Coleridge becomes addicted to opium. Wordsworth, meanwhile, doesn't find his voice until he abandons his friend. In 20th-century vernacular, Wordsworth is the yuppie, Coleridge the hippie. Director Julien Temple (Absolute Beginners) even evokes 1960s cinema with this occasionally overwrought--but often visually stunning--essay on the mysteries of creativity. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Customer Reviews:

Pandaemonium.......2007-03-20

Part drama, part biographical. A story of two writers battling each other as they vie for words and glory. Somewhat dark at times, but nevertheless tells the story of their struggles.

Let's get high and write some poems.......2006-04-26

I watched this movie in one of my classes and I loved it. I did not know that John Hannah was in it, and when I saw him in it I knew I would like it. It is a crazy drug adventure that is beautifully done. If you liked Fear & Loathing you will enjoy this movie, if not...don't bother. No, the movie is not historically accurate. I don't think they wanted it to be, but what they did do is make a great movie. The dialogue is great, and the acting superb.

Pandaemonium is a stellar modern day adaptation of the life of Coleridge and Wordsworth!.......2006-02-15

Linus Roache and John Hannah shine in their portrayal of Samuel Coleridge and William Wordsworth (respectively). This BBC adaptation may alter some factual matters, as this usually is inherant within the dramatic confines of cinema to smooth out rough edges and sharpen the story's singular focus on the lives of the two poets and their accomplishments while leaving a few minor details unmentioned.

One aspect of the film that outshines even the performances is the cinematography, which is first rate. The film's director, Julien temple did a stellar, bravura job of shooting this film, which is set during the French Revolution. The photography of the English landscape is a rich, lush palette of colors. The rolling green hills were expertly shot. One thing I did sadly miss on this DVD is it's lack of a widescreen option, which would have further embellished Julien Temple's photography. From viewing the pan-and-scan version, I would assume that this film is a flat 1.85:1 film, not a scope 2.35:1 due to the picture not feeling too cropped.

The camera moves which show multiple wine glasses falling in slow motion, and also the hallucinogenic effects of opium are very effective. The movie runs at a nice edited, well paced 124 minutes. This allows sufficient time for good character development, but still brief enough to hold its' viewers attention. The movie doesn't try to capture Coleridge and Wordsworth entire lifespans, it simply captures the creative period that occurred during their time spent in close proximity together. Highly Recommended!

a well-told story.......2005-10-02

a visionary, moving and powerful film that truly brings magnificent life to the poetry and a haunting sense of feeling for the characters. The acting is superb and the visuals are stunning.

Great Flick!.......2004-10-26

Although I am biased, I enjoy anything Linus Roache plays in. This is great BBC Film Noir.
This historical appetite in this movie is lacking. The film is great for thinking, and expanding your horizons on the film character. I find the acting to be quiet good, believable, and quirky. The British have a way of making a film that our, "Hollywood," cannot. If you purchase this film be prepared to be amazed at the characters, and their development. I do not give away total plots or more than my feelings in my reviews beacaue I'll not ruin it for future viewers. Interpretation is always as individual as ones tastes! Enjoy this fine BBC offering. The time travel scenes are to make their point well known, and in a timely manner. The flight, and destruction of man is present here. I never knew opium could be such a creative juice for poetry, or anything else. I do like that justice for the betrayer is done in the flick.

Average customer rating:

Pandaemonium
Let's get high and write some poems
Pandaemonium is a stellar modern day adaptation of the life of Coleridge and Wordsworth!
a well-told story
Great Flick!

Pandaemonium
Starring: Linus Roache , John Hannah , Samantha Morton , Emily Woof , and Emma Fielding
Director: Julien Temple
Manufacturer: Polygram USA Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Period Piece | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( P ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B00005UQ9G
Release Date: 2002-02-12

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Pandaemonium.......2007-03-20

Part drama, part biographical. A story of two writers battling each other as they vie for words and glory. Somewhat dark at times, but nevertheless tells the story of their struggles.

Let's get high and write some poems.......2006-04-26

Pandaemonium is a stellar modern day adaptation of the life of Coleridge and Wordsworth!.......2006-02-15

a well-told story.......2005-10-02

a visionary, moving and powerful film that truly brings magnificent life to the poetry and a haunting sense of feeling for the characters. The acting is superb and the visuals are stunning.

Great Flick!.......2004-10-26

Pandaemonium [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2 Import - Great Britain ]

Average customer rating:

Pandaemonium [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2 Import - Great Britain ]
Director: Julien Temple
Manufacturer: Optimum Releasing
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000AL47TY

Product Description

Great Britain released, PAL/Region 2 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: o English (Dolby Digital 2.0) Synopsis: The troubled friendship and occasional rivalry between two of England's greatest poets, Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Wordsworth, is explored in an unorthodox light in this historical drama from renegade director Julian Temple. As Coleridge (Linus Roache), Wordsworth (John Hannah), and Lord Byron (Guy Lankester) await the news of who will be Great Britain's new poet laureate in 1816, Coleridge finds himself thinking back to 1795, when he and Wordsworth were two struggling writers involved in radical politics. Embracing the ideal of an agrarian society, Coleridge moves to the country, accompanied by his wife Sarah (Samantha Morton) and their infant son. Wordsworth soon follows, joined by his often argumentative sister Dorothy (Emily Woof). However, the two writers discover the hard work of maintaining a farm is not as conducive to their literary endeavors as they might have imagined, despite taking most available opportunities to shock the local bourgeoisie. It's not until Coleridge discovers laudanum (a tincture of alcohol and opium) that he finds the inspiration to create his first masterpiece, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. Wordsworth soon finds his friend's fame is far surpassing his own, which brings an uncomfortable jealousy into their relationship; Coleridge, meanwhile, has developed a dangerous fondness for opium, which threatens to drown the creative spirit that it once sparked within him. Pandaemonium received its North American premiere at the 2000 Toronto Film Festival. Special Features: o Commentary o Featurette o Interactive Menu o Scene Access o Trailer(s)

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