The Importance of Being Earnest with Michael Redgrave: DVD Cover

    The Importance of Being Earnest Director: Anthony Asquith Cast: Michael Redgrave, Edith Evans, Michael Denison, Dorothy Tutin

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    • DVD Release Date: 06/25/2002
    • Original Release: 1952
    • Rating: Not Rated
    • Sales Rank: 5,163

    Viewer Rating: (2 ratings)

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    • Overview
    • Editorial Reviews
    • Scenes
    • Customer Reviews
    • Cast & Crew
    • Full Product Details

    Features

    Digital transfer; Rare production stills with notes by film historian Bruce eder; Original theatrical trailer; English subtitles for the deaf and hearing impaired

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    Scene Index

    Side #1 --
    1. Opening Credits [1:36]
    2. The Question of Cecily [5:28]
    3. The Fine Art of Bunburying [2:57]
    4. Cucumber Sandwiches [5:36]
    5. An Earnest Proposal [4:44]
    6. An Ordinary Handbag [7:49]
    7. A Genuine Monster [2:48]
    8. Cecily's Wonderful Secrets [3:34]
    9. The Latin for Joy [2:47]
    10. Flowers for Algernon [5:04]
    11. Jack's Younger Brother [3:47]
    12. A Great Success [2:01]
    13. Cecily's Childish Dream [7:29]
    14. A Perfectly Canonical Practice [2:22]
    15. Dearest Gwendolyn, Dearest Cecily [8:53]
    16. "Just One Question" [3:44]
    17. An Insuperable Barrier [4:35]
    18. A Life Crowded With Incident [3:28]
    19. Jack Objects [6:26]
    20. "Prism, Where Is That Baby?" [5:57]
    21. The Vital Importance of Being Earnest [4:24]
    22. Color Bars [:00]

    Scene Index

    Editorial Reviews

    Anthony Asquith's adaptation of Oscar Wilde's witty play of mistaken identities stars Michael Redgrave as rich bachelor Jack Worthing. Jack's friend is Algernon Moncrieft (Michael Denison), a poor bloke living on credit. Jack refers mysteriously to Algernon about his country retreat, which drives Algernon to distraction, trying to figure out where Jack goes on the weekends. Jack is also in love with Algernon's attractive cousin Gwendolen (Joan Greenwood). He also has a ward, Cecily Cardew (Dorothy Tutin), who lives at the country estate and studies with local spinster Miss Prism (Margaret Rutherford). When Algernon learns of Cecily, he arrives at the country home claiming to be Jack's brother Earnest, knowing Jack had previously regaled Cecily with tales of having to bail the fictitious Earnest out of scrapes so he could sneak out to the city. Having set her eyes on "Earnest" in the flesh after having heard countless tales of his intrigues, Cecily immediately falls in love with Earnest. Meanwhile, Jack comes back to the country dressed in black, determined to announce to the group the demise of the fictional Earnest. As a result, Jack is stupefied when he sees Earnest standing in front of him. Meanwhile, Algernon's aunt, Lady Bracknell (Edith Evans) refuses to grant permission for Jack and Gwendolen's engagement. However, when Lady Bracknell finds out that Algernon is in love with Cecily, she asks Jack for his blessing on their marriage. Of course, Jack won't give his blessing until Lady Bracknell gives her blessing to his proposed marriage to Gwendolen. All is at a standstill until Lady Bracknell recognizes Miss Prism as a governess from the past who holds secrets concerning both Jack and Algernon. Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide

    Customer Reviews

    • Viewer Rating:
    • Ratings: 2Reviews: 2

    Importance of Being Earnestby Anonymous

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    February 01, 2006: A caveat regarding the messenger, not the message. This delightful play has been reproduced by the "pan and scan" method, resulting in conversations being reduced to isolated heads, talking. In a piece which is so converesation-centric, reactions to words are as important as the words themselves sad to say watching one character speak followed by a reaction shot had my head swiveling as though I were watching a badminton game. Perhaps the brass at Criterion will see fit to put some well deserved polish on this much loved opus by reissuing it in letterbox format, which would greatly enhance viewer enjoyment.

    Importance of Being Earnestby Anonymous

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    June 29, 2004: This Version of Wilde's hillarious book really captures the essance of each character. They are thoroughly developed and heavily focused on what the writing intended. the newer versions focus too much on the characters actions then Wilde's natural whit, not the way it was ment to be enjoyed.