Product Description

A fresh look at the classic novel by E.M. Forster. This new interpretation of the novel, by award winning writer Andrew Davies (Bleak House, Pride & Prejudice) is framed poignantly by Lucy's nostalgic return to Italy after the First World War. Starring a line up of fresh British talent including, Timothy and Rafe Spall as Mr Emerson and his son George, Elaine Cassidy as Lucy Honeychurch, and Laurence Fox as Lucy's arrogant suitor Cecil.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3353 in DVD
• Released on: 2009-01-12
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 90 minutes

Synopsis
Television adaptation of the classic novel by E.M. Foster. ROOM WITH A VIEW follows a young English couple who encounter passion in Italy and defying the Victorian conventions of their elders, dare to be true to their feelings and each other.

Customer Reviews

Good idea, bad execution (and bad ending!)
I really liked the idea of this, to do something non-Merchant Ivory with a Forster novel adaptation. It's not that I don't like the MI version, I love it, but I could have put it to one side had this been a great adapataion. Unfortunately it was thoroughly disappointing, especially adding an ending which, if my copy of the book is to be believed, Forster would not have approved of.

The acting is OK on the whole, but it's hard going for the most part because it appears to be trying so hard not to be Merchant Ivory. Timothy Spall and Sophie Thompson are both good, but the leads are too insipid.

On the ending: Forster (in some editions) adds a postscript to the story. In this he quite clearly states that George Emerson refused to go to war in WW1, so that whole section is just an Andrew Davies addition and totally unnecessary, in my opinion, as it adds nothing to the story. Lucy Honeychurch should always be read as a slightly quirky character who feels that she should conform until George shows her the hypocrisy of this. To send him to the Great War in light of this is just wrong!

If you like the Merchant Ivory version, you should probably avoid this, but if you fancy something different, it is worth watching...I'm just warning you, you may find it falls short of expectations given the writer & cast.

Very disappointing
I'm afraid I'm in total agreement with most of the reviews that have already been made. I am a fan of A Room With a View. I read the book and loved it many years ago, it made me then buy the M/I video, which I totally and utterly adored. I considered it one of the most romantic and visually beautiful films that I had seen. The soundtrack was stunning.
So, when I discovered this version I watched it with great interest. I tried to see past the inferior nature of the production and cinematography. I also tried to accept the different actors in the various parts. I even thought the chap who plays George probably a little more likeable (most of the time), but the girl who plays Miss Honeychurch, was to me, so not right for that part. Also, Cecil, was not believable in being an aristocratic, pompous idiot, you actually quite liked him!
The pond scene, which in M/I is very funny, is seriously lacking in this one.
As for the WW2 bits, and the sex scene, I had to refer back to the book to see if it was even in there! Not sure what that was about!

Probably if I hadn't seen the original then I have no doubts that I'd probably be writing a very different review, which is a shame. It's a nice film. There were some beautiful scenes, and some nice acting, but boy, was it a big disappointment! Forget this, don't waste your money, just buy the real mccoy!

Did the dismissives see the same production I did? Surely not!
My God, what are they on about, the people above this review who say this adaptation of `A Room with a View' does not compare with this, that and the other? What utter nonsense. It is a fine, well-acted and well-directed production with outstanding performances all round, an utterly winning and absorbing account of this romantic tale. Well I'm not going to argue with stuffy people with their heads stuck in the past, who always want to point to the original as though a disgusting smell has found its way up their noses. As with a performance at the piano, best to forget what one knows in order to enjoy the better what's on offer. And so much on offer here. To anyone reading this, buy the DVD, you will not be disappointed. It is lovely, breathtaking, romantic, and quite outstanding. Then buy copies for your girlfriends and boyfriends, and anyone else born this side of the age of dinosaurs.

Patrick Noakes