Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4225 in DVD
• Released on: 2008-09-15
• Rating: Universal, suitable for all
• Formats: Black & White, PAL
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 92 minutes

Synopsis
In David Lean's adaptation of Noel Coward's three-act farce, an English mystery novelist invites a medium over for dinner in the hopes of gathering enough material for his latest book, as well as exposing her as a charlatan. However, a series of incidents occur during the course of the evening, which result in a chain of supernatural events being set in motion which wreak havoc on his present marriage, while bringing to light serious flaws in his previous one.

Customer Reviews

Coward at his best
Just superb from the very start, and when Elvira arrives the story begins in earnest.

Witty one liners, po-faced sullenness only a dead wife meeting her replacement results in some wonderful exchanges between wives (living and dead) and husband.

Rex Harrison seems delighted throughout to have two, albeit one dead, wives squabbling over him and his stiff-upper-lipped quips ensure for a hilarity from the beginning!

Golden Oldie
Slick dialogue, beautifully crafted by real actors who are not so far in love with themselves, like todays so-called "Stars", that they keep the story in focus rather than flaunting their pitiful little egos. Crisp direction by a Director who did not have to pander to the Stars of the film. Even the lesser characters fall into place like wet soap into the bath. What could have been a travesty of the original story unfolded beautifully. Very, very seldom do the megabucks Hollywood set produce such gems. Scriptwriters deserve a special pat on the back for a flawless interweaving of wit from the characters. Hollywood take note. Go back to the older classics and learn a thing or two. All in all, delightful to watch.

Dated and Delightful
Blithe Spirit is one of the best comedies from the first half of the twentieth century. Written by Noel Coward, so witty, sophisticated and highly amusing. Margaret Rutherford gives the performance of a lifetime as Madam Arcati, a medium who conjures up an unexpected guest at a dinner party. The resulting chaos is cleverly managed and the ending a stroke of genius. Very well acted, produced and directed.