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6 Degrees Entertainment

'Wallis & Edward'
(Joely Richardson, Stephen Campbell Moore, et al / DVD / NR / 2007 / Acorn Media)

Overview: A dramatisation of the Royal scandal that shocked the world. Following Prince Edward from the time when he meets the love of his life, the American Mrs Wallis Simpson and continues after he has abdicated the throne in 1936.

DVD Verdict: Telling the story (albeit an essentially cut down version of the 'Edward and Mrs Simpson' series of the 70s/80s) about the love affair between American divorcee Wallis Simpson (Joely Richardson) and David, Prince of Wales (Stephen Campbell Moore); which brought down a monarch, 'Wallis & Edward' is (at its finest) a cinematic triumph for sure. Although Edward's brother and successor, the future King George VI (Bill Champion), is portrayed as stuttering and ill at ease, and his wife, Elizabeth (Monica Dolan), is occasionally referenced in less than adoring terms, the film could have been sanctioned by the royal family itself.

There are suggestions of some of the vitriol spewed about Wallis Simpson when she and David Windsor were openly flaunting their relationship while she was still married to Ernest Simpson (David Westhead), but the film abstains from deciding whether Wallis was a schemer or simply a victim of great love. The smear campaign against her was so successful, you'll still hear references today to her supposed activities in Far East brothels and her particular sexual skills.

The film begins when they meet and ends when they are sent packing to the Continent and disinvited from Bertie's - George VI's - coronation. "Wallis & Edward" would have taken on a certain poignancy if it had flashed forward to the Duke of Windsor's death in 1972 and subsequently depicted Wallis being allowed to return to England for the funeral and stay in Buckingham Palace, after decades of official indifference from her husband's family. But, alas, writer Sarah Williams and director David Moore are interested only in skimming the familiar surface of a story that captivated the world in 1936.

Richardson and Stephen Campbell Moore acquit themselves well enough in their roles, although Richardson's American accent feels a bit over-practiced in spots. David Calder has a nice bit as Winston Churchill, and Richard Johnson does a fine turn as the prime minister, Stanley Baldwin. But, as noted above, if you've seen the 'Edward and Mrs Simpson' mini-series, you'll be sorely disappointed with this one. This is a Full Screen Presentation (4:3) and comes with the Special Features of:
Interview with writer Sarah Williams
Production Notes
Production Photo Gallery
Historical Photo Gallery
Cast Filmographies

www.AcornMedia.com





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