Film Movement Classics

Edward II

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This special limited edition slipcover (designed by Steak Mtn) is limited to 1,000 units and is only available on our website and at select indie retailers. Absolutely no major retailers will be stocking them.

Founded in 2002 as one of the first-ever subscription film services with its DVD-of-the-Month Film Club, Film Movement is now a North American distributor of award-winning independent and foreign films based in New York City. In 2015, Film Movement launched the reissue label Film Movement Classics featuring new restorations released theatrically as well as on home video, with an emphasis on films by auteur directors such as Eric Rohmer, Peter Greenaway and Takeshi Kitano.

In this new restoration of the iconic New Queer Cinema classic, Derek Jarman offers a postmodern take on Christopher Marlowe’s Elizabethan drama. Pleasure-seeking King Edward II sets the stage for a palace revolt by taking as a lover the ambitious Piers Gaveston - who uses his favor in bed to wield political influence - sending the gay pair from the throne to a terminal torture dungeon. This landmark of gay cinema features an incredible performance from Jarman muse and Oscar-winner Tilda Swinton (Michael Clayton) as Edward's spurned Queen Isabella and a rare film appearance by singer Annie Lennox.

directed by: Derek Jarman
starring: Steven Waddington, Tilda Swinton, Jerome Flynn, Kevin Collins, Andrew Tiernan, Annie Lennox, Nigel Terry
1991 / 90 min / 1.85:1 / English DTS-HD MA 2.0

Additional info:

Region A Blu-ray
Documentary Featurette: Derek's Edward
Booklet with a new essay by film critic Kyle Turner, an essay by Bruce LaBruce and a prologue by Tilda Swinton
English subtitles

Overall rating: 4.5185184 / 5 from 27 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

Summary topics

Review topics: ["looks","performances","film","release","adaptation","transfer"].

Review highlights

Reviews

Gaveston!

"Love this film and the disc looks great. My only complaint is that it’s quite light on special features, but what can you do."

— Adam M. (4/5)

A queer history classic

"I’ve been staring at a blank screen and blinking cursor for a few minutes, trying to come up with the best two word description of Derek Jarman. For now, “defiantly idiosyncratic” is the best I can do. Jarman’s output as a queer filmmaker was very representative of UK during the AIDS crisis: angry, visceral, punk as fuck, and still able to find beauty in all of it. It was less interested in telling a story than articulating a feeling or raw emotion. Edward II is his most linear narrative since Jubilee and probably his most accessible film. It’s still quite a wild ride: An elderly Bishop is brutalized by a gang of punks in fetish leather; Our two forbidden lovers slow dance kiss while Annie Lennox croons Everytime We Say Goodbye; A red hot poker is put to punishing, butt-clenching use; Tilda Swinton! Leave it to Film Movement to bless us with a definitive copy. The slipcover is a pleasingly austere red and white design evoking the Elizabethan era and there’s a lavishly illustrated booklet with essays by Bruce LaBruce, Kyle Turner and a prologue by the Gay Pope of Fashion, Tilda herself. Sadly, Jarman was one of the many great talents of his generation to be taken from us too soon, making the lack of a commentary understandable and the featurette provides further insight. Edward II may have come at the tail end of his journey but it was another step to cementing his legacy."

— Shawn P. (5/5)

Brilliant adaptation - plus Annie Lennox!

"Jarman's adaptation here is brilliant - though a bit arty and dry for most, I'd imagine. Cinematography is gorgeous, actors are splendid, and Annie Lennox's appearance is just everything. Slipcover is nice, insert features original poster artwork."

— Donald M. (5/5)

Great

"In this Derek Jarman version of Christopher Marlowe's Elizabethan drama, in modern costumes and settings, Plantagenet king Edward II hands the power-craving nobility the perfect excuse by taking as lover besides his diplomatic wife, the French princess Isabel, not an acceptable lady at court but the ambitious Piers Gaveston, who uses his favor in bed even to wield. . . ."

— Sebastian V. (5/5)

Total Jarman

"This Shakes-peer affair is odd & difficult for me to really get into, but I enjoy the dystopian aesthetics, the players & Jarman in general. I wouldn't say this transfer is the best example of BD quality, but it's more than accurate & leagues beyond DVD or VHS. Worth owning & certainly better than trying to get the BFI's OOP Jarman Volume II set."

— Isaac W. (4/5)

Edward III: Reloaded

"Film movement has never let me down with their releases, not even onces. Performances on this adaptation top notch. Hands down my favorite partner label"

— John R. (5/5)

Derek Jarman's work is masterful,

"Derek Jarman's work is masterful, and I've been ardently collecting it since I first saw Sebastiane. I was thrilled to see Vinegar Syndrome's addition for my collection. This is a wonderful film and a great release of it."

— Amanda O. (5/5)

Edward (and Derek) Rule

"Somehow dying Derek Jarman hijacked a Marlowe play to give words to a primal scream at Thatcher/Major era homophobia. . . complete with punks, flashlights, snakedances, M-16s and an Annie Lennox video. . . and still made a flick more historically accurate than Braveheart??? Also, Tilda Swinton's foreword in the booklet mentions Jarman was buried in Edward's golden robe. Legend."

— Paul H. (4/5)

Twink death

"Jarman had such a gift for production design. Every scene is amazing looking."

— Dylan B. (4/5)

A powerful and beautifully styled film

"Really glad to have this one. Edward II is visually beautiful, emotionally intense, and full of personality. I really liked how it takes a historical story and makes it feel urgent and alive in a very unique way. The performances and direction are both excellent, and the whole film leaves a strong impression. A great release for a very memorable film."

— Thomas L. (4/5)