Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Audience Rating: Unrated Binding: DVD EAN: 9786305473176 Format: Black & White, DVD-Video, NTSC ISBN: 630547317X Label: Image Entertainment Manufacturer: Image Entertainment Number Of Items: 1 Picture Format: Academy Ratio Publisher: Image Entertainment Release Date: August 03, 1999 Running Time: 80 minutes Sales Rank: 82983 Studio: Image Entertainment Theatrical Release Date: 1944
Description: A delightful British comedy of manners based on Frederick Lonsdale's popular play. Adapted, produced, directed and starring Clive Brook, 'On Approval' is the story of a trial marriage on a remote island, a tame idea by today's standards, but shocking set in 1890! Much admired for its cinematic cleverness and sparkling quips, today's connoisseurs will also enjoy the tour-de-force ensemble acting. Named one of the ten best pictures of the year by Time Magazine.
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Charming to the Last
This is the classic romantic comedy with all the elements of classic English drama. The clever wit coupled with fantastic cinematic choices makes this well worth your time and will leave you laughing for the rest of the day/week.
Rating: - Good, not great
Several reviewers have given this DVD five stars. The play certainly deserves them, but regrettably not this film. It retains much of Lonsdale's wit , but both visual and sound quality are a disappointment, and the action, translated from stage to screen, waters the material down.
One reviewer urges Amazonians to look for a recording of the 1982 BBC production with Jeremy Brett and Penelope Keith. He's right! It's a much better, more enjoyable production. But until it becomes available, this film version is the best we've got. Pity.
Rating: - On Approval
A subtle, overlooked English treat, "On Approval" is top high-brow English comedy in the vein of Oscar Wilde and Noel Coward. Though the British upper-class reserve is ever-present, it's integral to the comedy, with the proper English language employed like a rapier. It's also a rare cinematic opportunity to see Clive Brook and stage comedienne Beatrice Lillie in action. Sophisticated, irresistible fun.
Rating: - I purchased this movie and didn't like it.
I am a great fan of Frederick Lonsdale's play "On Approval," yet I can not recommend this movie version of it. I know many people love it and have nothing but praise for Lillie and Brooks' performances, yet I found them so stiff that they appeared like zombies. Lillie holds a constant frozen smile for so long that she hardly seems human. Brook, when told he's nothing more than the spawn of illigitimacy, shows absolutely no reaction at all. He's so stiff that it doesn't come across as the famous British reserve but rather as if he's comatose.
Quite appart from the performances, the rewritten version of the play for this movie isn't as sharp and funny as the original. The new ending is particulary disappointing.
For a excellent version of this oustanding play, and to see how much better it is when done properly according to the original play, try to locate a copy of the BBC-1's version ... Read More
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- Charming to the Last
- Good, not great
- I purchased this movie and didn't like it.
