The Duchess

I was quite surprised at the quality of this excellent movie. It was extraordinarily well done. I had not heard anything about this movie prior to purchase. It was one of those movies Amazon had suggested when I purchased a copy of the Vivian Leigh movie about Lady Hamilton. So I bought, The Duchess" with no prior knowledge of its quality or story. Since this is a historical movie about a true story, I really don't think the term "Spoilers" applies. But if you don't want to know anything about movie details in advance, you probably shouldn't be reading our comments... especially mine. So, stop here if you don't want to hear details of the movie. My first impression of the actress playing Georgiana in the very first scene was that she was pale and sickly looking. But she surprised me by giving a resounding, strong, believable performance of the real Duchess; presenting her as described in historical documents (which I read after watching the movie). I also later learned that her fashions, hairstyles, personality and details of her life very closely followed the actual Georgiana. The movie's attention to detail and realism by shooting in the actual palaces and ornate surroundings of the real Georgiana were stunningly accurate. Much better than they could have done in a studio or CGI. My complements to the producers and directors for their choosing real locations and following historical documents and paintings to duplicate the real life and surroundings of Georgiana. The movie failed to inform the viewers that Georgiana was a Spencer... a direct ancestor of Princess Di or that Georgiana was also a direct ancestor to Princess Fergie by means of a child Georgiana had with her lover. So, I had no idea of the significance of this Duchess when I watched the movie... yet I could not help but see both Fergie and Diana in Georgiana before I knew there was any connection. Without that foreknowledge, I had noticed that Georgiana (as portrayed) had a vivacious party girl personality when she entertained very much like Fergie. Yet she lived a tragic, loveless married life just like Princess Di and was beloved by everyone... except her husband. Her only job was to provide an heir for the Duke. Georgiana's marriage was tragic and loveless. Her husband blatantly lived with his mistress in their home for over a decade and later married that mistress after Georgiana died. Sound familiar... Camilla? The only love Georgiana had ever known was denied her by threats of losing her children and threats against her lover. So the one baby girl she had with her lover, she had to give up to her lover's family shortly after her birth and returned to her loveless marriage to the Duke. Her lover later became Prime Minister. It was ok for the Duke to have his mistress right in the same house... but Georgiana was not permitted the same option. My only criticism is that the movie producers and director should have let the audience know the significance of Georgiana's ancestral bloodlines shared with Princess Di and Fergie and that Georgiana was a Spencer... even if it was only mentioned by a text insert at the end of the movie. It should have been mentioned somewhere, especially for those of us who are not from the UK and don't know the minute details of Royal bloodlines. I had never heard of Georgiana prior to watching this film. If I had not looked it up on Wikipedia, I would not have known how Georgiana was related to Di and Fergie and how their tragic fates were all intertwined. There was no mention of this on the movie. After I read about her, it really brought more significance to Georgiana's tragic life as depicted in this movie. The similarities between Georgiana and her descendents, Princess Di and Fergie are quite disturbing. Almost a mirror of things to come. It was sad to learn that their shared ancestor, Georgiana had suffered a similar fate. A tragic story to be sure, but well worth the time to watch. If this movie didn't win any academy awards... it should have. An unforgivable oversight by the Academy. Ralph Feines was quite surprising in his portrayal of the Duke. Quite believable. I have a feeling his portrayal of the Duke was a bit softer than the real Duke. I was surprised to see him in a historical role like this after Voldemort and the Red Dragon... but he did an excellent job. My only other comment is that the print on the screen was much too small to see on any TV. It was so tiny, I had to get out of my chair and get within 4 ft of the TV to read it. (and I have a large screen). Filmmakers need to keep in mind that home audiences need to be able to read a properly sized font on their TV screen when the film includes text details for the audience. They should make allowances for this issue prior to releasing the DVD version. For those reviewers who have made derogatory comments on the costumes and hairdo's... they obviously have not taken the time to read about the life of Georgiana or looked at the portraits and biographies of her... or even bothered to watch the extra's included with the DVD. If they had bothered, they would have seen that this movie recreated the real Georgiana's hairstyles and unusual fashions to the tiniest detail. It may seem bizarre to us, but Georgiana was famous for her hair and clothes, which were a constant source of interest by the media and public throughout her life. Very similar to the same attention that Princess Diana attracted by her life and fashions. If this movie had not portrayed Georgiana's hair and clothing fashions as she had actually worn them, it would have been as bad as a 23rd century producer portraying Princess Di wearing dime store fashions. Accuracy is very important in historical films about real people. To depict them differently than they really were just to suit those with limited historical knowledge, would have been of the utmost disrespect. So don't listen to people with no appreciation for historical detail. With those attitudes, I don't know why they would even bother to watch a high caliber historical movie like this. To fully appreciate the accuracy of this film, I recommend reading up about the Duchess of Devonshire on Wikipedia and taking a look at some of the paintings of Georgiana.

The movie starts by claiming to be based on a true story. My history sucks so I'm not sure if it is or it isn't, but it's still an excellent film. Reviewer Terrance Allen called it a "Costume Drama", and his words are to the point and true. 'The Duchess' is a visual and audio array pleasing to the senses. The year is 1774. Georgiana (Keira Knightly - King Arthur, Pirates Of The Caribbean) is to marry William, the Duke Of Devonshire (Ralph Fiennes). Lady Spencer (Charlotte Rampling - Swimming Pool) is excited to give her daughter away to the Duke, though she knows the only reason the Duke is marrying her daughter is to produce an heir to his title. Charles Grey (Dominic Cooper) is a young, up and coming society male. He's to go to college and he studies to become a politician. Though they met before her marriage, Georgiana takes an interest in Charles because her passions are politics and gambling. As her marriage decays, especially after inviting her friend Elizabeth "Bess" Foster who betrays her friendship by striking up an affair with the Duke, Georgiana finds herself even more drawn to young Grey. The music and photography are stunning; the costume design, sets, and visuals are spectacular. I'm not fond of Ralph Fiennes, but I find him very appropriate in the role of the Duke. His acting was better than it's ever been. Georgiana is saucy and intelligent, the scriptwriter dialogue is well done and makes for great characters that you find yourself involved with. On a funny note, all this talk about having sons during the era is quite humorous in today's world, where we know that the sex of the child is determined by the sperm of the father. In the movie's era, though, it was the woman who was blamed for the birth of daughters. While a beautiful movie, it's a sad tale. The position of women in that era was so restricted that they were helplessly dependent on men. Georgiana's trials are heartrending, and her husband is a cold man incapable of seeing women as anything more than an object he owns. I loved this film, the beauty of it and the subject of material. While the film claims to be based on a true story, I'm not historically competent enough to judge if it is or isn't. Still, it's a magnificent film, one that you shouldn't miss if you like dramas of the era. Enjoy!

I love this movie! If you like the Victorian times and a great love story with ups and downs this is a great film

I've watched this movie 3 times now- first time for the uncut version. I cant help getting wrapped up with the characters, the costumes, and the political era of this movie. And each time I hate the Duke, and Bess, and weep for G. I haven't read the book, perhaps I will one day. It is justone of those movies like Little Women and Withering Heights, and Gone with the Wind that I just love to watch. I love watching Ralph Finnes play all these psycho characters, he really gets you into a love hate relationship with the Duke - one minute you hate him, the next you feel sorry for him. The entire cast was well played and I really appreciate watching it. I try to put myself back in that time, and honestly I'm so glad I wasn't there. If your a women into fashion, a diva, and a very oppressive marriage- you'll like this movie, it has a modern spin on ancient history. I just love good movies than keep me engaged, and I wasn't disappointed for the third time. It never gets old it seems.

Good interesting movie, with great acting!

Well made period piece

One of my favorite movies - she is a distant relative of the kate I princess Diana

Good movie, sad to know and I've known for sometime, that cheating during any time in history went on. How she handles it, was great. I enjoyed the movie for what it was about. Just sad as well how it all went down and her husband reaction and inaction.

Molto Buono

Este director me encantada, ojalá hiciera más películas... Con La Duquesa, consigue desde luego ponerte los vellos de punta. Los actores son geniales y Keira, como siempre, insuperable.

I like stories and from that time period, and Kiera Knightley is my favourite actresses since I seen her in Pride and Prejudice. Furthermore, if movies are based on historical facts, I enjoy them more.

Meine Meinung zu den Darstellern Die Darsteller sind wie ich finde treffend gewählt worden wie bereits erwähnt könnte man die Hauptdarstellerin Keira Knightley optisch gesehen durchaus für Georgiana Cavendish halten. Aus Rollen in „King Arthur“ und auch „Anna Karenina“ sowie „ Fluch der Karibik“ ist mir diese Schauspielerin wohlbekannt. Ich bin der Meinung hier der Produktion legt sie eine starke Leistung hin, in anderen Filmen fand ich sie schon schwächer. Es passt hier aber einfach alles Gestik, Mimik und auch die Tragik die sich hinter der Geschichte verbirgt bringt Keira Knightley super zum Ausdruck. Ralph Fiennes ist ebenfalls ein extrem starker Charakter der den Herzog William Cavendish super verkörpert. In dem Film „Der englische Patient“ habe ich den Schauspieler schon extrem stark gefunden, doch hier setzt er an Ausdruck und Wandlungsfähigkeit noch einen Drauf. Diese fiesen Charaktere stehen ihm gut zu Gesicht meine ich, denn hier verkörpert er einen aalglatten miesepetrigen Stinkstiefel. Dominic Cooper als Charles Grey finde ich persönlich nicht so wirklich treffend gewählt, denn ich meine hier hätte ein Schauspieler ran müssen der dieser ja eher tragischen Figur noch etwas mehr Ausdruck verleiht. Ich fand Dominic Cooper ein wenig zu ausdruckslos, seine Gesten etwas belanglos seine Leidenschaft und seine Erscheinung eher dürftig. Ein laues Lüftchen was kein Sturm sein wollte. Charlotte Rampling kann man hier ebenfalls positiv hervorheben, denn sie bringt die gewisse Machtgier als Georgianas Mutter gut rüber, ja fast schon in verbissener und geierhaften Manier. Auch ihr kauft man die Rolle der machtbesessenen Mutter die ihre Kinder so strategisch verheiratet, dass es ihr zur Ehre gereicht, vollkommen ab. Bis auf Dominic Cooper als Charles Grey mit einigen Schwächen kann man hier also sagen, tolle Darsteller die in ihren Rollen völlig aufgehenund sie nicht nur spielen sondern verkörpern und leben. Meine Meinung zum Film „Die Herzogin“ auf der DVD schon sehr facettenreich und anspruchsvoll präsentiert, auch hier gilt, das Cover der DVD Hülle ist ebenfalls auch das Cover der innenliegenden Scheibe. Ton und Bildqualität kann ich hier nur löblich erwähnen, denn wo der Ton nahezu bombastisch und satt aus dem Heimkino entweicht, ist beim Bild ebenfalls nichts zu beanstanden. Für 5,97 € bekommt man hier also einiges geboten. Von den Dialogen und den Kostümen hebt sich der Film „Die Herzogin“ positiv von so manchem Historienschinken ab, diese wirken treffend mit frischen Farben und nahezu detailliert. So passend, wie das modische IT Girl was die Herzogin im wahren Leben gewesen sein soll, so gut und geistreich ist der Film hier umgesetzt worden. Ebenso kommt hier die Spielsucht zum Tragen, der die Herzogin ja verfallen sein soll, von Rauschmitteln sieht man jedoch eher weniger. Ich denke, das ist auch eher der Freigabe geschuldet, die hier ab 12 Jahren gegeben ist. Diese halte ich für durchaus angemessen und daher hat man sich vermutlich in derlei Hinsicht ein wenig zurückgehalten. Dem Alkohol und der Scheinheiligkeit verfallen und am Ende der emotionalen Kräfte sieht man eine Szene, in der die Perücke Georgianas anfängt zu brennen. Die Herzogin sitzt am Boden mit einem weißem Tuch auf dem Kopf. Ich denke diese Szene ist schon prägnant für das Gefühlsleben der jungen Frau, die eine Menage au trois unter ihrem Dach dulden muss und nahezu eingesperrt in diesem Durcheinander mit ihren Kindern kaum noch Luft zum atmen findet. Der ruhige Soundtrack von Rachel Portman untermauert die ganze Dramatik und Tragik nahezu treffend und in jenen prägnanten Momenten des Films sehr deutlich. „Die Herzogin“ ist auf alle Fälle ein Film, den man sich anschauen sollte. Ich finde ihn würdevoll gemacht und ein gutes Andenken an eine junge Frau, die ihrer Zeit in so mancher Hinsicht voraus war, jedoch an diesem Standesdünkel wohl schlussendlich zerbrochen ist. Vorteile Eine detaillierte Zeichnung einer Frau, die ein Opfer ihrer Zeit wird Gute Extras mit dem Making of und den Interviews der Darsteller Tolle Darsteller in den Hauptrollen Das Drama kommt richtig glaubwürdig rüber Gute Umsetzung der DVD in Tonqualität Gute Umsetzung der DVD in Bildqualität Freigabe ab 12 Jahren ist gerechtfertigt „Making of“ ist höchst interessant und sehenswert Die DVD hat außerdem ein Wendecover Nachteile *Ich kann hier nichts feststellen Mein Schlussplädoyer Die Herzogin ist in jedem Falle höchst empfehlenswert und anspruchsvoll sowie intelligent in den Dialogen, Kostümen und in der ganzen Ausstattung. Für jugendliche und erwachsene Zuschauer, die auf viel Romantik und ein Höchstmaß an Tragik und Dramatik Wert legen, was hier nahezu detailliert und ausgiebig gezeichnet wird. Die Bildqualität der Kauf DVD ist sehr gut, das Auge erfreut sich an der detaillierten Zeichnung der Charaktere und Kostüme, und auch der Ton der DVD kann sich auf dem heimischen Kino durchaus hören lassen. Die Bildqualität ist durchaus empfehlenswert und macht auch Lust sich die Blu-Ray im nachhinein noch zu kaufen um zu sehen ob es noch besser geht. Die guten Darsteller runden das Gesamtbild zur Kauf DVD hier noch ab. Auch wenn Dominic Cooper in seiner darstellerischen Überzeugungskraft ja nicht wirklich passend in der Rolle des Charles Gray erscheint. Ich hätte mir einen leidenschaftlicheren Darsteller gewünscht, wo das Feuer in den Augen brennt . Aber nicht alle Darsteller können immer rundum gut sein. Daher gebe ich hier keinen Stern Abzug. So bekommt „Die Herzogin“ aufgrund der anderen positiven Attribute die der Film hier abliefert 5 fette Sterne und eine sonnenklare und deutliche Kaufempfehlung...

Very nice movie