PlatinumRead Just so...so bad

Micah Lloyd Excellent characters with emotional depth. My wife, daughter and granddaughter all enjoyed it...and me, too! Very good movie! You won't be disappointed.

Philippa All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Janis One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

Enoch Sneed This is certainly one of the best historic dramatisations ever made for television. Based on a deeply researched book and with the technical advice of the author, Simon Raven's scripts succeed in 'showing' us the story rather than simply 'telling' it.The character development of Wallis Simpson is a fine example of this. At first we see her as quite obviously socially ambitious, determined to work her way into Edward's private circle of friends. Once she has achieved this, she ensures the former lovers who helped her are excluded (and we see their hurt feelings). Having got her feet well under the table she begins to take over Edward's life, to the extent of getting him to neglect his official duties for her benefit. Finally her victory is complete: on vacation someone asks the King his plans for the next day and he says "Wallis, what are our plans for tomorrow?" She has taken control. Both lead performances are flawless.The supporting cast is a superb ensemble of British character actors who play their historical roles excellently. Some highlight David Waller's Baldwin, but John Shrapnel's increasingly frustrated (and disgusted) equerry Major Hardinge is equally compelling.Compared with today's 'historical' series about 'The Tudors' or 'Rome', this is highly intelligent and thoughtful drama. Only the technical aspects make it seem a little dated with studio scenes shot on video and exteriors on film (standard for UK television in the 1970's). Still, this is excellent viewing and well worth watching.

train464 If you watch this TV movie you will get a slow, gentle insight into the pre-World War II period. It is beautifully done: the sets, the costuming, the acting all blend to be the late 1930's. It is a touching story, but some of the actual meaning has been left out, leaving us with a one-sided, positive feeling about the lead characters. It was a noble thing for a king to abdicate for his love, no? Well, perhaps, but the truth is that he was forced out without his fighting for the crown. (Lots of anguish, yes, but no fight.) The character of Wallis Simpson was overly simplified to make her appear to be more blameless than she was in reality, less manipulating, and attractive. I don't recall any of the rumors of her German leanings being mentioned, which may be just as well since they have been heavily discounted and are probably not true. Barring this one flaw of not presenting Mrs. Simpson as she has become known to be (and was rumored to be at the time), the movie is excellent. Schedule several days to watch it and don't try to cram it into one session. It takes a little settling time between episodes. (The documentary accompanying the movie must be seen after watching the movie. Don't watch it first!)

Matthew Kresal I have long been intrigued by the tale of Edward VIII, the English king who gave up the throne to be with the woman he loved an American divorcée named Wallis Simpson. Imagine my surprise at discovering that not only was there a miniseries about it but that one of my favorite actors (Edward Fox) was playing the famed King himself. The result is a rather grand, if slightly overlong, historical drama.As in the case of many a historical drama, the cast is fine one. Edward Fox gives one of the finest performances of his career as the famed King Edward VIII from the dashing playboy Prince Of Wales to the man who gives up the throne for the woman he loves. Cynthia Harris gives a nice performance as the woman he loved Wallis Simpson though she does have a tendency to overact. Thankfully both Fox and Harris share a nice chemistry between them that makes them quite convincing as the famed couple.The supporting cast is fine as well. David Waller gives a fine performance as the Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin who tires to keep the government together in the midsts of the crisis caused by the title characters as does Peggy Ashcroft as the famed Queen Mary. From Nigel Hawthorne as Edward's friend Walter Monkton to Wensley Pithey as Winston Churchill to Charles Keating as Wallis husband Ernest Simpson to Marius Goring and Patrick Troughton as opposition leader Clement Attlee the cast is a fine one and makes this drama well worth seeing.Things are strong behind the camera as well. The sets by Allan Cameron and the costumes by Jennie Tate perfectly capture the spirit of the 1930's in which this famed story took place. The score and opening song by Ron Grainer also captures the atmosphere of the 1930's as well. Even better, the script by Simon Raven (from the biography Edrward VIII by Frances Donaldson) is a true highlight. With its attention to details and events the script gives a detailed study of a royal romance that doesn't quite end happily. The dialouge in particular makes the production stand out and gives the whole production an epic quality thanks to the wonderful direction of Waris Hussein.If the miniseries has any fault it is that it seems overlong. At seven fifty minute episodes (or right around six hours) it feels as though it could have been trimmed down at times. There aren't many slow moments in the miniseries but one wonders if those scenes trimmed could have made Edward & Mrs. Simpson slightly shorter.Despite is length Edward & Mrs. Simpson is a fine drama. From its two leading actors to the supporting cast, production values, direction and writing this is a fine example of the art of the miniseries. For fans of fine historical dramas look no further then Edward & Mrs. Simpson.

theowinthrop There was a time that the abdication of King Edward VIII in December 1936 was considered one of the most romantic and beautiful gestures of modern times. After all, the ruler of the greatest empire in modern time gave it away willingly because he could not rule comfortably without the love and assistance of the woman he loved. It certainly is a beautiful gesture.But the truth was uglier. Frances Donaldson wrote the biography that was the basis of this series, and showed that the good natured Prince of Wales was a lightweight in terms of understanding the key to modern British monarchy - public service comes first. As titular head of the Church of England, Edward had a moral obligation of setting a good example. It was accepted that he (like his grandfather Edward VII) could have a girl friend who might have a current husband, or could not legally marry the ruler. Edward VII understood this. He and Alice Keppel had a close, long standing affair (as he had prior to her with Daisy, Countess of Warwick, Lily Langtry, and others). But he always returned to his wife Alexandra. Edward could not understand this, and instead of keeping the twice divorced Wallis Warfield Simpson as his girlfriend, he decided to marry her. Seventy years later one might see this done - Edward's grandnephew Charles has just married his long time girlfriend Camilla Parker-Bowes. But Charles first wife Diane has been dead seven years. Even now however, many people are disappointed by Charles behavior.What Donaldson brought out was that Edward was too pro-German. He was willing to let bygones be bygones, but he went beyond that by attending meetings with German war veterans. Later he openly was friendly to Nazi leaders like Hitler and Goering. During World War II, although in the Bahamas, he attracted many Nazi supporters there, and he may have botched the investigation into the murder of Sir Harry Oakes because of Nazi involvement.Enter the Prime Minister, Stanley Baldwin. He was usually involved in normal political matters, but the King's demands to wed Mrs. Simpson brought about a political crisis...one that Baldwin loathed. He was fully sick of the reason for this crisis and he did not like the young monarch, who seemed more attuned to taking long vacations than doing his job as monarch. Baldwin certainly distrusted Edward's liking for Germany and it's regime. So he stage managed (beautifully, by the way) the refusal of most of the leading portions of the Empire/Commonwealth of any marriage. Australia, Canada, both Irelands, India, South Africa all rejected the marriage for moral reasons (New Zealand actually supported the King). He managed to keep the story out of British papers (outside of Britain everyone was aware of it). Then the Archbishop of Canterbury learned of it, and all hell broke loose. Wallis urged her lover to forget the whole matter for the time. Edward refused, and gave away the throne. His brother George would turn out to be a better King, and one not in love with Germany.Edward Fox and Cynthia Harris were very good as Edward and Wallis. David Waller, a British character actor - usually in comedies - played Baldwin as he should be played, as a cagey customer who by getting rid of the King helped the Allied cause immeasurably. Peggy Ashcroft as the Queen is excellent too. If they show it again you should catch it.