Gosford Park (US)

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Tea At Four. Dinner At Eight. Murder At Midnight
Certificate: R
Running Time: 137 mins
Retail Price: $26.97
Release Date:

Synopsis:
Robert Altman directs this elegant period drama and Agatha Christie-style murder mystery that features the cream of British acting talent. Gathered at aristocrat Michael Gambon`s big house are fellow toffs Charles Dance, James Wilby and Jeremy Northam (as British matinee idol Ivor Novello) among others. Meanwhile, downstairs in the bustling servant`s quarters we encounter Alan Bates and Helen Mirren as the head male and female members of staff.
The various intrigues that play out between members of the different classes and sexes are all observed with Altman`s customary withering eye and trademark roving camerawork. After a murder is committed, comical pipe-smoking detective Stephen Fry arrives, but the solution is arrived at in an unconventional way. With an impeccable ensemble cast that Merchant Ivory would die for, Gosford Park is a classy piece of cinema from a great director at the top of his form.

Special Features:
Feature length commentary with Robert Altman
Deleted scenes with optional Altman commentary
Two documentaries: `The Making of Gosford Park` and `The Authenticity of Gosford Park`

Video Tracks:
Widescreen Anamorphic 2.35:1

Audio Tracks:
Dolby Digital 5.1 English

Subtitle Tracks:
Spanish

Directed By:
Robert Altman

Written By:



Starring:
Jeremy Swift
Richard E. Grant
Derek Jacobi
Alan Bates
Eileen Atkins
Helen Mirren
Clive Owen
Kelly MacDonald
Stephen Fry
Ryan Phillippe
Bob Balaban
Jeremy Northam
Charles Dance
Kristin Scott Thomas
Michael Gambon
Maggie Smith

Casting By:
Mary Selway

Soundtrack By:
Ivor Novello
Patrick Doyle

Director of Photography:
Andrew Dunn

Editor:
Tim Squyres

Costume Designer:
Jenny Beavan

Production Designer:
Stephen Altman

Producer:
David Levy
Jane Frazer
Julian Fellowes
Bob Balaban
Joshua Astrachan
Robert Altman

Executive Producer:
Hannah Leader
Robert Jones
Sharon Harel
Jane Barclay

Distributor:
Entertainment In Video


Back Cover of Gosford Park

Your Opinions and Comments

8 / 10
Universal Home Entertainment has released "Gosford Park" to DVD-Video as a part of their "Collector's Edition" series of films on DVD. Presented in a widescreen anamorphic (2.35:1) aspect ratio that preserves the way in which the film was exhibited, "Gosford Park" is quite sharp with a faint grain that is a result of the film stock and intended presentation and not a result of digital compression or the transfer process. The English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Soundtrack is excellent with full use of the 6 channels to create a realistic three-dimensional representation of what the home theater viewer is seeing, which is important especially for a film as detailed as "Gosford Park."

I watched "Gosford Park" recently on DVD and enjoyed it enormously. I`m delighted to own it on DVD because watching it repeatedly has proven very rewarding. The DVD comes with some nice bonus materials, too.

The "Gosford Park" screenplay is outstanding, and screenwriter Julian Fellowes deservedly won an Academy Award for it. The DVD features an audio track where Fellowes gives a running commentary on the film, and I really enjoyed hearing his remarks. There`s a separate audio track featuring the commentary of director Robert Altman, and it is worth listening to, but I found it less informative than Fellowes`.

While it`s not going to appeal to all audiences and walks of
life, I found it to be a fascinating character study and an excellent example of what a director can do when not conforming to the typical Hollywood formula.

Outstanding.
posted by Aslan on 5/10/2002 20:08