EDWARD II
UK, 1991, 90 minutes, Colour.
Steven Waddington, Tilda Swinton, Kevin Collins, Andrew Tierney, John Lynch, Dudley Sutton, Nigel Terry.
Directed by Derek Jarman.
Edward II is an adaptation of Christopher Marlowe's play by director and designer, Derek Jarman. Jarman made a number of arresting films over his rather brief career (after starting as a costume designer and set designer for Ken Russell, for example The Devils). His films include the film in Latin, Sebastiane, as well as The Garden, Caravaggio, Wittgenstein.
The sets and decor have a 20th century look, overtones of the fascist period (as in Richard Loncraine's adaptation of Richard III). The sets are simple, using one set adapted for a range of locations. However, the film has a claustrophobic look with these interiors.
The text has been pruned and in some ways rearranged (the published version actually referring to improvements on the text by Jarman).
Stephen Waddington (Carrington) is Edward II and Nigel Terry (Jarman's Caravaggio) is Mortimer. Tilda Swinton appears as Queen Isabella - and had appeared in a number Jarman's films. Included in the cast are John Lynch and Dudley Sutton.
The film is an opportunity to listen to Marlowe's verse, consider the themes of Marlowe's drama (always in comparison with the themes of Shakespeare) of the British monarchy and especially the homosexual themes and homophobia with the story of the relationship between Edward II and Gaveston (with the traditional death of Edward II by the burning poker presented as a dream fantasy tormenting Edward II rather than as the end of the play).
1. The work of Christopher Marlowe, Elizabethan playwrights, comparisons with Shakespeare? Marlowe's talent for drama, melodrama? Portrayal of characters? Poetry? Issues? Derek Jarman's adaptation of the text?
2. The films of Derek Jarman, experimental style, small budget? The emphasis on decor and costume? The stylising of decor and costume? The visual impact? Claustrophobic? The musical score, introduction of songs? Jarman's focus on Britain, monarchy, social classes and clash, homosexuality, homophobia, homosexuality and politics?
3. The strength of the cast - and their being regulars in Jarman's films and able to communicate his interests and styles?
4. The historical background of the reign of Edward II? Audience knowledge of the king, his relationship with Gaveston? A modern interpretation? The thematic emphases: the tradition of English culture, British Empire, the monarchy, class struggles, violence?
5. Sexuality themes: Edward and Isabella's marriage and family, the separation, the relationship between consenting adults (homosexual and heterosexual)? Homophobia and consequent violence? The family and the succeeding generation - and the domination at the end of Prince Edward? Sexuality and politics, personal life and government, leadership? Persecution?
6. The quality of the staging, the scenes, tableau, recitation of verse? A Marlowe experience?
7. The portrait of Edward II: opening with him in prison and being guarded by Lightborn? The memories? The coronation, his relationship with Gaveston, sending for him, the hostility of the nobles? Their lifestyle together, pleasure, hedonism? The bishop and his objections, the brutality against the bishop and his being beaten? Edward and his relationship with Isabella, the marriage, the children? His relationship with his brother, Kent, and asking for advice? The hostility growing towards Gaveston? Gaveston and his taunting the nobility, making passes at Isabella? The growing plots? Edward and Kent and their clash? The people and their siding with Edward, against Edward? The death of Gaveston? Edward killing his killer? His going to prison, the dream and his foreseeing his murder? Edward as a man, as a king, as a responsible monarch?
8. The portrait of Gaveston, French background, Edward II's lover, his being recalled, the life with Edward? Love for each other? Companionship? The reaction of the Queen, the nobility? His own arrogance and treatment of Isabella? His being banished? The insults, his being murdered? Gaveston's historical reputation? The historical reality of his role in the reign of the King?
9. The portrait of Kent, his relationship with Edward, political influence, order in the state?
10. Mortimer, the commoner, law and order, the military, dictator? Clash with Edward? His relationship with Isabella, their liaison? The murders? The ruler - and their being deposed? Prince Edward standing over him?
11. The character of Lightborn, his guarding Edward, his relationship with him in the prison?
12. Prince Edward - the son of his father, his reaction against his mother and Mortimer, dominating?
13. The song and Annie Lennox singing - anachronistic but effective within the context of the play?
14. The 20th century touches - cigarettes, military uniforms, male prostitutes and rough trade, thugs...?
15. The significance of the costumes - especially that of Isabella as she changed costumes to react to different characters? The trappings of royalty - and the trappings of military and uniforms?
16. The relevance of Edward II as a play to the 20th century?
