Howards End [Region 2] |  | Director: James Ivory
Actors: Anthony Hopkins, Emma Thompson, Vanessa Redgrave, Helena Bonham Carter, Joseph Bennett
Studio: QUEST
Category: DVD
Buy New: $34.99
New (1) Used (2) from $31.11
Rating:  83 reviews
Sales Rank: 194150
Format: Dolby, Pal, Widescreen
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Region: 2
Discs: 1
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Number Of Discs: 2
Running Time: 136 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
EAN: 5035822000124
ASIN: B00004D02F
Theatrical Release Date: March 13, 1992
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Amazon.com essential video
Howards End is E.M. Forster's beautifully subtle story of the crisscrossing paths of the privileged and those they disdain--and of a remarkable pair of women who can see beyond class distinctions. Dramatic and tragic, but also surprisingly funny, this James Ivory film focuses on a pair of unmarried sisters (Emma Thompson, who won an Oscar, and Helena Bonham Carter) who befriend a poor young clerk (Sam West) and, without meaning to, ruin his life. Meanwhile, Thompson also makes the acquaintance of a dying neighbor (Vanessa Redgrave), who leaves her a family home in her will--which her husband (Anthony Hopkins) destroys. But, ironically, he meets and falls in love with Thompson, even as their paths once more intersect with the increasingly miserable young clerk. Nuanced acting, gorgeous but muted cinematography, and a beautifully economical script by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, which also won an Oscar. --Marshall Fine
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| Customer Reviews: Read 78 more reviews...
 Great Film. Actiing, Script & Sets-Superb. July 1, 2009
HAMLET
THIS movie is quality film-making at its best. Academy Award winner Anthony Hopkins, Emma Thompson (who won an Oscar for this film, Helena Bonham Carter & Vannessa Redgrave (in what's teally a cameo) star in this opulent film version of E.M. Forster's novel. The script is superb. The acting,, sets and everything e;se about this movie is wonderful. I wish Hollywood would STOP MAKING TRASHY FILMS LIKE "Knocked Up" and get back to making more films like "Howard's End," "Bram Stoker's Dracula," "Gone With The Wind," "Ben-Hur" and other classic films. This excellent, family-friendly movie SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN RATED PG, as there's nothing offensive in the film. Beautiful movie. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
A Merchant/Ivory/Jhabvala jewel May 5, 2009
William Lee Bynum (Williamsburg, VA USA)
This is a beautiful film to watch. The production detail, the screenwriting, and the direction are outstanding. The cast is extraordinary. Emma Thompson and Anthony Hopkins seem to have a special chemistry, and you have, in addition, Vanessa Redgrave, Helena Bonham Carter, Prunella Scales, and Samuel West. Everyone delivers an exceptional performance. This is a movie that you will enjoy each time you view it.
 Interesting May 1, 2009
Judith (Philadelphia, PA)
Merchant Ivory movies are always beautiful, and thought provoking. My favorite is still Maurice, but this was an intriguing film.
It's about the Wilcox family and the Schlegel siblings. The Wilcoxs are a wealthy, conventional family in Edwardian England. Henry Wilcox is a savvy businessman. The Schlegels are deliberate in their eccentricity. Look at us, we're Bohemian. Margaret (Emma Thomas) is witty, sweet, but overly talkative. Helen (Helena Bonham Carter) is a tad self-righteous and irritating.
The two families met while touring Europe. A very brief romantic interest between Helen and Paul WIlcox leaves her humiliated. I didn't understand why she should be so upset by a moment of interest that nobody but the two families knew about. The families next meet when the Wilcoxs rent a London flat next to the Schlegel's home. Margaret Schlegel and Ruth WIlcox, the frail wife of Henry, form a friendship. On her deathbed, Ruth decides to give Howards End, her family country home, to Margaret. The hospital sends Ruth's handwritten message to Henry Wilcox, after Ruth's death. In a family meeting, the WIlcoxs decide not to honor Ruth's wish and not to let Margaret know. A lot of people feel this shows what a nasty bunch the Wilcoxs are. I can't help but wonder how many families would have done anything different. Ruth's illness left her frail and somewhat confused. The plan had always been that Howards End would go to her eldest son, Charles. Margaret was a new friend, barely known by the rest of the family. Really, how many families would turn over a much loved family home to a near stranger based on the deathbed whim of a confused invalid? It was a questionable move, but one many if not most people would have made. In an interesting twist, Margaret and Henry Wilcox form an attachment and eventually marry.
Meanwhile, Helen takes an interest in the Basts, a poor clerk and his blowsy wife. However, this interest leads to her downfall and tragedy for the Basts, Schlegels and Wilcoxs.
This film gives the viewer a lot to think about and ponder long after the film is over. Some of the characters actions seem surprising, and therefore, interesting. Without giving away the ending, I will just say that it seemed a little ambiguous.
I should note, though this is essentially a drama, perhaps even a soap opera-ish drama, there are some very comical moments. My favorite scene is when Charles Wilcox (played well by James Wilby) is driving Aunt Julie (played by the wonderful Prunella Scales) from the train station in an early motorcar. She is in a tizzy because she has mistaken him for his brother. He nearly has kittens when she stands up in the moving motorcar. It's very, very funny.
Of course, since it is a Merchant Ivory film, it goes without saying that the scenery and sets are gorgeous, the acting is top notch, the music is gorgeous. I just think this E.M. Forster novel is a little too open ended. I enjoyed it, but I can't quite give it five stars.
 A rather slow moving movie March 22, 2009
R. Bagula (Lakeside, Ca United States)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
A lot of this British old fashioned snob movement is lost on Americans.
The result comes out even with a very good acting, costumes and a faithful
to book script a very boring movie that has you yawning halfway through?
Not that American don't get it, but that they just find such behavior in very bad form? The closest thing to violence comes toward the end
and is very misplaced.
Pedestrian and dispiriting January 29, 2009
Aquinas (celestial heights, UK)
0 out of 3 found this review helpful
I found this film really hard going and ultimately dispiriting - perhaps this is more a reflection of my own interior state. None of the characthers seem to have any joy in their lives - they were all kind of drifting along in an aimless way, so it seemed to me.
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