| The Remains of the Day [Region 2] |  | Director: James Ivory
Actors: Anthony Hopkins, Emma Thompson, John Haycraft, Christopher Reeve, Caroline Hunt
Category: DVD
Buy New: $22.73
as of 3/21/2010 19:35 EDT details
New (3) Used (2) from $3.00
Seller: mediamash
Rating:  129 reviews
Sales Rank: 75083
Format: PAL
Languages: English (Original Language), French (Original Language), German (Original Language)
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Region: 2
Discs: 1
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Running Time: 134 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
EAN: 5035822966536
ASIN: B00005N52R
Theatrical Release Date: November 5, 1993
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Amazon.com essential video
This excellent film is probably best described as subtle elegance. Framed in the present, the movie deals with the lives inside an English country home just prior to World War II. Reunited with the filmmakers from Howards End are Emma Thompson as Miss Kenton, the head housekeeper, and Anthony Hopkins as Stevens, the impeccable butler. The bittersweet story centers on Stevens and his dedication to his master, Lord Darlington (a suitably officious and slyly pompous James Fox). Stevens summarizes: "I don't believe a man can consider himself fully content until he has done all he can to be of service to his employer." Enveloping Stevens's world are the pending war with Germany, Darlington's horribly misguided interests in said war, and, most effectively, his relationship with Miss Kenton. Stevens is the very essence of repression, but as played by Hopkins he is neither piteous nor self-righteous. Like his master, Stevens becomes misguided in his loyalties, although his is an emotional deprivation, possibly condemning him to lifelong regret. There's so much going on in this film, and yet the action is skillfully depicted through understanding and knowing glances, through emotions expressed only through eye contact. Like other Merchant-Ivory-Ruth Prawer Jhabvala collaborations, this film is sumptuous to look at, capturing the period effectively and affectingly. Jhabvala respectfully adapts from the Kazuo Ishiguro novel. Excellent in supporting roles are Christopher Reeve, Ben Chaplin, and Hugh Grant. --N.F. Mendoza
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 129
 Just Tell Her You Love Her!!! March 21, 2010
Rev. E. Antonio Hernandez
This great Merchant Ivory Production from E.M. Forster's book is not the greatest of great cinema, but ranks in the top 100. It is really all about class division in Britain, secondarily about WWII and its post-war ravages. Sir Anthony Hopkins performed beautifully in a vaguely related film, 84 CHARING CROSS ROAD, which in my opinion far outweighs REMAINS.
Of course, the story centers around the head butler, James Stevens (Hopkins) of the estate of Lord Darlington (or whatever his name is, played by James Fox), and his heated relationship with the new headmistress of the place, Ms. Kenton (Emma Thompson). Through the years, from the start of Hitler's coup to the post-war years, we follow the emotionally constipated Stevens and the undecided Ms. Kenton--why can't they just tell each other their feelings? Why does Stevens run from her like she's a plague-carrying lesbian??
The usual Merchant Ivory grand-scale cinema is on offer here, though they never worked as hard as Kurosawa. The soundtrack is operatic but subtle, a swirling treat for the ears and a real addition to this great film. I was taken by the talents of Peter Vaughan (elder Mr. Stevens), Hugh Grant as Lord Darlington's favorite friend journalist Reginald Cardinal, and Christopher Reeve as Senator Jack Lewis (the name...a coincidence?).
I have to add one personal note about this film: I find it shows the fall of the aristocracy in post-war England very beautifully. In the end, Lord Darlington is disgraced in the media for his attachment to the Nazis...surely Forster's literary reference to the Duke of Windsor's relationship with Hitler. Later, retired Senator Lewis takes Darlington's estate for himself, and the ever-vigilant Stevens finds himself serving a new master.
The question after the film ends is: will they be able to handle all the changes?
 Unfulfilled Dreams February 15, 2010
charlottevaleofboston (massachusetts)
There is just something about this movie. It is one that you either love or hate, be bored with or sucked in by, one that will make you think about it and the feeling you're left with long after it's over or one you'll never remembering seeing.
For me, it was all the best things.
It's a movie that those of us who have reached a certain age can truly sympathize with on a gut level ..how many of us grow older and often think about missed opportunities, realizing one day that all the chances of fulfilling the dreams you had as girl (or boy) have long passed and are never coming true...and that even second chances don't always pan out the way we want them too...
Herein lies the cruel fate of our heroine, Ms. Kenton.
The movie for me, as a woman, is about Ms. Kenton and the choices she made, along with the ones she didn't, but perhaps should have.
As you travel through the movie, you are hopeful that Stevens has realized what he lost and is willing to step out of his comfort zone and crippling fear to finally live his life and confess his love for Ms. Kenton when they meet again.
But Stevens is so far gone that he can only imagine his life with ms. Kenton if she is back under the roof of Darlington Hall, where the salvation of safety and security lie. But due to recent circumstances, this cannot be, and so he retreats back into his solitary world leaving Ms. Kenton alone once again.
There are 2 last scenes for me in this movie. The first, Ms. Kenton crying as the bus pulls away from Stevens, taking with it all her unfulfilled dreams.
And then there are the last moments of the film. And it is here I go back to my opening paragraph about how you will either get this movie or you won't.
The Trapped Pigeon
For me, it represented all who came and went through doors of Darlington Hall.
In the end, Stevens helps push the bird out of the house, aiding in it's escape, something he was never able to do for himself.
But Ms. Kenton escaped - a scary and uncertain flight it was, but one that is necessary in life.
True, the risk pays off for some and not for others, but we can't just stand still; we have to move on, even though we may not end up in the place we had wished for in the dreams of our youth.
 Seller Responsibility February 15, 2010
H. Levitt
The seller was very quick and thorough in correcting an unfortunate oversight. This used VHS had reception problems and was returned. The transaction was very cordial and understanding (on both sides). Refund was immediate, including return postage.
Remains of the Day January 28, 2010
Rose Dilley (Sacramento, CA, USA)
As a collector of Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson movies, I found that this fit right in. Period piece of servants in an English Manor during WWII. Well written, well acted, definitely worth the awards it received.
This remains one of my favorite films of all time... December 2, 2009
Andrew Ellington (Mulholland Drive)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
You can pretty much copy and paste my review for `Howards End' here and call it a day since my feelings for both films is pretty much identical. Both films possess this air of elegance that just engulfs every scene and creates this strength and profound character. I may prefer this film `slightly' but really, both films are just utterly brilliant, and effortlessly so. I think that is what is so spellbinding about these two movies, they are effortless. There is no sign of overreaching or forced gracefulness. Every single frame floats by with a restrained tension that just uplifts the entire film and delivers a beautiful piece of art to our eyes and ears, and most importantly, our hearts.
Consider this film perfection.
The story told here is of a butler and housekeeper in England as World War II is looming over the shoulders of everyone around. The film is basically a brooding study of human loyalties and the longing for a feeling of accomplishment. Stevens, the butler, is a man filled with repressed emotions because of his determination to do his job perfectly. He restricts himself, making many sacrifices in order to hold onto the feeling of control and pride. It's not a selfish or a detrimental pride (at least not detrimental in the usual sense) but a pride that comes from being able to say you have done something to the best of your ability. His relationship with the headstrong and rather liberal Miss Kenton tests his viewpoint and his methods.
Draped in luscious scenery and woven tightly into a profound and provocative storyline, `The Remains of the Day' will remain in your soul.
It lingers.
The film is propelled marvelously by the two leads, Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson. Hopkins in particular is just brilliant here, showcasing his characters inner emotional frustration as he makes himself the proper representation of loyal service. It's a gargantuan on a performance, a pure tour-de-force that had no business losing the Oscar to Tom Hanks' hammy gimmick in `Philadelphia'. In fact, if it wasn't for Russell Crowe delivering one of the most fearlessly committed performances I've ever seen in `Romper Stomper', I'd give Hopkins my personal award for this. Thompson matches him with so much heart, warmth and spirit. I struggle with category placement with her (she totally supports him, but she needs no support herself) but either way, she is sublime.
They really NEED to do another movie together!
If you haven't had the pleasure of seeing this (or the splendid `Howards End') I highly, HIGHLY recommend you seek them out this instant. They are beautiful films that match their internal composition with richly organic performances and sumptuous scenery that just begs to be seen and worshiped.
These are better than modern masterpieces, they are modern miracles!
Showing reviews 1-5 of 129
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