Peter's Friends | 
| Director: Kenneth Branagh
Actors: Rita Rudner, Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Emma Thompson, Tony Slattery
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Category: DVD
List Price: $14.98
Buy New: $7.49
You Save: $7.49 (50%)
New (37) Used (12) from $7.49
Rating:  46 reviews
Sales Rank: 8726
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dubbed, Dvd, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Dubbed), Spanish (Dubbed)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 101 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.5
MPN: MGMDM109864D
UPC: 027616098641
EAN: 0027616098641
ASIN: B0010AN7Y0
Theatrical Release Date: 1992
Release Date: February 12, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Studio: Tcfhe/mgm Release Date: 02/12/2008 Run time: 101 minutes Rating: R
Amazon.com
What if you could go back to your glory days? Peter's Friends, sort of The Big Chill reconceived as an Agatha Christie country-estate drama, lets a group of university pals ponder that question while they must deal with their present-day demons. Kenneth Branagh's film, written by costar Rita Rudner and Martin Bergman, is buoyed by its vast and talented cast, whose chemistry keeps the action crackling, even when most of the action is the characters speaking. The friends are reunited at Peter's posh country home after the death of his father, for one last New Year's Eve. The bons mots fly, and the interaction of the actors is, as the Brits say, brilliant. Peter (played by the sublime Stephen Fry): "It's funny, with both my parents gone, I suddenly have this overwhelming urge to act maturely." Andrew (Branagh): "Oh, well, I don't think anybody really matures. Adults are just children who owe money." Yet buried among the one-liners and drawing-room manners are disappointment, heartbreak, and a heavy secret (which, many years after the film's original 1992 release, doesn't pack the same wallop). Emma Thompson shows nuance and delight as Maggie while Hugh Laurie shows his dramatic capabilities. Other winning performances are given by Imelda Staunton and Tony Slattery. The setting is an absolute stunner, and viewers will wish they could spend a holiday at the manor. And the soundtrack will transport them to a sweeter time in the early '80s, when "Everybody Wants to Rule the World." Cozy up for a delightfully unexpected evening with these Friends. --A.T. Hurley
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| Customer Reviews: Read 41 more reviews...
 What took you so long? February 8, 2009
Valerie J. Andrews (Georgia)
"Peter's Friends" is the British "Big Chill." And while it may be a stretch to see yourself among this ensemble of Brits gathering to celebrate New Year's Eve in a castle, you can relate to their dilemma; in a way, growing up sucks. But the warmth of their friendship, the obvious bond of the actors and a great script and stellar soundtrack will put this one on the top of your favorites list. And if you're just discovering Hugh Laurie ("House"), this shows you a completely different side of him.
Peter's Friends - USA release January 20, 2009
L. Waters (Kent, England)
Great film, full of touching humour. I bought this USA version because I'd previously purchased the UK product and the quality was very poor. US version is indeed much sharper and does the movie justice.
Peter's Friends November 12, 2008
G. Singer (Brooklyn NY)
Peter's Friends is a wonderful movie. Touching, funny, and sweet. I could watch it over and over again. The cast is superb. Ugh, Hugh Laurie what can I say. Much better than the Big Chill (they are similiar in theme).
Excellent October 24, 2008
J. C. Correll (Pompano Beach, FL)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Bought video for .77 cents, plus shipping, excellent deal. Although video was used it was in good condition. Would use this vendor again.
Much more than just the English Big Chill... October 19, 2008
Thomas Elliott (Melbourne, Australia)
This 1992 Film by stage and screen actor/director Kenneth Branagh is a real treat. Many reviews at the time simply labelled it as the English 'Big Chill'... though it shows some similarities in terms of plot techniques the films couldn't be more different in terms of style, performace and tone.
The basic plot is as follows:
Seven friends in an acting troupe graduate from Cambridge University in 1982 and go their separate ways. Ten years later, Peter inherits a large estate from his father, and invites the rest of the gang to spend New Year's holiday with him. Many changes have taken place in the lives of all the friends assembled, but Peter has a secret that will shock them all.
So if you are looking for an entertaining ensemble piece, with fine performances, solid direction and a witty script you should check out Peter's Friends.
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