LILLIE - The Complete Series

This dramatization of Lillie Langtry's life may not be wholly accurate - we don't really know who was the father of her daughter Jeanne-Marie for example, but it is superbly acted by a terrific cast. Outstanding is Francesca Annis in the title role, who gives a spirited, moving and wholly convincing portrayal of the young girl who became a king's mistress, and possessed of talent and wit turned misfortunes to triumphs; also Peter Egan as Oscar Wilde, whose superb delivery of the lines he's given in the script are almost worthy of Wilde himself; finally Anton Rodgers as Lillie's estranged husband, a weak and pathetic 'gentleman' who had not the good sense to see that his wife was goinhg to triumph and outshine him sans effort, her beauty capitivating all she met, and it Rodger's moving portrayal of this naive and foolish man, finally descending to insanity, that must leave viewers gasping at the sad fact that society extolled her beauty whilst condemning him to be a cuckold many times over whilst, ironically, it was his surname perchance that became the name of an American city. Subtle and persuasive, amusing and well-directed, this DVD set will give great viewing pleasure even to those who know nothing of royal high-jinks, poetry, acting, horseracing, yachting, and fin-de-siecle morality. Just enjoy the ride.