One of the very best films made by longtime partners Ismail Merchant and James Ivory, this compelling 1992 adaptation of E.M. Forster's 1910 novel examines class differences in British society, as well as the often deleterious effects of repressing feelings. The plot is set in motion when seriously ill, aristocratic matriarch Ruth Wilcox (Vanessa Redgrave) writes a note bequeathing her country estate, Howards End, to a relatively recent acquaintance, Margaret Schlegel (Emma Thompson). Ruth's husband Henry (Anthony Hopkins) and daughter Evie (Jemma Redgrave) barely know Margaret, but they resent her just the same, and secretly destroy the note even though they themselves have no intention of living at Howards End after Ruth dies. A seemingly unrelated but ultimately crucial subplot finds Margaret's sister Helen (Helena Bonham Carter) having an affair with married insurance-company clerk Leonard Bast (Samuel West), a liaison that will have serious repercussions. As always with Merchant-Ivory films, the screenplay is exceptionally literate, with rich dialogue delivered to perfection by talented actors. Thompson comes off as quite sympathetic, although her performance is overshadowed by that of Hopkins, whose understated cruelty will send chills down your spine. Presented with a sparkling new anamorphic widescreen transfer, DVD extras on this double-disc set include “The Wandering Company,” a 48-minute documentary on the history of Merchant Ivory; the 42-minute “making-of” documentary “Building Howards End”; and a featurette on production design. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. (E. Hulse)[DVD/Blu-ray Review—Mar. 2, 2010—Criterion, 142 min., PG, DVD: $29.95, Blu-ray: $39.95—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, and its latest appearance on DVD, 1992's Howards End sports a great transfer with DTS-HD 5.1 sound on Blu-ray and Dolby Digital 5.1 on DVD. DVD/Blu-ray extras include “The Wandering Company” featurette on the history of Merchant Ivory Productions (48 min.), a “Building Howards End” “making-of” featurette (42 min.), a video appreciation of late producer Ismail Merchant by director James Ivory (12 min.), “The Design of Howards End” featurette on production design (9 min.), an original 1992 featurette (4 min.), an essay by critic Kenneth Turan, and trailers. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a contemporary classic that looks great, especially on Blu-ray.][Blu-ray/DVD Review—Dec. 13, 2016—Cohen, 142 min., PG, DVD: $25.99, Blu-ray: $34.99—Making its latest appearance on DVD and Blu-ray, 1991's Howards End features a fine transfer and a DTS-HD 5.1 soundtrack on the Blu-ray release. Extras on the Blu-ray release include audio commentary by critics Wade Major and Lael Lowenstein, production featurettes on “Building Howards End” (43 min.), interviews with James Ivory and former MoMA film curator Laurence Kardish (30 min.), a Lincoln Center Q&A with Ivory and critic Michael Koresky (27 min.), “James Ivory Remembers Ismail Merchant” (12 min.), “The Design” (9 min.), a Cannes interview with Ivory and costar Vanessa Redgrave (8 min.), a vintage behind-the-scenes featurette (5 min.), trailers, and a collector's booklet. Bottom line: an excellent edition of a contemporary classic.]
Howards End
Home Vision, 2 discs, 142 min., not rated, DVD: $29.95 Volume 20, Issue 3
Howards End
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