Lillie

Lillie

Category: (DVD)

19 new, starting at $38.92

3 used, starting at $42.62

Buy Now

Editorial Reviews

As seen on Masterpiece Theatre

"Sparkling" —The Washington Post

"Captivating" —The New York Times

Walt Whitman called Lillie Langtry "the essence of poetry." James Whistler confessed that even he couldn't capture her beauty in a painting. And George Bernard Shaw declared her "intelligent, daring, and independent." In a BAFTA-winning performance hailed by critics, the incandescently beautiful Francesca Annis (Madame Bovary, Reckless, The Libertine) portrays the acclaimed British actress and courtesan from the blush of youth to the blight of old age.

At a time when society expected women to be docile and demure, Lillie posed for celebrity endorsements, conducted her own business affairs, and paid her first husband to keep his distance. Even more scandalously, she openly entertained a string of lovers among Europe’s elite, including the very married Prince of Wales—all while managing to win the respect and admiration of his wife. With its splendid cast and exquisite production elements, Lillie vividly captures the complex woman who became one of the most infamous figures of the Victorian age.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE essay about Lillie Langtry's impact on pop culture and cast filmographies.

The real Lillie Langtry (1853-1929) was the original Victorian supermodel and America's first "superstar." Inauspiciously born on the Isle of Jersey, Lillie began life as a small-town tomboy and went on to challenge Victorian society's attitudes toward women. Eventually sought after by painters, photographers, writers, and hostesses, the beautiful Lillie befriended Oscar Wilde, bedded the Prince of Wales, bore a daughter to Prince Louis of Battenburg, owned a California winery and winning racehorses, gained a British title, left a trail of broken hearts behind her wherever she went, and even had a town in Texas named after her. What the controversial Lillie did not gain through marriage, she earned as an actress and notable advertising figure who endorsed everything from soap and cigarettes to bustles.

Originally released in 1979, this 13-part Masterpiece Theatre presentation re-creates Lillie's tumultuous life. The DVD features include well-implemented interactive menus, a slide show, cast filmography, and Web links. While the Victorian and Edwardian details are convincing, the series as a whole has an unfortunate 1970s TV aesthetic--the color and lighting often fail to meet current standards. And although Peter Egan is enthralling as Oscar Wilde, Francesca Annis's performance as Lillie is disappointingly flat. For this reason, Lillie will let down viewers seeking to be inspired by a boldly rebellious Victorian woman. After all, Lillie Langtry was no suffragette. On the other hand, anyone who enjoys a little Wilde-style gossip and social intrigue will find hours of scintillating entertainment in Lillie. --Tara Chace

Customer Reviews

Memorable Performances

Reviewed by Michael T. Starnes, 2009-11-14

I watched this on television when I was but a very small child. I remember waiting for it weekly to come on Masterpeice Theatre and that it was hard to get the television to myself to view this series. Francesca Annis left an impression on me that I have never forgotten. This item has been on my wish list for YEARS and I am overjoyed to see it available again! I just viewed it again for the first time, as I was able to purchase a previous version through an Amazon Marketplace seller. It holds up, despite the years since its' release, due in large part by the magnificent cast, lavish sets, and strength of Ms. Annis' stunning performance. I cannot recommend this highly enough! I rated it a four only because of the strange age makeup they used on Ms. Annis, which does not hold up to the rigors of HDTV and seems to change from frighteningly plastic, to ghost white, to almost normal. The serious lack of any real extra bonus features is also a minus. I could not stop watching this until I had viewed the entire series again. Anything that will hold your attention this long and this well is a wise investment. The life of Lillie Langtry was an amazing epic journey that any woman would have traded places with her for, and it is brilliantly executed in this series! You can even stay in the home that the king had built for her to this day and visit the original saloon named after her, in the town re named for her in Texas! Facinating Character Subject? A crass understatement. Buy it and live the life of a poverty to princedom real life story!

What goes 'round comes 'round

Reviewed by Medusa, 2009-10-17

This miniseries is the story of a self absorbed, self centered PB (professional beauty) or super model as she would be known today. Lillie Langtry later became an actress but from what little else I know about her, she couldn't hold a candle to Sarah Bernhardt or Lillian Russell.

The people who deserved her kindness and consideration didn't get it and the ones who weren't deserving of it did. She sold her soul for jewelry, beautiful clothes, property, race horses, houses and the most intoxicating of all, social standing. In order to continue to receive expensive jewelry from one of her many lovers, she would willingly take a beating so violent that she had to be hospitalized. Her husband, Edward Langtry, played stunningly well by Anton Rogers, although a buffoon who lost his fortune shortly after their marriage, died alone in an asylum due to alcoholism. Rather than consider his feelings of being overshadowed by her popularity and adultery w/the Prince of Wales (Bertie), she chose to buy him off by sending him a small amount of money each month until his death. Oscar Wilde, the poet and playwright, played to perfection by Peter Egan, hardly worthy of the attention that she fawned on him, was taken care of by Lillie after his bankruptcy 'til the day he died. Even her own father, a minister who was disgraced and forced to leave his church due to misconduct w/women, didn't receive any help from Lillie. She'd say that "it's about time that I do something for him" but she never did. Lillie grew up w/6 brothers and I feel that contributed to her attitude towards men, that they're to be used and cast aside when finished w/them. I think she felt that her father deserved what he got as did her husband and that she'd make herself look good in the eyes of others but would do as little as possible to help them. As a result of her reckless and thoughtless behavior throughout her life, her illegitimate daughter born to the Prince of Austria, was passed off as her niece who later learned her true parentage and did not speak to her mother again until just before Lillie's own passing. Lillie never got to enjoy her daughter or grandchildren due to her own disregard for the feelings and lives of others. She died alone and forgotten, a sad but just ending to a woman who cared for no one but herself.

Francesca Annis played the part of Lillie and although others have given her rave reviews, I feel that each part Annis plays is the same flat portrayal w/only a name change. Compare her acting in Madame Bovary and you'll see what I mean. She was a stunning beauty in her day so she may have been cast w/that reason uppermost. Others outshined her in this production but I gave it 5 stars anyhow because I truly enjoyed it.

As Enchanting as Mrs. Langtry Herself!

Reviewed by Caroline G. Leonard, 2009-08-24

There are 13 episodes in this series (about 45 mins each), and I couldn't stop watching... I finished the entire series in four nights! I love English period pieces, and this is one of my favorites. The acting is supurb and the entire story is historically accurate...Very juicy. If you enjoy history and salacious British drama, I promise you will love this series and want to see everything Francesca Annis has been in! ENJOY!

Enchanting

Reviewed by Jody, 2009-07-04

Intelligent, practical and generous, Lillie Langtry's wit, beauty, charm and ambition took her from small town life on the Isle of Jersey to London and beyond where she was the center of attention from the likes of Oscar Wilde and King Edward VII. Forced by circumstances to work for a living, she took to the stage and had a stellar theatrical career touring all over the world. What a ride she had, and what a great story to tell!

Francesca Annis is incandescent as Lillie Langtry, and it's hard to imagine the real Lillie being any different from Ms. Annis' portrayal. She's so good that at no point does all the praise and attention she garners as Lillie become incredible. The supporting characters are equally wonderful and I'll warn anyone who purchases this set--don't start watching it unless you have time to finish it--you won't want to stop until the end.

As always in one of these series from the Golden Age of the BBC, every detail of set and costume is perfect, as is the writing. This is a great accompaniment to the series Edward the King (in which Francesca Annis appears as Lillie Langtry), and the marvelous Jennie, with Lee Remick though the second is not available on DVD.

Lillie

Reviewed by Nancy R. Douglas, 2009-04-12

This is a very interesting story. A lot history that I knew nothing about. I realise it is only a stoy based on fact, but still very good.