Edward II

I love a filmmaker who understands theater and how to adapt a theatrical production for the screen. Derek Jarman is one of these directors. He understands that the point of a play is to highlight the characters, dialogue, and performances of the actors without the need for unnecessary realism in sets, location, and even time. He does this by using minimalist and inventive sets that focus on textures more than realism and would fit in a production of a Samuel Beckett Play. Jarman focuses on Marlowe’s words and characters and transforms Edward II into a modern queer masterpiece. 

The film follows King Edward II (Steven Waddington) and his lover, Gaveston (Andrew Tiernan). The two reunite after the death of Edward’s Father, who banished Gaveston for becoming too close to Edward II for the realm’s comfort. The Queen, played by the incomparable Tilda Swinton, conspires with the military leader, Mortimer, to plot to kill the two lovers and take power for themselves. The film is a wild ride of plotting, murder, betrayal, sex, and violence, with stunningly powerful visuals and incredibly well-acted by every cast member. 

Tilda Swinton's role as Queen Isabella has very quickly become one of my favorite roles she’s performed. She plays the role with a glamorous reverence for the perceived loss of her husband to his lover Gaveston, all while quietly plotting her revenge. In every scene, she is costumed gorgeously as she schemes the demise of the two lovers. Her costuming juxtaposed with the dark and textured walls of who knows where is worth the price of admission alone.

Edward II is a stylized and gorgeous retelling of Marlowe’s classic play. The best film I can compare it to is Joel Coen’s 2021 Tragedy of Macbeth, which would also go great on a double bill with this film. I can’t gush enough over the amazing costuming and set design of Edward II. The acting is impeccable in this queer reading of an already queer story is phenomenal. Jarman brings a new light to the romance of Edward and Gaveston, and the tragedy bestowed upon them. 

Vital Disc Stats: The Blu-ray 
Edward II arrives on Blu-ray from Film Movement Classics and OCN Distribution. Pressed on a Region A Blu-ray, the disc is housed in a clear case with a booklet of essays. If you order from Vinegar Syndrome’s website, the release comes with a limited edition slipcover with original artwork.

This restoration is gorgeous. This release captures the stunning costumes, the minimalist but highly textured sets, and the stark expressionistic lighting, which combine to create a truly stunning cinematic experience. Edward II’s cinematography has a very similar visual texture to the films of Jarmans’ contemporary Peter Greenaway, whose films also exhibit a dark but rustic and very British feel.

The sound of this restoration is also very good; the sound is clear, and you can hear all of the dialogue spoken by this incredible cast. The music in this film is great, but somewhat sparse. There is an incredible scene where the Eurythmics’ Annie Lennox pops into the movie to perform a gut-wrenching song while the two lovers embrace and dance. Overall, the sound is very good for this release of Edward II.

These supplements are small but mighty; the documentary and the essays included in this release are informative and well worth diving into.

• Documentary Featurette: Derek's Edward
• Booklet with a new essay by film critic Kyle Turner, an essay by Bruce LaBruce, and a prologue by Tilda Swinton

Edward II is a terrific film I'd encourage anyone curious to find the time for it. The audiovisual aspects of this release by Film Movement Classics are top-notch and create a truly cinematic experience on home video. Jarman, along with Swinton and the rest of the cast, brings this Renaissance production by Marlowe into the 20th century. The minimalist production design juxtaposed with deliberate period jumping costume designs tells this queer love story rooted in the Renaissance era, while making the story universal and of any time. I would recommend this film to anyone, but especially those interested in queer cinema, theater, or anyone who just loves Tilda.