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Rating: 
Summary: Great series and wonderful actress!
Review: Anyone who hasnt seen this series is missing out big time. The sets, costumes, acting are superb! Takes one back to the days of old, where, everything that happens today, happens there, only with much more style and discretion! This isnt a "stuffy" drawing room series, very hot and exciting!
Rating:
Summary: Great series and wonderful actress!
Review: Anyone who hasnt seen this series is missing out big time. The sets, costumes, acting are superb! Takes one back to the days of old, where, everything that happens today, happens there, only with much more style and discretion! This isnt a "stuffy" drawing room series, very hot and exciting!
Rating:
Summary: A Thoroughly Enjoyable Historical Biography!
Review: Born Emilie Le Breton in 1853 on the Channel Island of Jersey, Lillie Langtry went on to become one of the most famous women of the late 19th century, and this 1978 series (consisting of thirteen 50-minute episodes) does an admirable job of chronicling her fascinating life. Lillie was gifted with exceptional beauty, and although she and her new husband Edward Langtry (played by Anton Rogers (May to December, Fresh Fields)) were people of very modest means when they moved to London, it didn't take long for Lillie to become noticed. Indeed, Lillie craved London society and did all she could to secure herself a place therein. Becoming a Professional Beauty (the 19th century equivalent of a Supermodel) certainly helped for soon her portraits and photographs were everywhere. (Her friendships, by the way, included the artists Millais and Whistler and the playwright Oscar Wilde (played to absolute perfection by Peter Egan)). It was, however, her relationship as one of the mistresses of Bertie, the Prince of Wales, that really sealed Lillie's position in society. Society, however, failed to hold Lillie's interest for long, and she soon embarked upon a career as an actress, a decision that was to bring Lillie international attention and acclaim--to such an extent that a town in Texas was even named after her! In this series, Lillie is portrayed by the stunningly beautiful Francesca Annis who, at least in my opinion, is simply splendid as Lillie; indeed, so perfect is her portrayal that I cannot possibly imagine anyone else in the role. Having seen pictures of the real Lillie Langtry, both my mother and I have often remarked on how Lillie's beauty pales by comparison with Francesca's--evidence, no doubt, that beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder, and that which one society considers to be perfection is often very different from that which is considered to be so by another! In conclusion, this is an engaging and entertaining story of a woman who led a very interesting and atypical life. It is perfectly cast and extremely well-acted, and I highly recommend it to anyone with a love for either period drama or historical biography. For those interested in delving even deeper into this fascinating woman's life, I highly recommend Laura Beatty's highly acclaimed biography entitled Lillie Langtry--Manners, Masks and Morals (a 1999 UK publication).
Rating:
Summary: Great Biography
Review: I doubted whether anyone's life really needed this many volumes, yet the story is well told and the characters well performed. Some reviewers have been disappointed in Annis's performance, saying she is "flat" or uninteresting, but I cannot agree. The "Lillie" she portrays is fascinating, but selfish and shallow, exactly as as she should have been. Anyone who's been to High School should know that the class coquette is usually neither deep nor likable once you get to know her. Annis plays the class coquette in the right place at the right time. Peter Egan steals the show as Oscar Wilde, witty, light years smarter than anyone else, yet tortured by being the wrong person at the wrong time. (He might have avoided those charges if he could have just kept his mouth shut--Egan plays, beautifully, a man too witty for his own good.)Lillie's family are all believable, and it is poetic how much her father and her catastrophically wrong-for-her husband have in common, as this story is told. Artist Jimmy Whistler is brought to life quite convincingly. At the end, when Lillie is just another old, forgotten woman, the story feels unerringly true. Can't ask for more in a bio/drama.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating Biography
Review: Lillie is the story of Lillie Langtry, notorious actress and Mistress to the king. Okay, I admit it, this era of history has never particularly interested me before, but if you can get past the first forty-five minutes, you'll really be hooked. The life and times of Lillie, is, quite simply a fascinating time period. Seeing Lillie change over time from an upstanding and morally upright daughter of a preacher to become the mistress of several wealthy and influential men was an interesting study on the consequences of too much power and wealth. Lillie's friendship with Oscar Wilde was well portrayed, and I was saddened at the end when Lillie passed away alone and forgotten. Overall, a gripping, thrilling, series sure to delight!
Rating:
Summary: Gorgeous biography of one of the first superstars
Review: Lillie Langtry was, in some ways, the first modern superstar celebrity, as famous for her off-stage life as her on-stage achievements, and this sumptuous - and that may be too mild a word - Masterpiece Theatre offering depicts that tumultous life in loving detail. Francesca Annis is first-rate as Lillie - a role she originally essayed several years before in "Edward the King", another Masterpiece Theatre miniseries - and supported by an equally excellent cast. The costuming and sets are truly gorgeous. My only complaint is that there's no subtitling on the DVD's.
Rating:
Summary: The best!
Review: One of the best Masterpiece Theater productions ever. Something I watch at least once a year. Great performances by all involved.
Rating:
Summary: The best!
Review: One of the best Masterpiece Theater productions ever. Something I watch at least once a year. Great performances by all involved.
Rating: 
Summary: A VICTORIAN SIREN...
Review: This thirteen part Masterpiece Theatre series, which first aired in 1979, is certainly worth watching as it is quite entertaining and well done. Detailing the life and loves of the notorious Lillie Langtry, the Victorian era superstar, it gives the viewer a taste of an era gone by. Well acted by a stellar cast, the production suffers only from the unfortunate lighting used in the nineteen seventies, giving the sets and actors a somewhat washed out and flat appearance. That being said, it is still a series well worth watching. Born on the British isle of Jersey to a womanizing clergyman and his wife, Lillie grew up as a tomboy with a rare beauty. At an early age, she married Edward Langtry, a purportedly wealthy yachtsman from a shipping family, who takes her to live in Southampton. There, she finds life not to her liking. She soon discovers that her husband has sold her a bill of goods, as his wealth has been spent. After a bout with a serious illness, she contrives a move to London, where she is exposed to a taste of high society. After a false start, she gets noticed by the local swells and becomes a reknowned beauty, sought after by all. Now, a fashionable society woman, she finds herself with her name on everyone's lips. Lillie eventually comes to the attention of the married Prince of Wales and becomes his mistress. Trapped in her loveless marriage with the hapless and alcoholic Edward Langtry, Lillie goes on to have numerous love affairs with some of the most socially prominent and wealthy men of her day and eventually has a love child. Courted by all, her beauty and need for money brings her to stage, where she becomes an actress with her own company. Her fame by now has spanned the ocean and made her a celebrity in America, as well as in Europe. Lillie certainly knew the value of marketing, as she endorsed numerous products with her name. A woman ahead of her time, who marched to the beat of her own drum, she still went to great pains to avoid scandal, though it was never far from her doorstep. Alas, in the end, her fame and beauty decimated by age, her lovers dead or gone, Lillie, no longer the toast of two continents, ends up nothing more than a lonely old lady. The cast for this production is stellar and the costumes are first rate. Francesca Annis is beautiful and certainly gives a competent performance as the notorious Lillie. Though her performance is acclaimed, however, the viewer cannot help but wonder why such a fuss was ever made over Lillie, as she comes across as supremely shallow and vapid. I attribute this to the fact that Ms. Annis' portrayal of Lillie comes across as being rather flat, failing to make her a truly likable character. Peter Egan, on the other hand, is superb as Oscar Wilde and, as far as I am concerned, steals the show. Filled with much social intrigue and witty repartee, the series will keep the viewer riveted to the screen. This four disc DVD is well done with good visuals and clarity of sound. It does not offer much by way of bonus features, but with such a lengthy production, who cares. All in all, this is a very enjoyable and entertaining series that will provide the viewer with hours of viewing pleasure. Those who like period pieces and historical dramas will most certainly enjoy this one.
Rating: 
Summary: Good but Choosing Episodes was a headache
Review: This used to be my favourite series, but going to next episodes of the series was disappointing ! I mean operating to watch the next episode was unnecessarily complicated, piture quality was ok but not great for a dvd. I give it 3 stars because I enjoyed watching it again after a long time, so I guess I should be thankful that I have it in my collection. A must see ! You will feel some joys and happiness with the movie - Guaranteed !!
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