Rating: 
Summary: A Must MUST see for all.
Review: One of the most magnificent films and most sensuous ever made. I rented "Women in Love" years ago over and over again, until I gave up and finally bought a copy. I have grown attached to this film. Glenda Jackson deservedly won oscar for her portrayal as Gudrun. Cinematographer should have won too for his elegant photography. When discussing this film with other film buffs, they keep mentioning the "most" brilliant scene, the nude scene with Alan Bates and Oliver Reed. I agree it's brilliant and exotic, but there are others that are beautiful, graceful and unforgettable: 1) Jennie Linden's nude scene with Alan Bates, circling gracefully around one another in a field while a beautiful score of music plays in the background. 2) Jackson's dance and graceful movement while reaching for a tree branch and slowly descending to the ground and back again, while Linden sings "Pretty Bubbles". 3) Linden's reconciliation with Bates starting with "See what a flower I found you?" 4) Jackson's gorgeous elongated eyes behind a veil putting on a costume in Switzerland while having an affair and Stravinsky plays in the background. No matter how many times I see this film, I find new beautiful discoveries. I pledge people to give this one a chance and I promise it will be worth while and rewarding.
Rating:
Summary: COUNTRY MANNERS.........
Review: STILL, very moving, erotic, devastating and rather frightening in its frank sexual portrayal! D.H. Lawrence veiled expose of the 'Bloomsbury' Set and 'other encounters' - today's imitations pale by comparison. Masterful performances by Glenda Jackson, Alan Bates, and the late Oliver Reed. Lush direction - and adaptation by Ken Russell and superb costumes by Mrs Russell - all lovingly restored on the late but 'collector's item DVD. Quite true to the flamboyant novel and a veritable primer for the aspiring actor. Now, how about more Russell Restorations??
Rating:
Summary: Unforgettable
Review: Surely one of the greatest ever made, this film is rich in every dimension. An unforgettable story.
Rating:
Summary: Totally Ken Russell's Lawrence
Review: The cast alone should indicate you are in for fireworks! Add to that a totally, over-the-top treatment by Ken Russell. This film will please and titillate, amuse and confuse. Such being the nature of love. As the main characters, Jackson, Bates and Reed are incredible. The film does a very credible job of sticking to the D.H. Lawrence idea. If for no other reason, watch it for the the nude wrestling scene! Encore!
Rating:
Summary: Possibly Russell's most enduring work....
Review: This has to be one of the most memorable treatments of Lawrence's work. The film explores all three relationship possibilites (male-female, male-male, and female-female) revealing the true underlying drives of each sex. The performances of *all* cast in this film are exemplary. Not only do Bates, Reed, and Jackson turn in unforgettable performances, but other characters (Jennie Linden as Ursula, Vladek Sheybal, Eleanor Bron, to name a few) are inspired to excel equally. Really this is a film which will haunt and force you to view it many many times. Each time you view it you will find more depth and more of Lawrence's insight into the life force behind men and women. This is not a film for the faint-hearted, or for casual viewing. It is a heavy hitter.
Rating: 
Summary: 'WOE! MAN IN LOVE"
Review: Well, ISN'T it all about forbidden fruit? Or as our beloved Cher would say "Snap out of it!" That's what Jennie Linden [Ursula} should say to Alan Bates [a comedic turn as the misguided DHL veiled as Birkin] regarding his comments about pure male love. Leading poor Gerald [Oliver Reeed - smouldering] on and on and on - and Gerald simply cannot commit to anything - - fully! BUT, "Woe, Man in Love" would not have worked - not commercial, besides it was the era of emancipation from Victoriana Regina! Frenetic fornication - suspenders, buttons, hose, undies, everything shreds. How could they remain so composed [err, controlled] while disrobing so violently? All that fumbling?? Magnificent period costumes by Shirley Russell. This sad dirge is semi-autobiographical, inspired by DHL's experiences with the "Bloomsbury" intelligentsia - similar to the Byron/Polidori/Shelley "Gothic" set, but not quite as depraved. Glenda Jackson devours the screen, and just about everything else as the Carnivorous Gudrun. Pandora's Box is unhinged and the demons are loose - she's Lillith [Adam's first wife/original dust] unleashed. Two, three Oscars can barely compensate her for this catharsis, and that voice! [One of the most sensual voice of the 20th Century - there's always Gielgud though......] The final sequence with Gerald at the sterile schloss devastates - it's pure vocal flagellation, the "whip of the soul". A prime acting lesson for the novice. THE nude [male] wrestling scene? Observe Reed's face at the climax of the match - wrenching! Not forgetting Linden's close-up at the end of the movie - subtle, but Mr. Russell makes the point well-known. Worthy of note : Catherine Wilmer as Gerald's Class conscious pre-prozac mother [or is she just having a bad day?] is this Gudrun in later years, all dried up? Still, tearing at the male? Russell should not have bothered with "The Music Lovers" [brilliant though it is] the Tchaikovsky sequence says it all! The work deserved five stars on the big screen - it impacts differently in this cropped version - 3 stars only. A good companion piece ? "Sons and Lovers" [this time, Dean Stockwell as the younger DHL with Mary Ure], more about that later.
| 
