Rating: 
Summary: One of the best films ever made, period
Review: "Maurice" is one of the best films ever made, and is certainly in the running for the best film ever made about male love. I just recently watched the DVD to see the movie again, and it's really strong stuff.But of course, consider what we have to work with! The original novel was written by E.M. Forster, certainly no slouch of a novelist. He wrote the whole story up, circulated it among friends only, and then calmly filed it away to be published after his death. (He knew what sort of people he was dealing with in England, and a lot of this comes out in the novel itself, of course.) So you take a terrific story, hand it to brilliant producers and directors and actors, and the result is a marvel. The scene in the boathouse at the end of the movie is just heartstopping, when Scudder says "Now we shan't never be parted again. It's finished!" FINALLY a movie which deals with love, with real love and real passion, and the next shot of the Hugh Grant character shutting himself up in his phony, closeted life because he has rejected love...ah, it's a masterpiece. Do yourself a favor and don't miss it!
Rating:
Summary: The full story at last....
Review: Since this is one of my all-time favorite films, I was thrilled to find that it was on DVD, especially a 2-disc set, and I snapped it up. The picture quality of the uncut remastered film itself is gorgeous, but the real value is in the second disc which includes all the interviews, background and deleted scenes. If you like this film, definitely buy the DVD set!
Rating:
Summary: Haunting, Transcendent
Review: Merchant-Ivory have often been made fun of for being stuffy and repressed. I don't agree but I understand why they've been parodied. In Maurice, however, the team created something very special--an incredibly lyrical, heartfelt love story. This movie haunted me long after I saw it when it was released, and it's just as haunting now. The performances are simply grand. I wish Hugh Grant would do a dramatic role again to get rid of his mannerisms. Wilby is particularly fine, when you consider this was his first film. I've never seen Graves give a bad performance. I'm so glad to see this on DVD. Would this film be a bigger hit in the theaters if it were released now? I think so.
Rating:
Summary: A Special Place
Review: I first became aquainted with this movie one night while doing the old channel surfing thing. I happened to land on a scene from a movie in which a man is lying in bed, tormented over something. He then moves to a window, to view the outside darkness. Not seeing anything, he returns to his bed, only to look back at the window, to view the house gamekeeper climbing up a ladder for an illicit rendez-vous. I was mesmerized, closeted, and seeing for the first time a depiction of love between two men. Thus I sat enchanted watching "Maurice", created from the magnificent Merchant Ivory studios. Maurice is based from an E. M. Forster book posthumously published due to its scandolous nature. Maurice, brilliantly portrayed by is a man torn between his role in society and his inner feelings. At Cambridge, he meets Clive Durham, played by a young dashing Hugh Grant, who becomes his first great love. Turmoil and tumult ensues, as the men wrestle with their love for each other versus society expectations. As Clive gives into the pressure, Maurice is sent wandering with his feelings, until he meets the saucy, somewhat illiterate gamekeeper Scudder, played by Rupert Graves, which only fuels the dichotomy. Never pandering to audiences, this film respects the story and its characters. They are equally rich and complex, as the giant behemoth of society constantly dictates what they must do or accept of each other. Yet despite each characters weaknesses and flaws, they manage to find ways to overcome those expectations. The story is as rich as any Merchant Ivory production, and the quality shows. The performances by all the leads is extremely commendable. They convey the love, confusion, and sincerety of their characters without ever going over the top. Especially Graves, who's character in English society at the time had the least status, manages to give him the most dignity as he pursues a man he loves. An equally fine supporting cast, from the brilliant Denholm Elliott to the amazing Judy Parfitt, give this move the credence and weight it deserves. Also commendable, this movie does not shy away at all from the sexuality included as part of the story. What's amazing is that this movie was made back in 1987, yet it treats the homosexual romance with the same reverence and respect as a heterosexual romance. It's refreshing how a series of films in the eights, from this to Parting Glances, truly were revolutionary. Finally, this movie's transfer to DVD is incredible. The movie is beautfiul, rich, and colorful. I have yet to see a finer transfer as the quality is superb. It is a scrumptious feast to watch. DVD collectors wishing to have high quality movies in this medium certainly won't want to pass up these disks. This movie will always hold a special place in my heart, and now I own the DVD version to treasure and watch without having to channel surf. I cannot recommend Maurice enough, or thank Merchat Ivory enough for producing such a high quality movie.
Rating:
Summary: A Modern Masterpiece
Review: Maurice, based on E. M. Forster's posthumously published novel, was hardly the first homosexually oriented film to be released. The Boys in the Band, Parting Glances and numerous telefilms had already been released. But Maurice was the first film of any note--depicting homosexuality in a sympathetic light and with a happy ending to boot--to become a crossover success. Set in the years 1909-1913, Maurice has been referred to as Forster's weakest novel, and there is justification in that label. In the novel, Clive seems to have no clear motivation for his transformation from gay to straight, and he seems to become genuinely heterosexual following a trip to Greece. The screenplay has improved on that by involving a secondary character in a homosexual scandal, which ruins his own life and frightens Clive. Further, it's made clearer in the film that Clive's marriage is a loveless sham. In this and several other respects, the film is a distinct improvement over the novel. One cannot imagine Forster being unhappy with the changes the screenwriter made. James Wilby realistically plays the title character, whose journey towards self-acceptance is the plot's main focus. Wilby plays Maurice without a trace of affectation, as a homosexual who could easily pass for straight, but who has no patience for sham and rejects living a lie. Hugh Grant as Clive--prissy, judgemental, and fearful--mirrors the sad tale of many a gay man who's stepped back into the closet. But it's Rupert Graves' Scudder who remains in the mind long after viewing. Graves manages to make the rough, uncouth gamekeeper sympathetic and even likeable (it doesn't hurt that Graves is very easy on the eyes). The love scenes are handled with frankness, but without sensationalism. Director James Ivory has a keen eye for camera placement (the memorable shots are too numerous to mention here), and draws natural, unforced performances from the cast-no easy task considering the formal dialogue. The production, shot on a shoestring budget, looks impressively lavish-thanks to the excellent cinematography, costumes, and Richard Robbins' lush score (with its appropriate nod to Tchaikovsky). Supervised by the Criterion Collection, the new transfer is a wonder to behold: very clean, with crisp, bold colors throughout. The sound is also improved over the VHS and Laserdisc issues. However, I noticed some audible camera noise during quiet scenes. The bonus material is insightful without being overly flashy. A few of the numerous deleted scenes-particularly Maurice's final speech to Clive--should probably have stayed in the film.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful dvd set
Review: This beautiful Merchant/Ivory film is now available on a two disc dvd set. Disc one presents the film itself in a stellar transfer. As with most M/I films, the cinematagraphy is breathtaking with many scenes filmed in the fall at King's College and Trinity College. The score by Richard Robbins is one of the most beautiful ever created for a film and it is outrageous that it was overlooked for an Oscar nomination. The acting is also superb with a pre-stardom Hugh Grant as the staunchly repressed Clive Durham, James Wilby as the title character, Rupert Graves as the hunky garden boy Scudder and Ben Kingsley in a humourous turn as Maurice's psychiatrist. Disc Two contains a 30 minute documentary "The Story of Maurice" which features interviews with screenwriter Kit Hesketh-Harvey, directors James Ivory and Ishmail Merchant and actors Hugh Grant, James Wilby and Rupert Graves. Their conversations are very enlightening especially the actors recalling their research and motivation into their roles and the responses they received after the film opened (for some strange reason Japanese school girls were crazy about them!). "Conversations with the Film Makers" contains another 13 minutes of interviews. Thirty minutes of twelve deleted scenes and alternative scenes are included. This includes a different opening preface to the film and another character that ended up being cut from the film. This beautiful dvd set (the art work alone is gorgeous) is worthy of any dvd library and a must for fans of the Merchant/Ivory films.
Rating: 
Summary: WARNING
Review: This was a very important film to me as it was instrumental in my own coming out process. I have waited a long time for the DVD version to appear. Let me preface my warning with the comment that this is a beautifully filmed and acted movie. However, I was profoundly dismayed by one major issue with this DVD. The deleted scenes contain nude shots from behind of actor Adrian Ross Magenty, who, according to the commentary by director James Ivory, was sixteen years old at the time. I would not have ordered this DVD if I had known that it contained these scenes. I consider these scenes to be inappropriate. This review is a warning to all those who feel similarly, so that you can avoid unwittingly purchasing something that you consider to be inappropriate.
Rating:
Summary: First class job
Review: This is a stunning digital transfer and beautifully presented DVD. The film radiates a beauty that was never apparent on the VHS. The extras are (for once) enjoyable and worthy of release - the deleted scenes are interesting for an insight into the process of film production of editorial choice. James Wilby and Rupert Graves talk with candour - Hugh Grant shows yet again what an oik he really is. It's a wonderful set.
Rating:
Summary: One of the earliest and still the best
Review: We've now had a century of literature and movies offering innumerable takes on "the gay experience" since Forster turned his pen to the task. Of course, there is no one "gay experience", and the range of treatments reflects that. But there are certain almost-universal elements in the process of growing to accept being gay and building a life based on that immutable fact. And Forster, better than anyone else, has captured those elements in a timeless, eloquent, and unstrident telling of the tale. This movie tracks the novel beautifully in tone as well as action. The acting is superb across the board. Even Hugh Grant, who has become almost unbearable in his stuttering fake diffidence in subsequent roles, plays his part here with subtlety and resigned grace. His barely restrained horror that Maurice, in succumbing to his unspeakable urges had the additional bad form to do it with someone from the working classes, is a piece of acting to behold. And the closing shot, as Grant stands at a window ready to close the shutters on a fading day -- as well as on his true nature -- has got to be the greatest stillshot of all cinema. James Wilby in the title role is sublime. As Maurice's rebellion against the role society has assigned him begins to build, Wilby portrays each thrust and parry between societal norms and his own nature with a determined subtlety. His eventual triumph, attained through small steps gently laid through the thickets of Edwardian convention, ultimately carries more punch than anywhere else in gay literature or cinema. Maurice simply -- and politely -- declines to be a victim and, by his very gentleness, overwhelms every force thrown against him. What a movie!
Rating:
Summary: A film to be treasured
Review: A brave move for Merchant Ivory to even consider making this (once banned) E.M Forster novel, it was never going to be a huge commercial success due to its subject matter but still they created this uncompromising masterpiece. An extraordinarily beautiful and intelligent film that effortlessly portrays intense passion and emotion. Undoubtedly essential viewing for every gay man and indeed for any lover of cinema.
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