Blithe Spirit (2020) From Margaret Rutherford to Judi Dench - Movie Review

[@ziploc6354]

Why no mention of the brilliant 1956 Television adaptation with the author, Noël Coward, as Condamine, Lauren Bacall as Elvira, Claudette Colbert as Ruth, and the sublime Mildred Natwick as Madame Arcati?

[@thebluerobin]

Yes, I watched the television production the other night. Mildred Natwick was brilliant as well as Noel Coward and Lauren Bacall.

[@marialuisamalnero2711]

I saw it in KZbin. Great!

[@karlmortoniv2951]

There's another TV version from the '60s with Ruth Gordon as Madame Arcati that's fun to watch as well. :)

[@edwardoneil3962]

Lauren Bacall was marvellous I have to agree with you 😀

[@charleseskildsen3317]

I agree, I thought how can you not mention the great Lauren Bacall. I think she doesn't get the credit she deserved.

[@larrydirtybird]

Everybody: On KZbin you can watch the 1956 television version starring Noel Coward, Claudette Colbert (Ruth), Lauren Bacall (Elvira) and Mildred Natwick, shot with a live audience . Natwick originated the role of Madame Arcati on Broadway, and she is delightful. I’ve never seen Margaret Rutherford’s performance, but I can’t imagine it being better.

[@jaqatlantic]

To my taste, the 1956 television production is, overall and notwithstanding Margaret Rutherford's excellent performance, better than the film version to which you refer.

[@hortondlfn1994]

I enjoyed the film with Margaret Rutherford, but I rather preferred Mildred Natwick. I thought she was brilliant in the role of Mme. Arcati, and Lauren Bacall was absolutely perfect as Elvira. I'm afraid, just going by the trailer alone, that the new release looks far too "hammy" for my taste, particularly as Noel Coward seemed to have great trust in his audience's ability to get his humor (without having to spell it out for them).

[@lotteweill]

Kay Hammond is as nuanced, droll, original, funny and wonderful as Rutherford, not taking anything away from Rutherford's extraordinary performance. Harrison is just right too.

[@annettemontfort380]

I absolutely loved the 1945 movie! We had a family showing about 10 years ago and had alot of fun! We often quote lines! I can't wait to see the new one! Thank you for your review! Look forward to watching again!

[@RABBITANDSNAIL]

Thanks for your kind comments. It was a wonderful film, the be one is fun too, although a little different, as you'd expect, enjoyable all the same. Hope you like it when you see it.

[@reasonrestored9116]

I saw Angela Lansburys Tony winning performance as Madam Arcati on Broadway in 2010. Should’ve filmed that version instead of messing about with the classic play (and by all accounts ruining it in the process, despite Dench)!

[@edwardoneil3962]

I think that nothing could ever be more better than the 1945 version because it was made in or near Kent and the genius of Margaret Rutherford combined gave the film authenticity. Margaret actually made the film comical and funny combined with the other actors humor made it a success. However the leading lady In the new version is a wonderful actor so we must wait and see lolx 😀❤😀

[@RABBITANDSNAIL]

Totally agree. It's a great film. Made Margaret Rutherford a star.

[@tarasubramaniam6191]

Mildred natwick ties with Dame margsret Rutherford as Madame arcati.. Both are thr BEST

[@stevecannon-english8683]

The television version with Noell Coward, Claudette Colbert, Lauren Bacall and Mildred Natick as Madam Arcatti is also super.

[@davidallen508]

I’m not interested in looking beyond Rutherford and Harrison,both of whom are brilliant.

[@patrickmullane30]

Well- you should watch Noel coward Loren Becall and Claudette Colbert with an astounding performance by Mildred Natwick !!!

[@davidallen508]

@@patrickmullane30 I’m sure Natwick is great (a very underrated actress ; one of the best things about “Tammy”) but I’m happy to take your word regarding Bacall and Colbert.I may give it a go yet.

[@RABBITANDSNAIL]

Totally agree. It's a terrific version. Super cast too.

[@yvonneeres7213]

I am about to watch the original film. I have never seen the stage version.😔 The new film version is available to us tomorrow. I enjoyed your video, thank you.

[@RABBITANDSNAIL]

Thanks Yvonne. It's a lovely film. The new version is good too, but diverts a little from the story of the original. Hope you enjoy them both.

[@Concetta20]

The guy did “Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day” should’ve done “Blithe Spirit” 2021.

[@tommoncrieff1154]

The new movie is great to look at but it’s what we pretend the 30s and 40s were, with everyone living in Art Deco architectural masterpieces. The 1945 film is how those upper classes actually lived, comfortably and grandly rather than fashionably. It’s okay, I watched it on Sky TV as they released it on TV due to Covid. Noel Coward’s script has been rewritten, not incredibly well and not in keeping, there’s too much of an attempt at jokes rather than character and a lot of physical comedy and slapstick as if they’re too frightened the audience isn’t sophisticated enough. Dan Stevens acquits himself well as does Isla Fisher. Judi Dench’s character is all wrong, there’s far too much of her outside of the original play and she’s just not that great. She doesn’t come across as an older lady in that period who would have been a Victorian relic. Leslie Mann is also far too contemporary, she’s just too modern and not mischievous enough. But it’s all very jolly and the pace is good. However, it’s greatest problem is that David Lean shot a brilliant version with fabulous production values in 1945 with a superb cast, that’s a classic. It really doesn’t need to be remade, as any remake will always come off worst. And I disagree Rex Harrison was wooden, it’s the class and character of that time, and it’s his personality that partly makes the film so wonderful.

[@edwardoneil3962]

Sounds good enough to me will give it a go 😀

[@vj9021]

I liked that Margaret Rutherford played it so unaware anyone could doubt her, even if she didn't understand herself what she could do. It reminds me of Bedknobs and broomsticks with Angela Lansbury. I'm shore the stage versions they did were amazing, funny they both made Miss Marple movies too.

[@marialuisamalnero2711]

I read the book and I saw the play (1956) with Noel himself. Great Story.Can't wait to see this new version

[@edwardoneil3962]

How fortunate so lucky it must have been wonderful 😀

[@larrydirtybird]

@@edwardoneil3962 , it’s on KZbin, the 1956 version. They televised it. Claudette Colbert and Lauren Bacall are also in it.

[@angelaf3882]

I just saw the stage version on youtube and look forward to the new version. Our local community theatre performed this show over 10 years ago and I loved it.

[@fluffyfour]

I watched the new one for 30 minutes. I was traumatised. Coward must be spinning in his grave. Never have I seen a classic play wantonly destroyed in such a crass and insensitive fashion.

[@cathrynhesketh5703]

I absolutely love the 1945 film of blithe spirit.margaret Rutherford was wonderful.but I do like judie dench so I want to see the new version because of her.will it be better than david leans version? im not sure.

[@antiheroannie539]

You forgot to mention the equally brilliant Mildred Natwick as madame Arcati in 1956

[@bubbaclark4355]

Great movie very enjoyable Margaret Rutherford was marvelous. Judi Dench was wonderful as well.

[@vojaro5669]

Saw it with Angela Lansbury, Rupert Everett in New York City 2009. It was outstanding!!

[@santamonicadave223]

The recent movie adaptation managed to excise every comic moment Coward conceived for Madam Arcati. What a travesty!

[@CrowMeris]

I just finished watching the 2020 screen production, and while it was certainly "lush" in costuming and settings, I cannot help but love the Margaret Rutherford character more than Judi Dench's portrayal.

[@mamajoejoe]

watched the new film. it was good. made me laugh but when the ending completely alterred to the margaret rutherford film it lost me. i tought it was a bad mistake to change the ending, to be honest this is another attempt to remake a brilliant classic. it was enjoyable judy dench is great but its not as good as the original film. margaret rutherford was a superb character actress. even the miss marple films are far superior with her as miss marple.

[@JRussellDay]

They were quite similar movies I found from acting to costumes to sets, both were quite good.

[@howardnwhite]

Lovely film you made, thanks so much. I loved the play and old film, but I hated the new version. Sadly, you forgot to mention two things: firstly the BEST adaptations, which are the ones made for radio. And also, the musical which ran for six months on both side of the Atlantic, Cowerd himself directing it here, entitled 'High Spirits'. You should be able to find the songs on youtube to listen to.

[@Concetta20]

The radio version was actually the first version I “saw”. I really enjoyed the 1945 version.

[@JRussellDay]

I do think Leslie Mann is quite a perfect actor for a 1940's lady she already has that manner to her

[@Grogster2007]

Please please please review Green For Danger with Alaister Sim.

[@RABBITANDSNAIL]

One of my favourite films. It's a deal. Watch this space.

[@ginnylorenz5265]

Yes! Green For Danger.....wonderful, fascinating film. Terrific cast, AND the incomparable Alistair Sim!!!!!!!!!

[@Grogster2007]

@@RABBITANDSNAIL Great news !!

[@Grogster2007]

@@ginnylorenz5265 Some of his lines in that film were just amazingly....his very best

[@danielfontaine6977]

I saw Margaret Rutherford in Blithe Spirit more than once, only in the film version that I have in DVD... did not see her on stage, of course .. saw recently the 2020 version with Dame Judy Dench .... I have great respect for the wonderful talent of Dame Judy, but I cant get her casting, for Madame Arcati ... neither by the way of the main actors of that version ... What I dont understand by the way, is "why" when a classic was made, is there a need to try to update it thinking that they can do better? Well this 2020 version dont convince me, no hard feelings :-) .... Best regards from Montreal ....

[@corinnetippit9969]

Just watched on KZbin the tv version with Noel coward and Lauren bacall

[@etherealtb6021]

The 2020 version did lLOOK beautiful. Too bad it was horrible. Except fir the character names and basic idea, there's nothing left of Coward. I doubt even those who don't know Coward coukd e enjoyed it. Asked Amazon for my money back, which I never do.

[@robertwilkins8357]

So much fun to watch!

[@buffedtrainer1]

They destroyed the story construction. WHY does Hollywood RUIN classics????🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬😡😡

[@lotteweill]

How can Acarti possibly be a fake, she brings Elvira back.

[@etherealtb6021]

No, the maid did that. But Arcadi does have some abikio, IMHO.

[@lotteweill]

@@etherealtb6021 Funny discussion. But it is Acarti who contacts the spirits, she is able to source the maid...no?

[@etherealtb6021]

@@lotteweill yes, exactly. I don't believe she's a fake or charlatan, she's just go much more limited abilities than she thinks she does! 🤣

[@lotteweill]

@@etherealtb6021Now Margaret Rutherford's performance is spectacularly out of this world. She created the role in the original London stage production. So did Kay Hammond.

[@etherealtb6021]

@@lotteweill both were fantastic!

[@kennethdesmondmosley1075]

The current movie intended to improve on Noel coward

[@johnpickford4222]

Kenneth Desmond Mosley: The problem is “. . . intended to improve on Noel Coward.” There was no need to improve and you know what the road to hell is paved with, intentions.

[@Mandeley100]

And failed miserably!

[@rcmorl6390]

Absolutely adore the original 45 version, can watch it again and again, Margaret Rutherford and Kate Hammond are delicious....cant bear the new version remodel, rewrite, insulting politically corrected, added junk absolutely ruins the story. In fact so much was changed it's barely recognizable as blithe spirit

[@mikeh5431]

Great synopsis! BTW, all mediums are fake

[@buffedtrainer1]

I love judi Dench, but this was not one of her best performances. NO ONE can replace Margaret Rutherford in the 1945 film. NO ONE, maybe with the exception of Mildred Natwick. This 2020 version was not that good. WHY did they attempt a remake? Judi should have watched the 1945 film to get some pointers.

[@David-uf8ex]

What a pity Cecil Parker didn’t do the film he was such a good actor , I’ve always thought Rex Harrison was very wooden

[@sthelenshistorychannel]

The set was amazing but the casting and acting was not. Some things should be left well alone. Cover versions, sampling and inferior copies are all too common these days - have we run out of imagination, talent and ideas?

[@Mandeley100]

The 2020 version is a terrible, terrible, TERRIBLE film, a mangled, misbegotten mess. Even the beloved Dame Judi cannot save it.