The Importance of Being Earnest 1981 Great Performances PBS 1985

[@duben55]

The Best! What a wonderful directing of a perfectly cast troupe of extraordinary actors! I've watched many versions, but I am certain that Oscar Wilde would be absolutely pleased with this one!

[@nicfripp4159]

Thank you so much for posting this. I studied the play in 1973/4 for an A level English Literature and know it very well. I have loved this production since it was first broadcast, with the skills and evident enjoyment of all the players making it very special indeed. Like an idiot, I had lent the videotape I made of the broadcast to a friend and had never seen it again. You have made a 68 year old man very happy 😊

[@zbillster]

@@nicfripp4159 I worked on a high school production about the same time. I learned the hard way ... never lend out videos unless you never want to see them again.

[@jaecoool]

Absolutely superb! The full text (I presume) played to perfection with great theatrical skill - each character developed just, I think, as Wilde would desire. It bubbles with life and whimsy and certainly matches the 1951 film version, which was also superb but sacrificed some of the essential theatricality of this most perfect of plays. Here we have the true structure of three acts and three sets just as Wilde intended, and visually quite beautiful. Thank you so much for retrieving this masterpiece.

[@livannal.t.9068]

Really good production. very enjoyable

[@Mreffrod]

Thanks for posting. I played the part of Algernon, in an adapted for High School play. I had never seen the whole play before or since. Thanks again.

[@zbillster]

@@Mreffrod it was a high school experience for me to

[@christinelitvak6427]

We had this on VCR tape, and watched it often, but our machine no longer works. This version is the best version we've seen. So glad you posted it.

[@zbillster]

Was your VHS copy any better? 😁 Unfortunately this one was recorded off a cheap machine with rabbit ears on SLP. I saw the inferior versions posted so was motivated to post mine, despite its flaws.

[@christinelitvak6427]

@@zbillster Our copy was kind of fuzzy. Unfortunately, we threw it out because our VCR stopped working and when we tried to have the VCR repaired, the techs just laughed at us and said they might get to it in a few months, then said you can get everything on streaming. We gave up because we have no idea what streaming means.

[@zbillster]

@@christinelitvak6427 Yeah, VCRs are pretty delicate and disposable. In the height of usage with dirty rental tapes, I used to have to replace them every few years. Right now I have two (from the 2000s) and they barely get used, so hopefully they'll outlast my VHS collection. But made these digital backups just in case. It's amazing how all the bad stuff comes out on streaming, but several good movies and shows never will due to copyright or music issues. Especially PBS stuff. I have a couple of VHS movies I tried to upload but they were taken down due to background music.

[@rosemariemann1719]

31:36 : Love the intonation on the word " parcel" ! 🎼😊🦉🎭😊💙🇬🇧

[@Nicola-gt9np]

Stupendo. Era anni che non lo vedevo. Gli attori sono superbi!!!

[@chanang2009]

You can reach out to ITV and request a digital copy - significantly better quality for those who love this production

[@zbillster]

@@chanang2009 are people outside of the UK allowed to use the service?

[@chanang2009]

@@zbillsteryes, I live in the US. Paid a processing fee and a digital download file was made available within hours. Had to sign a licensing contract that it is for personal use. It is still SD not HD quality but significantly better than KZbin

[@Valhalla369]

Wow!! Been looking all over for this! Thank you!

[@retropian]

Delightful! I believe this production introduced me to Earnest when it aired in the 1980’s. My only faded memory was the very last line and how pastel the set and costumes where. Wonderful to find it now after almost four decades. Having viewed several productions over the years, this is among the best. Thanks for posting it!

[@LouiseMannigel]

My favourite version of this play!

[@radiosant]

Thank you so much for posting this. Fine quality considering it only ever aired here on PBS in the 80s and would only have been recorded on vhs or beta. It’s wonderful to see this again. It’s criminal that this was never given a proper DVD or Blu-ray release.

[@zbillster]

Agreed! There's so much stuff PBS put on Great Performances or American Playhouse (see my Stacking video upload) that will probably never see the digital light of day. I don't know why I have an affinity for this version but I do!

[@NonameMarianne]

I love this version too. The actors communicate the meaning of the text so well. They seem to understand the jokes and references and nuances, so the audience does too. Perhaps it was very well directed.

[@jameslembcke7078]

I recorded this in the '80's when it was shone. I forgot to break the tab on the cassette, and accidently recorded over half of the first act. I was sick! I have been looking for this ever since.

[@TheSuzberry]

This is terrific acting. Thanks for posting.

[@sariahd5083]

This is my favorite version of this play. :D Thanks for uploading it.

[@robincochran7369]

This performance is here on youtube, but in poor quality. This one is much better visually. I like this production so thank you for posting.

[@zbillster]

Yes, I found the other one ... motivated me to post mine!

[@Bill3634]

Wow! Thanks very much for posting a recording of this marvelous production, which is now my favorite!!

[@zbillster]

Mine too!

[@sybilvane74]

Excellent, thank you for the upload!

[@alexanderkrupin5669]

Brilliant performance!

[@electricrussell]

Gabrielle Drake who plays Miss Fairfax, is the sister of the late folk guitarist Nick Drake.

[@58christiansful]

Gary Bond and Jeremy Clyde are superb.

[@arthuroldale-ki2ev]

Unfortunately, once one has seen the Joan Greenwood etc. version of the early 1950s , nothing else can come close .

[@DavidJohnson-yq4nz]

A man for all seasons is another great performance by WH

[@abelerculano7565]

38:23 End of Act 1 40:39 Start of Act 2 1:26:30 End of Act 2

[@patriciaheil6811]

yucky fuzzy quality to the picture

[@brocknspectre1221]

Yeah, and the audio buzz is irritating. Too bad, it’s a good rendition.