The Kiss in A Room with a View

Merchant and Ivory film using music from La Rondine

[@supermaxim109]

Let’s all take a moment to admire the Italian driver…

[@fido652]

That's what you get when the director is gay !

[@cattuslavandula]

I was just thinking the same. They can keep Sands and Day Lewis. I'll happily let that man show me the sights any day!

[@fido652]

@@cattuslavandula Zeffirelli was the past master at finding local talent for the crowd scenes

[@cattuslavandula]

I found the scene with the driver and his girlfriend from the film. Dang, she's beautiful as well.

[@andromedaunsure72]

Oh gosh they two of them are both incredibly beautiful

[@irenem3854]

I first saw this movie when I was a young girl and I thought, forget the blonde English boy, the Italian boy is so handsome! Then, years later, I married my own Italian boy, who I realized looks just the actor in this movie. I think seeing this movie subconsciously changed my life, lol.

[@karilamminpaa8987]

So this is about sharing your life with this planet ?

[@irenem3854]

@@karilamminpaa8987 Lighten up, Karen

[@jacobmorris3664]

@@karilamminpaa8987 Why shouldn't she?

[@feelingpaulie3943]

I'd frickin' have the Italian boy as well! Does he have any brothers????? (asking for a friend............)

[@fido652]

I hope you didn't suffer, Julian. You are remembered for a perfect kiss.

[@dorothymadigan4336]

My God but Julian Sands was absolutely stunning. What a beautiful man he was.

[@supermaxim109]

And, even though I’m not generally a fan, Hugh Grant in Maurice was impossibly beautiful.

[@degsbabe]

He was the perfect Shelley in 'Gothic'. Why did he choose to die in the San Gabriel Mountains like that ?

[@hamiltontrash9255]

​@degsbabe It's best believed he didn't choose to die it was merely an accident. Unfortunately, when he wanted to hike the weather was awful

[@fairdose]

James Ivory and Ismail Merchant were a gay couple in real life. I’m convinced that’s why their films had such a pronounced sense of aesthetics and were astoundingly beautiful to look at and why their male cast members all looked like Greek gods especially in . “Room With a View”, “Maurice, “Howard’s End”, and “Remains of the Day”. Casting Julian Sands as George Emerson was a touch of genius, I can’t imagine any other actor playing him. RIP Julian, you gave the world one of the most romantic scenes and roles in cinematic history.

[@TaxTheChurches.]

I didn’t know that about Ivory and Merchant. Someone said it earlier, every scene looked like a painting.

[@tommoncrieff1154]

EM Forster was also gay, it’s all a gay - and therefore sort of objective - view of a straight and straight-jacketed society. Merchant and Ivory grew up in societies where homosexuality was not tolerated and must be oppressed. They understood perfectly the world of England’s Edwardian polite society where any sexuality must be reserved and unspoken. Neither Merchant nor Ivory were British but resided and worked in London and adored England. British film makers love being negative and cynical about Britain’s past, they, on the other hand, gloried in the beauty and exquisite yet complicated manners of the lost English upper class life, here on an excursion to the wonders of Italy.

[@albertsmyth9616]

I never knew that about Ivory and Merchant! I saw this film at the cinema when it was released (I’m 62) and completely fell in love with it (I always will be). It opened my fearful, pedestrian English eyes to Italy and gave rise to an affection for that country and many beautiful holidays there that I will never forget. The Italian government should give them their highest honour as I think they gave several generations a romantic love of Italy.

[@suziewhattley3917]

R.I.P. Julian Sands. You inspired many with your passionate honesty.

[@siebdruck01]

This film has been the reason to visit Florence and Venice in my early twenties....it´s a marvellous film, i still love it deeply. So sorry for Julien Sands and his family, R.I.P.---unforgotten how he climbed up a tree and shouted out his ode to the joys of life in this film.♥

[@doloresvancartier1]

Same. After seeing this movie Italy became my lifelong dream. I finally went last year and Italy did not disappoint. I cry when I watch this movie.

[@barneyronnie]

It reminds me of the great physicist, Enrico Fermi!

[@morriscaudill4545]

Thirty years later this movie still enchants the viewer!

[@zacharias9557]

Morris Caudi

[@flogittoyou]

True, Just watching again now on TV Sept 2021

[@toodie535]

the carriage driver features in the sequel! She has married George and is widowed; makes a pilgrimmage back to Florence, to ostensibly make yet another proper marriage, but meets the driver when she needs to hire a carriage. It's not quite as magical but quite good! They find happiness together.

[@LeiasStandIn]

One of the all-time kisses in cinema history

[@adipsous]

When I first saw this movie, and this happened, it was like being struck by a wonderful romantic lightning bolt.

[@user-ik3xn1cu9b]

I pick Stallone in Rocky when he kisses Adrienne.

[@99fruitbat94]

God I miss Julian Sands 😢 RIP you beautiful person ❤ Been a fan for decades ❤

[@janemariehoward]

This is one of the most romantic scenes in film, ever. And nobody had to get naked.

[@ericagrimm8334]

Though I did enjoy the men skinny-dipping scene... :)

[@janemariehoward]

@@ericagrimm8334 That's a given! It was hysterical!

[@felsner1]

The second kiss back in Surrey is even more passionate!

[@johnpickford4222]

@@ericagrimm8334Please, it was too brief and the actor’s talents were obscured!

[@adipsous]

He loses his hat to the wild grass.

[@feenomena]

Julian Sands... - the best George Emerson ❤😢R.I.P.

[@jayzokan]

a wonderful actor, What a sad fate 😭🖤🖤🖤 R. I. P. JULIAN SANDS

[@degsbabe]

And the Best Percy Bysshe Shelley, And George Emerson . Only he could have given a kiss like that.....

[@patriciaclancy397]

The beautiful girl snd boy, the kiss and the most exquisite voice of Kiri tiwana, one of the most romantic scenes ever in a movie , in my view !

[@celinebeurle7915]

The absolute most romantic scene ever. Lucy and George in the poppy field. I am so desperately sad that the most handsome actor, Julian Sands, who played George died in 2023. He was the most breath taking actor.

[@barneyronnie]

I smoked plenty of opium, but never trekked through a field of poppies. Eh, that was many years ago, and I am here for THE KISS!!

[@TinyDancer888]

One of my favorite movies. RIP to the late Julian Sands. Helena Bonham Carter was so lovely in this. Judie Dench and Maggie Smith were impeccable.

[@Alicia-ij6gt]

Maggie Smith?

[@TinyDancer888]

@@Alicia-ij6gt That’s weird. I typed Maggie Smith. I don't know a Maggie Carter. Thanks for letting me know.

[@Alicia-ij6gt]

@@TinyDancer888 And they were both impeccable. It happens to be a film in which secondary characters set the scene in such a way that the central characters don’t actually have to do much at all.

[@melbatoast6403]

The cinematography in this is divine. Each shot looks more like a classic work of art than the next.

[@b.m.t.h.3961]

Julian was so good in this, bless him.

[@snowmonster42]

I remember seeing this in the theater when I was about 20. I fell in love with Julian Sands when I saw this scene and I haven't stopped. He's gone now, but still . . . Someday . . .

[@ellenhenderson6865]

I can’t watch this without crying now, for some reason. Always has been my favorite scene.

[@darcyandrews4649]

Me too!! ❤

[@carolynstewart8465]

Julian Sands you won't be forgotten!

[@frankscivier4874]

I think this scene is absolutely wonderful. Lucy Honeychurch (Helena Bonham-Carter) looks like a painting by one of the french impressionists as she wades through the poppy field. The music is an aria from Puccini’s opera “La Rondine” sung by Kiri Te Kanawa and the whole romantic scene is utterly stunning and delightful.

[@AGMundy]

Indeed and I was the only person amongst my friends who knew the arias as La Rondine (The Swallow) is one my favourite Puccini operas. The aria captures the intensity and the beauty of the moment.

[@mysticalmargaret6105]

Thank you for that information! Although I enjoy opera (especially Mozart'), I'm not well-versed on all of the composers and the artists who perform their works!

[@francisheperi4180]

I saw this film for the first time, 1985?, in a packed cinema in Auckland NZ and was mesmerised by it all. During the credits, some of the audience including myself, lightly clapped in appreciation of this beautifully-made film - breathtaking on the big screen. I read all the credits and then went to watch it again two days later. Proud of our Kiri and has become one of my fave films.

[@lmajor7843]

And the beautiful Julian Sands in my personal favorite role. May he rest in peace.

[@barneyronnie]

I came for 'the kiss!'

[@susanyork5089]

The kiss , the countryside , Florence, the 2 Dames , along with a terrific British cast and the aria from La Rondine is funny , heartbreaking, romantic and stunning , all makes for a perfect 10

[@carolinejones8382]

Thankyou MsSusan York for naming the ravishing beautiful piece of music in this gorgeous scene I have loved it for years but didn't know what it was called!

[@susanyork5089]

@@carolinejones8382 it’s called song Chill il bel songa di Doretta , it’s beautiful I had it played at my beloved mam’s funeral

[@firenze5555]

Julian Sands should have won an Academy award for his performance!

[@evitasdad]

It is sad that he is now dead.

[@sadjaxx]

RIP!

[@firenze5555]

@@evitasdad It is sad. He wasn't that old. He took a terrible risk going up alone in the snowy, icy mountains - there was a warning at the time not to hike. I hope that whatever happened, that it was quick.

[@evitasdad]

@@firenze5555 Yes, a sad, lonely way to die. As you say, I do hope the ending was quick. He was my age.

[@firenze5555]

@@evitasdad I’m thinking he slipped and fell or had a heart attack. It was so cold he would not have lasted long. Poor fellow, RIP.

[@johnheppenstall4904]

That kiss fair knocked my out of my cinema seat at the time.

[@chrilee2]

One of the most stunning scenes and soundtrack moment ever. I was 15/16 when i saw this film, stepping into adulthood. I had the biggest crushes on most of the men in this film. It was one of my ‘i think i may be gay moments’. I was and am! Now at 53 I watch this back choked by Kiri’s voice and memories and I have a tear ❤

[@Randy-do3dz]

Same here, except that Helena had me swooning: I knew immediately that I couldn't deny being queer❤

[@claudiabrown6329]

I saw this movie when it came out. I was in a trance watching. I never expected the beautiful cinematography, the music, and the kiss. The ending spoke the truth about Lucy lying to herself and the rest of the world.

[@LaurenMirandaG]

Rest in peace, Julian Sands. 💜

[@emmarae4322]

This scene lives in my ❤. I forever wish to have a man kiss me like this.❤😂 Saw this beautiful film when I was 13. Still love it. It’s also the reason I’ve wanted to visit Florence, Italy. ❤ Kudos to the Italian driver.❤❤❤😂

[@wongfrancis]

What a dream cast! With some pf the finest of English actors.....the cinematography so stunning like a Monet painting comes to life, plus the exquisite opera aria from La Rondine (sounds like Kiri Te Kanawa). All these, will go down in the history of cinema as one of the many masterpieces ever created! May Julian rest in peace.....as he too, like this film, will be immortalized. ❤

[@bobsbbcards]

I love how Lucy tries to climb out of the carriage as it drives away. 😊

[@TaxTheChurches.]

My favorite movie of all time. We all have to go sometime, and Julian Sands went in his own way, tragic, uncomfortable, frightening, for sure. But he died like the man he was.

[@healingypsy]

By far one of my favourite scenes ever, I mean just ever ?

[@amandab.recondwith8006]

Truely one of the most beautiful movies ever made. I've always thought this movie, along with "The Age of Innocence" and "Howard's End" were the most beautiful movies. Two were Merchant Ivory creations, icons of the 80s and early 90s. Scorsese's movie paired the exquisite Michelle Pfeifer with the incomparable Daniel Day Lewis (who also appeared in this movie) to make a true work of art. In this movie, the stellar Kiri Te Kanawa's heavenly voice always reduces me to tears. The window scene at the end is so gorgeous, it also makes me cry. Why have we replaced such art and beauty with crass tech-porn like Avatar and the Marvel series?

[@mountainman4859]

Did you see Maurice?

[@user-yy9cq2hp2p]

The Age of Innocence my favorite film of all time

[@SCBJQ]

@@mountainman4859 I love Maurice! Such a romantic film. That had a great kiss too.

[@praguhbis]

Enchanting. Only Merchant and Ivory could have done. It is a heritage film for future generations to savor.

[@starlingswallow]

I love Lucy's dress! ❤❤❤❤

[@MissAmandaJB95]

Judi and Maggie’s little giggles are so cute I hade to replay them

[@PaulaJoW]

I've seen this movie at least 30 times. Exquisite.

[@sandusky0901]

The gorgeous country side of Florence, the glorious music of Puccini & Kiri te Kanawa's voice plus that ravishing look of the cab driver. Delicious

[@TaraMarisaKelseyMezzoSoprano]

The cab driver is a real dish!

[@toodie535]

@@TaraMarisaKelseyMezzoSoprano YES! he features in the later sequel made after she is widowed by WWI.

[@firenze5555]

@@toodie535 What is the name of the sequel?

[@marcleysens7716]

The aria is Chi il bel sogno from the opera La Rondine by Puccini.

[@MehdiCapsII]

@@firenze5555 It is probably the 2007 adaptation also called "A Room with a View", which contains the main story and a sequel (up to 1922), different from that imagined by Forster himself in his 1958 article "A View without a Room".

[@SSArcher11]

This story has its angels -- the carriage driver, Aunt Charlotte, George's father. They work as a team to ensure the correct, happy ending.

[@silverkitty2503]

you need a good team!

[@oliviacasino8888]

How perceptive!

[@felsner1]

You gotta love how Elanor Lavish sucks it all up for her novel! That sneaky smile...!

[@ButchCassidyAndSundanceKid]

RIP Julian Sands

[@britandlauriebarr2352]

"Observe my foresight." Best comical line ever, in a scene of sweetest transcendent magic.

[@jeanneamato8278]

No one has ever sung this better. In my opinion.

[@adipsous]

Kiri

[@tweeglaister4885]

RIP Julian Sands :(

[@Autostade67]

It's no often mentioned that Miss Lavish's story of the 'scandalous' marriage does not appear in Forster's original novel but is a clever 'intertextual' (sorry to use that tiresome, post-Modern claptrap word) gesture on the part of Jhabvala, as it refers to the narrative of Forster's prior novel, 'Where Angels Fear to Tread.' Damn - I've seen this film too many times to count and coming upon it now after some time I can't believe how good it still looks, how at ease it is in its imagery...still can't believe Tony Pierce Roberts didn't win a cinematography award for this or 'Howards End'.

[@julieriley1059]

What a beautiful movie

[@MrsBettyBowers]

The perfect blend of music, scenery, dialogue, and acting.

[@laudinecormier8617]

The most beautiful scene Cinema (James Ivory) and those two marvelous actors, have ever given to stare at ...without and end ... Wonderful.

[@bonngairaoi]

Judith should get an Oscar for her giggle alone.

[@jmburde656]

Last year I went to Florence and took a walk around the entire city and saw it from afar and the entire time I was singing this song to myself…. Unfortunately, no one passionately kissed me… But it was a lovely afternoon, just the same

[@kimquinn7728]

I live in a small apt in Massachusetts and have a small garden bed 3' x 8'. This fall it is being planted with poppies and cornflowers, so next spring I can look out there and have my own View...I will know the meaning behind the view. Glad it is still so loved, old Mr. Emerson was wonderful also.

[@ohwilbur1]

RIP Julian Sands xx

[@swordscot]

Just starts after my favourite line in the whole movie........Observe my foresight.. Macintosh squares!.

[@susanyork5089]

The glorious aria from La Rondine coupled with that view of Florence and those 2 Dames , it is just stunning

[@m8trxd]

Rest in peace Julian Sands :(

[@KristineMaitland]

RIP Julian Sands.

[@deniseblender1063]

I often think about how the language barrier, between Lucy and the carriage driver, changed the course of both characters' future. Fate as George says.

[@timothygriffin6297]

Nothing more romantic in all pictures!!!

[@stopcheatingconsumers9779]

Julian Sands should've been in more movies.

[@louisacheng5342]

He chose more eclectic roles after this

[@feelingpaulie3943]

Such a beautiful scene.........>sigh!< Even as a gay man, I have always taken this scene as a standard of an innocent dipslay of first love!! >mwah!

[@suzyq4982]

Rest in peace Julian 😢

[@pattijo318]

God rest his soul.

[@blanchefan]

Romance lives--A Room With a View💞

[@mawmawd627]

R.I.P. Julian. 😢

[@chiakibauer7583]

Oh my gosh it was thirty years ago? I went to have a wedding Florence because of this movie!!

[@carolinependleton8445]

What a beautiful movie,the scenes,music,acting,just wonderful.

[@juliabarca4917]

Julian Sand , qepd😢 qué bello y gran actor era.....❤

[@denisefreitas6727]

This movie is beautiful!

[@astrotter]

Of course the climax is gorgeous and romantic (though I was rooting for the Italian driver myself), but my favorite part of this clip is Charlotte letting her guard down with Eleanor. She's oddly the heroine of this story.

[@retromousex5118]

Such a beautiful masterpiece.

[@artistecat]

Still enjoy it very much! The acting, the scenery, the music... everything is great! And they don't make this kind of movie anymore.

[@susanneg2824]

How I love this movie! And how George’s hair is mussed after the impromptu kiss!!!!!

[@feelingpaulie3943]

I don't know how many times I come back and watch this video, but it is a lot! Back here again. Even though I have the movie in my collection! xx (the Charlotte "holiday" story always makes me sad for her....)

[@madcyclist58]

How could any man not fall in love with THIS Lucy?

[@madcyclist58]

I did.

[@audreykennedy90]

Rip Julian Sands

[@Earl-Dumarest]

sad news about Julian, so young.

[@gretamoffat8666]

Rest in peace Julian.x

[@newhorizon4066]

The music, the scenery and the "action" blend together heavenly...Cinema God rarely allows such perfection.

[@debdessaso]

The disgusted look that Charlotte gives the driver at 2:55 is priceless..mean, but priceless!

[@zacharias9557]

Deborah Dessa

[@johntim3491]

the look at 1:03 - never seen any actress convey a disapproving facade with eyes that reveal the exact opposite

[@fitgraphisva]

In my top five favorite films, and this scene is perfection.

[@Sophialiao1224]

the best scene ever

[@bunny_smith]

So of course when I went to Florence 19 years after this movie came out, every place I went I was imagining this movie.

[@ute5293]

Na,bei den Film war ich schon im Kino .,Ein sehr schöner Film .,

[@britandlauriebarr2352]

Transcendent, touching, and hilarious.

[@feelingpaulie3943]

1:48 "Poor Charlotte"! She had maybe a chance at love, but it didn't work out is what I'm getting from this. So sad for her.

[@emilybortz4330]

This movie was in my collection for many years❤

[@alandavis9180]

What male with blood in his veins wouldn't have wanted to kiss such a diviningly beautiful creature as she came towards him in such a setting. Would have been a crime not to.

[@ericagrimm8334]

And what female with a predilection for males wouldn't have wanted Julian Sands to kiss her in that field. He is equally breathtaking... My god...

[@alandavis9180]

@@ericagrimm8334 Couldn't agree more despite a comment suggesting it might be "sexual harassment". Give me a break.

[@ericagrimm8334]

@@alandavis9180 oh my god. so the cecil character would be the preferred romantic partner to the person making that comment? in that case, he's all yours, have at it! lol!

[@mariafrancescamaria2406]

Che meraviglia qs film...❤

[@user-xn3js2bw4h]

This is so lovely

[@thedyslexicwebdev1654]

Reminded me the time i had a chaperon, she was always there to guard me and the other girls of the boarding school :), we werent allow to talk to the boys outside the school time,

[@johnhagans2190]

One of my favorite films. Love the repressed British sexuality 😂

[@hewi1352]

Aaaaah, so beautiful. Could not have been made any better!

[@hewi1352]

Judy Dench, Maggie Smith and HBC together. It can not fail :-)

[@yoselinballesteros3336]

Precious man👱💖

[@aquablushgirl]

Perfect in every way.

[@kimquinn7728]

perfection!

[@debdessaso]

How right you are! The scene, the music, the actors converge in perfect symmetry! Splendid!

[@danielasmeaton7947]

One of my absolute favourite films ❤

[@danielamanzoni6899]

Puccini 😍🥰🤩

[@sylviebasyl2835]

Yes, la Rondine

[@kellymillward6375]

i believe this is the only movie to have all male nudity but none of women.

[@ericagrimm8334]

Ha, too true!!

[@rumblefish9]

Well, Maurice had all male nudity

[@sshaw4429]

3 queens of acting!