The Lady's Not For Burning (1974) DVD
The Lady's Not For Burning (1974) DVD

The Lady's Not For Burning (1974) DVD

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$9.99
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W06152016329
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The Lady's Not For Burning (1974)

Director:

Joseph Hardy

Writer:

Christopher Fry (play)

Stars:

Richard Chamberlain, Eileen Atkins, Jacques Aubuchon
 
"The Lady's Not for Burning" is a world-weary play about the darkness of the human soul, and about the grace that sometimes shines through that darkness and blesses the ones it shines upon. The setting is a generic town in the generic middle ages. Jennet, a lovely woman of some property, is identified and hounded as a witch, the excuse being that the old rag-and-bones man has been found dead. The mayor of the town promises to hang her tomorrow, but just that night, he's busy with an important party. A mercenary, Thomas Mendip, who has seen too much of the world, demands to be hanged because it was he who killed the rag-and-bones man. The mayor refuses Thomas's request, and insists that Jennet must be hung on the following day. The discussion of who is to be hanged, and why, is so funny you can hurt your sides laughing, and so grim that you want to cry. The play is, throughout, a darkly humorous portrait of the human condition. The priest who coddles his violin as if it were his only child, is utterly adrift from the world. He is unable to perform any of his proper functions as a priest, or even, really, as a human. He provides an odd counterpoint to the life and death issues that Thomas and Jennet face. This may be Richard Chamberlain's best performance. It is intense and understated. His Thomas is grim in exactly the right ways, with his generosity and sweetness expressed in his despair, a neat trick, even for a good actor. I've seen Chamberlain in other productions, but none of those performances seem as nuanced and sharply defined as this one.
 

12 Reviews Hide Reviews Show Reviews

  • 5
    Excellent Play Adaptation to Film

    Posted by Unknown on Jun 14th 2022

    From start to finish the actors are on their spots to make the action seamless. Richard Chamberlain is at his best. All supporting actors were well chosen for their roles.

  • 4
    This is Richard Chamberland at the top of his form!

    Posted by TimK on Mar 22nd 2022

    This is a videotape from the early 1970's and the tape was reel to reel format. Yup, its that old! It is a very good "Shakespeare Compatible" script that grabs you right at the start. Great performances all around. The only reason I could not give this 5 stars is, as fortunate as I am to have seen the original broadcast, and find this title on Zeus's Website, I would wish for a more perfect copy transfer. Please do not misunderstand me, this copy is much more than just watch-able. Many, many thanks to Zeus for somehow finding this play, as it is almost impossible to locate anywhere else!

  • 5
    Worked a little miracle here!

    Posted by Mrs. William Brown on Mar 6th 2022

    I've been looking for the 1974 version of THE LADY'S NOT FOR BURNING since ..1974! All the famous people in it you'd think it's be SOMEWHERE. Well, NO. Every once in awhile I'd scrub around just to SEE,with no luck til I came across ZEUS.It was a fuss free order, it arrived in a timely fashion in good condition and I AM SO THANKFUL! It does look like it was taped off the tv ( which it Must've been or how would they have it, right?), the picture is not first quality, but I HAVE it and I can WATCH it, and it's a miracle that they could come up with it AT ALL.! I plan on checking back for other hard to come by films. 100% satisfied

  • 5
    Unavailable elsewhere

    Posted by Larry on Apr 3rd 2021

    I have been looking for this on DVD for years. My search ended here. Thank you.

  • 5
    YAY!

    Posted by Nicole on Oct 13th 2018

    Searched a lot of places for this version. It's well copied and was delivered promptly. Awesome. This play is one of my favorites.

  • 5
    wonderful play

    Posted by Unknown on Oct 3rd 2018

    This story of a 15th century war weary soldier and how he finds hope is as pertinent now as it was when it was written after WWII. The acting is wonderful, especially Richard Chamberlain.

  • 4
    An unjustly obscure play

    Posted by Janet Croft on Oct 1st 2018

    The play itself is a dazzling delight of Shakespearean language. Like Much Ado About Nothing, the focus is on the older and far more interesting couple rather than the young ingenues. This particular video suffers from originally being a TV special -- washed out, not well lighted, and filmed on a sound stage. But the acting is quite fine, if not my dream cast. Richard Chamberlain somehow lacks the slight hint of menace the role of Thomas Mendip really needs. I have not yet compared it to the later version by Kenneth Branagh. Some cuts from the acting script which I own.

  • 4
    Watchable!

    Posted by Winnie Kelly on Sep 8th 2018

    Definitely from the 70s, but copy on DVD works fine. No label on DVD case, but that lets me make my own ... :-)

  • 5
    waited a long time for this

    Posted by Unknown on Aug 8th 2018

    saw this play once 45 years ago and never forgot it. so glad to finally find it again. it's just as wonderful as I remembered. thank you zeus.

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