Lillie DVD Review

A classic from the golden age of the British miniseries on par with Brideshead Revisited, the PBS Masterpiece Theatre classic, Lillie, is being reissued on DVD from Acorn Media on January 1, 2013. Renowned beauty Francesca Annis (Reckless, Cranford, Madame Bovary) stars as Lillie Langtry in this sumptuous production beset with meticulously recreated costumes and sets, location filming, and a 1,000-member cast. The acclaimed 13-part drama was nominated for eight BAFTA Awards, including best drama series. With its splendid cast and exquisite production elements, Lillie vividly captures the complex woman who became one of the most infamous figures of the Victorian age (DVD 4-disc set, $49.99, AcornOnline.com). Broadcast in 1979, the program also stars beloved British actors Anton Rodgers (Fresh Fields), Denis Lill (Rumpole of the Bailey), Peter Egan (A Perfect Spy) and Joanna David (The Forsyte Saga, Pride and Prejudice).

Walt Whitman called Lillie Langtry “the essence of poetry.” James Whistler confessed that even he couldn’t capture her beauty in a painting. And George Bernard Shaw declared her “intelligent, daring, and independent.” In a BAFTA award-winning performance, the incandescently beautiful Francesca Annis portrays the acclaimed actress and courtesan from the blush of youth to the blight of still-glorious old age.

Smart, stunning, and scandalous, Lillie proved a forerunner to modern celebrity idols. At a time when society expected women to be docile and demure, Lillie posed for celebrity endorsements, conducted her own business affairs, and paid her first husband to keep his distance. Even more scandalously, she openly entertained a string of lovers among Europe’s elite, including the very married Prince of Wales—all while managing to win the respect and admiration of his wife. 

Our Thoughts 

Lillie is nothing less than a masterpiece. Even though she was beautiful and could have easily settled into the life of  a docile housewife, Lillie set her own standards. She became a celebrity endorser--for lack of a better term, she was one of the world's first super models. She was also one of the first celebrities to get caught up in scandals. She was a strong and intelligent woman who handled her own business affairs. She also did exactly what she wanted, from paying  her husband to stay away to luring the married Prince of Whales into an elicit affair. There are thirteen episodes in this miniseries and all of them will keep you wide eyed because Lillie is always filled with surprises. In addition to a great story line and fantastic acting, even the costumes and sets deserve a mention. As you follow Lillie though her early years to the end of her life, the sets and wardrobes change right along with her, giving you a realistic look at how Victorian England processed over time. This series is a classic you will want to watch over and over again, and getting the DVD is an investment you won't regret.

Where to Buy

  You can order Lillie on DVD for only $42.99 at Acorn Media.


***Please note that I received no form of monetary compensation for this post. I did receive a sample of the product to try in order to write a fair and honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and were not influenced in any way. ***