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List Price: $14.95 | | Label: A&E Home Video
Salesrank: 20623
Released: February 22, 2005 |
| Our Price: $7.32 |
| Used Price: $5.90 |
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MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
On the evening of December 11, 1936, England's King Edward VIII formally broadcast his farewell to a nation. Torn between duty and love, he had decided to follow his heart. A powerful fairytale made all the more compelling because it actually happened, EDWARD & MRS. SIMPSON captures the unforgettable romance that develops between the Prince of Wales and an extraordinary American woman named Wallis Simpson. That she is already married and believed to have had previous affairs ruffles more than a few feathers. The scandal heats up when the Prince becomes King and declares his intention to marry his mistress, who has since divorced and become quite available. A critically acclaimed British mini-series from 1978 finally available on DVD, EDWARD & MRS. SIMPSON features seven episodes shot in sumptuous period detail and stars Edward Fox (Gandhi, A Passage to India) and Cynthia Harris (Mad About You, Three Men and a Baby). DVD Features: "Wallis Simpson" Episode From A&E's Award-Winning Series BIOGRAPHY; Interactive Menus; Scene Selection
Edward & Mrs. Simpson Reviews:
Mrs. Simpson 
2009-12-08 -
I gave this an average rating. Actors and sets were
very good. My problem was the wordy and over long discussions
between the prince and his ministers. Prince Edward was a
playboy. That was well known. Wallis Simpson was a 40ish Cinderella
who wanted to climb socially. She and the prince played in
the high society playground. And they did it with gusto!
I think more script time on the couple and a lot less
of hand wringing decisions would have been more interesting.
Movie Masturbation or... Beating a Dead Horse (so to speak). 
2009-12-06 - How many times can you repeat the same action when the basic premise was as simple as this one was? Over and over and over. Talk about beating a dead horse.
I didn't purchase this disc set to review the histrionics of the romance and abdication. That could have been completely reported with a "screen crawler." Having all the characters repeat and repeat the facts (few as there were) became boring.
I wanted to be entertained with glamourous people dressed in beautiful gowns and dripping with, at least the look of fabulous Cartier Jewels, instead of the "Woolworth Paste Collection." The men's wardrobes were far more elegant and expensive looking than the female actors wore. The Dutchess of Windsor made Coco Chanel world famous because of her vast collection of that particular designers signature collections. Not a Chanel Suit to be seen.
I was disappointed in this mini-series. If you've already purchased it, I hope you enjoy it. If you haven't bought it yet, don't.
Wonderful actors !!! 
2009-09-13 - I wanted so badly to see this movie. My mother (who is 92) still remembers when Edward gave his famous "I can no longer serve my country without the woman I love beside me" speech, and I wanted to see it with my mother. The actors in this movie looked very much like the real persons in this story, and the furniture and costumes, as well as everything else about the story is just as I imagined it was in the real life romantic love story.
disappointing - shallow and stilted performances
2009-07-07 - I was very disappointed with this version of the story of Edward and Mrs. Simpson. The settings were play like rather than film like - overlit and un-natural. The actors played the parts like a Grade B sit com - with little feeling or emotion. Did not stand up to other productions like "Victoria and Albert" which I have watched again and again. Maybe it's just me - but I couldn't even finish watching this - don't waste your money - in my opinion.
A Fine Historical Drama 
2009-04-10 - Having long been intrigued by the tale of Edward VIII, the English king who gave up the throne to be with the woman he loved an American divorcée named Wallis Simpson imagine my surprise at discovering that there existed this miniseres. Not only was there a miniseries about the subject but that one of my favorite actors (Edward Fox) was playing the famed King himself. The result is a rather grand, if slightly overlong, historical drama.
As in the case of many a historical drama, the cast is fine one. Edward Fox gives one of the finest performances of his career as the famed King Edward VIII from the dashing playboy Prince Of Wales to the man who gives up the throne for the woman he loves. Cynthia Harris gives a nice performance as the woman he loved Wallis Simpson though she does have a tendency to overact. Thankfully both Fox and Harris share a nice chemistry between them that makes them quite convincing as the famed couple.
The supporting cast is fine as well. David Waller gives a fine performance as the Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin who tires to keep the government together in the midsts of the crisis caused by the title characters as does Peggy Ashcroft as the famed Queen Mary. From Nigel Hawthorne as Edward's friend Walter Monkton to Wensley Pithey as Winston Churchill to Charles Keating as Wallis husband Ernest Simpson to Marius Goring and Patrick Troughton as opposition leader Clement Attlee the cast is a fine one and makes this drama well worth seeing.
Things are strong behind the camera as well. The sets by Allan Cameron and the costumes by Jennie Tate perfectly capture the spirit of the 1930's in which this famed story took place. The score and opening song by Ron Grainer also captures the atmosphere of the 1930's as well. Even better, the script by Simon Raven (from the biography Edrward VIII by Frances Donaldson) is a true highlight. With its attention to details and events the script gives a detailed study of a royal romance that doesn't quite end happily. The dialouge in particular makes the production stand out and gives the whole production an epic quality thanks to the wonderful direction of Waris Hussein.
If the miniseries has any fault it is that it seems overlong. At seven fifty minute episodes (or right around six hours) it feels as though it could have been trimmed down at times. There aren't many slow moments in the miniseries but one wonders if those scenes trimmed could have made Edward & Mrs. Simpson slightly shorter.
Despite is length Edward & Mrs. Simpson is a fine drama. From its two leading actors to the supporting cast, production values, direction and writing this is a fine example of the art of the miniseries. For fans of fine historical dramas look no further then Edward & Mrs. Simpson.
