Rent Lady Chatterley (2006)

Lawrence in french - Lady Chatterley review by CP Customer

I must first confess I have never read the book, his short stories were enough, and I am unsure that the endings concur. However I did enjoy this and was surprised to see it had average rating. How do you set 'dark satanic mills' in France. Well you don't the film is set in England just in french. The acting,and casting, I thought superb and the cinemaphotography matched the quality required. Lawrence's feelings toward 'the upper and lower class' and woman shine through. If you enjoyed Joely/Bean version you will certainly enjoy this for I give it a slight edge.

Wifely Duties. - Lady Chatterley review by Steve

This deluxe French adaptation of one of DH Lawrence's alternate versions of Lady Chatterley's Lover is a big deal in its home country where it won five César awards, including for Best Film, with a particularly well deserved accolade for Marina Hands in the once infamous title role.

She dominates with a heartfelt portrayal, from her elevated status within the class system of rural Britain after WWI to an impression of her eventual sexual and social liberation. There's impassive support from Jean-Louis Coulloc'h as a gamekeeper more in harmony with nature.

These are exposing roles, including the lengthy scenes of nudity. And there's a superior production, shot in central France which adequately represents Edwardian Nottinghamshire. The photography, costumes and set design are immersive. But this isn't shallow heritage cinema.

The frame is heavy with skilfully evoked detail of the environment, the human heart and the emancipation of the Edwardian lady. Director Pascale Ferran tells the long, leisurely, bucolic tale with considerable feel for the visual narrative. This is simply the best of Lawrence on screen.