The Importance of Being Earnest (Original title)
Dates: 2001 (Copyright), 06 September 2002 (Release)Countries: United Kingdom, USADirector: Oliver Parker
Synopsis: Reserved bachelor Jack Worthing enjoys a simple, responsible life with Cecily Cardew, his niece. Their life in the country is quiet and serene, save for the moments when Jack is whisked away to London to fix the problems caused by Earnest Worthing, his wayward brother. However, Earnest is actually another identity that Jack assumes when he's in London, and he teams up with his ne'er-do-well partner-in-crime, Algy Moncreef, and falls in love with Gwendolen Fairfax, a rebellious aristocrat with a flair for the dramatic. Jack - as Earnest - proposes to the smitten Gwendolen. Convinced that she is destined to marry a man named Earnest, she graciously accepts his offer. But there's a hitch: Gwendolen's mother, the formidable Lady Bracknell requires more than just a name from her daughter's suitors. When she interrogates Jack about his social credentials, she learns of his inauspicious beginnings and refuses her consent. Thus, in order to wed Gwendolen, Jack must rid himself of Earnest and find some evidence of a worthy ancestry.
Genre: Comedy
Subjects: New identities, Truthfulness
Releases
Date: 06 September 2002Country: United KingdomRelease type: TheatricalFormat: 35mm Film - Colour - Technicolor - Sound - Dolby SRAspect ratio: 2.35:1Runtime: 97 mins Length: 8808 FeetDialogue (original): EnglishDistributor: Buena Vista International (UK)
Title: The numbers: Austen powerAuthor: GANT, Charles Article type: Short ArticleLanguage: English
Description: A brief analysis of literary-based costume dramas at the UK box office.
In: Premiere n314 April 2003 Page: 64
Title: Cahier critiqueArticle type: ReviewLanguage: French
In: Empire n170 August 2003 Page: 134
Title: PlayAuthor: [NA] Article type: DVD ReviewLanguage: English
In: Sight and Sound v13 n8 August 2003 Page: 68
Title: Home movies: reviewsAuthor: MACNAB, Geoffrey Article type: DVD ReviewLanguage: English
In: Empire n160 October 2002 Page: 123
Title: [Empire - n160 October 2002: no known title]Author: COCHRANE, Emma Article type: CreditsLanguage: English
In: Empire n160 October 2002 Pages: 66-68
Title: Where the Wilde things are.Author: BEARDSWORTH, Liz Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Looks at the making of Oliver Parker's THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST.
In: Variety 20 May 2002 Page: 28
Title: Film ReviewsAuthor: KOEHLER, Robert Article type: CreditsLanguage: English
In: Music from the Movies n35/36 2002 Pages: 65-66
Title: Film music review: new filmsAuthor: KEECH, Andrew Article type: Soundtrack ReviewLanguage: English
In: Exposure Spring 2002 Pages: 8-9
Title: Wilde in the Country.Author: FALK, Quentin Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Article about the production of THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST,in which director of photography Tony Pierce-Roberts talks about filming and the stock and techniques used.
In: Empire n152 February 2002 Page: 26
Title: Pipeline.Author: BIGNELL, Darren Article type: Prod. ReportLanguage: English
Description: Production report from the set of British film THE IMPORT- ANCE OF BEING EARNEST.
In: Film Comment v38 n3 May/Jun 2002 Pages: 73-74
Title: [Film Comment - v38 n3 May/Jun 2002: no known title]Author: KERR, Sarah Article type: ReviewLanguage: English
In: Premiere v15 n10 June 2002 Page: 19
Title: [Premiere - v15 n10 June 2002: no known title]Author: KENNY, Glenn Article type: ReviewLanguage: English
In: Film Score Monthly v7 n7 September 2002 Page: 45
Title: Score: reviews of current releases on CDAuthor: DUFF, Simon Article type: Soundtrack ReviewLanguage: English
In: Screen International n1363 12 Jul 2002 Page: 19
Title: UnWilde at heart.Author: HAZELTON, John Article type: CreditsLanguage: English
In: Edinburgh Film Festival Catalogue v56th 2002 Page: 154
Title: [Edinburgh Film Festival Catalogue - v56th 2002: no known title]Article type: CreditsLanguage: English
Description: Credits include UK distributor contact details.
In: Sight and Sound v12 n9 September 2002 Pages: 61-62
Title: ReviewsAuthor: WALTERS, Ben Article type: CreditsLanguage: English
In: The Hollywood Reporter v368 n4 1 May 2001 Page: 21
Title: ProductionArticle type: CreditsLanguage: English
In: Screen International n1308 11-24 May 2001 Page: 18
Title: The importance of being Ealing.Author: MINNS, Adam Article type: Short ArticleLanguage: English
Description: On Ealing Studios' first film since being redeveloped in 1999. THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST is produced by Fragile Films.'
In: Screen International n1308 11-24 May 2001 Page: 20
Title: Production focus (UK & Ireland)Article type: CreditsLanguage: English
Film, Video or Digital materials held in BFI National Archive(4)
Accessible materials to view(1)
Description: VHS cassetteBFI identifier: C-1192840
Status: Viewing - Videotape can be requested for access
Video materials(3)
Description: Digital BetacamBFI identifier: C-1192838
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved videotape
Description: Digital BetacamBFI identifier: C-1192839
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved videotape
Description: VHS cassetteBFI identifier: C-1192840
Status: Viewing - Videotape can be requested for access
Film materials(1)
Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: SafetySound: CombinedBFI identifier: C-1221172
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Dates: 2001 (Copyright), 06 September 2002 (Release)Countries: United Kingdom, USADirector: Oliver Parker
Synopsis: Reserved bachelor Jack Worthing enjoys a simple, responsible life with Cecily Cardew, his niece. Their life in the country is quiet and serene, save for the moments when Jack is whisked away to London to fix the problems caused by Earnest Worthing, his wayward brother. However, Earnest is actually another identity that Jack assumes when he's in London, and he teams up with his ne'er-do-well partner-in-crime, Algy Moncreef, and falls in love with Gwendolen Fairfax, a rebellious aristocrat with a flair for the dramatic. Jack - as Earnest - proposes to the smitten Gwendolen. Convinced that she is destined to marry a man named Earnest, she graciously accepts his offer. But there's a hitch: Gwendolen's mother, the formidable Lady Bracknell requires more than just a name from her daughter's suitors. When she interrogates Jack about his social credentials, she learns of his inauspicious beginnings and refuses her consent. Thus, in order to wed Gwendolen, Jack must rid himself of Earnest and find some evidence of a worthy ancestry.
Genre: Comedy
Subjects: New identities, Truthfulness
Releases
Date: 06 September 2002Country: United KingdomRelease type: TheatricalFormat: 35mm Film - Colour - Technicolor - Sound - Dolby SRAspect ratio: 2.35:1Runtime: 97 mins Length: 8808 FeetDialogue (original): EnglishDistributor: Buena Vista International (UK)
Credits
(134)
©: Important Films Limited, ©/Presented in association with: Film Council, Presented by: Miramax Films, Ealing Studios Limited, Presented in association with: Newmarket Capital Group, Production Company: Fragile Films, Financial participation: Grosvenor Park, Made with the support of: UK Film Council Premiere Fund, Executive Producer: Uri Fruchtmann, Executive Producer (For FC's PremFund): Robert Jones, Producer: Barnaby Thompson, Co-producer: David Brown, Production Executive (For FC's PremFund): Brock Norman Brock, Luke Morris, Unit Manager: Hugh Gourlay, Production Supervisor: Brian Donovan, Production Co-ordinator: Hermione Ninnim, Assistant Co-ordinator: Elian Strong, Head of Development for Fragile Films: Jo Rogers, Production Accountant: Dianne Twiddy, Location Manager: Christian McWilliams, Post-production Supervisor: Tania Windsor Blunden, Floor Runner: Jonny Benson, 2nd Unit Director: David Brown, Assistant Director (1st): Richard Hewitt, Assistant Director (2nd): Matthew Penry-Davey, Assistant Director (3rd): Fiona Gosden, Assistant Director (Additional 2nd): Toby Sherborne, Crowd Co-ordinator: Rufus Rawley, Script Supervisor: Beverley Winston, Script Supervisor (2nd Unit): Louise Wade, Casting: Celestia Fox, Casting (ADR Voice): Louis Elman, Extras Casting: Mad Dog Casting, Casting Assistant: Alex Johnson, Screenplay: Oliver Parker, Based on the play by: Oscar Wilde, Text Adviser: Matthew Sturgis, Director of Photography: Tony Pierce-Roberts, Camera Operator (2nd Unit): Philip Sindall, Nic Milner, 2nd Unit Steadicam: Keith Sewell, 2nd Unit Steadicam: Dogan Halil, Roger Tooley, Focus Puller: John Ferguson, Focus Puller (2nd Unit): Ralph Ramsden, Chyna Thomson, Clapper Loader: Oliver Loncraine, Clapper Loader (2nd Unit): Charlie England, Sam Barnes, Gaffer: Tommy Finch, Grip: Darren Quinn, Visual Effects: Men-from-Mars, Special Effects: Any Effects, Special Effects (Supervisor): Tom Harris, Special Effects (Senior Technician): Alex Gurucharri, Special Effects (Technician): Barry Woodman, Graphics: Anna-Maria Chetwynd, Motion Control: Ian Menzies, Motion Control: Ben Goldschmied, Motion Control Cameras (UK), Editor: Guy Bensley, First Assistant Editor: Steve Mercer, Production Designer: Luciana Arrighi, Art Director: Paul Ghirardani, Art Department Co-ordinator: Charlotte Pearson, Assistant Art Director: Kate Grimble, Stand-by Art Director: Dominic Hyman, Set Decorator: Ian Whittaker, Draughtsman: Patricia Johnson, Assistant Draughtsman: Michael Harm, Scenic Artist: James Gemmill, Scenic Artist: Alalia Chetwynd, Storyboard Artist: Denis Rich, Prop Master: Arthur Wicks, Construction Manager: Andy Evans, Costume Designer: Maurizio Millenotti, Assistant Costume Designer: Gianni Casalnuovo, Wardrobe Supervisor: Marcus Love-mcguirk, Wardrobe Master: Anthony Brookman, Rupert Steggle, Make-up/Hair Designer: Peter King, Make-up/Hair Artist: Nuala Conway, Make-up Artist to Mr Everett: Pat Hay, Make-up/Hair Assistant: Paula Price, Jo Hopker, Chief Crowd Make-up/Hair: Sue Parkinson, Hairstylist to Mr Everett: Jamie Pritchard, Titles/Film Opticals: Cine Image, Colour Timer: Peter Hunt, Music: Charlie Mole, Alby's Piano Played by: Simon Chamberlain, Programming: Chris Nicholaides, [Music] Conducted by: Geoff Alexander, Orchestrations: Geoff Alexander, Orchestrations: Simon Chamberlain, Music Supervisor: Eliza Thompson, Music Editor: Sophie Cornet, Music Recorder/Mixer: Mike Ross-Trevor, Choreography: Quinney Sacks, Sound Recordist: John Midgley, Boom Operator: June Prinz, Sound Maintenance: Stephen Gilmore, Re-recording Mixer: Adrian Rhodes, Matthew Gough, Re-recording Mixer (Additional): Peter Maxwell, Re-recording Engineer: Steve Hancock, Supervising Sound Editor: Max Hoskins, Sound Effects Editor: Richard Dunford, ADR Recordist: Bruce Gray, Foley Artist: Stan Fiferman, Foley Artist: Dianne Greaves, Foley Recordist: Ted Swanscott, Foley Recordist: Colin Cooper, Foley Editor: Ben Barker, Stunt Co-ordinator: Steve Dent, Stunt Double: Rocky Taylor, Stunt Double: Mark Mottram, Stunt Double: Kim McGarrity, Stunt Double: Danielle da Costa, Stand-in: Gavin Hale, Stand-in: Alison Horton, Stand-in: Sebastian Dewing, Boat Wrangler: Tony Tucker, The Producer Wishes to Thank: Harvey Weinstein, The Producer Wishes to Thank: Julie Goldstein, The Producer Wishes to Thank: Don Starr, The Producer Wishes to Thank: Charles Layton, The Producer Wishes to Thank: Allon Reich, Andrew Somper, Dialogue Coach: Penny Dyer, Horses/Carriages: Steve Dent, Studio: Ealing Studios
Cast
(31)
Rupert Everett (Algy), Colin Firth (Jack), Frances O'Connor (Gwendolen), Reese Witherspoon (Cecily), Judi Dench (Lady Bracknell), Tom Wilkinson (Dr Chasuble), Anna Massey (Miss Prism), Edward Fox (Lane), Patrick Godfrey (Merriman), Charles Kay (Gribsby), Cyril Shaps (pew opener), Marsha Fitzalan (dowager), Finty Williams (young Lady Bracknell), Guy Bensley (young Lord Bracknell), Christina Robert (Duchess of Devonshire), Kiera Chaplin, Alexandra Kobi (girl in gambling club), Suzie Boyle, Kate Coyne, Bernadette Iglich, Polli Redston, Elaine Tyler-Hall, Gillian Winn, Holly Collins, Kit Dickinson, Suzanne Thomas (dancer), Charlie Mole, Darrell Kok, Judd Procter, Martin Knowles (musical butler), Ben Marchant (young Algernon)
Articles held in BFI Reuben Library
(19)
In: Sight and Sound v15 n11 November 2005 Page: 8Title: The numbers: Austen powerAuthor: GANT, Charles Article type: Short ArticleLanguage: English
Description: A brief analysis of literary-based costume dramas at the UK box office.
In: Premiere n314 April 2003 Page: 64
Title: Cahier critiqueArticle type: ReviewLanguage: French
In: Empire n170 August 2003 Page: 134
Title: PlayAuthor: [NA] Article type: DVD ReviewLanguage: English
In: Sight and Sound v13 n8 August 2003 Page: 68
Title: Home movies: reviewsAuthor: MACNAB, Geoffrey Article type: DVD ReviewLanguage: English
In: Empire n160 October 2002 Page: 123
Title: [Empire - n160 October 2002: no known title]Author: COCHRANE, Emma Article type: CreditsLanguage: English
In: Empire n160 October 2002 Pages: 66-68
Title: Where the Wilde things are.Author: BEARDSWORTH, Liz Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Looks at the making of Oliver Parker's THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST.
In: Variety 20 May 2002 Page: 28
Title: Film ReviewsAuthor: KOEHLER, Robert Article type: CreditsLanguage: English
In: Music from the Movies n35/36 2002 Pages: 65-66
Title: Film music review: new filmsAuthor: KEECH, Andrew Article type: Soundtrack ReviewLanguage: English
In: Exposure Spring 2002 Pages: 8-9
Title: Wilde in the Country.Author: FALK, Quentin Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Article about the production of THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST,in which director of photography Tony Pierce-Roberts talks about filming and the stock and techniques used.
In: Empire n152 February 2002 Page: 26
Title: Pipeline.Author: BIGNELL, Darren Article type: Prod. ReportLanguage: English
Description: Production report from the set of British film THE IMPORT- ANCE OF BEING EARNEST.
In: Film Comment v38 n3 May/Jun 2002 Pages: 73-74
Title: [Film Comment - v38 n3 May/Jun 2002: no known title]Author: KERR, Sarah Article type: ReviewLanguage: English
In: Premiere v15 n10 June 2002 Page: 19
Title: [Premiere - v15 n10 June 2002: no known title]Author: KENNY, Glenn Article type: ReviewLanguage: English
In: Film Score Monthly v7 n7 September 2002 Page: 45
Title: Score: reviews of current releases on CDAuthor: DUFF, Simon Article type: Soundtrack ReviewLanguage: English
In: Screen International n1363 12 Jul 2002 Page: 19
Title: UnWilde at heart.Author: HAZELTON, John Article type: CreditsLanguage: English
In: Edinburgh Film Festival Catalogue v56th 2002 Page: 154
Title: [Edinburgh Film Festival Catalogue - v56th 2002: no known title]Article type: CreditsLanguage: English
Description: Credits include UK distributor contact details.
In: Sight and Sound v12 n9 September 2002 Pages: 61-62
Title: ReviewsAuthor: WALTERS, Ben Article type: CreditsLanguage: English
In: The Hollywood Reporter v368 n4 1 May 2001 Page: 21
Title: ProductionArticle type: CreditsLanguage: English
In: Screen International n1308 11-24 May 2001 Page: 18
Title: The importance of being Ealing.Author: MINNS, Adam Article type: Short ArticleLanguage: English
Description: On Ealing Studios' first film since being redeveloped in 1999. THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST is produced by Fragile Films.'
In: Screen International n1308 11-24 May 2001 Page: 20
Title: Production focus (UK & Ireland)Article type: CreditsLanguage: English
Film, Video or Digital materials held in BFI National Archive(4)
Accessible materials to view(1)
Description: VHS cassetteBFI identifier: C-1192840
Status: Viewing - Videotape can be requested for access
Video materials(3)
Description: Digital BetacamBFI identifier: C-1192838
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved videotape
Description: Digital BetacamBFI identifier: C-1192839
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved videotape
Description: VHS cassetteBFI identifier: C-1192840
Status: Viewing - Videotape can be requested for access
Film materials(1)
Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: SafetySound: CombinedBFI identifier: C-1221172
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film