Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #40769 in DVD
• Released on: 2002-02-12
• Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 125 minutes

Amazon.com
Set in England during the early 19th century, Pandaemonium evokes late-1960s America in its depiction of the relationship between Samuel Taylor Coleridge (Linus Roach) and William Wordsworth (John Hannah). Instead of going to Vietnam, Wordsworth goes off to fight against the French while Coleridge stays at home and promotes utopianism. After the war, the poets live and work together with Coleridge's wife, Sara (Samantha Morton), and Wordsworth's sister, Dorothy (Emily Woof). At first this communal arrangement works to the advantage of Coleridge--who does some of his best writing while Wordsworth stagnates--until Coleridge becomes addicted to opium. Wordsworth, meanwhile, doesn't find his voice until he abandons his friend. In 20th-century vernacular, Wordsworth is the yuppie, Coleridge the hippie. Director Julien Temple (Absolute Beginners) even evokes 1960s cinema with this occasionally overwrought--but often visually stunning--essay on the mysteries of creativity. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

From the Back Cover
At the turn of the 19th century, poetry, love and betrayal bound together William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge. The duo who would become literary icons collaborated during a tumultuous period of political and romantic idealism - and their friendship followed a similarly tumultuous course. The men experience rivalry, jealousy and addiction in their ultimately diverging quests for artistic freedom.

Customer Reviews

Hated it
Such an inaccurate portrait. I got it to show to my Romantic Lit class, but decided not to show it after I watched it. Very disappointing

Pandaemonium
Part drama, part biographical. A story of two writers battling each other as they vie for words and glory. Somewhat dark at times, but nevertheless tells the story of their struggles.

Let's get high and write some poems
I watched this movie in one of my classes and I loved it. I did not know that John Hannah was in it, and when I saw him in it I knew I would like it. It is a crazy drug adventure that is beautifully done. If you liked Fear & Loathing you will enjoy this movie, if not...don't bother. No, the movie is not historically accurate. I don't think they wanted it to be, but what they did do is make a great movie. The dialogue is great, and the acting superb.