Product Description

First performed in 1777, Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s sophisticated comedy of manners satirizes the extravagance and corruption of London society. The School for Scandal’s combination of elegant language and earthy comedy weaves a deliciously nasty tale of intrigue, slander, and clandestine love affairs. Blair Brown stars in this timeless, witty look at the wages of scandal mongering and social climbing, scheming and hypocrisy. Stars Emmy®-nominees Blair Brown ("The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd") and Kenneth Welsh ("Twin Peaks") and Emmy®-winner Larry Gates (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof).

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #20413 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-04-15
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 118 minutes

Customer Reviews

As Bad a Production as Possible
This production took one of the wittiest, most sparkling 18th-century comedies--and ruined it. The costumes are intentionally absurd (think Beach Blanket Babylon), the acting is way over-the-top-camp, and the incidental music could not be worse. The music, BTW, is a combination of pop Renaissance and pop modern; anything but 18th century. The director appears to have had the goal of showing that his company was just too hip and too modern to do anything but make fun of this silly, fusty old play.

I like "The School for Scandal" very much, and not having found any other DVDs of it, I started out with the intention of keeping a recording of even a bad production. But when they got into the extended bop-be-bop of the drinking song scene, I knew I just couldn't ever sit through this one again.

The visuals are also blurry, but with the production being so bad, so what? Anyone who actually likes this play will be revolted by this DVD.

Witty and worthy production
A crisp production negotiated with wit and flair, this delicious confection offers a tantilizing glimpse of the mores and manners of Sheridan's 18th century England. Guided with a sure hand by Michael Langham and Nick Havinga, this handsome production is well paced, wittily acted, and far worthier than the sneering commentary of the reviewers below would have you believe.

three to four stars - depending...
Classic drawing room comedy, period piece. Cleverly written in a time when the audience needed a bit of a nudge to figure out each character. Each person's name describes how you should feel about each! Charming idea from the 1700's. If you've never had a chance to see one of these comedies, take a look. This is a famous play and well done. Must see for theatre students.