Scandal (DVD & Blu-ray)

I enjoyed this film.!!

Released to generally positive reviews in 1989, Scandal tells the true story of the Profumo Affair of 1963, a political scandal that eventually saw the collapse of the Conservative Government.Christine Keeler, an exotic dancer meets and becomes socially involved with social-butterfly Dr.Stephen Ward who in turns introduces her to lifestyle of glamour, riches and high society.Christine Keeler meets Jack Profumo ( the Minister of War for the Conservative Government ) at a pool party hosted at Cliveden, a mansion owned by Lord Astor, during a weekend in which she also meets a Russian Naval Attache, and with whom she both promptly, starts affairs.However, things soon turn sour and nobody's life will be the same...Some have argued over the authenticity of events that are shown ( Christine Keeler herself dismissed the film purely as a work of fiction in her memoirs ) but there is no denying that its rich and hypnotic cinematography, intelligent dialogue , nostalgic soundtrack and compelling performances make up for any doubts over the relevance on whether what we are watching is what " actually happened ".Scandal was originally intended to be a made for tv series, but NO tv station would touch the delicate subject matter and in the end it was upto the now defunct Palace Video to distribute the film.Directed by Michael Caton-Jones, who would go on to direct Memphis Belle and Rob Roy.Starring John Hurt as Stephen Ward, Joanne Whalley ( then Kilmer ) as Christine Keeler, Bridget Fonda in her first substantial film role playing Christine's friend Mandy Rice-Davies ( she incidentally has some of the best one liners too ) and Sir Ian McKellen plays Jack Profumo.Featuring cameos from Roland Gift,Jeroen Krabbe, Britt Ekland and Leslie Phillips.A scene in which Christine & Mandy are shown getting ready for a night out is played to the sound of " Apache " by The Shadows, and for some, maybe worth the price of this DVD alone.

I was too young at the time to understand how profoundly the Profumo scandal affected the relationship between politics and press, and it would be worthwhile viewing this film for that alone. However there is a good deal more on offer, with very creditable performances from John Hurt, Joanne Whalley, Ian McKellen and (then) relative newcomer Bridget Fonda, ably supported by a number of well known actors of the time. The physical similarities of the two first-named to the original characters portrayed is uncanny, and lends a near-documentary feel to the film which attempts to give a fair account of the business.It is worth remembering that despite the subject then being some 25 years old, the film was still seen as almost too controversial to get made or distributed. Whether this is a true account of events will remain controversial, many of the protagonists having published their own version of history. Unsurprisingly they differ a fair bit. To borrow and adapt Mandy RD's well known bon mot "Well they would, wouldn't they?" Sadly the one version never heard is that of Ward himself.You might want to watch this as a student of history, of fashion, of 60s music or just of human frailty. You might even just enjoy a good story, well told. Whatever your reason you are likely to be pleased.

I have waited years for DVD release of Scandal and finally it has arrived in September 2010 - why so long? Perhaps so much has happened since the film was originally made and I find it hard to be actually very shocked by the actual Scandal - I seem to remember when I saw it in the cinema on release all those years ago it wasn't shocking either and I cannot understand in the added 2010 directors commentary he says no film company other than Palace who made Scandal would touch it.Now back to 1963. As everyone knows Phillip Larkin said 1963 was the year that changed England and this great film and event is one of those 1963 defining moments. The England of 1963 is accurately captured I think (I was 8) and as for shocks - well I can imagine my parents for example and their friends being very shocked that pillars of society such as Profumo could be so well, shocking.The court scene at the end is a delight especially when Mandy is in the dock and plays to the jury and court. In my opinion the film shows (but does not make a point of proving this) that Ward was innocent but I think he was forfeited by the establishment who were looking for a scapegoat (apart from Prufumo).Great movie - one of my favourites of all time.

In 1961, Doctor Stephen Ward meets and becomes besotted with young exotic dancer Christine Keeler. Through his contacts she is introduced to British Government officials and she has affairs. Then the truth comes out threatening to bring down the British government. Based on a true story, this is a very moving film painting Christine Keeler in a more sympathetic light with very good performances from John Hurt, Joanne Whalley, Bridget Fonda and Ian McKellen.

I think this film is quite good. It gives quite a sympathetic picture of Christine Keeler, and an interesting and, one feels, also believable portrait of the central character of the scandal, well played by John Hurt. What made that man tick is at the center of the scandal, the thrill he got out of throwing beautiful girls at his upper class pals.He became the scapegoat of the scandal, too, and became at the end a tragic character. Not fair perhaps, but he was playing a dangerous game, more so than he seems to have realized.