The Importance of Being Earnest (1952)
Average Rating: 7.9/10
Reviews Counted: 15
Fresh: 14 | Rotten: 1
No consensus yet.
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Average Rating: 3.7/5
User Ratings: 3,286
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Movie Info
Anthony Asquith's adaptation of Oscar Wilde's witty play of mistaken identities stars Michael Redgrave as rich bachelor Jack Worthing. Jack's friend is Algernon Moncrieft (Michael Denison), a poor bloke living on credit. Jack refers mysteriously to Algernon about his country retreat, which drives Algernon to distraction, trying to figure out where Jack goes on the weekends. Jack is also in love with Algernon's attractive cousin Gwendolen (Joan Greenwood). He also has a ward, Cecily Cardew
Jun 25, 2002
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Cast
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Michael Redgrave
Jack Worthing -
Edith Evans
Lady Bracknell -
Michael Denison
Algernon Moncrieff -
Dorothy Tutin
Cecily Cardew -
Margaret Rutherford
Miss Prism -
Miles Malleson
Canon Chasuble -
Joan Greenwood
Gwendolyn Fairfax -
-
Walter Hudd
Lane -
Aubrey Mather
Merriman -
Richard Wattis
Seton
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All Critics (19) | Top Critics (4) | Fresh (15) | Rotten (1) | DVD (8)
For an audience that takes pleasure in the all-too-rare art of faithful adaptations that vivify rather than embalming their sources [...] Asquith's conservative handling is just what the confirmed and secret Bunburyist ordered.
One is left to appreciate the zingers and spirited performances in this understandably enduring comedy of mistaken identities and romantic entanglements.
This is a fanciful mistaken-identity farce that cuts deeper than most because Wilde weaves class satire into the comical plot.
Civilized comedy has never been more civilized -- or as preposterously funny.
A very competent and enjoyable rendition of Oscar Wilde's most witty play from 1895.
Asquith, an expert in comedy ..., knows just how to let Wilde's drawing-room farce play out to maximum effectiveness with a minimum of intrusion
The most important and beloved version of the play
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