Edward II

Feel the anguish of the English king whose reckless relationship with another man alienated his wife and nobles, and eventually cost him his throne. The young Sir Ian McKellen's (The Lord of the Rings trilogy) breakthrough performance as Edward II caused a sensation in Christopher Marlowe's sensuous play, with its uncompromising portrayal of the king's love for one of his knights. As broadcast by the BBC, the fast-paced production includes the first kiss between two men on British television. And the second. And the third. "Intensely masculine"- Time magazine. Recommended for mature viewers. 2 hours

Now available on DVD for the first time ever, Ian McKellen's breakthrough performance as Edward II from the 1969 Edinburgh Festival! The BBC broadcast of this critically lauded production caused a sensation with its uncompromised portrayal of Edward's sexuality, including the first kiss between two men on British television.

Christopher Marlowe's play is remarkably modern. It is perhaps surprising to realize that his sensuous and poetic depiction of love between two men is 400 years old. Edward II is a flawed ruler, his reign marred by civil strife and rebellion, but it was his love life that ultimately turned the nobles against the king. The play begins with the return from exile of Edward's favorite courtier, Gaveston (James Laurenson, MI-5, State of Play). Edward's devotion to Gaveston, and his stubborn refusal to give him up, is at the heart of the play's tragedy.

"McKellen and Director Toby Robertson have confronted with stark candor the fact that Edward II is a play by a homosexual about a king who was a homosexual who indeed ruined himself for an infatuation. The sum is a better play about that too-fashionable subject than anything overt or covert recently on or off Broadway. It is sensuous, unpleasant, funny, guilt-obsessed - and intensely masculine." Time Magazine, September 19, 1969

Written by Christopher Marlowe
Directed by Richard Marquand, Toby Robertson

"McKellen and Director Toby Robertson have confronted with stark candor the fact that Edward II is a play by a homosexual about a king who was a homosexual who indeed ruined himself for an infatuation. The sum is a better play about that too-fashionable subject than anything overt or covert recently on or off Broadway. It is sensuous, unpleasant, funny, guilt-obsessed - and intensely masculine." Time Magazine, September 19, 1969