The Bostonians Film Still

The Bostonians

James Ivory

1984

122 minutes

1.78:1

English

Synopsis

In Boston in the aftermath of the Civil War, Verena Tarrant (Madeleine Potter), a gifted young orator, has attracted the attention of Olive Chancellor (Vanessa Redgrave), who wishes to nurture Verena as an inspirational force for the Women’s Movement. But ranged against her is Basil Ransom (Christopher Reeve), a handsome male chauvinist who wants Verena as his wife. Against a backdrop of luminous New England landscapes, battle is joined, and for Olive the struggle will prove an odyssey that forces her to acknowledge her true nature. Merchant Ivory Productions’ acclaimed screen adaptation of the Henry James classic charts the struggle between two charismatic forces to gain control over the destiny of a spirited young woman.

Cast

Olive ChancellorVanessa Redgrave
Basil RansomChristopher Reeve
Verena TarrantMadeleine Potter
Miss BirdseyeJessica Tandy
Mrs. BurrageNancy Marchand
Dr. TarrantWesley Addy
Mrs. TarrantBarbara Bryne
Dr. PranceLinda Hunt
Mr. PardonWallace Shawn

Credits

DirectorJames Ivory
ProducerIsmail Merchant
ScreenplayRuth Prawer Jhabvala
From the novel byHenry James
CinematographyWalter Lassally
MusicRichard Robbins
Executive producersMichael Landes and Albert Schwartz
Production DesignLeo Austin
CostumesJenny Beavan and John Bright
EditingKatherine Wenning and Mark Potter

Disc Features

  • Digital transfer, enhanced for widescreen televisions
  • Conversation with the filmmakers, part of a new series of interviews with Ismail Merchant, James Ivory and Ruth Prawer Jhabvala
  • Original theatrical trailer
  • English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

Related Films

The Auteurs Forum

Displaying 0 discussion topics.

Start the first

Available Editions

The Bostonians Merchant Ivory DVD Add to Cart

Merchant Ivory DVD

1 Disc

SRP: $29.95

Criterion Store price

$23.96