Edward II: A Lesson in Love and Politics

Ah, “Edward II”, that gem from 1991, bringing Christopher Marlowe’s play to life on the big screen. Directed by Derek Jarman, it’s a film that never fails to impress — but maybe not in the way you’d expect. You know, I once tried staging a play with some friends at our old community center in Stockholm, and let me tell you, we were definitely no Derek Jarman. Dark corners, minimal props, and a confused audience. That was us. But Jarman? He nails that sparse, oppressive feeling.

So, Edward II stars Steven Waddington as Edward, and you also get Tilda Swinton, dazzling as Isabella — seriously, she’s got that cold stare that can cut through glass. I remember seeing her for the first time in this, and thinking, “Wow, this is some fierce acting.” The way she plays Isabella, you can’t help but be drawn into her world of betrayal and ambition.

What’s this movie about, you ask? Power. And love. And how those two dance awkwardly together, especially when you throw politics in the mix. And let’s not forget, that love knows no boundaries. Edward’s romance with Gaveston, played by Andrew Tiernan, shakes the whole darn kingdom to its foundation. There was this scene where the tension was so thick, I swear I heard a pin drop somewhere in the room, even though I was watching alone.

Jarman’s direction is something — combining historical drama with modern sensibilities. He’s got this way of making the past echo in the present, and I think that’s what caught my attention back then and even now. But it’s a bit challenging, you know? It doesn’t hold your hand, which is both refreshing and a tad frustrating. Like when you go mushroom picking without a guidebook, hoping you won’t end up with the poisonous ones.

I’m torn, really. It’s one of those films you need to see when you’re in the mood for something… well, artsy and out there. If you decide to give it a go, maybe think of it as an adventure through medieval England, but with a touch of Stockholm grit. Take a fika break midway if it gets a bit heavy, just like those days in film school when we’d pause Bergman for a coffee. So, put on some candles and get ready to feel a blast from the past — with

Check the trailer below