Priest of Love ** (1981, Janet Suzman, Ian McKellen, Ava Gardner, Penelope Keith, Jorge Rivero, John Gielgud, Graham Faulkner) – Classic Movie Review 8504

Director Christopher Miles’s 1981 literary biopic Priest of Love is written by Alan Plater, based on the book by Harry T Moore and the letters and writings of D H Lawrence, and stars Ian McKellen, Janet Suzman, Ava Gardner, Penelope Keith, Jorge Rivero and John Gielgud.

Despite all the strong talent assembled, this tale of the later life of controversial English novelist D H Lawrence (McKellen) is a bit of a let-down. It focuses on his bumpy relationship with his wife Frieda (Suzman), the banning and burning of his novel The Rainbow, their move to the United States and then to Mexico, their return to England and stay in Italy, and the fight with the censor over the publication of his novel Lady Chatterley’s Lover.

The script and performances are interesting, with McKellen and Suzman excellent, and some outstanding support performances. But the script and performances don’t catch fire, and a good subject is fumbled, though, as always real lives are hard to capture on film as satisfying drama. The director’s sister Sarah Miles has a cameo as the film star. Director Miles previously filmed D H Lawrence’s novel The Virgin and the Gypsy in 1970, with another screenplay by Alan Plater.

It is Graham Faulkner’s only film since his star debut in 1972’s Brother Sun, Sister Moon. He plays Cornish Farmer. James Faulkner plays writer Aldous Huxley. Shane Rimmer ((1929–2019) plays Chief Immigration Officer. The handsome and muscular Mexican leading man Jorge Rivero plays Tony Luhan. Julian Fellowes plays Barbara’s Fiancé. Roger Sloman plays English reporter. Gareth Forwood (the son of actress Glynis Johns and her first husband Anthony Forwood, who later became Dirk Bogarde’s partner) plays Photographer on Aquitania).

Also in the cast are Maurizio Merlo, Mike Gwilym, Massimo Ranieri, Marjorie Yates, Wendy Alnutt, Jane Booker, Sarah Brackett, Patrick Holt, Anne Dyson, and John Flint.

It runs 125 minutes but was also released in an abridged version of 94 minutes.

McKellen lost weight, grew a moustache and beard, and had his hair dyed to look like Lawrence.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8504

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