Derek Jarman's interpretation of Christopher Marlowe's play "Edward II" is captivating, enchanting, and emotional --
Marlowe's play was written in the late 16th century, some 250 years after Edward II's reign (first published 1593, five weeks after Marlowe's death), and focuses on Edward II's "homosexual affection" for Piers Galveston, a close friend who became a part of the royal court during the reign of Edward I -- Jarman's film follows in this tradition, although perhaps more explicitly than Marlowe's play --
Edward II reign (1307-1327) was more complex than just Edward's relationship with Galveston -- he was, after all, King of England, with territorial and power conflicts with Scotland and France, and among his own nobility -- Historians do not consider Edward II to be among England's more effective Kings -- Yet it is interesting to note that after his probable murder there was a serious effort promoting his canonization --
++ Review: Jim Clark's Reviews (MUST READ) + Review: NY Times • Wikipedia: Edward II (King Reign) • Wikipedia: Edward II (Marlowe Play)
