Howards End, an English country estate, has been in the Wilcox family–to put it more succinctly, the family of Mrs. Ruth Wilcox (Vanessa Redgrave)–for generations. Though she lives in London, the estate is the center of her life; the place she goes when the activity of the city is too much. Helen Schlegel (Helena Bonham Carter) was briefly engaged to her youngest son. While the relationship didn’t work out, the episode brought Helens older sister Margaret (Margaret (Emma Thompson) into Ruth’s life. The two women discover they have a lot in common and develop a fast friendship. Ruth recognizes a lot of herself in the younger woman. When Ruth dies, her family is shocked to find a handwritten, unsigned will leaving the house to Margaret.
After a family meeting, they burn the slip of paper (“She couldn’t have been in her right mind”) and agree to never mention it again.
In a twist, Margaret attracts the attention of the recently widowed Henry Wilcox (Anthony Wilcox), a very rich, shy, abrupt, banker. It’s not long before he (sort of) proposes and she accepts. Margaret finally comes home to Howards End. During all this, Helen accidentally meets Leonard Bast (Samuel West) a clerk at an insurance company, whose working-class intellectualism intrigues both sister’s. Bast is amazed by their breezy approach toward life and their idealistic view of the world. Though the sister’s try to help Bast improve his economic standing, it is advice they pass on from Henry Wilcox that ultimately proves his undoing. Seething and determined to make things right, Helen produces Mr. Bast at her sister’s wedding on the grounds of Howards End. There, Bast discovers along with everyone else, that his slovenly wife knows Henry Wilcox very well. It seems everyone, regardless of class, has a dirty secret!
This discovery leads to Helen leveling charges of hypocrisy against her sister and Margaret accusing her husband of not living up to the same standards he expects from others. Now everyone must pick up the pieces of their lives.
E.M. Forester was a gifted storyteller and screenwriter Ruth Prawer Jhabval expertly captures the literary feel, while adding her own with to the proceedings. Prayer Jhabval took home a well-deserved Oscar for Best Adapted screenplay. Emma Thompson, who won a Best Actress Oscar for her work, is the engine that makes Howards End go. At first, Margaret may seem like little more than a happy chatterbox. However, we gradually come to learn how intelligent and caring Margaret is. By the end of the film it’s clear that it’s Margaret’s emotional intelligence that drew Ruth Wilcox to her. Anthony Hopkins’ character represents the other side of the coin. He wants to change and open himself up, but he still feels bound by the constraints of Edwardian tradition.
Presented in the 2.35:1 aspect ratio, this new 4K restoration looks gorgeous. Detail is excellent throughout and textures are evident. Merchant and Ivory liked to film on Fri film stock, so colors don’t exactly pop, but they look appropriate. The exception is the fields of bluebells, done with Kodak stock, which produces a richer look. The finely layered film grain is organic and creates a true filmic appearance. There are no issues that should interfere with the enjoyment of this 1080p transfer.
The DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio track works well for this dialogue driven film. Ambient sounds are on the low end, but that seems appropriate given the material. Effects are placed heavily in the fronts, though music cues are given the surround treatment. Dialogue is clear and concise. There are no real issues that affect the overall performance of the track.
English SDH subtitles are included.
The following extras are available:
Disc One:
- Audio Commentary with Critic’s Wade Major and Lapel Lowestein: Sitting together for this scene specific commentary, the two discuss the source novel and it’s adaptation, the cast, crew, production and various scene specific details. The two provide some good information for fans of the film.
Disc Two:
- Conversation Between Director James Ivory and MOMA Senior Curator Laurence Kardish: (HD, 26:43) Recorded in 2016, Ivory discusses the process of adapting the novel, what drew him to the project, the production, the cast, locations, themes and more.
- Interview with Director James Ivory and Actress Vanessa Redgrave: (HD, 8:08) Recorded in 2016 at the Cannes Film Festival, the two briefly discuss the production, specifically the shooting process, but it’s more fluffy than informative.
- Q&A with James Ivory at Lincoln Center: (HD, 27:17) Recorded in 2016 and moderated by critic Michael Koresky, Ivory touches on many of the same topics discussed in the MOMA sit-down.
- Behind-the-Scenes Featurette: (HD, 4:32) Recorded in 1992, Ivory, producer Ismail Merchant and actors Anthony Hopkins, Helena Bonham Carter and Emma Thompson discuss the story and their characters.
- Building Howards End: (HD 42:37) The best of the disc’s extras, this presents notes from Merchant, Ivory, Bonham Carter, costume designer Jenny Beaven, and production designer Luciana Arrighi. The piece examines the source novel and characters, cast and performances, production design, cinematography, the work of Merchant and Ivory and the film’s release.
- Design of Howards End: (HD, 8:58) Costume designer Jenny Beaver and production designer Luciana Arrighi share more details about their role in the production.
- James Ivory Remembers Ismail Merchant: (HD, 12:11) Ivory discusses the work of his long-term filmmaking partner, who died in 2005.
- Original Theatrical Trailer: (HD, 2:05)
- 2016 Re-Release Trailer: (HD, 2:26)
- Booklet: Featuring a new essay by James Ivory; an essay on the film by John Pyn; notes from production designer Luciana Arrighi as well as production stills and credits.
