reviews_and_ramblings | Maurice (1987) directed by James Ivory

Director: James Ivory

Writers:E.M. Forster (from the novel by)
Kit Hesketh-Harvey (screenplay) and
James Ivory (screenplay)

Release Date: September 1987 (Venice Film Festival, Italy)
18 September 1987 (USA)

Genre: Drama, Romance

Plot: Set against the stifling conformity of pre-World War I English society, E.M. Forster’s Maurice is a story of coming to terms with one’s sexuality and identity in the face of disapproval and misunderstanding. Maurice Hall (James Wilby) and Clive Durham (Hugh Grant) find themselves in love at Cambridge. In a time when homosexuality was punishable by imprisonment, the two must keep their feelings for one another a complete secret, even though Clive refuses to allow their relationship to move beyond the boundaries of "platonic" love. After a friend is arrested and disgraced for "the unspeakable crime of the Greeks," Clive abandons his forbidden love, marries, and enters into the political arena. Maurice, however, struggles with questions of his identity and self-confidence, even seeking the help of a hypnotist to rid himself of his undeniable urges. But while staying with Clive and his shallow wife, Anne, Maurice is seduced by the affectionate and yearning servant Alec Scudder, (Rupert Graves), an event that brings about profound changes in Maurice’s life and outlook. Sparking direction by James Ivory, a distinguished performance from the ensemble cast, and a charged score by Richard Robbins all combine to create a film of undeniable power, one that is both romantic and moving, and a story of love and self-discovery for all audiences.

Awards: 1988 Oscar Nomination as Best Costume Design (Jenny Beavan, John Bright), Academy Awards, USA
1987 Best Actor Award to Hugh Grant tied with James Wilby, Venice Film Festival.
1987 Golden Osella for Best Music to Richard Robbins, Venice Film Festival.
1987 Silver Lion to James Ivory, Venice Film Festival.
1987 Golden Lion Nomination to James Ivory, Venice Film Festival.

@IMDb
@Amazon: Maurice
@Netflix
@Wolfe Video

Cast (in credits order) verified as complete
James Wilby ... Maurice Hall
Hugh Grant ... Clive Durham
Rupert Graves ... Alec Scudder
Denholm Elliott ... Doctor Barry
Simon Callow ... Mr. Ducie
Billie Whitelaw ... Mrs. Hall
Barry Foster ... Dean Cornwallis
Judy Parfitt ... Mrs. Durham
Phoebe Nicholls ... Anne Durham
Patrick Godfrey ... Simcox
Mark Tandy ... Risley
Ben Kingsley ... Lasker-Jones
Kitty Aldridge ... Kitty Hall
Helena Michell ... Ada Hall
Catherine Rabett ... Pippa Durham
Peter Eyre ... Rev. Borenius
Michael Jenn ... Archie
Mark Payton ... Chapman
Orlando Wells ... Young Maurice
Maria Britneva ... Mrs. Sheepshanks
John Elmes ... Hill
Alan Foss ... Old Man on Train
Philip Fox ... Dr. Jowitt
Olwen Griffiths ... Mrs. Scudder
Chris Hunter ... Fred Scudder
Gerald McArthur ... Undergraduate (as Gerard McArthur)
Breffni McKenna ... Guardsman
Miles Richardson ... Third Undergraduate
Phillida Sewell ... Matron (as Phillada Sewell)
Matthew Sim ... Featherstonhaugh
Andrew St. Clair ... Second Undergraduate
Harriet Thorpe ... Barmaid
Julian Wadham ... Hull
Richard Warner ... Judge
Alan Whybrow ... Mr. Scudder
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jean-Marc Barr ... French Collegue (scenes deleted) (uncredited)
Helena Bonham Carter ... Lady at Cricket Match (uncredited)
Adrian Ross Magenty ... Dickie Barry (uncredited)