Search - Restoration on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Nudity, Not For Children Movie Release: 1994 DVD Release: 08/03/1999 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Audio Tracks: English Subtitles: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 58 mins Studio: Miramax Members Wishing: 17 Genres: Drama, Period Film

This lavish historical drama based on the acclaimed novel by Rose Tremain won Oscars for Costume Design and Art Direction. Robert Downey, Jr. stars as Robert Merivel, a gifted medical student of the 17th century who ignores his studies in favor of pursuing debauched fun -- much to the consternation of his high-minded Quaker colleague John Pearce (David Thewlis). Merivel achieves the high societal status he covets when he's summoned by King Charles II (Sam Neill). Merivel is chagrined to find that he's expected to care for the king's ailing spaniel, but the dog rallies and Merivel joins court. When one of Charles' mistresses, Celia (Polly Walker) becomes uppity, Charles arranges her marriage to Merivel. In return for keeping Celia in a pretend marriage, he receives an estate and knighthood. Merivel, however, falls in love with Celia and, betrayed by an eccentric painter (Hugh Grant), inspires the king's wrath. Banished and stripped of his wealth, Merivel rediscovers love with an Irish mental patient (Meg Ryan). He also rediscovers his passion for medicine during London's Great Fire and the Black Plague. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide

Robert Downey, Jr. - Robert Merivel
Sam Neill - Charles II
David Thewlis - John Pearce
Polly Walker - Celia Clemence
Meg Ryan - Katherine

Michael Hoffman's period film Restoration comes to DVD with a widescreen transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1. The English soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital Surround. There are neither subtitles nor closed captions on this release. Supplemental materials include a making-of featurette, and the theatrical trailer. This is a fine release from Disney/Buena Vista. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide