Tweet PRIEST OF LOVE (1981)

This wonderful film is finally out on DVD via KINO.

Ian McKellen gives a bravura performance as DH Lawrence in this film that examines his troubled years in England as well as his years in Taos, under the patronage of Mabel Dodge Lujan (a glowing Ava Gardner). The real meat to this story, however, is his relationship with the fiery and controversial Frieda (superb Janet Suzman), a German woman in England during WW I. The film does a good job at dissecting the chaos of literary creation as well as the Taos art scene, with Penelope Keith excellent as artist Dorothy Brett.

I lived in the area for years. The DH Lawrence Ranch is run by University of New Mexico as a retreat. The Lawrence shrine there is quite controversial because it has always been rumored that Frieda had Lawrence cremated and had his ashes mixed into the cement.

I can finally dump my old VHS of this film! Thanks, KINO.

There seems to be some question about the version Kino released. It appears to be a "directors cut" that Christopher Miles prefers @99 minutes versus an original quoted running time of 125 minutes. Tp add a little extra confusion, the running time on the DVD on Amazon is listed as 115 minutes. Can anyone clarify?

The VHS copy I have runs 125 min. Apparectly Christopher Miles (brother of Sarah) trimmed the film for re-release. The new DVD is gorgeous and contains a doc on the making of the film, The Way We Got It Together. The documentary is narrated by Penelope Keith, who is also interviewed. It's quite good.