Stevie

I was most fortunate to have seen the original London production of Stevie, which was a landmark experience for me: my first London play, my introduction to the highly individual poetry of Stevie Smith and my one chance to see Glenda Jackson live. As for the film, I cherish my copy of it. While I admit it isn't very cinematic, it is a delight for lovers of the language, as Jackson and Washburn banter, and watching Glenda Jackson work is a delight. Highly recommended.

For a thoughtful, literate, positive essay on the film, see Ed Hirsch in American Poetry Review (Jul/Aug 2000): 32-37: ""It's deeply fitting that the last words of the film are the words of Stevie's final poem ["Come Death (a)," read by Trevor Howard]. They fill the mind, the theater, with their faithful summons, their fatal timely music.""

Reading the reviews and feeling like I feel, I want to keep this film alive by adding a comment here.

I saw this years ago and never forgot it. I was (and am) a Glenda Jackson fan - although we are both of age now. The story of Stevie Smith was new to me at the time. What a wonderful way to get to know her writings ! It blew me way. I've read much of her since thanks to this film. I found it sublime. Much thanks to Mona Washburn and Trevor Howard (both died in 1988), but mostly to Glenda Jackson. I wish I could see it again. Can anybody show me where to get it ? Dl or otherwise. I'm grateful that I have the vinyl LP so I can listen to it from time to time :)

This is a wonderful film. It is not perfect; not many man-made artifacts are. However, if you have seen any film of Stevie Smith, you will realise how well Glenda Jackson captures her spirit, and especially her appearance. The claustrophobic scenes (mostly in the living-room of her very ordinary house) enhance this impression. The music and the interspersed commentary by Trevor Howard detach us from the story so we can be objective. Yes, it is sad; anyone who reads Smith's poetry knows it is sad, macabre and eccentric. The only real drawback is Mona Washbourne's portrayal of the aunt, not apparently true to life. Shame, as she is the warmest of the characters in the film. I only wish they would release it on dvd as video does not do it justice.

This film betrays its stage origins at every turn, from the length of time it takes to get going to its asides to camera. Performances are strong throughout, particularly Glenda Jackson as Stevie Smith and Trevor Howard as the mysterious 'The Man', who speaks Smith's poems so brilliantly.

Jackson was a marvellous actress who left many performances on record before her decision to retire and become an MP; watching 'Stevie', you can see hints of her other roles ... and yet, because of make-up, script and setting it is so different to any of the others.

Tightly directed and economically filmed, 'Stevie' is a film which repays watching more than once. It should be more widely available.