Timothy Spall is captivating in Mr. Turner: DVD review and giveaway

By Tribute on May 5, 2015 | 12 Comments

Mr. Turner is a drama depicting the life of Joseph Mallord William Turner (Timothy Spall), a great British painter who lived from 1775 to 1851.

The film follows the last 25 years of Turner’s life and begins with him returning home to his father and their housekeeper after a painting expedition in Belgium. Family is a sore subject for Mr. Turner, who only associates with his father, unless his previous spouse forces her presence and the presence of their two grown daughters on him.

Throughout the movie Mr. Turner is always searching for inspiration for his next piece of art. He specializes in harbor scenes and paintings of the sea, even requesting to be tied to the sail of a boat during a snowstorm so he could get the inspiration to paint it. He’s a very peculiar man, with a harsh, sometimes rude, ignorant and aggressive nature. You see many different sides of Turner throughout the film and get an understanding of his character.

Turner’s work is both marveled at and mocked. He is the envy of other painters who question his painting methods and design.

Directed by Mike Leigh, Mr. Turner is a visually magnificent film. The British landscape shots are breathtaking and the entire film is shot beautifully. The locations, wardrobe and styling of the characters are perfect for the time period.

The two-and-a-half hour film may seem long at times, but Mr. Turner is a very intriguing and complicated character who draws you in and has you wanting to understand how his mind works.

This film will take you on an emotional, artistic and educational journey and Timothy Spall does a fantastic job at making Mr. Turner come to life. He grasps the complicated nature of Turner in a way that few other actors could have done.

Special features on the DVD include a commentary with director Mike Leigh and Many Colours of Mr. Turner, as well as a deleted scene. We have four copies of this DVD to give away – if you’d like to win a copy, please tell us why below. Our winners are Jennifer, Daniel, Willy and Deborah.

Other DVDs releasing this week include: Selma, Playing it Cool, Black or White, Love, Rosie, The Pyramid, Black Sea, Lost River, Murder of a Cat and Fifty Shades of Grey.

Watch the trailers here:

Fifty Shades of Grey
Murder of a Cat
Lost River
Black Sea
The Pyramid
Love, Rosie
Mr. Turner
Black or White
Playing it Cool
Selma

~Erin Stewart

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1. jennifer • May 5, 2015 @ 3:50 PM

   Sounds interesting, I’d like to know more about the painter.

2. Toby • May 5, 2015 @ 5:10 PM

   Has great reviews and looks fantastic! I wanna see! 🙂

3. Linda • May 5, 2015 @ 5:51 PM

   Turner is unquestionably one of the greaterst painters of all time. If this film gives only a glimpse of how his mind worked it will be well worth your time and money (and mine) to watch.

4. Deborah • May 5, 2015 @ 6:40 PM

   Love to see a different portrayal of an historical character, and sure Timothy Spall will give an excellent insight

5. Lily • May 5, 2015 @ 7:47 PM

   Haven’t seen this yet, would love to win.

6. Kevin • May 5, 2015 @ 7:54 PM

   I teach film to students at a Technical College many of whom are interested both in art and in video production. Yet few actually go to films, let along a period piece like this one. I would love to be one of your winners so I could use this film in class to study the brilliant cinematography in it in order to make a connect painting, framing and filmmaking. Besides, I loved this film when I saw it. My family makes fun of my devotion to it by frequently mocking me by saying in a low, growly voice — Misssterrr Turrrnnner.

7. Angela • May 5, 2015 @ 7:54 PM

   Love true story drama.

8. Francis • May 5, 2015 @ 7:54 PM

   Heard a lot of good things about this one. Would love to watch.

9. Willy • May 5, 2015 @ 7:56 PM

   Both my son and niece love painting, it will great family movie then.

10. Evan • May 5, 2015 @ 8:53 PM

    I would love to win a copy as friends have recommended the movie in recent months, and Timothy Spall is a credible talent to boot. Thank you.

11. Daniel Thornton • May 6, 2015 @ 12:34 AM

    I want to win because the movie sounds great and I want to know more about the painter.

12. Tim • May 6, 2015 @ 8:11 AM

    I would love to add it to my collection

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