Tipping the Velvet

I had heard of Tipping the Velvet years ago and finally decided to bite the bullet and buy the closest thing to an erotic film I will ever own. I assumed the entire miniseries would be devoted to the stage life of these two girls, with a few classy lesbian love scenes here and there to shock the Masterpiece Theater crowd and please those with dirty minds. I am glad to say I was entirely wrong and the ultimate miniseries was a truly beautiful study of a girl growing up, learning life's hard lessons and struggling with a sexuality not shared by the mainstream of her era.I won't spoil much, but the journey of Nan is one shared by many girls, gay and straight alike. She is determined and naive when we begin, and we follow her emotional (and sexual) development through a series of relationships, from her first love Kitty, to her friends (or those who she thinks are her friends), and ultimately to a level of emotional and life stability that she had to learn the hard way. Regarding the sex displayed (as I say this is not your average Masterpiece Theater drama set in the 19th century), it ranges from tenderly erotic to brutally masochistic. Nan's relationship with the Anna Chancellor character turns gruesomely kinky, a study in how bizarrely cruel people can be when it comes to sexual desires and what the rich can do to those who are poor and desperate for security. But while there are parts of this miniseries that are harsh and highly erotic, the overall work is a masterpiece.With Andrew Davis writing the script and the likes of Rachel Stirling and Keeley Hawes in the leads, this is a true masterpiece, triumphing as a study in homosexuality, gaining emotional maturity, and finding peace in your life.

I loved the book and though this adaption was a bit different than the source, it was still a great mini-series and definitely worth watching.I loved Rachael Stirling--even though her voice did bother me at first--I strangely did get used to it after about 20 minutes (I don't think they even needed to affect her voice--but whatevs). I guess she should have been a bit more butch--but I thought she was great. Keely Hawes was very good as Kitty Butler, as was Anna "duckface" Chancellor as Diana. Also the actress who played the maid Zena: Sally Hawkins--she was magnetic on screen--and I was thrilled to see her playing Sue in the Fingersmith adaptation. The music was a little 'eh'. As for the changes Davies made to the material --it worked in some regards (the end setting for example, was much better than the book) but was a little questionable in other areas. For instance--(as others have mentioned)the 'slapstick' humor in the sex scenes--which I can see adding to help offset the racy material when it aired on the BBC--but still, that humor isn't always there in the book and sort of belittles the drama a bit (though it did work in some areas). Another big change was the character of Flo--her personality is quite different in the book, but I did think the Last of the Mohicans girl cast as Flo was very good anyway.For a BBC production, I was quite impressed by the direction/cinematography & overall talent of the cast--as well as their willingness to put something like this on the TV. Bravo BBC.Though I will say, I think Fingersmith was probably the better book and adaption--so make sure to read/watch that one next.

I just finished watching "Tipping the Velvet," and I am STUNNED by how magnificent it was! I cannot believe that I waited so long to see it. The only thing I regret about seeing it for the first time tonight, though, is that I'll never get to see it for the first time ever again.I don't want to say much about the plot; however, I will say this to describe it: Set in the 1890's Victorian England, Tipping the Velvet starts with us meeting 17-year old "Nancy Asteby," a sea-side bred and oyster-shucking girl in who can't understand why kissing her boyfriend makes her feel nothing. When a traveling cross-dressing vaudeville singer "Kitty Butler" performs in drag at a local playhouse, Nan develops a crush on her and sets off on a journey. Determined to be Kitty's "sweetheart," Nan follows her and the show to the larger theaters of London. Nan cuts her hair and turns herself into a male impersonator to be a part of Butler's act, and thoroughly enjoys her new butch persona. Nan and Kitty fall in love, but problems arise. Nan's journey takes her from experiencing a plethora of ups and downs, while traveling through the circles of London's lesbian aristocrat society and sorjournes with her understanding the contentment of love.Tipping the Velvet is based on the novel by Sarah Waters, adapted by and made into a three-part series by the BBC. The quality of the cinematography is superb, better in fact that many movies I've recently seen. The coloring is as gorgeous as the women. In a post-movie interview, Waters comments that she loves the film, but that really intense and excellent scenes were omitted from the movie that were in the novel. That means I'm going to buy the novel and read it for sure.Go rent this movie. Buy it, in fact, because you'll want to anyway.

I enjoy films with both these actors. Thank you

Lesbian exploitation. Ruined the careers of two Brit actresses

bbc gets a gold star for airing this. 10 gold stars actually.what a succulent romp through victorianna!tipping the velvet is visually rich in hue, costume and setting, only to complement the plush plot, script and convincing acting. {a sensual tour-de-force!}. it has what many great classic stories have- love, betrayal, hope, shattered dreams, loss, struggles, [and hot sex sceens,] along with growth within the characters. you instantly fall in love with the main character, nan. she's a creative fighter, and lovely to look at. you see her rise from seaside working class to selling herself to endearing friend and lover all in this fantastic series. i only wish it was a longer run. i could watch this for hours. rent it, buy it, just don't be surprised at how fantastic and entertaining it is!why don't we have good [free] programing like this in the usa???

Another stunning production form the BBC – 4 StarsThis recording offers so much to enjoy including:▪ A typical BBC production - very polished, with great attention to detail.▪ It’s fun! – yes, there are some unpleasant scenes but it was always hugely entertaining and weighted towards uplifting rather than dour.▪ The sets are simply stunning – fabulous costume design too.▪ It’s a great story – and kept pretty well to book.▪ At nearly four hours, it’s a viewing epic – the split into episodes means you can easily pick-up where you left off.▪ As with the book, it offers a great blend of drama, history, social culture, and erotica▪ High standard of acting throughout – fabulous performances from supporting characters really lifted the production.Just one downside for me was that (having read the book first), Rachael Stirling never quite fit the image I’d formed of Nan. Somehow, she never had quite enough edge to her character. However, I’d have no hesitation in recommending this highly entertaining DVD. It's great value for money too.

There is a point at which the BBC transcends its remit; to inform, educate, entertain in that order, according to Reith. That point is the late nineties and early nougthies when the corporation no longer felt shackled by outmoded concepts of supposed morality. To broadcast such a drama, which highlighted the very real persecution and the depth of love which 'homosexuals' (or lesbians) feel for each other, was a landmark for which the BBC should feel proud. Yes, 'Oranges are not the only fruit' explored the same territory but without the explicit physical nature of the attraction, which perhaps would be excluded by the very nature of the BBC; a 'Public Sector Broadcaster' and therefore 'guardian' of the nation's morality. 'Tipping the Velvet' is well acted and entirely believable. It is ultimately a love story, which has an ending which, if you have a heart, you will truly long for; whatever your gender. Oh, and hats off to the director for the rose!

Sarah Waters is one of my favourite novelists and "Tipping the Velvet" was the first of her books I read. I love the book and I have to admit that I was both excited by the idea of the TV adaptation but also worried that it might be done in a sensationalist way.I was wrong. The adaptation was pretty good and I was glued to the TV when it was first shown. Rachael Stirling is brilliant as Nan and the rest of the cast are good too. Nan's affair with Florence is handled so well and with great sensitivity, it is really touching to see it and it made me cry. I must also mention Anna Chancellor too. She is perfectly cast as the imperious Diana Leatherby.This DVD is an essential for any collection in my opinion, not only for those of us with a personal interest in the subject but also for anyone who likes period drama away from the "crinolines and bonnets" genre.

This is much better viewing than the purely sexual aspect that it is often promoted as. It is a good story of Victorian times and the music hall. If there is a down side it is that it does not focus enough on the social conditions of the times. However it is a good and enjoyable love story and well worth watching again.

I really love the storyline and the entertainment side of it and of course in that time period being a lesbian was frowned on and Iadmire the characters strength