Howards End (Classic Literature On Film Blogathon)

This is a special review of Howards End for the 2023 Classic Literature On Film Blogathon.

Howards End (1992)

I am a huge Merchant Ivory fan. I originally saw Howards End in the theater when it was released in 1992. I have loved it since on VHS, DVD, and Blu-ray. E. M. Forster is my favorite classic writer. I suppose many of my generation spent our youth watching the three (A Room With a View, Howards End, and Maurice) Forster adaptations Merchant Ivory produced which introduced us to Forster’s incredible canon of work.

James Ivory’s directorial adaptation opens with an incredible shot of the bottom third of a person in a very long dress walking through a meadow. After a few achingly gorgeous moments, the camera pans up and you realize it’s Vanessa Redgrave. She continues walking and eventually comes upon a house and of course the house is Howards End – her house we find out later that she inherited from her dead brother, a reminder that women were second class citizens even in their own families. Redgrave watches her clan from the outside, looking in while they play a card game. This opening is full of foreshadowing. But it is the beauty of the scene which prepares us for this now classic film. Just a taste of all that’s about to be revealed both in story and visually through the filmmaker’s gaze. Next, the music perks up and we are immediately introduced to the Schlegel sisters – Helen and Margaret who goes by Meg. Helen’s full of purpose and sees the world as black and white. Meg’s also a compassionate liberal, but sees the value in practicality. The sisters’ story begins with impetuous Helen thinking the youngest Wilcox is smitten with her. Helen was staying at Howards End with the family after briefly meeting them on holiday. The Wilcox family includes Henry the patriarch played by Anthony Hopkins, Charles the eldest son played by James Wilby, Evie, the middle child  played by Jemma Redgrave, and Paul the youngest played by Joseph Bennett who disappears to Nigeria after some initial scenes. The woman roaming around the grounds of Howards End in the opening shot was of course Ruth Wilcox, the matriarch played to perfection by Vanessa Redgrave. One of the the differences between the book and film is that the film must leap forward on a regular basis as well as leave out detail on why certain things happen to the characters. Merchant Ivory’s adaptation doesn’t falter, but instead simply adds an air of mystery to some of the more abbreviated scenes. As with any great novel adaptation, if you want the entire story, go back to the source and read the book. Ivory leaves the Wilcox family and focuses on the Schlegels with younger brother Tibby played by Adrian Ross Magnety and Aunt Julie played by Prunella Scales. Helen and Meg lead a very busy social life full of intellectual friends and activities which stimulate their minds. Along the way Helen meets a young man, Leonard Bast played by Samuel West who is poor, but working as a clerk in a bank and in a similar way spends his free time trying to better himself through books and events. The sisters battle sexism, and the young man battles the British class system. Leonard’s embarrassed being shown interest from the sisters. He’s also overwhelmed in their world. Leonard’s got an older girlfriend, Jacky played by Nicola Duffet whom his family disapproves of, but who he will marry as soon as he turns 21 later in the year. Ideas of being good and doing the right thing for others, selflessly helping others with no ulterior motive are common themes in Howards End. Leonard represents all that Helen and Meg strive to help make the world more accessible for, whereas Henry Wilcox and his selfish children wish to ignore folks like Leonard while continuing to increase their own personal wealth and power. Sound familiar? To say Forster’s story is topical is an understatement. How sad that 113 years later, our world continues this battle between good and greed.

We never learn what happened to the Schlegel parents, but Meg, Helen, and Tibby have been on their own for sometime. Meg, the eldest has spent her life caring for her siblings. They have enough money to live well, including having a full-time cook/maid. After Ruth’s death (this is early on in the film and not surprising – so no real spoilers), a handwritten note is discovered that she wanted to leave Howards End to Meg. Ruth knew of their lease running out and worried about where the sisters would live once their flat was torn down. Henry and his children (minus Paul) decide to ignore the request and move on. Meg and Helen begin to drift in different directions. Helen becomes more and more involved with helping Leonard Bast and remarkably Meg begins being courted by Henry, not long after Ruth’s death. We wonder how can it be possible for Meg to be attracted to Henry. In simple terms, her practical side sees the good in all people. Henry cares about her, but also needs a wife and a younger one might be an even better idea. Henry’s adult children find Meg’s opinions and talking annoying and are worried she has her eyes on that property. In reality she’s an innocent, having no idea Ruth wanted to leave it to her. As the patriarch’s nuptials draw near, Helen decides to travel, not wanting to deal with Meg’s marriage. Things come to a head at another wedding (there are three if you’re keeping track – Charles marries first) – at Evie’s reception, Helen brings the now destitute Leonard Bast and his wife Jacky. Not sure I want to say much more than that. If you’ve never read the book or seen the film, I will leave the ending unspoiled for you. I adore Howards End. As I mentioned it’s topical even today, reminding us of the clash between wealth and the working class. The clash between good and selfish. That said, Helen’s just as selfish as Henry. Her good intentions help destroy Leonard’s life and when she tries to remedy, even more chaos ensues between the classes of these three distinct families. The cast is insanely great. The direction from James Ivory simply splendid. Thompson won her first Oscar for portraying Margaret Schlegel. Merchant Ivory’s writer Ruth Prawer Jhabvala weaves magic with Forster’s words. And Richard Robbins music, Tony Pierce-Roberts cinematography, Andrew Marcus’s editing, Luciana Arrighi’s production design, Ian Whittaker’s set decoration, and Jenny Beavan and John Bright’s costumes make this collaboration absolute perfection. On Reel Charlie, I give everything a rating from 1-5. Howards End always deserves a 5 out of 5.

Howards End currently streams on Cohen Media Channel through Amazon, for rent on various platforms, and on disk from your public library.
Read Real Charlie’s original review of Howards End (1992).
Read Reel Charlie’s review of the Howards End remake in 2017.

The glorious Christmas store scene from Howards End (1992).

Vanessa Redgrave and Emma Thompson in Merchant Ivory’s Howards End.

Check out all the blog submissions for Silver Screen Classics’ 2023 Classic Literature On Film Blogathon.