MovieChat Forums > Pandaemonium (2001) Discussion > Poor old Wordsworth

Poor old Wordsworth

posted 18 years ago by longboatcomandeer
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The movie casts Wordsworth in a very poor light. He seemed to be bereft of any poetic talent. The director overlooks his amazing work, showcased in works like " Tintern Abbey" and " Intimations of Immortality". Wordsworth wrote some great poems long before he met Coleridge. He wasn't some hack, like the movie would have you believe.

From my limited reading on the two poets, it does seem probable that Wordsworth was heavily influenced by the work of Coleridge. The director suggests, however, that he never had an original thought in his life.

Both men were great poets who produced works that should be celebrated as being great.

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] longboatcomandeer 18 years ago

i also really enjoyed the film. The way in which the film explores Colridge's creative process was breathtaking. I have read somewhere, however, that the director was an unabashed Coleridge fan. As for the inaccuracies in the portrayal of Wordsworth only an expert could confirm for sure. My opnion is the director took a great deal of dramatic license in order to serve his story. My admiration for Wordsworth has not and never will diminish from seeing this film. It has, however, deepened my respect for Coleridge.

[–] Karma16_83 18 years ago

I agree, Wordsworth comes off pretty badly here. What about Dorothy? She would have been outspoken but not as much as Emily Woof portrays her. Dorothy kept a diary for years that was simply written to "give William pleasure by it." If the woman keeps a journal just for her brother's creative and artistic sake do you think she's going to go running around blabbing off at the mouth?

Those scenes with Coleridge and Dorothy and the romantic undertones and that kiss are idiotic and completely untrue! Coleridge did fall in love with one of Mary Wordsworth's sisters.

By the way, Emily Woof's mother, Pamela Woof is the editor of Dorothy's Journals.

[–] lestatelives 18 years ago

Best poem is "we are seven" without a doubt!

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[–] fudgenuts101 12 years ago

Wordsworth was a total hack who will be completely forgotten in a hundred years. Coleridge was no shakespeare, but Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Kubla Kahn are too great to fade away.