James Purefoy as Beau Brummell
In 2006 the BBC commissioned four films in celebration of The Century That Made Us. Beau Brummell: This Charming Man is the tale of a self-made man whose innovations in male dress influenced men’s fashions for all time. James Purefoy plays the handsome masculine dandy who dared to think of himself as the prince regent’s social equal. The prince, who was at first amused by Brummell, would watch him shave and dress in the morning. Then one day Brummell overstepped his bounds and insulted the prince. He quickly fell out of favor. Mired in debts he could not pay and with his gambling out of control, Brummell fled to France in 1816. He died in poverty in a mendicant hospital for the insane in 1840.
Hugh Bonneville as the Prince Regent before his transformation from fop to dandy
The prince regent after Beau Brummell transformed him
The film concentrates on a period in Brummell’s life when he reigned supreme as a fashion arbiter. While I found the story fascinating to watch, I thought the music ugly and distracting and totally unsuited to the 18th century. Beau Brummell: This Charming Man can be rented through netflix or purchased as a DVD. The following YouTube scenes provide a good overview of the film. The first clip is the movie’s trailer.
In the next scene, Beau Brummell describes the dandy style as “No wigs, no powders. We don’t use scent. The dandy uses trousers. The dandy washes. The dandy is clean, the dandy is neat.”
This video clip is the most interesting of all. While Brummell stands in front of his mirror shaving in the nude, the dandy set looks on. In this scene they are awaiting the prince regent’s arrival.
Jane Austen's World 
Ooo, I enjoyed this film, but disliked the music also. There apprears to be a trend to use modern or discordanant music in costume dramas. I find it distracting. Music should support the action not fight with it. One film that really offended in this regard was Marie Antoiniette (2006). It would have been an entirely different movie without the modern music.
I think this story has the potential to be awesome! I will be aware of the music when I watch it though. You would think someone on the team would say, “hey…maybe this doesn’t sound 100%” …
I have mixed feelings about the film. I was very excited to finally watch it, but I just felt it could have been better. I am in complete agreement with you about the music.
I loved the way they ended the film.
I just watched the 1954 Beau Brummell movie with Stewart Granger, Peter Ustinov, and Elizabeth Taylor. It was a good film. I liked it. Taylor wasn’t given much more to do than look beautiful and didn’t do too much with what she had in the script. Ustinov and Granger though, those two did a really fine job.
I am really interested in seeing this version.
Rebecca – the 1954 Beau Brummell is practically impossible to see since it is not on DVD. Where or how do you watch it?
Thanks, LA
[…] recent post on this blog reviewed the film, Beau Brummell: This Charming Man. One scene in the movie was particularly memorable. In it the prince regent, played by Hugh […]
Enjoyed this posting. I remember being very surprised by the scenes of Brummel getting dressed becoming a spectator sport! I saw the film when it was first shown in the UK and don’t remember the music now, but do remember thinking the ending tailed off a bit.
I vividly remember the Stewart Granger film, which I saw on TV many years ago at boarding school – another girl watching with me cried so much she nearly made herself ill. I believe it is still quite often repeated on TV in the UK.
I have been wanting to see this for a while, but haven’t ever bought or rented it. Well, if the movie is a disappointment, it’s a good thing James Purefoy is the epitome of gorgeous.
as a lover of Rococo fashion i must say frankly i am not fond of the insipid Beau in the very least. i deeply disliked his violent abuse of the innocent fops. he seems like little more than a violent well dresed thug and a common pimp. his boreing muted colors. his unintresting and common hair. thats all he reallly was. im glad he died in ruin in the madhouse. he deserved no better.
Baixei este filme Beau Brummell: This Charming Man 2006 quero muito assistir mais com as legendas, mais não consigo achar as legendas, se alguem puder me ajudar pode ser em qualquer idioma, atenciosamente agradecida.
email.carlarebolsas@hotmail.com
James has the most beautiful brown eyes and the most wonderful smile I’ve ever seen. Love period dramas.
[…] Beau Brummell: This Charming Man […]
I just watched this repeated on the Yesterday Channel – my head nearly fell off when Brummell got down and dirty with Lord Byron and Julia, I don’t remember THAT in Georgette Heyer. Just a shame that the Byron in question is depicted as such a sinister little dweeb. However, I thought the costumes were fabulous and I loved James Purefoy – the epitome of suave. The naked shaving scene was something else – you would have thought in the era pre-central heating that might have been a tad chilly for the Beau’s little soldier. I actually thought Prinny had something going for him post-makeover – or am I just hormonal?
Can I ask about the phrase “This Charming Man”? Is it a specific reference to Brummell? from a famous quotation?
I’m assuming it has a special significance, since The Smiths used it as a song title.
I did enjoy the film but thought the music was ill suited. Loved seeing the clothing, decor, and wood floors, though.
It is a film, which you can rent: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0788026/
Thanks for asking!