IMDb > The French Lieutenant's Woman (1981)
The French Lieutenant's Woman
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The French Lieutenant's Woman (1981) More at IMDbPro »

Videos (see all 3 NEW)
The French Lieutenant's Woman (1981) -- A film is being made of a story, set in 19th century England, about Charles, a biologist who's engaged to be married...
The French Lieutenant's Woman (1981) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)
The French Lieutenant's Woman (1981) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
6.8/10   4,213 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 13% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Karel Reisz
Writers:
John Fowles (novel)
Harold Pinter (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for The French Lieutenant's Woman on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
August 1981 (UK) more
Genre:
Drama | Romance more
Tagline:
She was lost from the moment she saw him.
Plot:
A film is being made of a story, set in 19th century England, about Charles, a biologist who's engaged to be married... more | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 5 Oscars. Another 9 wins & 12 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(14 articles)
Director Kenny Ortega Bails on 'Footloose' Remake
 (From Cinematical. 26 October 2009, 8:32 AM, PDT)

June. It's a Wrap
 (From FilmExperience. 1 July 2009, 7:05 AM, PDT)

User Comments:
Top quality performances more (42 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Meryl Streep ... Sarah / Anna

Jeremy Irons ... Charles Henry Smithson / Mike
Hilton McRae ... Sam
Emily Morgan ... Mary
Charlotte Mitchell ... Mrs. Tranter
Lynsey Baxter ... Ernestina
Jean Faulds ... Cook
Peter Vaughan ... Mr. Freeman
Colin Jeavons ... Vicar
Liz Smith ... Mrs. Fairley
Patience Collier ... Mrs. Poulteney
John Barrett ... Dairyman
Leo McKern ... Dr. Grogan
Arabella Weir ... Girl on undercliff
Ben Forster ... Boy on undercliff
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
124 min
Country:
UK
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono
Certification:
Iceland:12 | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Singapore:M18 | Australia:M | Argentina:16 | Finland:S | Norway:16 | Sweden:11 | UK:12 (video re-rating) (2001) | UK:15 (video rating) (1986) | UK:AA (original rating) | USA:R (certificate #26244) | West Germany:12
Company:
Juniper Films more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
An attempt to adapt the novel was made in the 1970's, to star Vanessa Redgrave, but a satisfactory script couldn't be written, and funding was a problem. more
Goofs:
Continuity: Early in the film, as Charles is going on to the jetty to warn Sarah, his cape changes in how it is buttoned from shot to shot. more
Quotes:
[describing how she became the French Lieutenant's mistress]
Sarah: Soon he no longer bothered to hide the nature of his intensions towards me. Nor could I pretend surprise. My innocence was false from the moment I chose to stay. I could tell you that he overpowered me, he drugged me. But it was not so... I gave myself to him.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Comedy Connections: The Fast Show (#4.1)" (2006) more

FAQ

See Jeremy Irons discuss this film
more
6 out of 10 people found the following comment useful.
Top quality performances, 31 October 2004
10/10
Author: Alaia from NC

Fantastic performance from Jeremy Irons, and of course Meryl Streep is flawless. 1981's interpretation of a period piece, contrasted with '81 present day. I am a huge fan of late 70s and early 80s movie conventions for quality movies - slower pace, more left to the viewer to discern. Brilliant. If you like period pieces and amazing acting, you will like this.

If you like Meryl Streep I also recommend Sophie's Choice and Silkwood. Jeremy Irons' debut was in Brideshead Revisited (avail on Netflix), an early 80s miniseries -- worth checking out, he's great in it. Another good specimen of his acting is in Reversal of Fortune. But there are lots more.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The French Lieutenant's Woman (1981)
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Can these statistics be correct? finnegansword
Mr Freeman the lawyer finnegansword
Meryl in Mirror [spoiler alert] rashomon-8
Mike yells 'Sarah'! tiburonbirdred
Can anyone explain to me Sam's motives? finnegansword
Anyone been to Lyme Regis?? abz4movies
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