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IMDb > The Bostonians (1984)

The Bostonians (1984) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
6.1/10   706 votes
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Up 19% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Henry James (novel)
Ruth Prawer Jhabvala (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Bostonians on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
September 1984 (UK) more
Genre:
Tagline:
A BEAUTIFUL FILM . . . An intimate and exquisite probe of the feminist heart. [Australia Theatrical]
Plot:
19th-century Boston woman dedicated to the suffrage movement, meets a faith healer's daughter, a Mississippi lawyer also has eyes for the young woman. more | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 1 win & 3 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(2 articles)
May Flowers, Kathleen Turner
 (From FilmExperience. 12 May 2009, 8:24 AM, PDT)

Producer Ismail Merchant Dies at 68
 (From IMDb News. 25 May 2005)

User Reviews:
Worth a look more (7 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Christopher Reeve ... Basil Ransome

Vanessa Redgrave ... Olive Chancellor
Jessica Tandy ... Miss Birdseye
Madeleine Potter ... Verena Tarrant
Nancy Marchand ... Mrs. Burrage
Wesley Addy ... Dr. Tarrant
Barbara Bryne ... Mrs. Tarrant

Linda Hunt ... Dr. Prance
Charles McCaughan ... Music Hall Policeman
Nancy New ... Adeline

Jon Van Ness ... Henry Burrage (as John Van Ness Philip)

Wallace Shawn ... Mr. Pardon
Peter Bogyo ... Mr. Gracie
Martha Farrar ... Mrs, Farrinder
Dusty Maxwell ... Newton Tarrant
more
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Additional Details

Runtime:
USA:122 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
During filming, actress Madeleine Potter noticed that one of her costumes had the name "Nastassja Kinski" sewn into it. As it turned out, the dress had originally been made to be used in the movie Tess (1979). more
Movie Connections:
Remade as The Californians (2005) more

FAQ

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9 out of 12 people found the following review useful.
Worth a look, 26 April 2005
Author: jlon from Dublin

These Merchant Ivory movies still hold up well. DVD review.

A feminist (Potter) tries to evade the charms of Christopher Reeve.

Talky period piece set in a time when women take the stage and preach equal rights. Movie is open to different interpretations but I think it's an intelligent love story involving classy people. Reeve's character is difficult to figure out - is he genuine or a sceptic? Movie is similar in style to The Europeans but not as good. There's a fine cast including Wallace Shawn, Jessica Tandy, Vanessa Redgrave (who has a strange relationship with Potter), and Linda Hunt.

The Bostonians is another good Merchat Ivory movie.

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