A stormy relationship, complicated by the strictures of 1950s social class and gender roles, ends in death. Based on the life of Ruth Ellis, the last woman hanged in Britain.A stormy relationship, complicated by the strictures of 1950s social class and gender roles, ends in death. Based on the life of Ruth Ellis, the last woman hanged in Britain.A stormy relationship, complicated by the strictures of 1950s social class and gender roles, ends in death. Based on the life of Ruth Ellis, the last woman hanged in Britain.
- Awards
- 3 wins & 3 nominations
Sallie Anne Field
- Claudette
- (as Sallie-Anne Field)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe title theme song "Would You Dance With a Stranger" performed by Mari Wilson was a U.K. pop chart-topper when it was released.
- GoofsRuth switches on a radio which begins to play immediately. In those times, vacuum-tube radios had to warm up for about 20 seconds.
- Quotes
David Blakeley: I want you to marry me.
Ruth Ellis: Why? Are you pregnant?
- ConnectionsFeatured in Siskel & Ebert: Buried Treasures - 1987 Edition (1987)
- SoundtracksWould You Dance With a Stranger? (Sotto un cielo di stelle)
Written by Giovanni D'Anzi and Alfredo Bracchi
English Lyrics by Ray Miller
Performed by Mari Wilson
Featured review
Dance with a Stranger
Miranda Richardson made her film debut as Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be executed in Britain in 1955.
Ellis was a platinum blonde nightclub hostess and part time prostitute in a drab class ridden Britain still going through post war austerity.
Ellis ended up having a mutually destructive relationship with playboy racing driver and drunk David Blakely (Rupert Everett.)
Both Ellis and Blakely could not keep away from each other despite the physical and mental cruelty they displayed.
Desmond Cussen (Ian Holm) was an older wealthier man who was also obsessed with Ellis and she would have probably been better off with him. He showered her with gifts, paid for her son's boarding school fees and he even housed her when she lost her job and flat. Cussen could not giver ther the excitement that Blakely offered.
Blakey may had been from a well to do family but he was a loser. Both in the racing world and in his personal life. Money problems, a raging libido meant that he constantly let Ellis down and she became increasingly jealous.
Director Mike Newell showed a lot of skill in making this low budget film made for Channel 4 Film but giving it bigger budget aplomb.
Newell decides to concentrate on the relationship between Ellis, Blakey and Cussen. Not on the legal aftermath.
All three actors, Richardson, Everett and Holm are in top form. The first two were rising stars and had a lot to prove.
Miranda Richardson won several awards for her portrayal of Ruth Ellis. Like other young actresses she could had easily disappeared mainly due to a lack of a British film industry. However she played a trump card. Her next role was as Queen Elizabeth in Blackadder II. One of the funniest comedies of all time.
Ellis was a platinum blonde nightclub hostess and part time prostitute in a drab class ridden Britain still going through post war austerity.
Ellis ended up having a mutually destructive relationship with playboy racing driver and drunk David Blakely (Rupert Everett.)
Both Ellis and Blakely could not keep away from each other despite the physical and mental cruelty they displayed.
Desmond Cussen (Ian Holm) was an older wealthier man who was also obsessed with Ellis and she would have probably been better off with him. He showered her with gifts, paid for her son's boarding school fees and he even housed her when she lost her job and flat. Cussen could not giver ther the excitement that Blakely offered.
Blakey may had been from a well to do family but he was a loser. Both in the racing world and in his personal life. Money problems, a raging libido meant that he constantly let Ellis down and she became increasingly jealous.
Director Mike Newell showed a lot of skill in making this low budget film made for Channel 4 Film but giving it bigger budget aplomb.
Newell decides to concentrate on the relationship between Ellis, Blakey and Cussen. Not on the legal aftermath.
All three actors, Richardson, Everett and Holm are in top form. The first two were rising stars and had a lot to prove.
Miranda Richardson won several awards for her portrayal of Ruth Ellis. Like other young actresses she could had easily disappeared mainly due to a lack of a British film industry. However she played a trump card. Her next role was as Queen Elizabeth in Blackadder II. One of the funniest comedies of all time.
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- Prismark10
- Sep 4, 2021
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Dance with a Stranger - Geliebt bis in den Tod
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $2,174,622
- Gross worldwide
- $2,174,622
- Runtime1 hour 36 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.66 : 1
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Top Gap
By what name was Dance with a Stranger (1985) officially released in Canada in English?
Answer