The Killing of Sister George (1968)

Director:

Robert Aldrich

Writers:

Lukas Heller (writer)
Frank Marcus (play)

Release Date:

12 December 1968 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

The story of three consenting adults in the privacy of their own home.

Plot:

George lives with her lover, Childie and plays a cheerful district nurse in a BBC soap opera. However...

Plot Keywords:

Actress | Lesbian | Female Nudity | Lesbianism | Lesbian Scene

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe.

Cast

Beryl Reid	...	June 'George' Buckridge
Susannah York	...	Alice 'Childie' McNaught
Coral Browne	...	Mercy Croft
Ronald Fraser	...	Leo Lockhart
Patricia Medina	...	Betty Thaxter
Hugh Paddick	...	Freddie
Cyril Delevanti	...	Ted Baker
Sivi Aberg	...	Diana
William Beckley	...	Floor Manager
Elaine Church	...	Marelen
Brendan Dillon	...	Bert Turner
Mike Freeman	...	Noel
Maggie Paige	...	Maid
Jack Raine	...	Deputy Commissioner
Dolly Taylor	...	Tea Lady

Runtime:

138 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Canada:14A (Manitoba) (2005) | Canada:R (Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Iceland:12 | Australia:R | West Germany:18 (f) | Singapore:R21 (cut) | Norway:16 | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:11 | UK:X | USA:R (re-rating) (1972) | USA:X (original rating)

Filming Locations:

BBC Television Centre, Wood Lane, Shepherd's Bush, London, England, UK

Company:

American Broadcasting Company (ABC)

Trivia:

When first submitted in 1969 UK censor John Trevelyan refused to grant a certificate unless the seduction scene was toned down and urged all 600 local authorities to boycott the film. 12 councils, including the GLC, overrode him and showed the film with their own X certificate. After heated discussions with the distributor the kissing scene was slightly reduced and Trevelyan eventually passed the movie. All video/DVD versions of the film are the original uncut one.

Quotes:

Mercy Croft: Are those bathroom scales accurate?
George: Yes, I think so.
Mercy Croft: Oh good!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In: (#2.25)" (1969)

Underrated 1960's British black comedy. A must-see

Anyone who likes gritty, clever, slightly comical drama should see this one. The plot is simple enough - an alcoholic gay actress worried about her future in a top Coronation Street-style soap opera - but the way the film is put together is pithy without being too complex - the characterisations are brilliantly satirical, showing up the worst side of the soap opera industry and its catty, backstabbing nature. You don't find yourself feeling sorry for anyone at the end of it apart from perhaps Susannah York. Lots of London-in-the-1960s location filming and familiar faces - I'm only surprised that John Le Mesurier doesn't appear in it. In a word - absorbing. Why don't they make them like this anymore?