Women in Love (1969)

The battle of the sexes and relationships among the elite of Britian's industrial Midlands in the 1920s. Gerald Crich and Rupert Berkin are best friends who fall in love with a pair of ... See full summary »

Director:

Ken Russell

Writers:

D.H. Lawrence (novel), Larry Kramer (written for the screen by)

Stars:

Alan Bates, Oliver Reed, Glenda Jackson

Won 1 Oscar. Another 5 wins & 17 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Alan Bates	...	Rupert Birkin
Oliver Reed	...	Gerald Crich
Glenda Jackson	...	Gudrun Brangwen
Jennie Linden	...	Ursula Brangwen
Eleanor Bron	...	Hermione Roddice
Alan Webb	...	Thomas Crich
Vladek Sheybal	...	Loerke
Catherine Willmer	...	Mrs. Crich
Phoebe Nicholls	...	Winifred Crich (as Sarah Nicholls)
Sharon Gurney	...	Laura Crich
Christopher Gable	...	Tibby Lupton
Michael Gough	...	Mr. Brangwen
Norma Shebbeare	...	Mrs. Brangwen
Nike Arrighi	...	Contessa
James Laurenson	...	Minister

Storyline

The battle of the sexes and relationships among the elite of Britian's industrial Midlands in the 1920s. Gerald Crich and Rupert Berkin are best friends who fall in love with a pair of sisters Gudrun, a sculptress and Ursula Brangwen, a schoolteacher. Rupert marries Ursula, Gerald begins a love affair with Gudrun, and the foursome embarks upon a Swiss honeymoon. But the relationships take markedly different directions, as Russell explores the nature of commitment and love. Rupert and Ursula learn to give themselves to each other; the more withdrawn Gerald cannot, finally, connect with the demanding and challenging Gudrun.

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Plot Keywords:

love | sculptress | corpse with eyes open | wedding | black humor | 

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Taglines:

The relationship between four sensual people is limited: They must find a new way.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 March 1970 (USA)

Also Known As:

Love

Filming Locations:

North Shields, Tyne & Wear, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$1,250,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Brandywine Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

131 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The nude wrestling scene posed problems for UK censor John Trevelyan, and the film was only passed after Ken Russell made some edits to the original print to reduce full-length shots of Rupert and Gerald standing motionless before the wrestling begins and to darken shots of sunlight streaming into the room. The sex scenes between Gerald and Gudrun were also reduced on the censor's request. After the edits were made, the film was granted an 'X' certificate.

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Quotes

Rupert Birkin: I want the finality of love.

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Connections

Referenced in All Talking... All Singing... All Dancing (1971)

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Soundtracks

"Polka"
(uncredited)
Music by Michael Garrett

User Reviews

After almost 30 years, I still find this movie to be exquisite.

One of the other commenters stated that this film was based on a Thomas Hardy novel. Hardly! This is novelist D.H. Lawrence (and, incidentally, director Ken Russell) at his best. The cinematography, lighting, set design, and composition are stupefyingly gorgeous. And the film delves deep, deep into the hearts and minds of intelligent people and romantic relationships (heterosexual and homosexual). Glenda Jackson is (to use the adjective in current favor) awesome. Anyone truly interested in film has to see this one for all its many wonderfulnesses.