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 Rupert and Ursula learn to give themselves to each other; the more withdrawn Gerald cannot, finally, connect with the demanding and challenging Gudrun.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

Glenda Jackson was the first actress to win an Oscar for a role in which there was a nude scene.

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Quotes

Ursula Brangwen: I'm too big a fool to swallow your cleverness. You go to your women, your spiritual brides. Or aren't they common and fleshy enough? No, you're not satisfied, are you? You'd marry me for your everyday use... and keep your spiritual brides for tripping off into the beyond. Yes, I know your dirty little game. You think I'm not as spiritual as Hermione. Well, Hermione is a fishwife. So you go to her. That's what I say. Go to her. In her soul, she's as common as dirt. And all the rest is just ...

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Connections

Featured in Living the Life: Sir Peter Blake and Ken Russell (2012)

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Soundtracks

"Enigma Variations: Nimrod"
(uncredited)
Music by Edward Elgar

User Reviews

Sometimes lush, sometimes stark, always visually striking.

Ken Russell's film (based on the novel of the same name by D.H. Lawrence) is an interesting piece in that he is able to use his camera to help the audience see one situation from two extremely diverse points-of-view, from that of the loving schoolmarm Ursula (Jennie Linden in a brilliant performance), to the manipulative Gudrun (Glenda Jackson.)

Russell has quite a knack of using his camera to create the emotions he wishes to extract from his audience. Russell's technique of turning his camera sideways as Ursula and Rupert (Alan Bates) run nude through the fields has been dismissed by some, but it is quite effective in creating the unreal state in which their romance seems to find them, one quite different from the hardness and madness that surrounds them. This too is achieved to stunning effect as the two lovers are seen twisted together in the mud in the same position that two deceased lovers had been found only hours before. The colors surrounding these two are always bright and warm, in stark contrast to the way the other pair of lovers, Gudrun and Gerald (Oliver Reed) are photographed.

Gudrun and Gerald's initial sexual encounter is harshly lit and edited, emphasizing the brutality of their situation. Their love is shown to be more of an addiction, rather than true love.

It would take more than 1,000 words to paint an accurate work picture of the films' creative genius and incredible cinematography. One scene in particular, a nude wrestling match between Rupert and Gerald quite defies description, and I urge you to see the film and experience it's mastery yourself.