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 Rupert and Ursula learn to give themselves to each other; the more withdrawn Gerald cannot, finally, connect with the demanding and challenging Gudrun.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

Was banned in Turkey because the nude wrestling scene was considered as a graphic gay sex scene.

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Quotes

Gerald Crich: You know, I always believe in love, in true love. But where do you find it nowadays?
Rupert Birkin: I don't know. Life has all kinds of things. There isn't only one road.
Gerald Crich: I don't care how it is with me... as long as I feel... that I've lived. I don't care how it is, as long as I feel that.

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Connections

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

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Soundtracks

"I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles"
(uncredited)
Written by John William Kellette, James Brockman, Nat Vincent and James Kendis

User Reviews

The embodiment of the Avant-Garde style.

By it's mere cinemagraphic style and on screen personalities, this film introduced me to the idea of the avant-garde, existential and 'esoteric ritual' perspective of ordinary events. Their true mystery. For me, the style of the film went far beyond its content or dialogue. This film taught me the idea of an intelligent stylishness, and how erotic Glenda Jackson's character could be sheerly by virtue of her brilliant and cunning personal style. Pretty surprising, but then, seducing his audience in great new ways has been one of Russell's great talents. His films always seemed at the cutting edge, and I was seeing them 12 years later!