Portrait of a Marriage (1990– )

Melodrama detailing the real-life love affair between feminist writer Vita Sackville-West and novelist Violet Keppel against the backdrop of post-World War I England and opposition by ... See full summary »

Stars:

Janet McTeer, David Haig, Cathryn Harrison

4 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Janet McTeer	...	Vita Sackville-West (4 episodes, 1990)
David Haig	...	Harold Nicolson (4 episodes, 1990)
Cathryn Harrison	...	Violet Keppel Trefusis (4 episodes, 1990)
Diana Fairfax	...	Lady Sackville (4 episodes, 1990)
Peter Birch	...	Denys Trefusis (3 episodes, 1990)
Chris Walker	...	Ben Nicolson (3 episodes, 1990)
Kathleen Byron	...	Lady Carnock (2 episodes, 1990)
Madelaine Newton	...	Mrs. Milligan (2 episodes, 1990)
Judy Elrington	...	Nanny (2 episodes, 1990)
Alexander Pearce	...	Nigel Nicolson (2 episodes, 1990)

Storyline

Melodrama detailing the real-life love affair between feminist writer Vita Sackville-West and novelist Violet Keppel against the backdrop of post-World War I England and opposition by Vita's politician husband Harold Nicolson. Vita and Violet's romantic relationship becomes increasingly obsessive which spawns destructive feelings of possessiveness and jealousy between them.

---

Plot Keywords:

lesbian | lesbianism | london england | world war one | told in flashback | 

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Details

Country:

UK New Zealand

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 July 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

Portrait einer Ehe

Filming Locations:

Knole, Sevenoaks, Kent, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

219 min 55 min (4 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Fascinating and Heart-Breaking

This was such a good mini-series that it surprises me that it's never been on again!

Based on the biography by Nigel Nicolson, it tells the true story of the marriage of his parents, Harold Nicolson and the author Vita Sackville-West, who carried on a long-term passionate love affair with Violet Keppel Trefusis. It is an absolutely convincing portrayal of a marriage that, although between two people who found most of their sexual release in homosexual contacts, was a loving partnership that far surpassed many conventional marriages. Janet McTeer is, of course, amazing and the scene between her and Cathryn Harrison (who plays Violet) when their relationship dissolves due to Violet's impending marriage is heart-breaking.

Well worth watching - a very interesting story of an unconventional relationship. Now if only they would show it again!