IMDb > The Libertine (2004)
The Libertine
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The Libertine (2004) More at IMDbPro »

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The Libertine (2004) -- The story of John Wilmot, a.k.a. the Earl of Rochester, a 17th century poet who famously drank and debauched his way to an early grave, only to earn posthumous critical acclaim for his life's work.
The Libertine (2004) -- The story of John Wilmot, a.k.a. the Earl of Rochester, a 17th century poet who famously drank and debauched his way to an early grave, only to earn posthumous critical acclaim for his life's work.
The Libertine (2004) -- MattTrailer.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
6.5/10   14,627 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
No change in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Stephen Jeffreys (screenplay)
Stephen Jeffreys (play)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Libertine on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
10 March 2006 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
He didn't resist temptation. He pursued it.
Plot:
The story of John Wilmot, a.k.a. the Earl of Rochester, a 17th century poet who famously drank and debauched his way to an early grave, only to earn posthumous critical acclaim for his life's work. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
1 win & 7 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(13 articles)
134 New Names Invited to Join the Academy
 (From Rope Of Silicon. 1 July 2009, 1:08 AM, PDT)

Depp's Job Makes Him Sick
 (From WENN. 14 June 2009, 7:10 AM, PDT)

User Comments:
Saw the Libertine last week. more (244 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Johnny Depp ... Rochester
Paul Ritter ... Chiffinch

John Malkovich ... Charles II
Stanley Townsend ... Keown
Francesca Annis ... Countess

Rosamund Pike ... Elizabeth Malet

Tom Hollander ... Etherege
Johnny Vegas ... Sackville
Richard Coyle ... Alcock
Tom Burke ... Vaughan
Hugh Sachs ... Ratcliffe

Rupert Friend ... Downs

Kelly Reilly ... Jane

Jack Davenport ... Harris

Trudi Jackson ... Rose
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Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for strong sexuality including dialogue, violence and language.
Runtime:
114 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Based on the play by Stephen Jeffreys, which had been produced by the Steppenwolf Theatre Company and starred John Malkovich and Martha Plimpton. more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: Looks closely at the back of the person being prodded and whipped around 1:17:10 (in Dr. Bendo's room shortly after Alcock pees into a vial), you can faintly see quite a large tattoo in the small of the lady's back that hasn't completely been covered by the make-up. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Rochester: Allow me to be frank at the commencement. You will not like me. The gentlemen will be envious and the ladies will be repelled. You will not like me now and you will like me a good deal less as we go on. Ladies, an announcement: I am up for it, all the time...
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FAQ

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203 out of 242 people found the following comment useful.
Saw the Libertine last week., 21 September 2004
10/10
Author: TwilightShadows from Ontario

The Libertine is a movie that is of Oscar caliber. Stunning, unbelievable and brilliant....even these words do not accurately describe Depp's execution of this part.

We were blown away and that is the best way to describe it. It was funny in parts, raunchy in others and finally, tear-jerking. I found myself holding my breath so many times, because Depp's acting was so amazing.

When Rochester starts to show the ravages of his disease towards the end, all I could think of was that Johnny FINALLY got his wish....to play a character as ugly as possible with his face so mutilated and scarred that he was almost beyond recognition. It was MAGNIFICENT!! He was truly hideous and it was a good reminder of the toll that syphilis took on a person in those days.

This movie is not for the faint-hearted or easily offended. It's mid-17th century England at it's grubbiest, filthiest and most depraved. There is foul language, plenty of nudity and phallic symbols are used liberally throughout this film, although Rochester is always fully clothed.

We definitely felt there was much more chemistry between Johnny and Rosamund Pike, who played his wife, than between Johnny and Samantha Morton. Perhaps it was supposed to seem that Morton's character Elizabeth Barry did not really 'click' with Rochester, as that was the impression we were left with.

The sex scenes, even between Rochester and Barry are rough -- almost emotionless, as opposed to being actual 'love' scenes.

It was the opinion of our group that Johnny Depp has elevated himself to that upper echelon of actors who are to be revered for their skills and talent. This role is the crowning glory of his career to date and it's time he is given his due for being one of the best actors of our time.

Although the film needs some fine-tuning, we left the theater in awe of the magnificent performances we had just witnessed.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Libertine (2004)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
the king's nose Lao_Che
Johnny's best performance? spiral_static
'Ill suck it for you Johnny...' x_JenJen_x
Seems like nobody has seen this film. . . civicgt
The real Rochester: Quotes and thoughts spiral_static
anyone spotted the dog *beep* on the king's floor? fcoulombe
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