A Touch of Love (1969)

A young London woman, studying for her doctorate in the British Museum, spends her nights trying to avoid the sexual admiration of men in her life.

Director:

Waris Hussein

Writers:

Margaret Drabble (screenplay), Margaret Drabble (from her novel "The Millstone")

Stars:

Sandy Dennis, Ian McKellen, Michael Coles

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview:
Sandy Dennis	...	Rosamund
Ian McKellen	...	George
Michael Coles	...	Joe
John Standing	...	Roger
Peggy Thorpe-Bates	...	Mrs. Stacey
Kenneth Benda	...	Mr. Stacey
Deborah Stanford	...	Beatrice
Roger Hammond	...	Mike
Eleanor Bron	...	Lydia
Margaret Tyzack	...	Sister Bennett
Maurice Denham	...	Dr. Prothero
Rachel Kempson	...	Sister Harvey

Storyline

Rosamund (Sandy Dennis), a young "bookish" girl in London society, spends her days studying for a doctorate in the British Museum and her nights avoiding the sexual attention of the men in her life. But one day, all of that changes. Through a friend, she is introduced to rising television newsreader and announcer George (Sir Ian McKellen), and after a further chance meeting, and a tumble on the sofa, she finds herself pregnant from her first sexual encounter. After a failed attempt at self-induced abortion, she resolves to have the child, leaving her on a solitary, and at times, discouraging path through pregnancy and into single motherhood, aided only by her close friend Lydia (Eleanor Bron).

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Plot Keywords:

single mother | giving birth | childbirth | maternity ward | expectant mother | 

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Taglines:

Should She Tell Her Parents? Could She Marry Him? Or Should She...? What Would YOU Do?

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

M

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

September 1969 (UK)

Also Known As:

Thank You All Very Much

Filming Locations:

British Library British Museum, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Amicus Productions, Palomar Pictures International

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor) (photographed in)

Did You Know?

Trivia

Theatrical movie debut of Sir Ian McKellen (George). Alfred the Great (1969) was released after this movie.

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Quotes

Sister Henry: You're quite sure, Miss Stacey, you've thought this out properly? You ought to think about the child, you know. I'm quite sure your feelings will change considerably over the next few months. There are a great many happy, married couples who would be able to offer your baby a home and give her a much better life than you would ever be able to provide for her.
Rosamund Stacey: Yes, well I expect it is arrogant of me to suppose that I too may have things to provide. I mean, I'm not a happy, married couple I know....
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in Monty Python's Flying Circus: Full Frontal Nudity (1969)

User Reviews

Excellent Moody Melodrama Captures the Period

I wish this were on DVD. I know it is an esoteric film but it is a little gem starring Sandy Dennis when she was at her peak popularity.

Despite the commentary on the miserable part of living in England, London is beautifully photographed and is almost its own character in the film.

Also a great history lesson for young women on how oppressive sexual mores(more-ays) once were before Blondie, Britney and Madonna.

Young Ian McKellen is in this for all fans of the awful Lord of the Rings Trilogy. For those who want a juxtaposition of what films once were, just watch these two McKellen films that bookend his career.

This is a great film to watch on a rainy afternoon.