Two English Girls (1971)

At the beginning of the 20th century, Claude Roc, a young middle-class Frenchman meets in Paris Ann Brown, a young Englishwoman. They become friends and Ann invites him to spend holidays at... See full summary »

Director:

François Truffaut

Writers:

Henri-Pierre Roché (novel), François Truffaut (adaptation)

Stars:

Jean-Pierre Léaud, Kika Markham, Stacey Tendeter

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jean-Pierre Léaud	...	Claude Roc
Kika Markham	...	Ann Brown
Stacey Tendeter	...	Muriel Brown
Sylvia Marriott	...	Mrs. Brown
Marie Mansart	...	Madame Roc
Philippe Léotard	...	Diurka
Irène Tunc	...	Ruta
Mark Peterson	...	Mr. Flint
Georges Delerue	...	Claude's Business Agent
Marie Iracane	...	Madame Roc's maidservant
Marcel Berbert	...	Vendeur d'art
Jeanne Lobre	...	Porter
David Markham	...	Palmist

Storyline

At the beginning of the 20th century, Claude Roc, a young middle-class Frenchman meets in Paris Ann Brown, a young Englishwoman. They become friends and Ann invites him to spend holidays at the house where she lives with her mother and her sister Muriel, for whom she intends Claude. During these holidays, Claude, Ann and Muriel become very close and he gradually falls in love with Muriel. But both families lay down a one-year-long separation without any contact before agreeing to the marriage. So Claude goes back to Paris when he has many love affairs before sending Muriel a break-off letter...

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Plot Keywords:

love triangle | nudity | sex | masturbation | infidelity | 

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Taglines:

a film in color by Francois Truffaut

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Genres:

Romance | Drama

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Details

Country:

France

Language:

French English

Release Date:

18 November 1971 (France)

Also Known As:

Two English Girls

Filming Locations:

Flamanville, Manche, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Les Films du Carrosse, Cinétel

Technical Specs

Runtime:

130 min 108 min (cut) 116 min (cut)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Anne's last words in the film are, "If you send for a doctor, I will see him now." These were writer Emily Brontë's last words before she died, Truffaut who was an avid reader probably used her words in the film as an homage or to compare her to the character of Anne.

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Goofs

Off shore electricity pylons are shown, which would not have existed in that period.

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Quotes

Muriel Brown: Love doesn't complicate life, but the uncertainly of love.

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Alternate Versions

Originally released at 108 minutes. In 1984 director Francois Truffaut added outtake footage. This re-released Director's Cut is 132 minutes long.

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Connections

Referenced in Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

User Reviews

Two very different English sisters

The two English sisters are as different as night and day. Yet they wear similar costumes. The young man who loves them does a highly believable job throughout the story. The seaside scenery and the young man's acting carry the movie through. The young man's love for Muriel is almost heartbreaking.

Truffaut is at his strongest with this film. He balances French sensitivity with English fullness of personality quite well. I like this better than most of Truffaut's other movies. The movie does not lag at all.

Throughout the movie we are left to wonder. Will it be Muriel? Will it be Anne? The two sisters do good acting jobs. The casting of Muriel was excellent, as her face was very distinctive.