Sunday Bloody Sunday (1971)

Divorced working woman Alex and well-to-do Jewish family doctor Daniel Hirsh share not only the same answering service but also the favours of young Bob Elkin who bed-hops between them as ... See full summary »

Director:

John Schlesinger

Writer:

Penelope Gilliatt (screenplay)

Stars:

Peter Finch, Glenda Jackson, Murray Head

Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 12 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Peter Finch	...	Daniel Hirsh
Glenda Jackson	...	Alex Greville
Murray Head	...	Bob Elkin
Peggy Ashcroft	...	Mrs. Greville
Tony Britton	...	Mr. Harding
Maurice Denham	...	Mr. Greville
Bessie Love	...	Answering Service Lady
Vivian Pickles	...	Alva Hodson
Frank Windsor	...	Bill Hodson
Thomas Baptiste	...	Prof. Johns
Richard Pearson	...	Patient
June Brown	...	Woman Patient
Hannah Norbert	...	Daniel's Mother
Harold Goldblatt	...	Daniel's Father
Marie Burke	...	Aunt Astrid

Storyline

Divorced working woman Alex and well-to-do Jewish family doctor Daniel Hirsh share not only the same answering service but also the favours of young Bob Elkin who bed-hops between them as the mood takes him. Both Alex and Dr Hirsh are aware of the other's existence but prefer to live with the situation rather than risk losing Elkin completely. But a wet winter weekend in London can be difficult.

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Plot Keywords:

female nudity | jew | doctor | artist | sociologist | 

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Taglines:

It's about three decent people. They will break your heart.

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English Italian Hebrew French

Release Date:

8 September 1971 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bloody Sunday

Filming Locations:

38 Pembroke Square, Kensington, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Vectia, Vic Films Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

A number of scenes that had been filmed with Ian Bannen were not re-shot. Some performers listed on cast breakdown (kept by BFI special Collections) were not rehired to film their roles with Peter Finch.

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Quotes

Mrs. Greville: A hippie? Oh, I like hippies! They hate business and competitiveness... I think that's what has always attracted me to them.

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Connections

Referenced in Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession (2004)

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Soundtracks

Auf Flügeln des Gesanges (On Wings of Song)
(uncredited)
Music by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy
Played on the radio when Daniel wakes up on Sunday morning

User Reviews

One of John Schlesinger's Finest Achievements

Difficult to believe that this brilliant little film is 41 years old because it still feels fresh and vibrant the way his other films remain (Midnight Cowboy, Billy Liar, Darling, etc). It is as mature an examination of love in all its aspects as any film that has been placed on the screen since. The acting by an impeccable cast and the cinematography are first rate, but it is Schlesinger's sure hand that carved this story into our memories.

Divorced workingwoman Alex (Glenda Jackson) and well-to-do Jewish family doctor Daniel Hirsh (Peter Finch) share not only the same answering service but also the sexual favors of the young handsome artist Bob Elkin (Murray Head) who bed-hops between them as the mood takes him. Both Alex and Dr Hirsh are aware of the other's existence but prefer to live with the situation rather than risk losing Elkin completely. But a wet winter weekend in London can be difficult. Exceptional cameo roles are filled by Peggy Ashcroft as the doctor's mother and by Richard Loncraine as Bob's partner and Jon Finch who manages to epitomize the London street hustler.

There have been several films that have attempted to take on the matter of ménage a trois tales but none has approached the subject of the complexities of romantic relationships with the style and aplomb achieved here. It is a masterwork.

Grady Harp