Brief Encounter (1974)

Two strangers, both married to others, meet in a railroad station and find themselves in a brief but intense affair.

Director:

Alan Bridges

Writers:

John Bowen (screenplay), Noël Coward (play) (as Noel Coward)

Stars:

Richard Burton, Sophia Loren, Jack Hedley

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Richard Burton	...	Alec Harvey
Sophia Loren	...	Anna Jesson
Jack Hedley	...	Graham Jesson
Rosemary Leach	...	Mrs. Gaines
Ann Firbank	...	Melanie Harvey
Gwen Cherrell	...	Dolly Messiter
Benjamin Edney	...	Alistair Jesson
John Le Mesurier	...	Stephen
Jumoke Debayo	...	Mrs. Harris
Christopher Benjamin	...	Porter
Madeleine Hinde	...	Grace (as Madeline Hinde)
David Cook	...	Schoolmaster
Marco Orlandini	...	Dominic Jesson
Patricia Franklin	...	Beryl Walters
Jacki Harding	...	Ilse

Storyline

On one of their usual weekly commutes into the city, two perfect strangers--Dr Alec Harvey, an esteemed suburban doctor, and Anna Jesson, a middle-class housewife--will inadvertently find love, when a bit of dirt enters Anna's eye and the good doctor comes to her rescue. Despite both being married to others, this fleeting but powerful interaction will prepare the ground for an unforeseen erotic but unconsummated love affair, as one clandestine rendezvous leads to another. Where is this intense emotional infidelity heading?

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Plot Keywords:

marriage | train | commute | commuter | suburb | 

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Taglines:

It was a chance meeting that could change their lives.

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sterling Hayden was originally in the running for the lead role.

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Quotes

Alec Harvey: It's one thing to close a window. It's another thing to slam it on my fingers.

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Connections

Version of Brief Encounter (1945)

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Soundtracks

Brief Encounter
Written and Performed by Cyril Ornadel And His Orchestra

User Reviews

Just like that!

It was called Brief Encounter, when, after looking at each other once, and then into each other's eyes, Richard Burton asked, "You know what's happened, don't you?" Sophia Loren replied, "Yes!" and Richard said, "We've fallen in love." As Tommy Cooper would have said, "Just like that!"

Moral: Some things are much easier to get into than get out of.

Details

Country:

UK Italy

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 November 1974 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hallmark Hall of Fame: Brief Encounter (#24.1)

Filming Locations:

Winchester, Hampshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Transcontinental Film Productions (London), Carlo Ponti Cinematografica, Cecil Clarke Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min (edited for TV)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1