7.9/10
2,769
24 user 19 critic

Providence (1977)

R | | Drama | 9 February 1977 (France)
Providence Poster
A dying writer bases his last book on his own perception of his family.

Director:

Alain Resnais

Writer:

David Mercer

Stars:

Dirk Bogarde, Ellen Burstyn, John Gielgud | See full cast & crew »
Reviews
11 wins & 2 nominations. See more awards »

Photos

See all 17 photos »
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Edit

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Dirk Bogarde ... Claude Langham
Ellen Burstyn ... Sonia Langham
John Gielgud ... Clive Langham
David Warner ... Kevin Langham / Kevin Woodford
Elaine Stritch ... Helen Wiener
Cyril Luckham ... Doctor Mark Eddington
Denis Lawson ... Dave Woodford (as Dennis Lawson)
Kathryn Leigh Scott ... Miss Boon
Milo Sperber Milo Sperber ... Mr. Jenner
Anna Wing Anna Wing ... Karen
Peter Arne ... Nils
Tanya Lopert Tanya Lopert ... Miss Lister
Joseph Pittoors Joseph Pittoors ... An Old Man
Samson Fainsilber ... The Old Man
See full cast »
Edit

Storyline

Clive Langham (Sir John Gielgud) spends one tormenting night in his bed suffering from health problems and thinking up a story based on his relatives. He is a bitter man and he shows, through flashbacks, how spiteful, conniving and treacherous his family is. But is this how they really are or is it his own vindictive slant on things? Written by Archie Moore <ar.moore@student.qut.edu.au>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

bed | flashback | subconscious | dream | estate | See All (42) »

Taglines:

A Movie of Rare Intelligence

Genres:

Drama

Certificate:

R | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

Add content advisory for parents »
Edit

Details

Country:

Switzerland | France

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 February 1977 (France) See more »

Also Known As:

Провидение See more »

Filming Locations:

New York State Capital - Washington Avenue and State Street, Albany, New York, USA See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Action Films, Société Française de Production (SFP), France 3 (FR 3) See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1
See full technical specs »
Edit

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was Elaine Stritch's last movie until September (1987). See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Clive Langham: Damn. Damn. Damn... damn!
See more »

Crazy Credits

The National Philharmonic Orchestra is misspelled as National Philarmonic Orchestra in the opening credits. See more »

Connections

Featured in Zomergasten: Episode #7.4 (1994) See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What then young and still brilliant musical theater composer was slated to write the score for "Providence," but declined at the last minute?
See more »

User Reviews

A true artistic masterpiece, by a true master of the art
2 October 1999 | by cread – See all my reviews

A dying artist, beautifully acted by Fainsilber, struggles to complete one last book before he dies - the plot of which becomes confused with his own troubled life as he thinks and dreams his way through the night. This was the first film in English for master film-maker Alain Resnais, and also happens to be one of his best. Using a variety of surreal cinematic techniques, Resnais is able to capture the characters of everyone in the film perfectly and his style - combined with excellent scripting - makes for an experience that will not be forgotten. Although the first half of the film will probably be spent in confusion, before you actually realise what is going on - I had to see this film several times before I was satisfied - it is worth struggling to understand this complex and thoroughly entertaining artistic movie.
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