Providence (1977)

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

11 wins & 2 nominations.

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	...	Mr. Jenner
Anna Wing	...	Karen
Peter Arne	...	Nils
Tanya Lopert	...	Miss Lister
Joseph Pittoors	...	An Old Man
Samson Fainsilber	...	The Old Man

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?

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Plot Keywords:

bed | flashback | subconscious | dream | estate | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

France Switzerland UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 February 1977 (France)

Also Known As:

Провидение

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Action Films, Société Française de Production (SFP), France 3 (FR 3)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sir John Gielgud, who spent most of his career on the stage, considered this movie and the television mini-series Brideshead Revisited (1981) to be his only two screen appearances of which he was genuinely proud.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Clive Langham: Damn. Damn. Damn... damn!

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Crazy Credits

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

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Connections

Featured in Zomergasten: Episode #7.4 (1994)

User Reviews

Providence: high art of Gielgud

Not enough can truly be said for this film. Equally, nothing can change people's reaction to it; it is an art piece which separates people. Early reviews from the period of its release seem unfriendly at least. Many reviewers found the film pretentious and constructionally difficult. Many claimed it attempted more mystery than it had a right to. I feel this was a film ahead of its time, and any pomposity in the film comes not from its center, but from its central character, Clive Langham (John Gielgud). This, more than almost any film of the 20th century, is a film which rewards the viewer for multiple viewings. If you are often accused of being obsessive, overly-analytic or just plain artsy, this film will tickle you in some very personal places. The message I will refuse to comment on, though it is very deeply personal to me, and, I would say, to all writers. But the "crux of the biscuit," if you will, is this: examine the title in relation to the film.