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The Rainbow (1989)

R | | Action, Drama, Romance | 26 May 1989 (USA)
The Rainbow Poster
A young woman deals in her own personal way with the trials of adolescence and young adulthood in early 1900s England.

Director:

Ken Russell

Writers:

Ken Russell (screenplay), Vivian Russell (screenplay) | 1 more credit »

Stars:

Sammi Davis, Amanda Donohoe, Paul McGann | See full cast & crew »
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1 nomination. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sammi Davis ... Ursula Brangwen
Paul McGann ... Anton Skrebensky
Amanda Donohoe ... Winifred Inger
Christopher Gable Christopher Gable ... Will Brangwen
David Hemmings ... Uncle Henry
Glenda Jackson ... Anna Brangwen
Dudley Sutton ... MacAllister
Jim Carter ... Mr. Harby
Judith Paris ... Miss Harby
Kenneth Colley ... Mr. Brunt (as Ken Colley)
Glenda McKay Glenda McKay ... Gudrun Brangwen
Mark Owen Mark Owen ... Jim Richards
Ralph Nossek Ralph Nossek ... Vicar
Nicola Stephenson ... Ethel
Molly Russell Molly Russell ... Molly Brangwen
See full cast »
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Storyline

Ken Russell's loose adaptation of the last part of D.H. Lawrence's "The Rainbow" sees impulsive young Ursula coming of age in pastoral England around the time of the Boer War. At school, she is introduced to lovemaking by a bisexual physical education instructress. While experiencing disillusionment in her first career attempt (teaching), she has an affair with a young Army officer, who wants to marry her. Unable to accept a future of domesticity, she breaks with him, and eventually leaves home in search of her destiny. Written by Anonymous

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

coming of age | loss of virginity | women's rights | women's emancipation | victorian era | See All (227) »

Genres:

Action | Drama | Romance

Certificate:

R | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 May 1989 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

El arco iris See more »

Filming Locations:

Borrowdale, Lake District, Cumbria, England, UK See more »
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Box Office

Gross USA:

$444,055
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Vestron Pictures See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Glenda Jackson was only cast after the first choice declined the part because she thought the role was too small. See more »

Connections

Featured in A British Picture (1989) See more »

Soundtracks

Morgenblatter
(uncredited)
Music by Johann Strauss
Arranged by Keith Wilkinson
See more »

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User Reviews

 
Excellent DH Lawrence adaptation
12 February 2004 | by jenpcraft – See all my reviews

I loved this film. I went through a big DH Lawrence phase in my late teens and early 20's, and Ursula and Gudrun from Women In Love and The Rainbow were characters I loved and related to, despite and because of their flaws.

This is a beautifully written and filmed story of a young woman who just wants more than her ugly industrial town has to offer. She is influenced by a couple of unconventional older people in her life. I thought it was a sensual portrait of bisexuality and creative freedom
17 of 20 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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