Abortionist Vera Drake finds her beliefs and practices clash with the mores of 1950s Britain--a conflict that leads to tragedy for her family.
Director:
Mike LeighWriter:
Mike Leigh
From metacritic.com
Want to invest a few hours in front of the TV this weekend? Check out a few of our favorite binge-worthy streaming series.
Related News
-
Eddie Marsan: ‘My wife says Twitter is my midlife crisis’
19 January 2019 | The Guardian - Film News -
Send us your questions for Mike Leigh
20 September 2018 | The Guardian - Film News -
Toronto: Three Tiff Highlights
17 September 2018 | MUBI
User Lists
Related lists from IMDb users
Share this Rating
Title: Vera Drake (2004)
Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below.
Learn more
More Like This
All or Nothing
(2002)
Drama
Director:
Mike Leigh
Stars:
Timothy Spall,
Lesley Manville,
Ruth Sheen
Another Year
(2010)
Comedy
|
Drama
Director:
Mike Leigh
Stars:
Jim Broadbent,
Ruth Sheen,
Lesley Manville
Happy-Go-Lucky
(2008)
Comedy
|
Drama
|
Romance
Director:
Mike Leigh
Stars:
Sally Hawkins,
Alexis Zegerman,
Samuel Roukin
Secrets & Lies
(1996)
Drama
Director:
Mike Leigh
Stars:
Timothy Spall,
Brenda Blethyn,
Phyllis Logan
Career Girls
(1997)
Comedy
|
Drama
Director:
Mike Leigh
Stars:
Katrin Cartlidge,
Lynda Steadman,
Kate Byers
Topsy-Turvy
(1999)
Biography
|
Comedy
|
Drama
Director:
Mike Leigh
Stars:
Jim Broadbent,
Allan Corduner,
Dexter Fletcher
Life Is Sweet
(1990)
Comedy
|
Drama
Director:
Mike Leigh
Stars:
Alison Steadman,
Jim Broadbent,
Claire Skinner
High Hopes
(1988)
Comedy
|
Drama
Director:
Mike Leigh
Stars:
Phil Davis,
Ruth Sheen,
Edna Doré
Mr. Turner
(2014)
Biography
|
Drama
|
History
Director:
Mike Leigh
Stars:
Timothy Spall,
Paul Jesson,
Dorothy Atkinson
Naked
(1993)
Comedy
|
Drama
Director:
Mike Leigh
Stars:
David Thewlis,
Lesley Sharp,
Katrin Cartlidge
Bleak Moments
(1971)
Comedy
|
Drama
Director:
Mike Leigh
Stars:
Anne Raitt,
Sarah Stephenson,
Eric Allan
Edit
Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Imelda Staunton | ... | Vera | |
| Richard Graham | ... | George | |
| Eddie Marsan | ... | Reg | |
 |
Anna Keaveney | ... | Nellie |
|
|
Alex Kelly | ... | Ethel |
| Daniel Mays | ... | Sid | |
| Phil Davis | ... | Stan | |
| Lesley Manville | ... | Mrs. Wells | |
| Sally Hawkins | ... | Susan | |
| Simon Chandler | ... | Mr. Wells | |
| Sam Troughton | ... | David | |
| Marion Bailey | ... | Mrs. Fowler | |
|
|
Sandra Voe | ... | Vera's Mother |
| Chris O'Dowd | ... | Sid's Customer | |
| Adrian Scarborough | ... | Frank | |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
See All (143) »
Storyline
Vera Drake is a selfless woman who is completely devoted to, and loved by, her working class family. She spends her days doting on them and caring for her sick neighbor and elderly mother. However, she also secretly visits women and helps them induce miscarriages for unwanted pregnancies. While the practice itself was illegal in 1950s England, Vera sees herself as simply helping women in need, and always does so with a smile and kind words of encouragement. When the authorities finally find her out, Vera's world and family life rapidly unravel. Written by Sujit R. Varma
Plot Keywords:
pregnancy | unwanted pregnancy | abortionist | female protagonist | panties |Taglines:
Wife. Mother. Criminal.Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated R for depiction of strong thematic material | See all certifications »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
Edit
Edit
See more on IMDbPro »
See full technical specs »
Details
Language:
EnglishRelease Date:
4 February 2005 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
El secreto de Vera Drake See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
$11,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend USA:
$13,207, 10 October 2004Gross USA:
$3,775,283Cumulative Worldwide Gross:
$13,267,869Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Dolby DigitalColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
Edit
(1888)
Written by Edward Elgar
By permission of Schott & Co Limited, London
Performed by Rosemary Warren-Green (violin) and Ian Brown (piano)
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
The scene when the family is gathered and the police arrive was first rehearsed for as long as 7 hours. It was mostly improvised: none of the actors playing the family, including Imelda Staunton, knew someone would barge in, let alone the police. And the actors playing the police did not know what reaction to expect from the family: hostile, cooperative, surprised, indifferent, etc. In the movie, this results in a incredibly intense scene. See more »Goofs
The young girl tells the psychiatrist that her father works for the Ministry of Defence. The Ministry of Defence was created in a 1968 merger of the War Office, Air Ministry, and Admiralty. See more »Crazy Credits
After the end credits it says: "In loving memory of my parents, a doctor and a midwife." See more »Soundtracks
Salut D'Amour (Liebesgruss), Op.12(1888)
Written by Edward Elgar
By permission of Schott & Co Limited, London
Performed by Rosemary Warren-Green (violin) and Ian Brown (piano)
See more »
Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.Contribute to This Page
On IMDb TV, you can catch Hollywood hits and popular TV series at no cost. Select any poster below to play the movie, totally free!
Enjoy a night in with these popular movies available to stream now with Prime Video.
"Vera Drake" is one of those movies that takes you right in and does not release you until long after the movie is over. Come to think of it, most of Mike Leigh's movies have this effect.
Imelda Staunton is flawless as Vera Drake, a kind-hearted simple soul who believes in sharing the compassion and the caring for her own family with others. Part of this compassion is exemplified in a skill she has - she is a back street abortionist. She does not do it for financial gain, but out of sympathy for the helpless women who cannot afford the psychiatric evaluations given to the rich who are then sent to private nursing homes for the procedures.
Through a series of circumstances she is caught and convicted and we observe the effects on her family and those about her.
Everything is flawless about this film. We really are in the cramped little flat where Vera lives, in the near slum environment. Her cheerful domestic work in the wealthy homes of London is in stark contrast to the poverty of her own post war rationed existence.
This film and the actors have to be nominated for many Oscars. Mike Leigh you have done it again. Bravo! 9 out of 10.