Lady Chatterley (2006)

A French adaptation of the second (and much less well-known) version of D.H. Lawrence's erotic tale.

Director:

Pascale Ferran

Writers:

Roger Bohbot, Pascale Ferran

Stars:

Marina Hands, Jean-Louis Coulloc'h, Hippolyte Girardot

11 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Marina Hands	...	Constance
Jean-Louis Coulloc'h	...	Parkin
Hippolyte Girardot	...	Sir Clifford Chatterley
Hélène Alexandridis	...	Mrs. Bolton
Hélène Fillières	...	Hilda
Bernard Verley	...	Sir Malcolm
Sava Lolov	...	Tommy Dukes
Jean-Baptiste Montagut	...	Harry Winterslow
Fanny Deleuze	...	Tante Eva
Michel Vincent	...	Marshall
Colette Philippe	...	Mrs. Marshall
Christelle Hes	...	Kate
Jade Bouchard	...	La jeune bonne
Joël Vandael	...	Field, le chauffeur
Jacques De Bock	...	Le médecin (as Jacques de Bock)

Storyline

Sir Clifford has returned from the Great War to his estate near Sheffield, paralyzed from the waist down. Lady Constance, his young wife, cares for him, but she's lifeless, enervated. Her physician prescribes the open air, and she finds a quiet retreat at the hut - the workplace - of Parkin, the estate's gamekeeper. The rhythms of nature awaken Connie - daffodils, pheasant chicks - and soon she and Parkin become lovers. She's now radiant. Parkin, too, opens up. Class distinctions and gender roles may be barriers to the affair becoming more. Connie's trip to France, with her father and sister, bring the lovers to a nuanced resolution.

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Plot Keywords:

female pubic hair | f rated | unhappy marriage | female removes her clothes | panties | 

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Taglines:

Based on one of the most scandalous novels of our time

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexuality and graphic nudity

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Spain]

Country:

Belgium France

Language:

French

Release Date:

1 November 2006 (France)

Also Known As:

Amantul doamnei Chatterley

Filming Locations:

Château de Montmery, Ambazac, Haute-Vienne, France

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$32,814, 24 June 2007, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$687,414, 2 December 2007

Company Credits

Production Co:

Maïa Films, Saga Film (I), Arte France Cinéma

Technical Specs

Runtime:

168 min 220 min (2 parts) (TV)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This movie is based on an alternate draft of D.H. Lawrence's novel unpublished until after his death, hence why the game keeper is called "Parkin" instead of "Mellors".

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Goofs

When the chauffeur is bringing Lady Chatterley home at the end the car is being driven on the right. In England one drives on the left.

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Connections

Version of Young Lady Chatterley (1977)

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Soundtracks

Well-tempered Clavichord, Book I, Fugue No.2, BWV.847
Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach

User Reviews

A beautiful movie about the awakening of a woman's senses!

I have seen the BBC adaptation of the DH Lawrence novel made by Ken Russell with Joely Richardson and Sean Bean and there is no comparison: I prefer the French adaptation even if the film is not always faithful to the book on some points (for example, in the book, Sir Clifford is having problems with his miners and his employees because he is very arrogant but in the film, Pascale Ferran does not mention these problems). The actors are maybe a little more good-looking in the BBC version but that's about it (sorry, Sean Bean). And if you want to see a film about a beautiful but bored, aristocratic woman whose sensuality is suddenly re-awakened by her meeting with the sullen, unsociable but virile Parkin/Mellors, then this film is for you. Pascale Ferran seemed to have focused her film on the love-story between Lady Constance/Connie and Parkin, the gamekeeper and the discovery or re-discovery of one's senses. That is why you have beautiful shots of nature, of magnificent trees in spring and why you have many scenes in which Constance is walking in the forest and just listening to the songs of birds. The forest is also the place where she discovers her own sensuality. The actors are brilliant, they magnificently show all sorts of emotions on their faces and the love-making scenes are all made with much reserve, with subtlety...It is all refined and very beautifully-done. I loved this Connie, I could relate to her and I loved the long pauses and the looks between the two leads, the big shots on the hands, on some legs or other parts of the body and some refined clothes. The costumes are also important. This movie reminds me a little of some scenes of The Piano by Jane Campion and if you enjoyed The Piano, I am sure you will like this French adaptation. Definitely a 'must-see'. It is a little long, more than 2 hours and a half, I think but if you are used to watching long BBC period dramas like me, you will have no fear in watching this!