UK,
1981, 127 min
(Alternative: 119 min)
Directed by:
Karel ReiszScreenplay:
Harold PinterCinematography:
Freddie FrancisComposer:
Carl DavisCast:
Meryl Streep, Jeremy Irons, Hilton McRae, Charlotte Mitchell, Jean Faulds, Peter Vaughan, Colin Jeavons, Liz Smith, Patience Collier, John Barrett, Leo McKern (more)VOD (2)
Plots(1)
Set in 1867, Sarah Woodrough (Meryl Streep), a beautiful young woman, is condemned by society and driven into a deep melancholy because of her tragic affair with a French lieutenant. Fowles adds depth and texture to the story by including direct historical asides and scientific lessons by Charles Smithson (Jeremy Irons), a wealthy amateur paleontologist and follower of Charles Darwin. In addition, there is a film within the film in which modern-day (1981) characters Anna (Streep) and Mike (Irons) provide comments on the characters they're portraying, and a little history, but primarily provide a parallel story as they enter an adulterous affair of their own. (official distributor synopsis)
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