Anna and Mike portray two characters in a film set in 19th century England who fall in love despite the fact that Mike's character is engaged.Anna and Mike portray two characters in a film set in 19th century England who fall in love despite the fact that Mike's character is engaged.Anna and Mike portray two characters in a film set in 19th century England who fall in love despite the fact that Mike's character is engaged.
- Nominated for 5 Oscars
- 11 wins & 20 nominations total
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Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe source novel does not feature the subplot of the actors and actresses playing the parts in a modern day movie. However, it had three alternate endings, from which readers could choose their favorite. Creating two parallel story lines allowed the filmmakers to include two of those endings, one happy and one tragic.
- GoofsWhile at the house in the Lake District, the reaction to Sarah being pushed to the ground by Charles is genuine. Meryl Streep actually hits her head on the floor and when Jeremy Irons acknowledges, she nods, giggles, and reorients herself in position next to him.
- Quotes
Sarah: I knew it was ordained that I should never marry an equal; so, I married shame. It is my shame that has kept me alive - my knowing that I am truly not like other women. I - I shall never, like them, have - children and a husband, and the pleasures of a home. Sometimes I pity them. I have a freedom they cannot understand. No insult, no blame, can touch me. I have set myself beyond the pale. I am nothing. I am hardly human any more. I am the French lieutenant's - whore!
- ConnectionsFeatured in The South Bank Show: The French Lieutenant's Woman (1981)
It reminded me of 'The Hours', only it has a less 'studied' feel to it. The realities of 'social exclusion' really hit home, but thanks to the great performances, we don't doubt the extremes shown. Love renders all other concerns as 'insignificant', when you're in its grip.
This isn't the kind of film I would normally like; but in my quest to sample as much that is acclaimed as possible, I ended up here. I'm glad I did. If you have romance in your soul, this is apt to get you, inside. I only left this out of my 250 list because due to being something of a 'grinch', I tend to side with LIFE'S version of how things end, rather than literatures; but oh well... !
- Howlin Wolf
- Jun 29, 2005
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Die Geliebte des französischen Leutnants
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $8,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $26,890,068
- Gross worldwide
- $26,890,068