
The French Lieutenant's Woman(1981)
“She was lost from the moment she saw him.”
Overview
In this story-within-a-story, Anna is an actress starring opposite Mike in a period piece about the forbidden love between their respective characters, Sarah and Charles. Both actors are involved in serious relationships, but the passionate nature of the script leads to an off-camera love affair as well. While attempting to maintain their composure and professionalism, Anna and Mike struggle to come to terms with their infidelity.
Director
Karel Reisz
Studio
Juniper Films
Revenue
$3M
Cast

Meryl Streep
as Sarah / Anna

Jeremy Irons
as Charles Henry Smithson / Mike

Hilton McRae
as Sam

Lynsey Baxter
as Ernestina

Emily Morgan
as Mary

Penelope Wilton
as Sonia
Jean Faulds
as Cook

Charlotte Mitchell
as Mrs. Tranter

Peter Vaughan
as Mr. Freeman

Colin Jeavons
as Vicar

Liz Smith
as Mrs. Fairley

Patience Collier
as Mrs. Poulteney
Where to Watch
Availability may vary by region. Some links are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Movie Facts
Release Year
1981
Runtime
2h 4m
Language
English
Rating
6.5 / 10
Box Office
$3M
Production Companies
Juniper Films
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch The French Lieutenant's Woman?▼
Check the "Where to Watch" section above for current streaming platforms, rental options, and purchase links for The French Lieutenant's Woman (1981).
What is The French Lieutenant's Woman about?▼
In this story-within-a-story, Anna is an actress starring opposite Mike in a period piece about the forbidden love between their respective characters, Sarah and Charles. Both actors are involved in serious relationships, but the passionate nature of the script leads to an off-camera love affair as well. While attempting to maintain their composure and professionalism, Anna and Mike struggle to come to terms with their infidelity.
Who directed The French Lieutenant's Woman?▼
The French Lieutenant's Woman was directed by Karel Reisz and released in 1981. It is a drama, romance, history film.
How long is The French Lieutenant's Woman?▼
The French Lieutenant's Woman has a runtime of 2 hours and 4 minutes (124 minutes total).
Who stars in The French Lieutenant's Woman?▼
The cast of The French Lieutenant's Woman includes Meryl Streep as Sarah / Anna, Jeremy Irons as Charles Henry Smithson / Mike, Hilton McRae as Sam, Lynsey Baxter as Ernestina, Emily Morgan as Mary and more.
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