Langrishe, Go Down (1978)

70% of critics liked it
(10 reviews)
30% of users liked it
(88 ratings)

Years before they became two of the most celebrated British actors of their generation, Jeremy Irons and Judi Dench were paired up for this dramatic tale of love and betrayal, produced for British television. Imogen Langrishe (Judi Dench) is a woman in her early thirties who lives with her sisters… More Years before they became two of the most celebrated British actors of their generation, Jeremy Irons and Judi Dench were paired up for this dramatic tale of love and betrayal, produced for British television. Imogen Langrishe (Judi Dench) is a woman in her early thirties who lives with her sisters Helen (Annette Crosbie) and Lily (Susan Williamson) in a decaying mansion in rural Ireland as the men in her once-wealthy family are off at war. Struggling to keep herself and her siblings afloat, Imogen takes in a boarder, Otto Beck (Jeremy Irons), a moody graduate student working on his master's thesis. Spinster Imogen is quickly captivated with Otto's scruffy good looks, and he is more than willing to satisfy her sexual longings. It doesn't take long, however, for the relationship to turn sour, with dire consequences for Imogen, as well as her sisters. Langrishe, Go Down was adapted for the screen by Harold Pinter and was based on a novel by Aidan Higgins. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 45 min.
Directed By: David Hugh Jones
Written By: Harold Pinter
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Jul 17, 2002 Wide
On DVD: Mar 23, 2004
Studio: Castle Hill Productions

Critic Reviews

Manohla Dargis, Los Angeles Times
A movie that looks like a muddy second-generation Xerox and contains all the emotional and intellectual appeal of cold tea and soggy toast.
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer
The fragmented storytelling is, well, vintage Pinter, but Ms. Dench and Mr. Irons remain mesmerizing after all this time.
A.O. Scott, New York Times
The story is a muted melodrama made strange and haunting by the manner of its telling.
Megan Turner, New York Post
An atmospheric and subtly engrossing relationship saga.
Jessica Winter, Village Voice
Imogen and Otto's happenstance affair holds little intrigue or surprise.
Michael Tunison, Boxoffice Magazine
The spectacle of two such ferocious actors going at it in the context of a complex, thoughtful drama makes this one worth going down for.
Ella Taylor, L.A. Weekly
There's something haunting about the airlessness and lethargy of this tucked-away corner of the world.
David Noh, Film Journal International
The screenplay is so very Pinter as to be positively painful.
Mike D'Angelo, Time Out New York
A flinty-eyed portrait of romantic naïveté and predatory narcissism that would likely have continued to gather dust in the archives if not for its retroactive star power.
Ken Fox, TV Guide's Movie Guide
A rare treat -- catch it while you can.

Read all 10 critic reviews

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Cast

Jeremy Irons
as Otto Beck
Judi Dench
as Imogen Langrishe
Annette Crosbie

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