Lillie (1979)
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88% of users liked it
(42 ratings)
Francesca Annis, previously seen on the Masterpiece Theatre presentation of Madame Bovary, plays the title role in the 13-installment Masterpiece offering Lillie. This is the story of legendary British actress Lillie Langtry, who during the Victorian and Edwardian era was as celebrated for her… More Francesca Annis, previously seen on the Masterpiece Theatre presentation of Madame Bovary, plays the title role in the 13-installment Masterpiece offering Lillie. This is the story of legendary British actress Lillie Langtry, who during the Victorian and Edwardian era was as celebrated for her romantic pursuits as her theatrical accomplishments. We first see Lillie Le Breton living with her family on the isle of Jersey, escaping the strictures of her environment by marrying wealthy Edward Langtry (Anton Rodgers). When this marriage proves as confining as her previous existence, Lillie kicks over the traces and becomes an actress. Before long, she is the toast of London, and the object of every man's desires. Her admirers range from Belgium's King Leopold (Derek Smith) to the Prince of Wales (Dennis Lili) to American "hangin' judge" Roy Bean (Tommy Duggan) Even homosexual playwright Oscar Wilde is so smitten by Lillie that he writes Lady Windemere's Fan specifically for her. The story ends with Lillie undergoing a domestic crisis with her grown daughter (Joanna David). Lillie was originally telecast on PBS from March 11 through June 3, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Christopher Hodson, John Gorrie
- Genres
- Drama
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Mar 11, 1979 Wide
- Studio
- Acorn Media
Critic Reviews
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Mark Bourne, Film.com
Annis inhabits Lillie with subtlety and in three dimensions, giving us plenty of room to admire the classy crumpet's self-possession and stick-to-it-iveness in a society that valued conformity and propriety above all else.
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Cast
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Francesca Annis
as Lillie Langtry
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Anton Rodgers
as Edward Langtry
- Cheryl Campbell
- John Castle
- Peter Egan
- Ann Firbank
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Dennis Lili
as Prince of Wales
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Paul Williamson
as Lord Wharncliffe
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Derek Smith
as King Leopold
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Tommy Duggan
as Roy Bean
- Catherine Feller
- Denis Lill
- Jennie Linden
- Patrick Holt
- Peggy Wood
