Scandal (1989)

92% of critics liked it
(13 reviews)
48% of users liked it
(2,221 ratings)

In 1963, the conservative British government was shaken to its foundations by the Profumo Scandal. The central character in this disastrous affair was John Profumo, Britain's minister of war, who had become sexually involved with call-girl Christine Keeler, whose "sponsor" was high-priced osteopath… More In 1963, the conservative British government was shaken to its foundations by the Profumo Scandal. The central character in this disastrous affair was John Profumo, Britain's minister of war, who had become sexually involved with call-girl Christine Keeler, whose "sponsor" was high-priced osteopath Dr. Stephen Ward. Fancying himself a dashing international adventurer, Ward had also offered Christine to alleged Soviet spy Eugene Ivanov. Another of Ward's stable, Mandy Rice-Davies, allegedly had slept with numerous British and American luminaries. The whole sordid story, which ended with Ward's suicide and Profumo's public disgrace, was recounted with relish in director Michael Caton-Jones's Scandal, which featured John Hurt as Stephen Ward, Joanne Whalley-Kilmer as Christine Keeler, Ian McKellan as Profumo, Bridget Fonda as Mandy Rice-Davies, and Jeroen Krabbe as Ivanov. In its original form, the film was ripe enough to court an X-rating; post-production trimming enabled it to squeak by with an R. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 55 min.
Directed By: Michael Caton-Jones
Written By: Michael Thomas
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: May 28, 1989 Wide
On DVD: Sep 5, 2000
Studio: HBO Video

Critic Reviews

Scott Nash, Three Movie Buffs
A well made but emotionally unengaging look at one of the most famous sex scandals of 20th century Britain.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Depicts the 1963 Profumo affair in England as an episode in class warfare.
James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk
more interested in the people rather than the parts they played in a national scandal
David N. Butterworth, rec.arts.movies.reviews
An exacting treatise of the Profumo affair, excellent acted by all.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Alec B

I think that the characters could have used more definition in places (the serious non-sexual attraction between Ward and Keeler was rather undefined and vague) but whats great is that even though the movie is 20 years old and the events occurred nearly 50 years ago its still… More
I think that the characters could have used more definition in places (the serious non-sexual attraction between Ward and Keeler was rather undefined and vague) but whats great is that even though the movie is 20 years old and the events occurred nearly 50 years ago its still incredibly relevant. The public both loves and hates sexualized figures, and most of that arises from our personal confusion about the whole nature of sex. Its fun, but it makes Jesus upset. The events depicted here happen today in almost the exact same fashion (only now the internet hypes these things even more out of control) and director Michael Caton-Jones recognizes that our misguided attitudes about sex are what creates the firestorm.
Lesley N

I haven't seen this since it first came out, but the song still haunts... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8Q5CmIzpBg
Barry L

Extremel;y well made if a little fanciful at times with the truth. I researched the original story after seeing this and was impressed with how damn stupid Profumo was.....good film though.

Cast

            John Hurt as Stephen Ward

            Joanne Whalley as Christine Keeler

            Bridget Fonda as Mandy Rice-Davies

            Ian McKellen as John Profumo

            Leslie Phillips as Lord Astor

            Britt Ekland as Mariella Novotny

            Roland Gift as Johnnie Edgecombe

            Jeroen Krabbé as Eugene Ivanov

            Jean Alexander as Mrs. Keeler

            Keith Allen as Kevin

            Paul Brooke as Detective Sergeant

            Iain Cuthbertson as Lord Hailsham

            Oliver Ford Davies as Mr. Woods

            Joanna Dunham as Lady Astor

            Trevor Eve as Matinee Idol

            Ronald Fraser as Justice Marshall

            Deborah Grant as Valerie Profumo

            Daniel Massey as Mervyn Griffith-Jones

            Richard Morant as D'Lazlo

            Mia Nadasi as Olga

            Alex Norton as Detective Inspector

            Ann Queensbury as Mrs. Hare

            Terence Rigby as James Burge

            Johnny Shannon as Peter Rachman

            Malcolm Terris as Northern Gent

            Joan Turner as Plump Neighbor

            James Villiers as Conservative M.P.

            Tariq Yunus as Ayub Khan

            Arkie Whiteley as Vicky

            Colette Dolan as Murray's Dancer

            Czeslaw Grocholski as Polish Gent

            Leon Herbert as Lucky Gordon

            Tony Mathews as Press Secretary

            Jeff Nuttall as Percy Murray

            Ken Hudson Campbell as Editor of Pictorial

            Doremy Vernon as Head Girl

            Ralph Brown as Paul Mann

            Joanne Whalley-Kilmer
            
See full cast

Scandal (1989)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Alec B

Lesley N

Barry L

Cast

Trailers & Clips