Scandal (1989)

91% of critics liked it
(32 reviews)
47% of users liked it
(2,308 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… 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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Directed By: Michael Caton-Jones
Written By: Michael Thomas
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: May 28, 1989 Wide
Studio: HBO Video

Critic Reviews

Sheila Benson, Los Angeles Times
The film holds because of the brilliance of Hurt and the fascination of Whalley-Kilmer, as well as the sly, tongue-in-cheek viciousness of Bridget Fonda's Mandy Rice-Davies.
Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine
Scandal is an express tour of the Profumo affair that moves with a pop historian's revisionist swagger and plays like News of the World headlines set to early '60s rock 'n' roll.
Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel
The greatest virtue of the filmmakers' straightforward approach is that it avoids the obvious pitfall of pretentiousness.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Tribune
Caton-Jones is not the most stylistically assured of filmmakers, but his ability with actors is obvious. For this project, that is enough to turn the flat conventions of the docudrama into something resembling life.
Variety Staff, Variety
Hurt is excellent as the charming but shallow Ward.
Stephen Garrett, Time Out
Caton-Jones' first feature is a serious, almost low-key affair, strong on period detail and imbued with a sense of genuine outrage.
Margaret Moser, Austin Chronicle
In Scandal director Caton-Jones has faithfully recreated early Sixties swinging London, with its East End nightlife, ska clubs, and girls galore.
Neil Smith, Total Film
While Bridget Fonda fails to nail Mandy Rice-Davies' accent as effectively as she depicts her cheeky brio, it's made up for by quality extras and the restoration of orgy footage considered too racy by the American censors.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Instead of sleaze, director Caton-Jones and screenwriter Michael Thomas deliver a vindication of the affair's chief scapegoats -- Ward and Keeler -- in the form of a two-hour nostalgia trip, with some complex and powerful performances.
Jon Fortgang, Film4
A quality cast, polished writing and the atmospheric evocation of Soho and Whitehall sleaze make for a powerful depiction of Ward's fall from grace.
, Empire Magazine
If you're familiar with the scandal in question, this does an excellent job in unravelling what it was actually all about.
Gary Thompson, Philadelphia Daily News
The movie is at its best when examining the complex character of Ward
Candice Russell, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Call it a hindsight view of British history, an unnecessarily controversial film about the uses of sex, or a perverse love story -- any of the descriptions will fit Scandal.
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.

Read all 15 critic reviews

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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
Brian R

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… 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. I was completely lost for words as I watched Michael Caton-Jones "Scandal". It is a fascinating and yet complex film that deserves to be in good comparison to previous rise and fall pictures such as "Goodfellas", "Casino", "Nixon" and "Bonnie & Clyde". John Hurt is very good as Stephen Ward as is Ian McKellan as Profumo. The best scene in the film is during the court room, where Keeler is seen getting sandbagged with stong questions involving the scandal. A very distraught Hurt stands up and yells out to Keeler's defence (almost a cry out to God) and says..."That is not fair!". The camera focuses intensely on Hurt's face that made me cringe with sympathy. I cringed because Stephen Ward's reptuation sank faster then the Titanic. I also found Joanne Whalley to be very good and confident as Christine Keeler, Briget Fonda gives a great performance as Mandy Rice-Davies, Ian McKellan as Defence Minister John Profumo and British singer Roland Gift (Fine Young Cannibals) as Johnny Edgecombe. "Scandal" is a great film, a fascinating one that will want me to read up more on the Profumo affair.
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.

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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 more (38)

Scandal (1989)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Alec B

Lesley N

Brian R

Barry L

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