Sunday, Bloody Sunday (1971)

91% of critics liked it
(11 reviews)
71% of users liked it
(2,320 ratings)

This British film examines the choices individuals must make when confronted with a romantic relationship which is rewarding but does not offer them everything they want. In this sympathetic and psychologically precise drama, Alexandra Greville (Glenda Jackson), "Alex" to her friends, has a younger… More This British film examines the choices individuals must make when confronted with a romantic relationship which is rewarding but does not offer them everything they want. In this sympathetic and psychologically precise drama, Alexandra Greville (Glenda Jackson), "Alex" to her friends, has a younger man as her sometime lover, the young sculptor Bob Elkin (Murray Head). Elkin is completely open about the fact that he is also the lover of her acquaintance, Dr. Daniel Hirsch (Peter Finch). These relationships continue in some kind of equilibrium until Alex and Bob agree to house-sit the children of a couple known to the three of them. In their roles, neither Head nor Finch "swished," or otherwise catered to homosexual stereotypes, and theirs was considered to be a groundbreaking, sympathetic portrayal of this kind of relationship, not condescending in any way. One highlight of the film is a scene in which Dr. Hirsch attends the Bar Mitzvah of his nephew. This critically well-received movie was unexpectedly successful at the box office. The film's director and screenwriter, as well as Jackson and Finch, were nominated for Academy Awards. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 50 min.
Directed By: John Schlesinger
Written By: Penelope Gilliatt
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Sep 8, 1971 Wide
On DVD: Sep 16, 2003

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Years after being made, this emotionally mature drama is still poignant and touching. It holds an important place in film history offering what's the first positive image of a gay lead character--that he's Jewish doctor makes it even more significant.
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
A bold film filled with powerful performances.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...the film's '70s excess prevents it from ever becoming anything more than a time-capsule curiosity.
Gil Jawetz, DVDTalk.com
Schlesinger gets caught up in some fetishistic details that are interesting but don't lead to anything.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Groundbreaking character study very much of its time, but still worthwhile.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The film's more liberal sexual attitude was ahead of its time.

Read all 6 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Randy T

Exquisite storytelling. Socially progressive and, for 1971, quite courageous.
Danny R

A intelligent and graceful adult drama with two powerhouse performances by Peter Finch and Glenda Jackson. About the absence of love, that involves a bisexual triangle between a gay Jewish doctor and a loney middleaged woman who are both having a affair and are in love with the same… More
A intelligent and graceful adult drama with two powerhouse performances by Peter Finch and Glenda Jackson. About the absence of love, that involves a bisexual triangle between a gay Jewish doctor and a loney middleaged woman who are both having a affair and are in love with the same shallow young boyish sculptor, played by Murray Head in good performance, his youth and good looks attract both Finch and Jackson. Brilliantly directed by John Schlesinger with a superb script by Penelope Gilliatt. I cannot praise the performances of Finch and Jackson enough, Peter Finch delivers a magnificent Oscar nominated performance as man drowning in respectability, who cannot come out of the closet because of his Jewish congregation who would never understand, and Glenda Jackson is amazing and shows deep inner turmoil, as she is experiencing the stress of sharing her lover with another man. They both fear and know that this twisted triangle is about to collapse, for the young sculptor wants to leave to New York City. Made in 1971 this remarkable film was years ahead of it's time in dealing with the subject of sexuality and adult relationships. Highly Recommended.

Cast

            Glenda Jackson as Alex Greville

            Peter Finch as Dr. Daniel Hirsh

            Murray Head as Bob Elkin

            Peggy Ashcroft as Mrs. Greville

            Maurice Denham as Mr. Greville

            Vivian Pickles as Alva Hodson

            Thomas Baptiste as Prof. Johns

            George Belbin
            
            Caroline Blakiston as Rowing Woman

            Tony Britton as George Harding

            June Brown as Woman Patient

            Marie Burke as Aunt Astrid

            Ellis Dale
            
            Daniel Day-Lewis as [uncredited]

            Gabrielle Daye
            
            Edward Evans
            
            Jon Finch as Scotsman

            Ann Firbank as Party Guest

            Harold Goldblatt as Daniel's Father

            Peter Halliday as Her Husband

            Douglas Lambert as Man At Party

            Bessie Love as Answering Service Lady

            Hannah Norbert as Daniel's Mother

            Richard Pearson as Middle-Age Patient

            John Rae
            
            Robert Rietty as Daniel's Brother

            Frank Windsor as Bill Hodson

            Russell Lewis as Timothy Hodson

            Richard Loncraine as Tony Bob's Partner

            Royce Mills
            
            Joe Wadham
            
            Cindy Burrows as Alex as a Child

            Emma Schlesinger as Tess Hodson

            Kimi Tallmadge as Lucy Hodson

            Patrick Thornberry as Baby John Stuart Hodson
See full cast