Women In Love (1969)

90% of critics liked it
(10 reviews)
74% of users liked it
(2,518 ratings)

Women in Love is set in 1920s England, where free-spirited artist Gudrun (Glenda Jackson) and her schoolteacher sister Ursula (Jennie Linden) make the acquaintance of lifelong friends Gerald (Oliver Reed) and Rupert (Alan Bates). The foursome attends a picnic in honor of a pair of newlyweds, who put… More Women in Love is set in 1920s England, where free-spirited artist Gudrun (Glenda Jackson) and her schoolteacher sister Ursula (Jennie Linden) make the acquaintance of lifelong friends Gerald (Oliver Reed) and Rupert (Alan Bates). The foursome attends a picnic in honor of a pair of newlyweds, who put a damper on the proceedings (literally!) by drowning in a nearby lake. Evidently unscathed by this tragedy, Gerald and Rupert participate in a nude wrestling match later that evening (this was the sequence that got the most press, thanks to fleeting glimpses of the male stars' privates). Gerald marries Gudrun, Rupert weds Ursula, and the foursome embarks upon a Swiss honeymoon. The holiday is marred by infidelity and sudden death, leaving Rupert to wonder aloud just what it is that makes men and women "tick." An Academy Award went to Glenda Jackson, while nominations were bestowed upon screenwriter Larry Kramer and cinematographer Billy Williams (who received an uncredited assist from director Ken Russell). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr. 9 min.
Directed By: Ken Russell
Written By: Larry Kramer
Genres: Drama, Romance, Art House & International, Classics

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1969 Wide
On DVD: Mar 4, 2003
Studio: United Artists

Critic Reviews

Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Controversial for its time Ken Russell classic.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Though deviating from D.H. Lawrence's novel considerably, this is Ken Russell's most fully realized narrative film, lavishly mounted and well acted, especially by Glenda Jackson in an Oscar-winning performance.
Jonathan R. Perry, Tyler Morning Telegraph (Texas)
Crass, funny, literate -- and essential for anyone who wants to seee D.H. Lawrence "faithfully" adapted. Remember the time before Ken Russell took his gonzo Viagra pill.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Brilliant film adaptation of the Lawrence novel.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Randy T

Russel had me right up until he had Alan Bates and Oliver Reed engage in naked wrestling. A wonderful film in spite of its homoerotic lapses.
Anthony L

Ken Russell really was a one off. He threw the rule book out the window when he adapted Women in Love from D. H. Lawrence's classic novel. Although it's set in the 1920's there is very much a late 60's feel about it, it's not dated as such but it's very… More
Ken Russell really was a one off. He threw the rule book out the window when he adapted Women in Love from D. H. Lawrence's classic novel. Although it's set in the 1920's there is very much a late 60's feel about it, it's not dated as such but it's very much of its time. I think this film is unfortunately remembered for all the wrong reasons thought and by that I mean remembered for all the wrong scenes - namely the nude wrestling scene. It's not a bad scene but you have other, great scenes with amazing performances and cinematography. The script is killer and the entire cast is astonishingly good and yet unsurprisingly so. Regarded as a classic, yet so few people seem to have seen it, I'm not sure why I left it so long myself either. Highly recommended!
Robert C

An all around good film. Cast - Story - Cinematography.
Stella D

for all his excesses, russell really hit his mark here. one of the most sensual films i've ever seen and a magnificent interpretation of lawrence's work
Byron B

There are not very many Oscar winning movies that I thought were awful. I think that just about any movie that has been nominated for or won an Oscar is a step above. My average ratings are fairly high because I have seen a lot more good movies than bad. But I just didn't… More
There are not very many Oscar winning movies that I thought were awful. I think that just about any movie that has been nominated for or won an Oscar is a step above. My average ratings are fairly high because I have seen a lot more good movies than bad. But I just didn't understand this one. Maybe I got a bad video transfer that was making it hard to even hear the dialog or maybe this is simply too dated. I'm going to use the same review for this and Room at the Top because I don't know what else to say about it.
Dimitris S

Fantastic,Lawrence's best adaptation out of the many prolific novels he wrote.The couples proceed in a distasteful arrogance to bonds and statuesque expressions,so Russell follows their unorthodox methods of communication and brings a fresh air before the dawn of 70's.