The Rainbow (film)
Encyclopedia
The Rainbow is a 1989 drama film
directed by Ken Russell
. The story, adapted from the D. H. Lawrence
novel, is a prequel to Lawrence's Women in Love
, which was also made into a film by Russell in 1969.
Sammi Davis stars as "Ursula", a sheltered young schoolteacher who's taken under the wing (sexually and otherwise) by the more sophisticated "Winifred" (Amanda Donohoe). Glenda Jackson appears as the mother of the character she played in Women in Love.
Leonard Maltin
commented that "Many beautiful and striking moments don't quite gel, but still worth watching."
The film is available on DVD in the United Kingdom, but as of 17 January 2010, Lions Gate has yet to announce any plans for a region 1 DVD release.
Drama film
A drama film is a film genre that depends mostly on in-depth development of realistic characters dealing with emotional themes. Dramatic themes such as alcoholism, drug addiction, infidelity, moral dilemmas, racial prejudice, religious intolerance, poverty, class divisions, violence against women...
directed by Ken Russell
Ken Russell
Henry Kenneth Alfred "Ken" Russell was an English film director, known for his pioneering work in television and film and for his flamboyant and controversial style. He attracted criticism as being obsessed with sexuality and the church...
. The story, adapted from the D. H. Lawrence
D. H. Lawrence
David Herbert Richards Lawrence was an English novelist, poet, playwright, essayist, literary critic and painter who published as D. H. Lawrence. His collected works represent an extended reflection upon the dehumanising effects of modernity and industrialisation...
novel, is a prequel to Lawrence's Women in Love
Women in Love
Women in Love is a novel by British author D. H. Lawrence published in 1920. It is a sequel to his earlier novel The Rainbow , and follows the continuing loves and lives of the Brangwen sisters, Gudrun and Ursula. Gudrun Brangwen, an artist, pursues a destructive relationship with Gerald Crich, an...
, which was also made into a film by Russell in 1969.
Sammi Davis stars as "Ursula", a sheltered young schoolteacher who's taken under the wing (sexually and otherwise) by the more sophisticated "Winifred" (Amanda Donohoe). Glenda Jackson appears as the mother of the character she played in Women in Love.
Leonard Maltin
Leonard Maltin
Leonard Maltin is an American film and animated film critic and historian, author of several mainstream books on cinema, focusing on nostalgic, celebratory narratives.-Personal life:...
commented that "Many beautiful and striking moments don't quite gel, but still worth watching."
The film is available on DVD in the United Kingdom, but as of 17 January 2010, Lions Gate has yet to announce any plans for a region 1 DVD release.
Cast
- Sammi DavisSammi DavisSammi Davis is a British actress.She gained considerable praise for her performance in Ken Russell's The Rainbow...
- Ursula Brangwen - Paul McGannPaul McGannPaul McGann is an English actor who made his name on the BBC serial The Monocled Mutineer, in which he played the lead role...
- Anton Skrebensky - Amanda DonohoeAmanda DonohoeAmanda Donohoe is an English film and television actress. She is known for her 1980s relationship with popstar Adam Ant and her later work on television — including L.A. Law and Emmerdale — and her roles in successful movies including Liar, Liar.-Early life:Donohoe was born in London, the daughter...
- Winifred Inger - Christopher GableChristopher GableChristopher Gable, CBE was an English ballet dancer, choreographer, and actor.Born in London, Gable studied at the Royal Ballet School, joining the Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet in 1957...
- Will Brangwen - David HemmingsDavid HemmingsDavid Edward Leslie Hemmings was an English film, theatre and television actor as well as a film and television director and producer....
- Uncle Henry - Glenda JacksonGlenda JacksonGlenda May Jackson, CBE is a British Labour Party politician and former actress. She has been a Member of Parliament since 1992, and currently represents Hampstead and Kilburn. She previously served as MP for Hampstead and Highgate...
- Anna Brangwen - Dudley SuttonDudley Sutton-Life:He served in the RAF as a mechanic before enrolling in the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art from which he was later expelled.Known for his eccentricity, he became a cult figure after playing a gay biker in The Leather Boys . He married American actress Marjorie Steele in 1961; she had previously...
- MacAllister - Jim Carter - Mr. Harby
- Judith Paris - Miss Harby
- Kenneth ColleyKenneth ColleyKenneth Colley is an English actor. A long-time character actor, he came to wider prominence through his role as Admiral Piett in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi....
- Mr. Brunt - Glenda McKayGlenda McKayGlenda McKay is a British actress.She is best known for playing the character of Rachel Hughes on the popular ITV soap Emmerdale from 1988 until the character was killed off in 1999, in an iconic scene where she is pushed of a cliff by Graham Clark.Glenda's brother Craig McKay also starred...
- Gudrun Brangwen - Mark Owen - Jim Richards
- Ralph Nossek - Vicar
- Nicola StephensonNicola StephensonNicola Stephenson is an English actress. She is known mainly for her roles in television, which include Margaret Clemence in Brookside, Julie Fitzjohn/Bradford in Holby City, Suzie Davidson in Clocking Off, Jackie in ITV's Christmas Lights/Northern Lights/City Lights, and Sarah Williams in BBC's...
- Ethel - Molly Russell - Molly Brangwen
- Alan Edmondson - Billy Brangwen
- Rupert Russell - Rupert Brangwen
- Richard PlattRichard PlattBritish author Richard Platt was born in Northumberland in 1953. He started writing when aged 27 with how-to articles and books about photography. By 1992 he had begun writing non-fiction books for children, initially collaborating with Stephen Biesty in a successful series that capitalized on the...
- Chauffeur - Bernard Latham - Uncle Alfred
- John TamsJohn TamsJohn Tams is an English actor, singer, songwriter, composer and musician.- Folk musician :John Tams was a member of Derbyshire folk group Muckram Wakes in the 1970s, then worked with Ashley Hutchings as singer and melodeon-player on albums including Son of Morris On, and as a member of the...
- Uncle Frank - Zoe Brown - Ursula (aged 3)
- Amy EvansAmy EvansAmy Evans was a Welsh soprano and actress known for her performances in oratorio, recitals, and opera. She also made some music recordings beginning in 1906. In 1910, she played the leading role of Selene in W. S. Gilbert's last opera, Fallen Fairies and sang at the Royal Opera House the same...
- Baby Gudrun - Sam McMullen - Winifred's Baby