Caroline is to be wed to Sir Ralph and invites her sister Barbara to be her bridesmaid. Barbara seduces Ralph, however, and she becomes the new Lady, but despite her new wealthy situation, s... Read allCaroline is to be wed to Sir Ralph and invites her sister Barbara to be her bridesmaid. Barbara seduces Ralph, however, and she becomes the new Lady, but despite her new wealthy situation, she gets bored and turns to highway robbery for thrills. While on the road she meets a famo... Read allCaroline is to be wed to Sir Ralph and invites her sister Barbara to be her bridesmaid. Barbara seduces Ralph, however, and she becomes the new Lady, but despite her new wealthy situation, she gets bored and turns to highway robbery for thrills. While on the road she meets a famous highwayman, and they continue as a team, but some people begin suspecting her identity,... Read all
- Awards
- 1 nomination
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaFaye Dunaway turned down a role of Regan in a British television production of King Lear (1983) starring Sir Laurence Olivier to be in this movie.
- GoofsDuring the seduction scene with Kit and Caroline, some of the portraits on the walls are obviously 18th century.
- Quotes
Jerry Jackson: [Barbara bursts in on Jackson and his wench] Ah... she... she means nothing to me!
Jackson's Girl: What?
Lady Barbara Skelton: This wench, cheap as she looks, will cost you dear.
[Barbara leaves]
Jackson's Girl: Who the fuck was that?
- Alternate versionsUK censor James Ferman requested cuts for the UK cinema version to the infamous horse-whip fight between Faye Dunaway and Marina Sirtis claiming that shots of whipped breasts should not be passed by the BBFC. However he was overruled following protests by Michael Winner, who was supported by Kingsley Amis and Karel Reisz (among others) after they viewed a private showing of the film. Following the introduction of the 1984 Video Recordings Act Ferman got his wish and the scene was edited by 13 secs for the 1987 VCI video release. Those cuts were waived for the 2016 video release.
- ConnectionsFeatured in X-Rated (2004)
- SoundtracksCuckolds All A Row
(uncredited)
Traditional: Playford's Dancing master, 1651
Of course, fine as the labor may be, it is the least of what makes a film worth watching. Very importantly, I think the screenplay devised between Winner and Leslie Arliss is, generally, actually very good. A bored noblewoman becoming a highwayman and reveling in the rush of it is a great concept, and there are a lot of terrific ideas herein. While the dialogue and characters mostly just serve their purposes, they do it well, and there are some worthwhile complexities here and there. The core of the narrative is quite strong, though overall it could stand to be more tightly focused. Still, even in those instances that seem a digression, the scene writing is gratifyingly varied and dynamic, and engaging. And in those moments characterized by action, adventure, or genuine comedy, the writers' enthusiasm for sensationalism is a bit tawdrily common, yet these are the moments that are the best strength of 'The wicked lady,' not least of all as they are contrasted with more quiet drama.
Broadly speaking I feel the acting is perfectly suitable. Performances at large aren't terribly remarkable, but nor do I find fault. On the contrary, there are a few faces that stand out to me as noteworthy. Though hers is only a small (and unnamed) supporting part - and, let's face it, not written well - it's a minor joy to see Marina Sirtis take on a role that's surely among the more action-oriented of any we've seen from her, including even in 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' and its feature films. It's always a pleasure to see Denholm Elliott, and if inconsistently, his role as Sir Skelton allows him to demonstrate a different side compared to what we're used to seeing. Above all, John Gielgud is an unlikely surprise in his major supporting role as Hogarth. Presupposing for a moment that all others in the cast were instructed to be very straightforward in their depictions, Gielgud didn't get the memo, for he illustrates welcome nuance and poise defying the scope of this title. Good for him!
More so than not, I think 'The wicked lady' is just what filmmaker Winner had intended from the start - a wild, fun, sometimes violent romp, constructed from a period picture. There's quite a lot to like here. Unfortunately, there's no getting around the fact that it's definitely weighed down by some aspects that just don't make the grade. I spoke of sensationalism in the scene writing, and in that I speak not least of all of a needless bounty of gratuitous nudity, frankly tasteless and crude. The movie mostly keeps a steady pace, but only after the first half hour, which seems to drag on interminably. In addition, there are some points throughout the remainder that still give the nagging feeling of being a little too long, and unnecessary. And while star Faye Dunaway accordingly mentioned in interviews that she enjoyed making this movie, to be blunt it doesn't really show in the performance she's turned in. From the beginning Dunaway would seem to adopt an appropriate air of haughty, self-confident imperiousness in portraying protagonist Barbara, but it comes across as stilted and forced, as though she were on medication at the time that dulled her senses and she had to forge through the stupor. And in the very last scene, where one would think it matters most, her acting is altogether unconvincing. It's possible my assessment is colored by having read ahead of time that Dunaway was nominated for a Golden Raspberry award for her show, and it's also possible that director Winner had a guiding hand in her approach to her scenes. Whatever the case may be, however, the result is the same, and the lead performance is lacking.
I began watching with low expectations, and those expectations were exceeded. On the balance I believe there's more value in 'The wicked lady' than it would seem to be credited with, and I really do think there's a strong foundation here for an excellent period adventure film. Regrettably, sometimes in the moments of utmost daring-do the vigor just isn't shared with the audience, and other distinct shortcomings absolutely hold it back. Why, there are some themes in the writing that deserved more exploration - but, for example, the classism that's rampant in the attitudes of Sir Skelton's fellow lords is of more use in establishing the setting than in propelling the narrative. When all is said and done I think 'The wicked lady' is entertaining, and worth a look if you chance upon it - but there's no need to go out of your way, and a small asterisk should be appended for where it stumbles. Alas.
- I_Ailurophile
- May 4, 2022
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Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Die verruchte Lady
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $8,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $724,912
- Gross worldwide
- $724,912