A Touch of Love (1969 film)
A Touch of Love is a 1969 British-American drama film directed by Waris Hussein and starring Sandy Dennis.[1] It was adapted by Margaret Drabble from her novel The Millstone (1965). It was entered into the 19th Berlin International Film Festival.[2]
| A Touch of Love | |
|---|---|
 DVD cover | |
| Directed by | Waris Hussein |
| Produced by | Max Rosenberg Edgar J. Scherick Milton Subotsky |
| Written by | Margaret Drabble |
| Starring | Sandy Dennis |
| Music by | Michael Dress |
| Cinematography | Peter Suschitzky |
| Edited by | Bill Blunden |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | British Lion Films Corporation (UK) Columbia Pictures (USA) |
Release date |
|
Running time | 107 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom United States |
| Language | English |
Plot
Rosamund Stacey (Sandy Dennis), a young 'bookish' girl in London society, spends her days studying for a doctorate in the British Museum and her nights avoiding the sexual attention of the men in her life. One day, all that changes; through a friend, she is introduced to rising TV newsreader/announcer George Matthews (Ian McKellen). After a further chance meeting and a tumble on the sofa, she finds herself pregnant from her first sexual encounter. After a failed attempt at self-induced abortion, Rosamund resolves to have the child, leaving her on a solitary and at times discouraging path through pregnancy and into single motherhood, aided only by her close friend Lydia (Eleanor Bron).
Cast
- Sandy Dennis as Rosamund Stacey
- Ian McKellen as George Matthews
- Eleanor Bron as Lydia Reynolds
- John Standing as Roger Henderson
- Michael Coles as Joe Hurt
- Rachel Kempson as Sister Henry
- Peggy Thorpe-Bates as Mrs. Stacey
- Kenneth Benda as Mr. Stacey
- Sarah Whalley as Octavia
- Shelagh Fraser as Miss Gurnsey
- Deborah Stanford as Beatrice
- Margaret Tyzack as Sister Bennett
- Roger Hammond as Mike
- Maurice Denham as Doctor Prothero
- Penelope Keith as nurse.
Production
Max Rosenberg of Amicus Productions had made a reputation with horror films but wanted to branch into other areas. He optioned the novel for £1,000.[3]
Reception
Milton Subotsky says the film was not a box office success but since the filmmakers sold it to the distributors for more than its cost, they made a profit. Rosenberg later said it was in his opinion the best movie that Amicus produced.[3]
References
- "A Touch of Love (1969)". BFI.
- "19th Berlin International Film Festival". Film Affinity. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
- Ed. Allan Bryce, Amicus: The Studio That Dripped Blood, Stray Cat Publishing, 2000, pp. 48–49
External links
- A Touch of Love at IMDb
- A Touch of Love at the TCM Movie Database