Women in Love (1970)

Best movie of this year hands down!

Don't listen to the negative reviews

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

After the production code ended and before political correctness started there was an era of almost complete cinematic freedom. This film is of that time. Glenda Jackson and Jennie Linden play Gudrun and Ursula, a pair of sisters in 1920s England with unconventional views on love. One day while rubbernecking at a wedding, the see the brother of the bride (Oliver Reed) and his best friend (Alan Bates) and after another meeting or two begin torrid relationships. The two couples fornicate their way through life, spouting philosophical nonsense, until another man shows up on a ski trip in Switzerland. I think the scene that summed it all up for me was when Gudrun and Ursula wandered off at a garden party. Ursula is singing, and a herd of cattle show up, frightening her. Gudrun confronts that cattle -- with interpretive dance. The cattle, suitably baffled, wander off, realizing that the film already has enough BS and doesn't need theirs.. Oh, and the couple that got married at the beginning drown themselves at the garden party to get out of this turkey. Jackson won an Oscar in a weak year for actresses. I can't blame her; she does the best she can with the leaden material. I give this one a 5/10 for cinematography and for the historical value of being what passed for sexual shock value in 1969.

I've always been attracted to this movie. It came out where young people were exploring more freedom in sexuality and sexual expression. A particularly memorable scene involves Alan Bates describing the correct way to eat a fig. There is never been a more sensual description of a vagina in bloom than Bate's fig description, at least on film. Ken Russell does a wonderful job in bringing this D.H. Lawrence to life. The movie beautifully, and repeatedly, contrasts the sensuality to life with the brutality of the industrial revolution in England immediately after WWI when two sisters, Gudrun Brangwen (Glenda Jackson) and Ursula Brangwen (Jennie Linden) find two very different types of men (Alan Bates and Oliver Reed) to love. Conventionality also clashes with idealism in this movie too. This is made clear when the two couples decide to vacation in Zermatt. For me, one of the most memorable visual shots of the movie occurs when the two couples first arrive in Zermatt, and Glenda Jackson holds her arms in the air to greet the Matterhorn (Mont Cervin) as if her arms were the labia of a vagina, opening widely to fully embrace an erect penis. In this shot, this is nature representing the joy of human sensuality.

I do not usually like Ken Russell films but this one is excellent.There are many good scenes but the one I always recall is when Gerald Crich (Oliver Reed)is stood in the graveyard just after his father's funeral and digs his hand into the soil squeezing the earth into his fist and then making his way to see Gudrun (Glenda Jackson). This part of the film creates an eerily strange atmosphere helped by an excellent soundtrack. I was very impressed with all the actors but particularly by Oliver Reed who in the early part of the film is very Oliver Reed like, but later becomes a very vulnerable character. Well done Ken Russell you made a great picture to be proud of.

Ken Russells 1969 take on D.H Lawrences classic tale of sexual desire and awakening is nothing less than a masterpiece.Set in the early 1920's in England it tells the story of two sisters looking for love where ever they can find it.There's Gudren(Glenda Jackson)the elder desperate for the physical sensations of love and to hell with the consequences.Then there's shy Ursula(Jenny Lindon)who want's the emotional intimacy love can provide and may appear quiet and reserved but inside has passions just waiting to be released.They fall in love with two men who are the best of friends and who may have sexual feelings for each other as well.Heir apparent to a successful mining company Gerald Critch(Oliver Reed)and Boheminan Rupert Birkin(Alan Bates).Ursula falls deeply in love with Birkin who promptly marries her while Gerald embarks on an often painful affair with Gudren.I see the women here as the female versions of Gerald and Birkin.Gudren is Birkin seething with passion for Gerald and not afraid of making her feelings and emotions known whether in public or not.Whereas Ursula is Gerald controlled,reserved and quiet on the outside but inside harbours such strong feelings they could tear her apart.Each man marries the opposite of his own nature therefore fulfilling their desires to be together even if in reality they can never be together.Famous for it's use of full frontal nudity and sexual subject matter it's also best remembered for the nude wrestling match between Birkin and Gerald which can be seen as a physical form of their desire for each other.With unforgettable performances from the leads and a young Eleanor Bron as Hermione Roddice who's in love with Birkin. Moving,beautiful and haunting Women In Love is a love story that will stay with you long after you've seen it.