Brief Encounter
1945 · Movie · NR · 86 min · ★ 7.7 · 93% critics
A chance meeting brings two ordinary married people together, and their casual friendship slowly grows into something deeper. As their weekly visits become more meaningful, both must face the strain this could place on their families and the difficult choice between desire and duty.
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Details
- Years
- 1945
- Release date
- 1945-11-24
- Language
- English
- Rated
- NR
- Runtime
- 86 min
- Critic score
- 93/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.7/10 (703 votes)
- Budget
- $1,000,000
About
You may like this if you enjoy quiet, emotional stories about impossible romance and difficult choices, especially with a classic period feel; not for you if you want fast pacing or a more modern, outspoken approach.
Pros: restrained performances; tender romance; strong atmosphere | Cons: dated feelings; overbearing narration; uneven side scenes
Themes
- infidelity
- farewell
- husband wife relationship
- narration
- marriage
- housewife
- duty
- black and white
- doctor
- love affair
- tearjerker
- told in flashback
- +6 more
Awards & recognition
- National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
- Academy Award — Best Actress · 1947 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay · 1947 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Director · 1947 · nominated
Cast & crew
Celia Johnson
as Laura Jesson
Trevor Howard
as Dr. Alec Harvey
Stanley Holloway
as Albert Godby
Joyce Carey
as Myrtle Bagot
Cyril Raymond
as Fred Jesson
Everley Gregg
as Dolly Messiter
Marjorie Mars
as Mary Norton
Margaret Barton
as Tea Room Assistant Beryl Walters
- WB
Wilfred Babbage
as Policeman at War Memorial (uncredited)
Alfie Bass
as Waiter at the Royal (uncredited)
Directed by David Lean