THE WINGS OF THE DOVE Special Presentation

Based on Henry James’ tumof-
the-century tale of passion and
betrayal, this stunningly
photographed story unfolds amidst
fashionable London townhouses
and gilded Venetian palazzos.
Kate (Helena Bonham Carter)
is a spirited, intelligent woman who
finds herself in a struggle between
her head and her heart, between the
safety of 19th century society and
the freedom of 20th century
passion. Taken in by a wealthy aunt
(Charlotte Rampling) in the wake
of her mother’s death, Kate enters
an alluring world of fashionable
London townhouses and society
parties – a world in which marriage
to a wealthy suitor perpetuates a
rigid class system in which she is
now an elite. For Kate, marriage is
more than a passageway to comfort
and wealth; it is also the key to
keeping her destitute father
(Michael Gambon) safe from harm.
But Kate is also illicitly in
love with Merton, a common
journalist (Linus Roache). Now
Kate must make an impossible
choice: marry the man she loves
and lose all chance at a life of
wealth and social standing or leave
her lover to assume her rightful
place in society. A visiting
American heiress (Alison Elliott)
poses an unusual solution that will
lead all three of them into a world
of dizzying possibilities and
unexpected consequences.

Details

Country: UK

Year: 1997

Directors: Iain Softley, Gala Wright

Producers: Stephen Evans, David Parfitt

Director of Photography: Eduardo Serra

Editor: Tariq Anwar

Cast/Featuring: Helena Bonham Carter (Kate Croy), Linus Roache (Merton Densher), Alison Elliott (Millie Theale), Charlotte Rampling (Aunt Maude), Elizabeth McGovern (Susan)

Running Time (minutes): 103 min

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