Women in Love 4K 1969 Ultra HD 2160p

Storyline
The battle of the sexes and relationships among the elite of Britain's industrial Midlands in the 1920s. Gerald Crich and Rupert Berkin are best friends who fall in love with a pair of sisters Gudrun, a sculptress and Ursula Brangwen, a schoolteacher. Rupert marries Ursula, Gerald begins a love affair with Gudrun, and the foursome embarks upon a Swiss honeymoon. But the relationships take markedly different directions, as Russell explores the nature of commitment and love. Rupert and Ursula learn to give themselves to each other. The more withdrawn Gerald cannot, finally, connect with the demanding and challenging Gudrun.

User Review

It is no coincidence that the male actors appear first in the cast, although the title and synopsis might suggest that women will set the tone. Alas, more space is devoted to male doubts, reflections on their hobbies and passions, marriage and love, relationships with their parents (Gerald's family is shown in great detail) and with each other.

Strange sisters. Ursula loves Rupert, constantly demands that he return her love, and is upset that she is not enough for him (in every sense): he needs to interact with other people. Despite all this, they have no children (and their absence is not explained in any way, although in the 1920s there was no modern contraception), but it is precisely a child that this couple lacks: for the mother, he would be the obvious fruit of their love, and the father would have less time for empty musings. The other sister is as harsh as her name suggests—Gudrun (named after a heroine from mythology)—and is more selfish and secretive. She ended up with a man who is conceited and insecure, probably as a complement to her, but he is also quick-tempered and jealous.

The film cannot be called the story of two sisters: too small a segment of their lives is shown. It is also unclear how, under the influence of whom or what, their life principles were formed: we see the sisters already as grown women.

The film is drawn out: Rupert wanders among the grass for a long time; the scene of Gerald and Rupert fighting naked lasts too long, etc. If it had been shortened by 20 minutes in the middle, it would not have been so tedious to watch.

The film leaves a mixed impression: it was worth watching, but the characters do not evoke much sympathy or empathy. You watch them like a naturalist observing phenomena of nature.

In the end, the film didn't touch me, and I won't recommend it to my friends, but I will read the novel: I like to compare film adaptations with books. That's actually why I watched it (although I usually try to read the book first). For its time, it was probably very shocking: there are many erotic scenes, the ending is ambiguous (either Rupert is bisexual and wants to become Gerald's lover, or the director just wanted to intrigue the audience), and there are gay characters. Nowadays, this is common in British films.

The landscapes of Britain and Europe are beautiful. The actors perform well. The music is not memorable.

I don't know whether to consider it a merit or a flaw that you need to read the book to understand the details: after all, a film is a work of a different genre and should be self-sufficient.

Info Video

Codec: HEVC / H.265 (80.7 Mb/s)
Resolution: 4K (2160p)
HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10
Original aspect ratio: 1.75:1

Info Audio

#English: FLAC 1.0
#English: Dolby Digital 2.0 (Commentary by director Ken Russell)
#English: Dolby Digital 2.0 (Commentary by writer and producer Larry Kramer)
#English: Dolby Digital 2.0 (The Guardian Lecture: Glenda Jackson interviewed at the National Film Theatre)

Info Subtitles