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{{Short description|2004 British-Australian drama film}}
{{Infobox_Film
{{Use British English|date=February 2012}}
| name = The Libertine
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
| image = The Libertine film.jpg
{{Infobox film
| caption = ''The Libertine'' film poster
| writer = [[Stephen Jeffreys]]
| name = The Libertine
| image = The Libertine film.jpg
| starring = [[Johnny Depp]]<br />[[John Malkovich]]<br />[[Samantha Morton]]<br />[[Rosamund Pike]]
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Laurence Dunmore]]
| director = [[Laurence Dunmore]]
| producer = John Malkovich,<br />Lianne Halfon,<br />[[Russell Smith]]
| screenplay = [[Stephen Jeffreys]]
| cinematography=[[Alexander Melman]]
| based_on = {{based on|''The Libertine''<!--Do not link--> (play)|Stephen Jeffreys}}
| music = [[Michael Nyman]]
| producer = [[John Malkovich]]<br>[[Lianne Halfon]]<br>[[Russell Smith (producer)|Russell Smith]]
| editing = [[Jill Bilcock]]
| starring = [[Johnny Depp]]<br>[[Samantha Morton]]<br>[[John Malkovich]]
| distributor = [[The Weinstein Company]]
| cinematography = Alexander Melman
| released = [[23 November]] [[2004]]( UK), [[10 March]] [[2005]] (U.S.)
| runtime = 130 minutes/UK: 114 [[minutes|mn]]
| music = [[Michael Nyman]]
| language = English
| editing = [[Jill Bilcock]]
| studio = [[Isle of Man Film]]<br>[[Odyssey Entertainment]]
| budget =
| distributor = [[Entertainment Film Distributors]] (United Kingdom)<ref name=bom /><br>[[Roadshow Films]] (Australia)<ref name=bom />
| imdb_id = 0375920
| released = {{Film date|2005|11|11|[[AFI Fest]]<!--First evidence of screening as a completed film; 2004 TIFF screening was presented as a
"work-in-progress"-->|2005|11|18|df=yes|United Kingdom}}
| runtime = 114 minutes
| country = United Kingdom<br>{{cn span|Australia|date=December 2023}}
| language = English
| budget =
| gross = $10.9 million<ref name=bom />
}}
}}
'''''The Libertine''''' is a 2005<!--See release section--> [[Historical drama|period]] [[Drama (film and television)|drama film]], the first film directed by [[Laurence Dunmore]]. It was adapted by [[Stephen Jeffreys]] from his play of the same name, and stars [[Johnny Depp]] and [[Samantha Morton]] as [[John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester]] and [[Elizabeth Barry]], with [[John Malkovich]], [[Rosamund Pike]], [[Rupert Friend]], and [[Kelly Reilly]] in supporting roles. Set in 1675 England, the film chronicles the life of the decadent but brilliant Earl of Rochester, who is asked by [[Charles II of England|King Charles II]] to write a play celebrating his reign, while simultaneously training [[Elizabeth Barry]] to improve her acting.
'''''The Libertine''''' is a [[Film|movie]] that was widely released in the [[United Kingdom]] on [[25 November]] [[2005]], and on [[10 March]] [[2006]] in the [[United States]]. (Having first been shown on [[16 September]] [[2004]] at the [[Toronto Film Festival]], and then opening in New York and Los Angeles on [[25 November]] [[2005]], for a one-week award-qualifying run.)[http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=9350]


The film was shot on location on the [[Isle of Man]] and [[Wales]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The Libertine (2004) Filming & Production |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0375920/locations#filming_locations |website=IMDb |access-date=20 December 2021}}</ref> The setting for Rochester's home of [[Adderbury]] house was filmed on location at [[Montacute House]], [[Montacute]], [[Somerset]] and [[Charlecote Park]], [[Warwickshire]].
It stars [[Johnny Depp]], [[John Malkovich]], [[Samantha Morton]], and [[Rosamund Pike]]. It is directed by [[Laurence Dunmore]] (his debut film) from [[Stephen Jeffreys]]' adaptation of his play of the same name. Johnny Depp plays the main character, [[John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester|John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester]], a notorious [[Rake (character)|rake]] and [[libertine]] [[poet]] in the court of [[Charles II of England|King Charles II]] of [[England]]. Samantha Morton plays [[Elizabeth Barry]], an actress who becomes brilliant when coached by Rochester, who is her lover. John Malkovich plays the King who cares about John dearly, but cannot have him ruin his reputation as King. A prevalent aspect of the film is the use of sex and sexually related activities as a form of common escapism. The film was rated R by the [[United States|US]] [[MPAA]]. In the UK, it has been rated [[TV Parental Guidelines#United Kingdom|18]].


== Plot ==
Lord Rochester's suspected [[bisexual]]ity is only hinted at in most of the film (besides the prologue, in which he makes a fairly blunt warning to the audience that his sexual appetite extends further than heterosexual limitations). Tabloids had Johnny Depp (Rochester) sharing a steamy kiss with [[Rupert Friend]] (Downs), but their relationship has been reduced to two brief, ambiguous scenes.
In 1675, John Wilmot, Second Earl of Rochester, delivers a prologue of themes of his fondness for drink, his sexual proclivities, and his disdain for his audience.


King Charles II retracts his banishment of the earl as he has need of him in the House of Lords. Back in London, Rochester finds his "[[Merry Gang]]" friends, [[George Etherege]] and [[Charles Sackville, 6th Earl of Dorset|Charles Sackville]], in a bawdy house. Rochester encounters on the street the thief Alcock. Impressed by his dishonesty, Rochester hires him as his [[Valet#Domestic valet|gentleman]]. The Merry Gang introduce Rochester to its newest member, 18-year-old Billy Downs. Rochester warns Downs, "Young man, you will die of this company."
'''''Tagline''': He didn't resist temptation. He pursued it.''


The Merry Gang attend a play where the actress [[Elizabeth Barry]] is booed off the stage, then refuses to participate in a [[curtain call]] and is fired. Rochester is taken with Barry, secures her re-employment with the theatre company, and undertakes to coach her in acting. Barry's acting improves dramatically and she delivers a brilliant performance in her next production. The King approaches Barry to spy on Rochester as to the progress of the intended tribute to the French Ambassador.
==Plot==
In need of Rochester’s writing skill, [[Charles II of England|King Charles II]] (Malkovich) summons the Earl (Depp) back to [[London]], retracting his earlier banishment. As in life, Rochester is shown carrying on with his friends, the Merry Gang, including [[George Etherege]] (Hollander) and [[Charles Sackville]] (Vegas). On his way back to the court, Rochester comes across a thief, Alcock (Coyle), and hires him as his [[gentleman]] on the spot. For one of his first social engagements in London, he takes in a play featuring [[Elizabeth Barry]] (Morton), who is booed off the stage and fired by the company for her poor performance. Rochester is taken with Barry and bets Etherege that can make her a renowned actress in a year’s time. As when Rochester met Barry in reality, he immediately begins to tutor her and they fall in love.


Charles, in need of money from France, asks Rochester to write a play in honour of the French Ambassador's visit. The king requests it be a "monument" to his reign. Rochester writes ''[[Sodom, or the Quintessence of Debauchery]]'', a scathing satire of the king's reign, which he claims is "a monument to Charles" — just what the king had asked for. The play involves vulgar language, simulated sex acts, and Rochester portraying the king being serviced. At the premiere, the king, clearly offended, interrupts the play and confronts Rochester on the stage, whereupon Rochester flees London.
Meanwhile, Charles asks Rochester to write a great work about him, to bolster his legacy as king. Barry delivers a brilliant performance at her next play and Etherege pays off his debt to Rochester. The king pays Barry to spy on Rochester to keep track of his progress. Billy Downs (Friend) joins the Merry Gang, and becomes a close friend of Rochester’s. Charles, in need of money from France, asks Rochester to write an extravagant play in honor of the French Ambassador’s visit, hoping it will impress the Ambassador to lend his support. Instead, Rochester writes ''A Satyr on Charles II'', which involves nude actors, phallic imagery, the distribution of ornate [[dildo]]s, and a scathingly veridical criticism of the King played by Rochester himself. Outraged, Charles interrupts the play and Rochester flees. Rochester continues to slide into debauchery, creating a skirmish outside a house of prostitution that leads to Downs’s death.


Later, Downs is mortally wounded in a sword fight outside the home of a Constable; Rochester backs away from his dying friend, whispering, "I told you."
For six months Rochester escapes the scrutiny of the King while suffering the effects of [[syphilis]]. Hiding in the English countryside under the pseudonym of Doctor Bendo with the help of Alcock and Jane, his [[concubine]] and confidant. Rochester conceals his facial [[gummata]] beneath a mask and peddles medical services. Eventually he is found, but instead of any capital punishment, the King decides a worse fate would be to ignore him, in his words, “condemning you to be you for the rest of your days”. He returns to his wife (Pike) and his home, where his mother convinces him to renounce his [[atheism]] and accept [[Christianity]].


Hiding from the king in the English countryside and sick with symptoms of [[syphilis]], Rochester peddles phoney [[gynaecology|gynaecological]] "treatments" for women, including the selling of "potions" made from Alcock's [[urine]]. Rochester's face has become disfigured by syphilitic [[gummata]], which he hides beneath a mask. Charles eventually tracks down Rochester, but decides that the worst punishment possible is to simply "let you be you." Rochester returns to his estate and wife, Elizabeth, admitting to having been constantly for five years under the influence of "the drink." Elizabeth declares her love for him.
In the meantime, Charles’s unpopular support of [[Catholicism in England]] has led to his political beating in [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Parliament]]. Unable to conceive any heirs with his wife it was feared that his Catholic brother, [[James, Duke of York]] would become king. So Parliament introduced the [[Exclusion Bill]] to deny James the throne which seemed sure to pass by 15 votes. Rochester makes a dramatic entrance into Parliament, wearing a silver nosepiece, because he is nose-less, heavy pancake makeup to conceal the ravages of syphilis, and hobbling on two canes, and eloquently denounces the Bill, to his heroic shame. As Rochester walks off, the subsequent vote kills the bill by over 40 votes. He goes to see Barry who reveals they had a daughter together, yet she rejects him. He returns to his home to his deathbed. Recalling fond memories, he dies with his wife, mother, and Alcock by his side.


Charles' choice of heir, his [[Roman Catholic]] brother [[James, Duke of York]], leads to a showdown in [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Parliament]] over the [[Exclusion Bill]] that would deny James the throne. Rochester uses [[Foundation (cosmetics)|make-up]] and a silver nose tip to hide the indications of syphilis as he enters the House of Lords hobbling on two canes. His denunciation in the Lords of the bill ingratiates the appreciation of the king when it is defeated. When Rochester reveals his desire to have wanted Barry as his wife she reveals she never had the desire to be the wife of anyone, she had a daughter by him that he was unaware of, and this daughter is called Elizabeth.
==Cast==

Rochester returns to his estate where he is bedridden in the care of Elizabeth and his mother. A priest is summoned to "bring God to him" as his mother did not want Rochester to die as an atheist, and Alcock. Before he dies, Rochester asks the priest to recite from [[Book of Isaiah]], chapter 53; he also asks his wife to retell the story of how he had abducted her when she was 18 years old and they fell in love. Rochester's death is followed by a scene of Elizabeth Barry playing the role of his wife in ''[[The Man of Mode]]'', the play about him written by his friend Etherege.

The [[epilogue]] depicts Rochester slipping into the darkness of an increasingly fading candlelight, asking "Do you like me now?"

== Cast ==
{{Cast listing|
* [[Johnny Depp]] as [[John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester]]
* [[Johnny Depp]] as [[John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester]]
* [[John Malkovich]] as King [[Charles II of England]]
* [[John Malkovich]] as [[Charles II of England|King Charles II]]
* [[Samantha Morton]] as [[Elizabeth Barry]]
* [[Samantha Morton]] as [[Elizabeth Barry]]
* [[Rosamund Pike]] as [[Elizabeth Wilmot, Countess of Rochester]] (née Elizabeth Malet)
* [[Rosamund Pike]] as [[Elizabeth Wilmot, Countess of Rochester]] (née Elizabeth Malet)
Line 45: Line 59:
* [[Jack Davenport]] as Harris
* [[Jack Davenport]] as Harris
* [[Kelly Reilly]] as Jane
* [[Kelly Reilly]] as Jane
* [[Clare Higgins]] as Molly Luscombe

* [[Francesca Annis]] as Rochester's mother
==Music==
* [[Tom Burke (actor)|Tom Burke]] as Vaughan
{{Infobox Album <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Albums -->
* [[Hugh Sachs]] as Ratcliffe
| Name = The Libertine<br><small>music for the film by Laurence Dunmore</small>
| Type = soundtrack
| Longtype =
| Artist = [[Michael Nyman]]
| Cover = Nymanlibertine.jpg
| Cover size = 200
| Caption = photograph by Michael Nyman<br>design by [[Russell Mills (artist)|Russell Mills]] and [[Michael Webster]]
| Released = [[November 29]], [[1995 in music|1995]]<br>[[June 24]], [[2008 in music|2008]] (USA: reissue)
| Recorded = August 2004 ([[Angel Studios|Angel Recording Studios Limited]], [[London]])<br>March 2005 ([[Olympic Studios]], London)
| Genre = [[Soundtrack]], [[Contemporary classical music]], [[Minimalist music]]
| Length = 48:05
| Language = English
| Label = [[MN Records]]
| Director =
| Producer = Michael Nyman
| Reviews =
| Compiler =
| Chronology =
| Last album = [[The Piano Sings]]<br>2005
| This album = [[The Libertine (2005 film)|The Libertine]]<br> 2005
| Next album = [[The Composer's Cut Series Volume I: The Draughtsman's Contract]]<br>2005
| Misc =
}}
}}


== Music ==
''The Libertine'' is the third release on [[Michael Nyman]]'s own label, [[MN Records]], and the first to receive distribution in the [[United States]], by [[Inner Knot Records]]. It is his 49th album release overall. When [[Naxos Records]] began distributing MN Records in the United States in 2008, it was included and began appearing in large quantitites in stores. This is Nyman's last score for a major motion picture to date, and his last soundtrack release.
{{Main|The Libertine (album)}}

The score includes the song "If" (as "Rochester's farewell," with partially changed lyrics, removal of the quotes from "Time Lapse" from ''[[A Zed & Two Noughts]]'', and the addition of a setting of the ''[[Kyrie]]'') performed by [[Hilary Summers]], who originally performed it in the film, ''[[Anne no nikki|The Diary of Anne Frank]]'' (1995). It also includes an abridgement by Jeffreys of one of Wilmot's most famous poems, "Signior [[Dildo]]", also sung by Ms. Summers. A recurring theme on the album which first appears in "Upon drinking in a bowl" for solo viola, became the basis of the ''Interlude in C'' for [[Accent007]] ensemble. "The maimed debauchee" is a fairly brief piece, but resembles the Interlude at its climax. The theme reappears in a longer version as "Against constancy."

The album primarily follows the order of the film, but there are exceptions, including "My Lord all-pride," which immediately follows "Signior Dildo" in the film, as Wilmot steps out from curtains painted to resemble female genitalia.


The score to the film was composed by [[Michael Nyman]], and released as ''[[The Libertine (album)|The Libertine: Music for the Film by Laurence Dunmore]]'' in November 2005. The music represents Nyman's last score for a major motion picture to date, and his last soundtrack release.
Portions of the score appear in all-brass arrangments on the album, [[Nyman Brass]].


===Track listing===
==Release==
An unfinished version of the film was shown at the [[2004 Toronto International Film Festival]] as a "work-in-progress".<ref name = Chagolian>{{cite news|url = https://variety.com/2005/film/awards/the-libertine-1117933012/|title = The Libertine|last = Chagolian|first = Steve|date = 15 November 2005|accessdate = 18 December 2023|work = [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> It was substantially recut before premiering in a completed version at the [[AFI Fest]] on 11 November 2005.<ref>{{cite news|url = https://reuters.screenocean.com/record/751807|title = Actor Johhny Depp and cast of "The Libertine" attend Los Angeles premiere and tribute|date = 17 November 2005|work = [[Reuters]]}}</ref> It was released in the United Kingdom on 18 November 2005.<ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.newspapers.com/image/723436316/|title = Fire and brimstone|last = Quinn|first = Anthony|newspaper = [[The Independent]]|date = 18 November 2005|page = 85|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|url-access = subscription|accessdate = 18 December 2023}}</ref>
#History of the insipid
#Upon drinking in a bowl
#Impromptu on an English court
#Upon nothing
#The maimed debauchee
#The wish
#The submission
#A ramble in St. James's Park
#The mistress
#Signior dildo
#Against constancy
#My Lord all-pride
#The imperfect enjoyment
#A satire against reason
#Rochester's farewell
#A satire upon mankind
#Upon leaving his mistress


===Personnel===
== Reception ==
=== Critical response ===
[[Michael Nyman Orchestra]]
The film received mixed to negative reviews from critics. Film review aggregator [[Rotten Tomatoes]] reported that {{RT data|score}} of 122 sampled critics gave the film positive reviews and that it got a rating average of {{RT data|average}}. The site's critical consensus reads, "Despite Johnny Depp's zealous performance, muddled direction and murky cinematography hinder The Libertine."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/libertine|title=The Libertine (2005)|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|publisher=[[Fandango Media|Fandango]]|access-date={{RT data|access date|df=dmy}}}}{{RT data|edit}}</ref> [[Metacritic]] calculated an average score of 44 out of 100 based on 30 reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews".<ref>{{cite web |title=The Libertine Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-libertine |access-date=February 28, 2022 |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]}}</ref> [[Roger Ebert]] of the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' gave the film 3 stars out of 4 praising [[Johnny Depp]]'s performance, stating "Libertines are not built for third acts. No self-respecting libertine lives that long. Johnny Depp finds sadness in the earl's descent, and a desire to be loved even as he makes himself unlovable. What a brave actor Depp is, to take on a role like this. Still, at the screenplay stage, 'The Libertine' might have seemed a safer bet than ''[[Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl|Pirates of the Caribbean]]'', a movie [which] studio executives reportedly thought was unreleasable."
*[[Gabrielle Lester|Gaby Lester]], [[violin]] ([[concertmaster|leader]])
*[[Catherine Thompson|Cathy Thompson]], violin (leader)
*[[Thomas Bowes (musician)|Thomas Bowes]], violin
*[[Beverley Davison|Bev Davison]], violin
*[[Manon Derome]], violin
*[[Clive Dobbins]], violin
*[[Jonathan Evans-Jones]], violin
*[[Rebecca Hirsch]], violin
*[[Philippa Ibbotson]], violin
*[[Helen Paterson]], violin
*[[Debbie Widdup]], violin
*[[Kate Musker]], [[viola]]
*[[Jonathan Barritt]], viola
*[[James Boyd]], viola
*[[Richard Cookson]], viola
*[[John Metcalfe]], viola
*[[Bruce White (musician)|Bruce White]], viola
*[[Tony Hinnigan]], [[cello]]
*[[Nick Cooper]], cello
*[[Sophie Harris (musician)|Sophie Harris]], cello
*[[William Scholfield]], cello
*[[Linda Houghton]], [[double bass]]
*[[Martin Elliott]], [[bass guitar]]
*[[David Roach]], [[soprano saxophone|soprano]], [[alto sax]]
*[[Simon Haram]], soprano, alto sax
*[[Jamie Talbot]], soprano, [[tenor sax]]
*[[Andrew Findon|Andy Findon]], [[baritone sax]], [[flute]], [[piccolo]]
*[[Steve Sidwell (musician)|Steve Sidwell]], [[trumpet]]
*[[Dave Lee (horn player)|David Lee]], [[horn (instrument)|horn]]
*[[Nigel Barr]], [[bass trombone]]
*[[Martin Allen]], [[percussion]]
*[[Michael Nyman]], [[piano]]


=== Box office ===
*[[Hilary Summers]], [[contralto]]
The film has grossed $4,835,065 in North America and $6,016,999 in other territories, for a total of $10,852,064 worldwide.<ref name=bom>{{cite web |title = The Libertine (2005) |url = http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=libertine.htm |work = [[Box Office Mojo]] |publisher = [[IMDb]] |access-date = 20 February 2011 }}</ref>
*[[Capital Voices]]


=== Awards and honours ===
*Music composed, [[conducted]], and produced by Michael Nyman
*Assistant to the composer: [[Andrew Keenan]]
*Recorded, mixed, and edited by [[Austin Ince]]
*Assistant Engineers: [[Mat Bartram]] and [[Roland Heap]]
*Orchestra contractor: [[Isobel Griffiths]]
*Published by [[Boosey and Hawkes Music Publisgers]]/Michael Nyman Ltd. 2005
Except Track 15, music by Michael Nyman, text by [[Stephen Jeffreys]] Published by [[Chester Music Ltd.]]/Michael Nyman Ltd. 2005


''The Libertine'' was nominated in eight categories in the [[British Independent Film Awards]] for 2005:
*Special thanks to [[Annette Gentz]], [[Elizabeth Lloyd]], [[Rachel Thomas]], [[Polly Hope]], [[Andrew Thompson]], [[James Ware]], [[Declan Colgan]] and especially [[Laurnce Dunmore]]


* Best Performance by a Supporting Actor or Actress in a British Independent Film (won by Rosamund Pike)
*Design by [[Russell Mills (artist)|Russell Mills]] (shed) [http://www.russellmills.com]
*Co-design by [[Michael Webster]] (storm) [http://www.michael-webster.co.uk]
*[[Photography]] by Michael Nyman


The other nominations were:
{{Michael Nyman}}


* Best British Independent Film
==Box office==
* Best Performance by an Actor in a British Independent Film (Johnny Depp)
The film has grossed a total of $4.8 million in the [[United States]] and $10.8 million worldwide [http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=libertine.htm]
* Best Performance by a Supporting Actor or Actress in a British Independent Film (Tom Hollander)
* Best Technical Achievement (Ben van Os)
* The [[Douglas Hickox|Douglas Hickox Award]] (Laurence Dunmore)
* Best Director of a British Independent Film (Laurence Dunmore)
* Most Promising Newcomer (Rupert Friend)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.bifa.org.uk/films/libertine | title=The Libertine | publisher=[[British Independent Film Awards]] | access-date=6 July 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091118060710/http://www.bifa.org.uk/films/libertine | archive-date=18 November 2009 | url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Trivia ==
== Home media ==
''The Libertine'' is available on DVD as of 2004.
* [[John Malkovich]], who served as both actor and producer in the film, had appeared as the main character, Lord Rochester, in its first run on stage but had himself asked [[Johnny Depp]] to take the role in the movie version.
* [[Johnny Depp]], [[Tom Hollander]], and [[Jack Davenport]] also have starring roles together in the ''[[Pirates of the Caribbean (film series)|Pirates of the Caribbean]]'' film series.
* [[Tom Hollander]], [[Rosamund Pike]], [[Kelly Reilly]], and [[Rupert Friend]] all later worked together on 2005's ''[[Pride and Prejudice (2005 film)|Pride and Prejudice]]''
* Both [[Jack Davenport]] and [[Richard Coyle]] starred in the UK-sitcom ''[[Coupling (UK TV series)|Coupling]]''
* Johnny Depp suggested that [[Captain Jack Sparrow]], his ''[[Pirates of the Caribbean (film series)|Pirates of the Caribbean]]'' character, had had his nose sliced off in a battle and had it poorly stitched back on, causing him to have a mortal fear of dust, pepper and anything else that might cause him to sneeze it off. The producers nixed the idea, but his character of Wilmot shares a similar ailment.


==External links==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
* [http://www.thelibertine-movie.com/ Official site]
* {{imdb title|id=0375920|title=The Libertine}}
* {{ymovies title|1808702664}}
* [http://www.apple.com/trailers/weinstein/thelibertine/trailer/ ''The Libertine'' trailer (Apple Quicktime format)]
*[http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/libertine/ The Libertine at Rotten Tomatoes]
* [http://www.doyoulikemenow.com Do You Like Me Now?] The ultimate guide to The Libertine


== External links ==
{{DEFAULTSORT:Libertine, The (2005 film)}}
{{Wikiquote}}
[[Category:2004 films]]
* {{IMDb title|id=0375920|title=The Libertine}}
[[Category:British films]]
* {{tcmdb title|620696|title=The Libertine}}
[[Category:Drama films]]
* {{rotten-tomatoes|id=libertine|title=The Libertine}}
[[Category:The Weinstein Company films]]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070928042241/http://www.hollywoodjesus.com/movie/libertine/notes.pdf The Libertine Press Notes]
[[Category:Films based on plays]]
[[Category:English-language films]]


[[de:The Libertine]]
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[[es:The Libertine]]
[[Category:2005 films]]
[[Category:2005 biographical drama films]]
[[fr:Rochester, le dernier des libertins]]
[[Category:2005 directorial debut films]]
[[it:The Libertine]]
[[Category:2005 drama films]]
[[ja:リバティーン]]
[[Category:2000s British films]]
[[pl:Rozpustnik (film 2004)]]
[[Category:2000s English-language films]]
[[pt:The Libertine]]
[[Category:2000s historical drama films]]
[[ru:Распутник (фильм, 2004)]]
[[Category:Australian biographical drama films]]
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[[Category:Australian historical drama films]]
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[[Category:British biographical drama films]]
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[[Category:British films based on plays]]
[[Category:British historical drama films]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Charles II of England]]
[[Category:Films scored by Michael Nyman]]
[[Category:Films set in the 17th century]]
[[Category:Films set in the 1670s]]
[[Category:Films set in the 1680s]]
[[Category:Films set in London]]
[[Category:Films set in Somerset]]
[[Category:Films shot in Wales]]
[[Category:Films shot in Warwickshire]]
[[Category:Mr. Mudd films]]

Latest revision as of 23:09, 8 February 2024

The Libertine
Theatrical release poster
Directed byLaurence Dunmore
Screenplay byStephen Jeffreys
Based onThe Libertine (play)
by Stephen Jeffreys
Produced byJohn Malkovich
Lianne Halfon
Russell Smith
StarringJohnny Depp
Samantha Morton
John Malkovich
CinematographyAlexander Melman
Edited byJill Bilcock
Music byMichael Nyman
Production
companies
Distributed byEntertainment Film Distributors (United Kingdom)[1]
Roadshow Films (Australia)[1]
Release dates
  • 11 November 2005 (2005-11-11) (AFI Fest)
  • 18 November 2005 (2005-11-18) (United Kingdom)
Running time
114 minutes
CountriesUnited Kingdom
Australia[citation needed]
LanguageEnglish
Box office$10.9 million[1]

The Libertine is a 2005 period drama film, the first film directed by Laurence Dunmore. It was adapted by Stephen Jeffreys from his play of the same name, and stars Johnny Depp and Samantha Morton as John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester and Elizabeth Barry, with John Malkovich, Rosamund Pike, Rupert Friend, and Kelly Reilly in supporting roles. Set in 1675 England, the film chronicles the life of the decadent but brilliant Earl of Rochester, who is asked by King Charles II to write a play celebrating his reign, while simultaneously training Elizabeth Barry to improve her acting.

The film was shot on location on the Isle of Man and Wales.[2] The setting for Rochester's home of Adderbury house was filmed on location at Montacute House, Montacute, Somerset and Charlecote Park, Warwickshire.

Plot[edit]

In 1675, John Wilmot, Second Earl of Rochester, delivers a prologue of themes of his fondness for drink, his sexual proclivities, and his disdain for his audience.

King Charles II retracts his banishment of the earl as he has need of him in the House of Lords. Back in London, Rochester finds his "Merry Gang" friends, George Etherege and Charles Sackville, in a bawdy house. Rochester encounters on the street the thief Alcock. Impressed by his dishonesty, Rochester hires him as his gentleman. The Merry Gang introduce Rochester to its newest member, 18-year-old Billy Downs. Rochester warns Downs, "Young man, you will die of this company."

The Merry Gang attend a play where the actress Elizabeth Barry is booed off the stage, then refuses to participate in a curtain call and is fired. Rochester is taken with Barry, secures her re-employment with the theatre company, and undertakes to coach her in acting. Barry's acting improves dramatically and she delivers a brilliant performance in her next production. The King approaches Barry to spy on Rochester as to the progress of the intended tribute to the French Ambassador.

Charles, in need of money from France, asks Rochester to write a play in honour of the French Ambassador's visit. The king requests it be a "monument" to his reign. Rochester writes Sodom, or the Quintessence of Debauchery, a scathing satire of the king's reign, which he claims is "a monument to Charles" — just what the king had asked for. The play involves vulgar language, simulated sex acts, and Rochester portraying the king being serviced. At the premiere, the king, clearly offended, interrupts the play and confronts Rochester on the stage, whereupon Rochester flees London.

Later, Downs is mortally wounded in a sword fight outside the home of a Constable; Rochester backs away from his dying friend, whispering, "I told you."

Hiding from the king in the English countryside and sick with symptoms of syphilis, Rochester peddles phoney gynaecological "treatments" for women, including the selling of "potions" made from Alcock's urine. Rochester's face has become disfigured by syphilitic gummata, which he hides beneath a mask. Charles eventually tracks down Rochester, but decides that the worst punishment possible is to simply "let you be you." Rochester returns to his estate and wife, Elizabeth, admitting to having been constantly for five years under the influence of "the drink." Elizabeth declares her love for him.

Charles' choice of heir, his Roman Catholic brother James, Duke of York, leads to a showdown in Parliament over the Exclusion Bill that would deny James the throne. Rochester uses make-up and a silver nose tip to hide the indications of syphilis as he enters the House of Lords hobbling on two canes. His denunciation in the Lords of the bill ingratiates the appreciation of the king when it is defeated. When Rochester reveals his desire to have wanted Barry as his wife she reveals she never had the desire to be the wife of anyone, she had a daughter by him that he was unaware of, and this daughter is called Elizabeth.

Rochester returns to his estate where he is bedridden in the care of Elizabeth and his mother. A priest is summoned to "bring God to him" as his mother did not want Rochester to die as an atheist, and Alcock. Before he dies, Rochester asks the priest to recite from Book of Isaiah, chapter 53; he also asks his wife to retell the story of how he had abducted her when she was 18 years old and they fell in love. Rochester's death is followed by a scene of Elizabeth Barry playing the role of his wife in The Man of Mode, the play about him written by his friend Etherege.

The epilogue depicts Rochester slipping into the darkness of an increasingly fading candlelight, asking "Do you like me now?"

Cast[edit]

Music[edit]

Main article: The Libertine (album)

The score to the film was composed by Michael Nyman, and released as The Libertine: Music for the Film by Laurence Dunmore in November 2005. The music represents Nyman's last score for a major motion picture to date, and his last soundtrack release.

Release[edit]

An unfinished version of the film was shown at the 2004 Toronto International Film Festival as a "work-in-progress".[3] It was substantially recut before premiering in a completed version at the AFI Fest on 11 November 2005.[4] It was released in the United Kingdom on 18 November 2005.[5]

Reception[edit]

Critical response[edit]

The film received mixed to negative reviews from critics. Film review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported that 33% of 122 sampled critics gave the film positive reviews and that it got a rating average of 4.8/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Despite Johnny Depp's zealous performance, muddled direction and murky cinematography hinder The Libertine."[6] Metacritic calculated an average score of 44 out of 100 based on 30 reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[7] Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film 3 stars out of 4 praising Johnny Depp's performance, stating "Libertines are not built for third acts. No self-respecting libertine lives that long. Johnny Depp finds sadness in the earl's descent, and a desire to be loved even as he makes himself unlovable. What a brave actor Depp is, to take on a role like this. Still, at the screenplay stage, 'The Libertine' might have seemed a safer bet than Pirates of the Caribbean, a movie [which] studio executives reportedly thought was unreleasable."

Box office[edit]

The film has grossed $4,835,065 in North America and $6,016,999 in other territories, for a total of $10,852,064 worldwide.[1]

Awards and honours[edit]

The Libertine was nominated in eight categories in the British Independent Film Awards for 2005:

  • Best Performance by a Supporting Actor or Actress in a British Independent Film (won by Rosamund Pike)

The other nominations were:

  • Best British Independent Film
  • Best Performance by an Actor in a British Independent Film (Johnny Depp)
  • Best Performance by a Supporting Actor or Actress in a British Independent Film (Tom Hollander)
  • Best Technical Achievement (Ben van Os)
  • The Douglas Hickox Award (Laurence Dunmore)
  • Best Director of a British Independent Film (Laurence Dunmore)
  • Most Promising Newcomer (Rupert Friend)[8]

Home media[edit]

The Libertine is available on DVD as of 2004.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d "The Libertine (2005)". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
  2. ^ "The Libertine (2004) Filming & Production". IMDb. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  3. ^ Chagolian, Steve (15 November 2005). "The Libertine". Variety. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  4. ^ "Actor Johhny Depp and cast of "The Libertine" attend Los Angeles premiere and tribute". Reuters. 17 November 2005.
  5. ^ Quinn, Anthony (18 November 2005). "Fire and brimstone". The Independent. p. 85. Retrieved 18 December 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "The Libertine (2005)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved 6 October 2021. Edit this at Wikidata
  7. ^ "The Libertine Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  8. ^ "The Libertine". British Independent Film Awards. Archived from the original on 18 November 2009. Retrieved 6 July 2010.

External links[edit]

Wikiquote has quotations related to The Libertine (2005 film).
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