A Touch of Love (1969 film)
A Touch of Love is a 1969 British drama film directed by Waris Hussein and adapted by Margaret Drabble from her novel The Millstone (1965).[2] The film stars Sandy Dennis, Ian McKellen, Michael Coles, John Standing and Eleanor Bron. It was entered into the 19th Berlin International Film Festival.[3]
| A Touch of Love | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Waris Hussein |
| Screenplay by | Margaret Drabble |
| Based on | The Millstone by Margaret Drabble |
| Produced by | |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Peter Suschitzky |
| Edited by | Bill Blunden |
| Music by | Michael Dress |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | British Lion Films |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 107 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Budget | £304,512[1] |
Plot
Rosamund Stacey, a young bookish girl in London society, spends her days studying for a doctorate in the British Museum and her nights avoiding the sexual attention of the men in her life. One day, all that changes; through a friend, she is introduced to rising TV newsreader/announcer George Matthews. After a further chance meeting and a tumble on the sofa, she finds herself pregnant from her first sexual encounter. After a failed attempt at self-induced abortion, Rosamund resolves to have the child, leaving her on a solitary and at times discouraging path through pregnancy and into single motherhood, aided only by her close friend Lydia.
Cast
- Sandy Dennis as Rosamund
- Ian McKellen as George
- Michael Coles as Joe
- John Standing as Roger
- Peggy Thorpe-Bates as Mrs. Stacey
- Kenneth Benda as Mr. Stacey
- Deborah Stanford as Beatrice
- Roger Hammond as Mike
- Eleanor Bron as Lydia
- Margaret Tyzack as Sister Bennett
- Maurice Denham as Doctor Prothero
- Rachel Kempson as Sister Harvey
Release
Box office
Milton Subotsky said the film was not a box office success, but since the filmmakers sold it to the distributors for more than its cost, they made a profit. Rosenberg later said it was in his opinion the best film that Amicus produced.[4]
References
- Chapman, James (2022). The Money Behind the Screen: A History of British Film Finance, 1945–1985. Edinburgh University Press. p. 361. ISBN 978-1-3995-0076-0.
- "A Touch of Love (1969)". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 1 April 2019.
- "19th Berlin International Film Festival". FilmAffinity. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
- Bryce, Allan, ed. (2000). Amicus: The Studio That Dripped Blood. Stray Cat Publishing. pp. 48–49. ISBN 978-0-9533-2613-6.