British Universities Film & Video Council

moving image and sound, knowledge and access

Educating Rita

Synopsis
Feature film about a hairdresser (Walters) who, against the wishes of her family, enrols on a literature course at the Open University. Her tutor (Caine) is a disillusioned, heavy drinking middle-aged man with whom she forms a romantic relationship. After seeing a production of Macbeth, Rita immediately visits Frank to tell him about her experience. The dialogue which ensues makes clear the differences between Rita’s popular understanding of the play, and Frank’s academic analysis. Rita later writes an essay on the play. When Rita asks Denny (her husband) if he has seen Macbeth he responds ‘we’re not good enough for you now’.
Language
English
Country
Great Britain
Medium
Film
Technical information
Colour / Sound
Year of release
1983
Duration
110 mins; 9,934 feet

Credits

Director
Lewis Gilbert
Producer
Lewis Gilbert
Cinematographer
Frank Watts
Screenplay
Willy Russell
Music
David Hentschel
Cast
Julie Walters`Rita’ Susan
Malcolm DouglasDenny
Michael CaineDr Frank Bryant

Additional Details

Production type
Fiction Films
Plays
Macbeth
Keywords
Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)

Notes

General
Based on Willy Russell’s stage play of the same name.

Production Company

Name

Acorn Pictures

Distributor (Sale)

Name

Retail outlets

Record Stats

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