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The Duchess

Play trailer 2:19 Poster for The Duchess PG-13 Released Sep 19, 2008 1h 49m History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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62% Tomatometer 170 Reviews 67% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Though adored by the people, the Duchess of Devonshire (Keira Knightley) is not content to sit as a pretty figurehead. Determined to be a major player in affairs of state, she rises to the forefront of the Whig Party and helps usher in reform in late-1700s England. The one thing it seems she cannot do is win the heart of her husband (Ralph Fiennes).
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The Duchess

The Duchess

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Critics Consensus

While The Duchess treads the now-familiar terrain of the corset-ripper, the costumes look great and Keira Knightley's performance is stellar in this subtly feminist, period drama.

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Critics Reviews

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Deborah Ross The Spectator This is meant to be Ms Knightley's film, and in many ways it is. She is in every frame, looks dazzling throughout, and must act with something behind the eyes because in two of her scenes... I welled up rather seriously. Aug 23, 2018 Full Review Tasha Robinson Chicago Tribune It's disturbingly shallow, focused so tightly on one woman's feelings of repression and loneliness that it lacks any perspective on their causes. Rated: 2.5/4 Oct 18, 2008 Full Review Claudia Puig USA Today It chronicles the saga of a vibrant and forward-thinking woman hampered by the constraints of a rigid society. Rated: 3/4 Oct 18, 2008 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review As a probe into the sexual politics of eighteenth-century England, The Duchess effectively paints an unremitting portrait of how love and breeding greatly differed among the social elite. Rated: 3/4 Mar 20, 2024 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Hands Keira Knightley another plum leading role and serves as yet another example of how Ralph Fiennes' brooding brand of acting can be successfully employed for all manner of characters. Rated: 3/4 Sep 19, 2021 Full Review James Croot The Post NZ The film's real scene-stealer is Fiennes... Despite playing a cad of few words, he manages to elicit both hatred and sympathy from the audience in equal amounts. Rated: 4/5 Aug 4, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Stella W ❗️❗️❗️Spoilers ahead ❗️❗️❗️I loved this movie. It really brought to life what the duchess went through in real life. The acting was great and the characters. The only thing I didn't like is that the issue wasn't solved. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/04/25 Full Review Avital S Not great. Not terrible Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/28/24 Full Review cato k Very interesting movie and i loved the drama. When I watched it I did not realise it was based off a true story until the end Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 12/01/23 Full Review Nicolas F A beautiful and well acted film about a terrible and true story that reminds us somewhat of the story of Lady Di. Keira Knightley beautiful to die for in a very beautiful role. A nice moment of a princess in a strong and popular glass tower. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/20/23 Full Review Ian W Keira Knightly looks stunning throughout. It's a remarkable story. Given those two facts, it's also remarkable how dull the film is. I really didn't care about the characters. I guess it's down to a poor screenplay. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/17/23 Full Review Audience Member A must see in women's history month. Knightley gives an incredibly emotive performance portraying a woman trapped in an abusive, unloving marriage. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/24/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Duchess

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Cast & Crew

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Saul Dibb

Director

Keira Knightley

Georgiana Spencer, Duchess of Devonshire

Ralph Fiennes

The Duke of Devonshire

Charlotte Rampling

Lady Spencer

Dominic Cooper

Charles Grey

Hayley Atwell

Bess

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The Duchess

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The Duchess

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Movie Info

Synopsis Though adored by the people, the Duchess of Devonshire (Keira Knightley) is not content to sit as a pretty figurehead. Determined to be a major player in affairs of state, she rises to the forefront of the Whig Party and helps usher in reform in late-1700s England. The one thing it seems she cannot do is win the heart of her husband (Ralph Fiennes).
Director
Saul Dibb
Producer
Gabrielle Tana, Michael Kuhn
Screenwriter
Jeffrey Hatcher, Anders Thomas Jensen, Saul Dibb
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Magnolia Mae, Pathé, Paramount Vantage, Qwerty Films, BBC Films
Rating
PG-13 (Sexual Content|Brief Nudity|Thematic Material)
Genre
History, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 19, 2008, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 15, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA)
$13.8M
Runtime
1h 49m
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