The Shooting Party

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The Shooting Party

1984

1h 48m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

6 Reviews

61%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

In the fall of 1913, Sir Randolph Nettleby (James Mason) invites a group of friends to join him for a weekend of pheasant hunting at his estate. His guests include the callous Lord Gilbert Hartlip (Edward Fox) and his wife, Lady Aline (Cheryl Campbell), who is having an affair with wealthy Sir Reuben Hergesheimer (Aharon Ipalé). Meanwhile, Lady Olivia (Judi Bowker), growing disenchanted with her husband, Lord Bob Lilburn (Robert Hardy), falls for romantic young Lionel Stephens (Rupert Frazer).

Pauline Kael

New Yorker

What keeps the picture from abstractness and overfamiliarity is that it’s full of the English affection for gentle lunacy.

Sep 13, 2023

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

There is nothing new in the message of this film, but a great deal of artistry in its telling.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 1, 2000

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Ángel Luis Inurria

El Pais (Spain)

It features a solid script and performances... all of it framed in the notable technical tradition of British cinema. [Full Review in Spanish]

Apr 21, 2020

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 4/5

Jul 19, 2005

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Philip Martin

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Rated: 3/5

May 6, 2005

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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality & Practice

A well-acted screen adaption of a thematically rich 1980 British novel by Isabel Colegate about class conflicts.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 22, 2004

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david f

I expect the success of Downton Abbey might lead people to seek out this movie, since it's a classic British Country House story with aristocrats and their servants living out various soap opera stories over a weekend highlighted by hunting just before the first World War. It's subtle and feels inconsequential up until the last act tragedy which raises it much above what came before.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

A solid movie about issues of class and the ending of the aristocracy around the beginning of WWI.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

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Audience Member

Well acted and thoughtful film about the British upper classes set the year before the start of The Great War. James Mason is excellent as are the rest of the distinguished British cast, including Sir John Gielgud, Edward Fox, Robert Hardy and Gordon Jackson.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

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Audience Member

Given the cast it should have been a much better film and a little less hammy in places. Gosford Park examined many of the same themes but did it so much better.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

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Audience Member

Aristocrats assemble for a weekend shooting party in 1913, unaware that their whole way of life is about to change forever. An understated and meditative film, beautifully photographed and evocatively scripted, and the cast simply couldn't have brought their characters to life any more vividly. James Mason is particularly outstanding as Sir Randolph Nettleby, one of the few aristocrats in the film with any conscience or humanity, and Gordon Jackson is just as good as the beater who comes to a sticky end.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

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Audience Member

The Shooting Party isn't very different from other films featuring the pre-WWI elite, but has a moving ending. Enjoyable without being 'good'.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/23/23

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Alan Bridges

Director

James Mason

Sir Randolph Nettleby

Edward Fox

Lord Gilbert Hartlip

John Gielgud

Cornelius Cardew

Dorothy Tutin

Lady Minnie Nettleby

Cheryl Campbell

Lady Aline Hartlip

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Synopsis

In the fall of 1913, Sir Randolph Nettleby (James Mason) invites a group of friends to join him for a weekend of pheasant hunting at his estate. His guests include the callous Lord Gilbert Hartlip (Edward Fox) and his wife, Lady Aline (Cheryl Campbell), who is having an affair with wealthy Sir Reuben Hergesheimer (Aharon Ipalé). Meanwhile, Lady Olivia (Judi Bowker), growing disenchanted with her husband, Lord Bob Lilburn (Robert Hardy), falls for romantic young Lionel Stephens (Rupert Frazer).

Director: Alan Bridges
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (DVD): Oct 17, 2006
Runtime: 1h 48m
Sound Mix: Stereo