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The Incredible Sarah

Play trailer Poster for The Incredible Sarah PG 1976 1h 46m Biography Play Trailer Watchlist
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30% Tomatometer 10 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
The legendary actress Sarah Bernhardt's (Glenda Jackson) unconventional life and career are examined in this biopic. At an audition in 1860, the teenage Bernhardt proclaims herself the greatest actress of her time. Her career blossoms, as does her private life. But art and life don't stay balanced, much to the frustration of her lovers. The eccentric Bernhardt eventually does marry another actor (John Castle), but it's her life on stage that ultimately gives her the most satisfaction.

Critics Reviews

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Pauline Kael The New Yorker 01/19/2024
The Incredible Sarah is an aberration. Stiffer and more anachronistic than the Warner bios of the thirties. Go to Full Review Variety Staff Variety 03/26/2009
The achievement here is that Jackson makes the character comprehensible and, in a qualified way, admirable, notwithstanding the clear evidence of a totally selfcentered nature. Go to Full Review Verina Glaessner Time Out 02/09/2006
Glenda Jackson emotes effectively enough through a series of cameo pieces from the classics, but is floored by the bits in between. Go to Full Review Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) 08/11/2023
As art, it is apologetic, and there is no one dares to defend it, but on its own level of ancient nostalgia and sensibility, it is irresistible. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review David Sterritt Christian Science Monitor 11/30/2021
The Incredible Sarah is so old-fashioned it creaks. Yet it's not bad fun if you can still work up an appetite for a flamboyant ''biopic" that spins legend upon myth until facts don't seem to matter any more. Go to Full Review Gayle Novack Big Mama Rag 05/19/2020
The fact that Readers Digest was the executive producer for the film is a clue to its snail-paced mediocrity. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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steve d 07/16/2020 It fails to capture the essence of its beloved figure. See more Read all reviews
The Incredible Sarah

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Cast & Crew

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Richard Fleischer

Director

Glenda Jackson

Sarah Bernhardt

Daniel Massey

Victorien Sardou

Yvonne Mitchell

Mam'selle

Douglas Wilmer

Montigny

David Langton

Duc de Morny
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The Incredible Sarah

The Incredible Sarah (1976) The Incredible Sarah (1976) The Incredible Sarah (1976) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis The legendary actress Sarah Bernhardt's (Glenda Jackson) unconventional life and career are examined in this biopic. At an audition in 1860, the teenage Bernhardt proclaims herself the greatest actress of her time. Her career blossoms, as does her private life. But art and life don't stay balanced, much to the frustration of her lovers. The eccentric Bernhardt eventually does marry another actor (John Castle), but it's her life on stage that ultimately gives her the most satisfaction.
Director
Richard Fleischer
Rating
PG
Genre
Biography
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 46m